| I'm fairly certain there are folks at Nintendo feeling | | | | In each instance, simply connecting the PSP to your |
| some serious self-loathing right about now. You see, | | | | PC with a 5-pin USB cord will let you drag files from |
| back in the mid-90's Nintendo contracted Sony to | | | | your hard drive onto the PSP's Memory Stick. Pictures |
| develop a CD-ROM drive for the Super Nintendo. As | | | | and music are fairly straightforward, while video is less |
| the project progressed, a number of factors (one of | | | | so, requiring you to convert it to .mp4 format and set |
| them being the spectacular failure of the Sega CD and | | | | up a separate folder on the Memory Stick.Picture |
| its' followup the 32X) led Nintendo to can the project. | | | | viewing is a breeze. The PSP interface is set up in a |
| Sony was left holding the bag, with a CD-based | | | | horizontal heirarchy displaying each function; you simply |
| gaming system but no one to sell it to.Making proverbial | | | | navigate left or right to choose the application and then |
| lemonade from lemons, Sony turned around and | | | | vertically to choose the source. Selecting 'Pictures' and |
| produced what is perhaps the most successful game | | | | then 'Memory Stick' will let you browse whatever |
| console in history, the Sony Playstation. The result? For | | | | images you have stored on your Memory Stick. Since |
| the first time in history, Nintendo took second place in | | | | the PSP uses standard Memory Stick Duo format |
| the video game console market, while fellow rival | | | | chips, if you have a digital camera that uses MS Duo |
| Sega got out of the console business altogether.One | | | | sticks, you can simply slap the stick from your digican |
| segment of the gaming market Nintendo still has a | | | | into the PSP and browse to your heart's content. The |
| stranglehold on, however, is the handheld sector. | | | | PSP allows you to zoom in or out and pan the photos |
| Beginning with the original Gameboy, the name | | | | in any direction using the nub.Music is just as easy...you |
| Nintendo has been a veritable synonym for handheld | | | | just drag your ATRAC (ech!) or .mp3 (yay!) music files |
| gaming. This dominant streak has held sway through | | | | onto the Memory Stick, and then navigate to them the |
| several subsequent iterations of the Gameboy. Some | | | | same way you did the photos. One thing the PSP is |
| have claimed Nintendo's dual screen DS handheld | | | | not, however, is an iPod...you have to set up folders for |
| system to be a revolutionary step forward in portable | | | | each group of tunes you want, though you can assign |
| gaming. Others have decried it as gimmicky. | | | | tracks to song groups and play them back at will. That |
| Whichever side you fall on, there's no doubt Nintendo | | | | said, the PSP's music playback functionality is great. |
| execs are fingering their collars as Sony prepares to | | | | The PSP comes with a decent set of earbuds and a |
| rain on their parade with their new Playstation Portable | | | | remote extension allowing you to control the PSP's |
| - aka the PSP.Comparing the two systems, I'd say | | | | music functions without having to dig the unit out of |
| there's a real chance Nintendo may finally have a | | | | your pocket. More importantly, it sounds great. If you |
| serious challenger to the portable gaming throne. Most | | | | know how to edit .wmu playlists, you can even assign |
| assuredly, Nintendo will claim that they are pursuing a | | | | thumbnail images to the tracks which will appear when |
| different demographic than Sony (read 'kids'), and to | | | | you play back the tune on your PSP.Videos are the |
| their credit the pre-teen crowd will probably favor the | | | | biggest pain in the arse, mainly because you have to |
| DS over the PSP. But for anyone over the age of 12, | | | | do the most fiddling. Luckily, homebrew PSP |
| the PSP is definitely a serious contender for your | | | | programmers have already jumped to action, and |
| pocket change.Okay, so enough Nintendo-bashing. | | | | there are already a number of freeware apps |
| Review the damn thing already.The first impression | | | | available online which will let you drag 'n drop video |
| one gets from the PSP (once you've ravenously | | | | onto your PSP with little or no trouble.The biggest |
| clawed your way through the packaging) is just how | | | | drawback to all this media fun is the fact that the PSP |
| sleek the system is. From a purely aesthetic | | | | ships with a measly 32mb Memory Stick. By the time |
| standpoint, the PSP is one seriously sexy piece of | | | | you start messing around with music and video files, |
| cutting-edge tech. The system's faceplate is fashioned | | | | you'll be sorely aching for a big 'ole 1GB Memory |
| of one glassy piece, interrupted only by the protrusion | | | | Stick.So okay, I'm sure you're wondering whether or |
| of the various buttons. The backside is just as nice, | | | | not any of the horror stories you've heard about the |
| with the UMD disc door featuring a prominent PSP | | | | PSP are true. One of the bigger points of contention |
| logo inside a silver metal ring set flush against the | | | | that's hounded the PSP is the dreaded 'dead pixels' |
| backplate. The two shoulder buttons are clear plastic, | | | | issue. Reports have circulated widely that a number of |
| and the perimeter edge is accented in silver giving the | | | | PSP units have been plagued by 'dead pixels', pixels |
| whole thing a very streamlined look.Of course, looks | | | | which are either permanently light or dark, depending |
| are one thing, but how does it actually play? I'm happy | | | | on how they're stuck. My unit does indeed have a |
| to report that the PSP delivers very well in this regard. | | | | handful of these dreaded dead pixels, but seriously...I |
| For a portable system, weight is an important factor, | | | | think you'd have to be a real anal-retentive type for it |
| as it is by nature handheld. The PSP is fairly lightweight, | | | | to be considered truly bothersome. I'm certain that a |
| especially considering all the hi-tech goodness | | | | handful of PSP's have some serious issues, and Sony |
| crammed into it's slim chassis. In fact, it weighs just | | | | has agreed to repair or replace these units at no cost. |
| about the same as the Nintendo DS, if you need the | | | | However, seeing the problem first-hand, I can honestly |
| comparison. You could easily play this thing for hours | | | | say that it doesn't seem to be that big an issue. In fact, |
| straight without feeling weighed down.One thing that | | | | over the last week or so, some of the 'dead pixels' |
| takes a little getting used to is the somewhat cramped | | | | seem to have disappeared, leaving only two barely |
| form-factor. While the PSP's controls may be perfect | | | | noticeable spots. The other standout problem with the |
| for Japanese gamers, most Westerners will find that | | | | PSP's screen is that it is a veritable magnet for |
| having a go with the PSP will involve a short learning | | | | smudges and fingerprints. Sony thoughtfully includes a |
| curve while hunting for a comfortable grip. Really, | | | | microfiber cleaning cloth with the unit, and believe me, |
| though, it's no worse than any handheld system before | | | | you'll get a lot of use out of it. If this really bothers you, |
| it, and there's no denying that Sony designed the PSP | | | | be aware that for less than $5 you can buy a number |
| with ergonomics in mind. The back of the PSP has a | | | | of PSP 'skins' which protect the screen from smudges |
| very subtle curvature on each side, creating a natural | | | | or (gasp!) scratches.The second biggest concern |
| shallow channel for placing one's fingertips...it's a small | | | | about the PSP has been the battery life. So far, in my |
| detail, but it counts.Sony smartly modeled the PSP's | | | | experience, the power supply is adequate for what |
| controls on the PS2's Dualshock controllers, minus two | | | | the PSP is...a portable gaming system. With average |
| of the front triggers and the right control stick. | | | | use, you should expect to get between 4-5 hours of |
| Replacing the left stick is an analog 'nub', which works | | | | use between recharges. I generally use the PSP to |
| much better than it sounds. Rather than tilt on an axis, | | | | while away lunch breaks or spare moments in the |
| the nub moves gently in a horizontal direction, giving | | | | evening when I've got nothing better to do, and I have |
| you the same control as a stick but without the height | | | | yet to encounter a situation when I've been left with a |
| a stick would require. It's actually a small bit of genius, | | | | fully discharged PSP. If you really expect to put some |
| and works great in action.As you've probably heard, | | | | time into the PSP, you will probably want to get into |
| the PSP's main selling point is its' 4.3-inch hi-def screen. | | | | the habit of carrying around the included 5v power |
| While 4.3 inches doesn't sound like much on paper, the | | | | supply or invest in a secondary power source (Pelican |
| PSP's screen really must be seen to be appreciated. | | | | currently sells a 'power brick' which will recharge your |
| Both games and feature films look absolutely fantastic, | | | | PSP twice on a single charge for a mere $10). Other |
| and since the screen is formatted to a 16:9 ratio both | | | | reports, from UMD's ejecting from the unit when its' |
| applications can be appreciated in full widescreen, | | | | twisted, to poorly fabricated 'square' buttons, have |
| high-definition glory. Watching Spiderman 2 (which was | | | | really been overblown. I'm sure you can find faults with |
| included in the first million units sold in the US) is a | | | | the system, but overall, it's very well manufactured and |
| remarkable experience; when I first booted it up, I | | | | should withstand years of use provided you take care |
| laughed at the game store manager and proclaimed 'It | | | | of it.A minor issue of mine lies with the UMD movie |
| looks better than my television!'. And sure enough, it | | | | lineup. While I'm all for enjoying fan-favorite fare like |
| does. The screen is bright and crisp, and you may find | | | | Hellboy and Kill Bill, I wonder if film studios will truly |
| yourself picking details out of the image that you might | | | | embrace the format. Will we ever be able to enjoy |
| not have noticed the first time around.Of course, | | | | Citizen Kane or the works of Jean Cocteau on the |
| movies are one thing, but the PSP is primarily a game | | | | PSP? I think not. Considering the highly proprietary |
| platform. You wouldn't think so, but games benefit | | | | nature of the UMD format, I can't imagine the studios |
| from the PSP's hi-def screen moreso than films. | | | | taking a risk on less bankable material for consideration |
| Watching something like Wipeout Pure in motion is | | | | for UMD release. I suppose those of us who enjoy the |
| amazing; not only is the image in razor-sharp | | | | occasional foreign or classic film will have to resort to |
| hi-definition, it's also widescreen, allowing a larger view | | | | storing flicks on the Memory Stick. Oh well...least |
| of the playfield than ever before. Again, you'd think a | | | | common denominator, I suppose...Film snobbery aside, |
| 4.3-inch screen wouldn't capable of very much, but it | | | | the PSP is truly a remarkable piece of engineering. |
| just isn't so. Without a doubt, the PSP's screen is one | | | | When the PSP's specs were first unveiled a mere |
| of the greatest single innovations the handheld gaming | | | | two years ago, it was widely believed that Sony's |
| world has ever seen.Powering the PSP is a single | | | | handheld system was vaporware in the making, and |
| 333mhz processor, which may not sound too | | | | that the final product couldn't possibly deliver. |
| impressive up front, but visually, the PSP stacks up | | | | Amazingly, they have. Nearly every point on Sony's |
| favorably with it's bigger sibling, the PS2. All the | | | | ambitious list is intact. With numerous hardware and |
| flourishes you've come to expect from the full-size | | | | software improvements on the way (digital camera |
| gaming platforms, sharp textures, lens flares, hi-poly | | | | attachments, installed web browser and chat clients, |
| models, can be found on a device roughly the size of | | | | PSP MMORPG's), Sony has crafted the first true |
| a scientific calculator. Pick up Ridge Racer, perhaps the | | | | challenger to the handheld gaming throne...and suddenly |
| most visually impressive title in the PSP's launch lineup, | | | | it feels like 1995 all over again.Alex Mayo is a graphic |
| and you won't miss the PS2 iterations one bit. Ditto for | | | | designer of Irish/Filipino descent who grew up in |
| the aforementioned Wipeout Pure, which actually | | | | Cincinnati, Ohio. He was raised on comic books, punk |
| manages to overtake the PS2's Wipeout Fusion by a | | | | rock, and grade-B kung fu movies, which explains his |
| fair mile...and not merely by virtue of it's portability. It's | | | | complete and utter inability to deal with real life in a |
| actually a better game...if that doesn't say anything to | | | | rational manner. He is reasonably well-educated (if Art |
| you about the power of the PSP, nothing will.The PSP | | | | school counts), reasonably well-read (if graphic novels |
| also lends itself to other applications, such as viewing | | | | and the 'Letters to Hustler...' columns count), and |
| photos, watching videos, and playing music. Though | | | | reasonably well-fed (if Sliders from White Castle |
| these are definitely secondary uses for the PSP, they | | | | count).Alex currenty supprorts himself as a freelance |
| are no less good selling points, as the PSP handles | | | | graphic designer and as the helmsman in charge of a |
| them well enough to be a serious consideration for | | | | popular Asian-American Pop Culture webzine. |
| anyone looking for a secondary media display device. | | | | |