Another PSP review for you

by Ben Zackheim { Dec 15th 2004 at 3:21PM }

We missed this one back when we were gathering up PSP review links. The review is a well-written and balanced take on the new Sony device (though there are some slight exxagerations, such as "Analysts have speculated that Sony is losing several hundred dollars on each machine.") The bottom line? The PSP is a solid first try, with a look and feel beyond its retail price. Criticisms include the weight, speakers and the battery life (it looks like the average time with "average" use is settling at around the 3 hour mark). One interesting observation is that, counter to Sony's claims of region-free use, there's a Region 2 stamp on the game box. As Engadget points out, this would not be satisfactory.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stephen Day @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

The PSP is region free for games, the region 2 refers to UMD movies, they will be coded for a region

Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

Stephen: Why then are the games stamped with the same region codes?

Bill: How big would the case have to be to fit the PSP and extra batteries? Where do you store the games? Good idea. Someone draw us a mock-up?

SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

From the article:

"Based on my early tests, Sony's estimate of 4 to 5 hours seems closer to the mark. With the battery inserted straight out of the box with only its residual charge, the unit easily lasted through 2 hours of game play. After a full charge, the battery meter in the PSP indicated 5 hours and 36 minutes remaining."

Trust the battery meter. Please don't actually test it. No need to. No need at all.

Konstantin @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

I look at DS and I wonder, why in the name of *whatever* Sony having a licence for PalmOS did not add a touch screen to the PSP and a flashrom with PalmOS 5 in it? It would be killer device. I dont mind playing with the stylii but having a PDA with PSP married is that far?
I guess I got dreaming too far, asking for a flame here, since PalmOS on PSP would probably double the retail price.
Aaahhhh well, dreaming does not cost anything.

Brian @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

how many hours do people play games in a day?

I play no more than 2. I'm in college so maybe i have more/less time than average person. I dont know.

This reminds me a little bit of the "why get a laptop if it lasts 3 hours before needing to be plugged in" arguement.

Brian @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

also here's a useful link on another pattern of battery usage. They log their usage, something which has made other reviews not so useful. Tell me what you played, tell me what the brightness of the screen was like, how continuously, etc.

http://psp.ign.com/articles/572/572563p1.html

anyway what do you guys think?

Aaron @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

#6: "how many hours do people play games in a day? I play no more than 2."

IT's a bit different with handheld gaming devices. They traditionally have been shoved in a bag or pocket and can be used for days (used like you, 2/3 hrs each day). What low battery life on the PSP means is that you'll most likely need to start charging it every night like you do a cell phone/laptop/whatever.

A gameboy can be taken to a friend's house for the weekend and never make you think about bringing a charger with you.

Brian @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

i see what you mean Aaron, i guess im not as picky about charging once a day since i do charge my phone, battery, etc. once a day anyway. Not that I dont complain about the low battery life of laptops, phones, etc.

About the friend's house. hmm that seems like an issue for the under 18 crowd more, no? I rememnber charging my cellphone in highschool, and my walkman, which meant bringing chords if i stayed overnight at a friend;s place. I dont think the battery life is a make or break deal for the majority of gamers.

but what do i know, nintendo has had a monopoly on the portable gaming industry for quiet some time, people's tastes are for nintendo it seems and nintendo knows there tastes. But, i think PSP is healthy competition, better some than none.

Ryan @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

well i think that the best point about the psp is thatt you will not use it nonstop, but how often do you go on a trip that you need to play for 10 hours straight, i dont know about you but when im home im going to use my xbox not my psp, it is a handheld it is for on the run activitied such as having that evil stepmother you have taking you to get all you hair get cut off and make you bald, that is when ill use the psp.

Bollocks Mate @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

Brian -

they've updated their Battery Life report in detail.....

http://psp.ign.com/articles/574/574557p1.html

DeBe @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM

I have just bought a PSP in the US. As I live in Europe is it likely that when they are released I will be able to buy region 2 games to play on my PSP? ( If Jap ones can be played on the US one?)I thought originally that the games were region locked?