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Category Archives: PSP Go

Finally said goodbye to PSP

With my upcoming move to Oregon, my family is getting rid of anything we don’t absolutely need. I decided that, for me, that meant getting out of my seldom-used Sony PSP, as it had been months since I’d bothered even picking it up; after all, my Android phone provides far more convenient mobile gaming at a much lower cost.

So along with lots of clothes, print books, and a lot of furniture from a desk to stainless steel sinks, the PSP I’ve owned since I replaced my drowned-one from last summer’s dip in the lake during a fishing vacation is now the property of GameStop, along with several games that my wife had no interest in.

Now, some people might say this was a savvy positioning move, what with Sony launching their new mobile gaming system, the PS Vita, this coming holiday season. But that’s not why I did it. Frankly, I’m just not interested in that type of game system anymore. Not when I have my Droid.

So, no more PSP reviews here, folks; and don’t expect any PS Vita reviews, either. I’ve officially moved on.

It’s official as far as I’m concerned: PSP is dead

Consider it a take-it-to-the-bank guarantee: the Sony PlayStation Portable is dead as a viable gaming platform. At least as far as I’m concerned. There’s no longer any good games being released or even planned for the system, and even the PSP Go was a bust.

Put a nail in it. You’ll spend your time better in pursuit of ways to buy gold online.

Here’s the real reason, though; between my Kindle 3 and my T-Mobile G2 with Google by HTC Android phone, I have plenty of ways to game without hauling out my old PSP, which is bulky and simply not fun. Why pay even $20 for PSP games when I can hop on my Android market and get a free demo that might set me back $3-$5 if I really like it?

The good news for Sony is that they have seen the writing on the wall; that’s why they’re introducing the new Sony Ericcson Xperia PLAY line of Android-powered gaming cell-phones. It’s the company’s last-ditch attempt to become relevant again in mobile gaming. I have yet to see a unit, but I am given to understand that the Xperia PLAY has the PlayStation Store built in and runs games that are at least as impressive as anything ever released on PSP, if not moreso.

The trouble is that Sony seems intent on keeping their games aimed at the Xperia PLAY phones, rather than open to the entire Android Market as a whole. That’s not a good sign, as only a small segment of that market is going to be willing to jump over to the Xperia PLAY just to get Sony games. And if they don’t scale their prices to become “in line” with the rest of the Android gaming market, which means virtually nothing more than $9.99, Sony’s battle could be lost before they’ve even suited up for battle.

I suspect Sony’s time would be better-spent focusing on the PlayStation 4 than trying to break into the Android Market with overpriced games that only play on their own Android phones.

Scratching the gaming itch

Even though I’ve been off my PS3 and 360 a lot lately, and even my PSP isn’t that scintillating, I’ve been getting my gaming itch scratched on my Kindle and it occurs to me – since I’m upgrade-eligible with T-Mobile now – that a nice, fancy, Android-based smart phone like the HTC Desire HD would be a great way to scratch that itch on the go.

Much as I’ve loved PSP over the years, it’s just way behind the game compared to Android phones or even iPhones/iPod Touches.

I like having games that follow me on the go. I’m just not sure the PSP is doing the trick for me anymore.

My PSP’s showing signs of age

My PSP is showing signs of heavy use and general age.

The current unit I own is a second-generation PSP Slim, and while the PSP Go is available, I have no interest in giving up my UMD library, so screw that. Once this PSP Slim goes down, I will most likely go for a third-generation PSP instead, which is a PSP Slim on diet pills.

The Sony PSP has become a handheld favorite of mine due in large part to the heavy load of crap and kiddie titles that litter Nintendo DSi shelves, making it impossible to find the titles on that platform that I might actually like; PSP’s library may not be as massive, but there’s a lot more games I actually like and want to play on it.

I’ve owned two PSPs to date, not counting the two my wife has owned. I don’t necessarily look forward to shelling out for one again, but I use it so much, it’s to be expected. And since I chose iPod nano instead of iPod Touch this last time out, I’m in no danger of going app-crazy and forgetting my lovely PSP anytime soon.

Still excited about PSP Go!

Even though it’s not the total revolution hoped for, I’m excited about the PSP Go! The design is a big improvement and while the lack of a touch-screen is a disappointment, it should make the PSP platform far more competitive with Apple’s iPod Touch.

The PSP Go, of course, is like taking the original PSP and putting it on diet pills for about a month. It’s lighter and smaller than the original PSP design, and it finally sheds those awkward UMDs in favor of a bunch of flash memory.

Certainly sounds worthwhile, even as we hope for an even more revolutionized and competitive PSP2; though now, that’s not likely to appear until 2010 at the earliest.