Conclusion
So is the PSP worth it? Well, if you have an I-Pod then the music function won’t interest you in the slightest as, though if you wear the supplied headphones people might think you have one (they’re white like Apple’s). Overall the unit is solidly built and weighs in fairly heavily too, so it’s not unfair, given its weight and size, to say that it’s pushing the ‘pocket games platform’ definition a little. In terms of features, I think only the rarely seen Gizmondo packs more in. You’ve got infra-red, Wifi, music and video playback, a photo viewer, a top quality screen, superb sound over the headphones and excellent gaming… all in one solidly built package. Certainly, its not flawless with the dead pixel issue and Sony’s insistence on using Memory Stick when SD cards are already available in 1GB flavours, though having said that, Memory Stick is their proprietary card and this is their unit so they can do what they like… those of us who have loads of SD cards and no Memory Sticks will just have to go and buy some, eh?
The padded case comes as standardHolding the PSP up against the DS and Gizmondo, I’d say that there’s more on the PSP for the older gamer. The WIFI function makes it an attractive proposition for mobile surfing if Sony do a deal with a UK based ISP with national wireless coverage. How many early teen kids are going to want to bother converting MPEGs to copy onto their PSP? Or music or photos for that matter? No, given the complexity of the PSP, it’d be better used and give more satisfaction the older gamer… say late teens onwards.
A gratuitous Ridge Racers shot… you have to see that car spinning around in lovely 3D to really appreciate itThe crunch question, should you buy one or not? Well, that’s up to you, to be honest. Personally, if I had the money to spare, I’d get one, but not until they were released in the UK. That way Sony will have tech support set-up and ready if I need help and with region free games I’ll be looking at a nice back catalogue of stuff made for the already released US PSPs. Of course, if you’re an out and out technophile, you’ll either already have one or have one on pre-order, and if so, you won’t regret it. And if you’re having an umm and err about it, either cave in to impatience or save up and hang on for an official release.
I'm not going to do a 'Pros and Cons' for the PSP at this stage as we're still awaiting an official UK release, but as this look at the minute, I'd have to say that the PSP is looking like being the handset of choice for the gamer on the go.
Special thanks to Lee Cripps for supplying the unit for this article.
