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Tag Archives: PSP Slim

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.

Farewell, Nintendo DS!

Tonight, my wife and I bid farewell to our Nintendo DS units and all our DS games. My wife selflessly gave up her PSP a few months ago for some trade-in credit toward a new Xbox 360 unit, because her PSP was broke anyway. We both prefer the PSP library of games and finally decided to bite the bullet and give up our DS habit to get her back in a PSP.

Sure, we didn’t have the extra-fancy Nintendo DSi to trade in with all the bells and whistles and rackmount LCD. But with a chubby DS, a DS Lite and about 16 games, as well as a PS3 game we didn’t care for tossed in for good measure, I hoped we’d at least have enough to get her a PSP Slim.

Well, not only did we get her a PSP Slim for about $110, but we had enough left over to pick up Dragon Age: Origins for the PS3, as well as Shin Megami Tensei: Persona for the PSP, as well! Talk about a nice deal? For me, Dragon Age: Origins is enough to make me forget all about those DS games… Phoenix Wright who? I’m playing BioWare’s latest and greatest, baby!

Sometimes I just wanna play a few holes of golf

I know my PSP Slim has plenty of meaty RPGs, in-depth sports games and other pastimes, but sometimes I just want to play a round of golf. That’s why I love Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2. It’s challenge mode scales up quite a bit, but never drastically, and winning it all is quite a challenge.

But the best aspect is, it involves very little commitment. If you’re in the men’s room and only have a few moments, a couple holes can be satisfying all by themselves. It’s a great way to pass some time. Sure, it’s not like surfing free online auctions sites, but hey… not everything can be as blissful, right?

November 2008 Games Worth Getting: PSP Slim

Alright, here’s the blunt, honest truth. Normally I would list some games in here for the PSP platform that will help make your holiday season a happy one. But like an honest acne care treatment doctor, I don’t want to blow smoke up your nose.

Sometimes there’s just nothing worth getting. This is one of those months for PSP Slim. Save your money for other games on other platforms.

Cartoon sports videogames… eh.

Sometimes writing about cartoon sports videogames can be about as fun as taknig a strong dose of herbal acne treatment; it’s not enjoyable and convinces no one. You either like cartoonish sports titles or you’re over the age of six.

The one exception is the Hot Shots Golf franchise, which seems to have found just the right mix of serious golf sim and cartoon antics to remain interesting to older gamers who love real sports, not “kiddie stuff.”

I recently reviewed Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds for PS3 and really enjoyed the game; it’s a keeper. Now, after over two years of playing Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee on PSP to death and back again, the sequel is out: Open Tee 2 has a good mix of old familiar coarses updated since their last appearance, as well as plenty of new courses.

Look for a full review soon.

Metallic blue PSP to bundle with Madden 09

Sony continues to treat US gamers to limited-edition PSPs, a first for the company so reluctant to do so in the US in the PSone and PS2 era. The latest is a metallic blue PSP bundle that will come with Madden NFL 09 for PSP, a couple other items and a 1 GB memory stick duo, all for only $199.

While the crowd that hangs around the weight room waiting to work on their ellipticals may or may not be big videogame fans, nearly everyone plays Madden NFL, and the metallic blue PSP is another eye-catcher.

My only hesitation is that Madden NFL has never played close to console-like on the PSP, so while it’s a nice idea, excuse me if I hold on to my silver PSP Slim a while longer. Besides, a PSP Slim is a PSP slim; if you lack one, this is a great one to get, but it’s not worth dumping your existing PSP Slim over, since the only difference is the limited edition case color.

FFT on PSP Slim

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions on PSP has been a great way to break in my new PSP Slim so far, and create in me a lot of affection for the system as well as the game.

But I have to say I’m annoyed by one feature: all those side-missions you used to be able to get at the taverns? They’re still there, but you HAVE to find an online player to play them with.

There are tons of items and character-advancing experiences to go through via these tavern missions, and I think requiring them to be completed via cooperative play is a big mistake; I have yet to find a single opponent online in order to complete even one of them

This should be optional for coop or solo play.

A perfect marriage: PSP Slim and Final Fantasy Tactics!

It took a while, but Sony finally has it right in the handheld market; a combination of the perfect game and the perfect piece of hardware to play it on. The hardware? The new PSP Slim. The game? Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions.

Much like last winter’s redesign of the previously-bulky Nintendo DS, Sony’s original PlayStation Portable was in dire need of of an attention-grabbing redesign. While the DS Lite went in an standard Nintendo direction, with a trim but boxy design than a wide palette of colors from which to choose, Sony chose a slightly different route.

The PSP Slim is noticably lighter and thinner, but still boasts the spirit of the original PSP design. And instead of making a load of new colors commonplace, Sony celebrated the PSP relaunch with a couple collectible, limited edition designs, while the rest of the forthcoming PSP Slims will remain in standard black. The Daxter version of PSP Slim is a sharp, slick metallic silver, while the Star Wars Edition is pearly white with an image of an adult Darth Vader silkscreened on the back of the unit.

They’re sharp-looking and they won’t be available forever, making them fun to own, and of course, increasing their eBay value in the process for the capitalists among us.

But a redesigned PSP would be nothing without some all-new killer apps to play on ‘em, and one of the big guns just launched: Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions finally makes its way to PSP sporting a complete graphical makeover, new cinematics, new characters, new jobs and lots of other new goodies, while retaining the spirit of the original story that made the PS One classic so damn addictive.

I could go on and on, but I’d rather get back to PSP gaming heaven… you’ll hear more from me later, though. Soon as the PSP Slim has to go on the recharger.

Dungeons and Dragons Tactics better than most say

You won’t need leather home theater seating to enjoy Dungeons and Dragons Tactics, the latest D&D videogame from Wizards of the Coast and Atari. That’s because it’s on the Sony PSP and, despite some lukewarm reviews, I feel the game is quite good.

Sure, it’s not as flashy as Final Fantasy Tactics or the forthcoming Disgaea Afternoon of Darkness (PSP) title, but it does go a long way toward capturing the atmosphere of the old paper-pen-and-2d20 tabletop game so many people enjoyed in their youth.

Dungeons and Dragons is losing its “cool” appeal to trading card games like YuGiOh!, so perhaps younger gamers won’t be able to relate. But for an old gamer like me, this PSP title is role-playing in the most classic sense, and the best videogame version of the D&D universe since the first Neverwinter Nights title for PC.

PSP will come in limited Star Wars edition

If you’re into videogames, stores like EB and GameStop are your hobby shops of choice. This fall, expect to find some interesting fare.

After years of offering Americans jack-squat when it comes to special editions of videogame hardware, Sony is changing that at last with a special Star Wars edition of the new PSP Slim. Cased in white with an image of Darth Vader engraved on it, it’s a classy piece of hardware.

Here’s hoping it sells well and starts a trend toward the US getting more special-edition hardware.

No-brainers for PSP Slim

While many of the adjustments and tweaks for the upcoming redesign on the PSP sound great, here’s some things I haven’t heard mentioned that I’d love to see included, or else we may have to exile Sony’s design group to an Orlando vacation rental until they think of something better and… err… they’d like that too much! Back to the drawing board for a more appropriate punishment, men! Meantime, here’s some no-brainer improvements that could be made to PSP Slim, but haven’t been announced so far:

1) A screen that can be left uncovered by a thick, clear sticker without scratching.

2) Better carrying case options that don’t cost half as much again as the PSP itself.

3) Better ways to acquire music and video and get it on your memory stick without all the hassle.

4) Cheaper memory sticks!

Not bad for a Top 4, is it?

Jeanne d’Arc has staying power

Jeanne d’Arc has staying power. Although it’s just hitting store shelves about now, I’ve been pleased to say I’ve been playing it for over six weeks and the game is still going strong when it comes to holding my interest.

I’m logging a lot of hours on it, looking for that miracle burn transformation that allows Jeanne and select other characters to transform into super-soldiers who can wipe out large groups at a time thanks to the addictive One More battle system.

Seriously, this is every bit the must-have I’ve been saying it is for some time now.