PSP 'Beats' on PC PlayStation Store today
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Dec 6th 2007 at 11:57AM }
Developed by SCEE's London Studio, Beats began as a UMD project to be loaded with licensed music and videos by British pop band Sugababes. Thankfully, the London team got the memo in time. As soon as the developers learned that the PSP Store (albeit a PC-to-PSP store) was finally transitioning from dream to reality, they dropped the Sugababes, rear-loading disc and bloated price tag, and opted for an inexpensive, downloadable game powered by its users. Imagine that, Sony did something right.
(Note: Beats is not currently available through PS3's PS Store.)
[Via PSP Fanboy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
FidliousWong @ Dec 6th 2007 12:00PM
The only reason why this news annoys me....
I wanted to buy it before going to work! This looks fun and I am quite a music game fanboy....
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 6th 2007 12:02PM
Sounds interesting. I love music games, and I really like rhytm games on portables, like Elite Beat Agents and Ouendan.
Too bad I don't have a PSP =(
PS. Any recomendation: A PSP or an iPod Touch this Christmas?
nxtiak @ Dec 6th 2007 12:06PM
Neither.
Pick either Nintendo DS or Zune 80gb
Mr.ESC @ Dec 6th 2007 12:09PM
PSP + TV cables.
Nothing beats Castlevania Rondo of blood in a big screen.The Ipod is also good but the PSP is getting some badass games.
Also some of the best PSP games are also cheap.
samfish @ Dec 6th 2007 12:24PM
Pick up a Zune only if you want an epic case of Buyer's Remorse.
Brad Lee @ Dec 6th 2007 12:25PM
PSP
I haven't had any personal experience using an iPod, but I have used other MP3 players and for the most part they're much more hassle than they're worth. My latest migraine came from the Zune, which forces you to sync your Zune with your music library on your computer. I've heard bad things about iPod forcing you to use iTunes in a similar way.
Also, by doing a quick search online, iPod touch is around $300 for 8 gig. You can buy a PSP for $150, and about 2 4 gig memory pro duos for $120-$160. So it's about the same amount of money for the same amount of space, and you can play some pretty good games too. Not ALL PSP games are ports after all. Lumines 2, for example, which is the best of all the Lumines I've played.
cduran01 @ Dec 6th 2007 12:27PM
Hmmmmm, thats a tough choice....iPod touch is pretty cool and its internet capabillities are much better than the PSP's, but the PSP is much better if you like playing games and videos (much bigger screen).
I have an iPhone (company I work for gave it to me) and I find myself using it for internet browsing much more when Im away from a wireless hotspot and connected to an Edge network. An iPod touch would in that case be of no use other than play music or videos.
I personally would go for the PSP and a bunch of games. It would be more fun and cheaper than the touch.
Bootes @ Dec 6th 2007 1:58PM
Depends on what you want.
If you want to play games get a PSP.
If you want to listen to music, watch movies, or browse the internet; get a iPod Touch.
They both can do all of the above, but the PSP is much better than the iPod at playing games and the iPod is much better than the PSP at the other things.
If you get the touch make sure to jailbreak it and install the NES and GBA emulators. :)
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 6th 2007 12:16PM
I have a four Nintendo DS Lites =)
But I want an mp3 player and Internet Browser. But I'm undecided.
The PSP will ofer me some gaming (I want to try the Mega Man games and I want a portable Metal Slug and the Castlevania games) and the iPod Touch will offer me YouTube videos and a fast browser.
Well... maybe I get the PSP this Christmas and the iPod Touch in my birthday (April) and maybe the price is lower.
B1gC72 @ Dec 6th 2007 12:35PM
well each has their strengths. i think as each are right now, you would probably need to get both to do all you want to do.
PSP has alot more games which are more comparable to console games, and im actually using my PSP to listen to MP3s as i type this. only thing with the PSP is the brower sucks and you'll need to buy a memory stick large enough to justify it being a dedicated media player (i have a 4GB and a 1GB).
the iPod touch on the other hand has a handful of games but a much better browser and included storage space. i believe it would be more comfortable in a pocket also.
i love my PSP right now but if they ever come out with a 80GB+ iPod touch, ill be all over that lol.
Zoesch @ Dec 6th 2007 2:44PM
I own both, the PSP is pretty OK for internet access but the iPod Touch wipes the floor with it.
As a media/music player again, the Touch is where it's at.
But the PSP is a sensational games machine and a more than capable internet device and media player, just don't expect the finesse and flair of the iPod.
Brad Lee @ Dec 6th 2007 12:28PM
I second that Samfish. It's a mental breakdown waiting to happen.
Why they force you to sync with a music library on your computer I have no idea. My laptop is only 30 gig, which much defeats the purpose of a 30 gig Zune if I have to keep all the damn music on my laptop.
Thankfully, I'm using my brother's computer now. But even still, the whole syncing business is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen on any device.
Brad Lee @ Dec 6th 2007 12:32PM
Sigh, I don't know why but it didn't reply.
And yes that rhymed, but don't even try to sue, because it's not a crime, it's just... annoying.
Garrett @ Dec 6th 2007 12:33PM
Not sure what you're talking about, the ipod does not force you to sync with your library. If you turn on auto-update it does, sure, but as long as you leave it on manual update you just load whatever songs on it you want. No forcing you to sync.
samfish @ Dec 6th 2007 12:39PM
In fairness, there are programs you can download (for free!) that allow you to copy music files back and forth from an iPod, if I'm understanding your gripe right.
I don't know if such programs exist for the Zune, though. Never bothered to check...but I can't imagine there aren't any.
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Dec 6th 2007 1:02PM
"Not sure what you're talking about, the ipod does not force you to sync with your library."
No, but it does force you to "partner" with one computer. And it certainly doesn't assist with creating a master library on one computer. If I rip a CD to the master library, then I have to manually add it on my wife's laptop. The network "share" features limit syncing.
Don't get me wrong, Apple has some of the best organization and devices yet for digital content. But the iron fist of DRM and content control is still very much in evidence.
I hate being punished for being legitimate. Things were so much easier when I wore an eye patch and pillaged the open interwebs.
Brad Lee @ Dec 6th 2007 2:03PM
I was replying (or attempting to reply) to Samfish's comment about the Zune being total garbage, not iPod.
I never owned an iPod, but my experience with other mp3 players makes me not want to ever try.
Seraphim @ Dec 6th 2007 12:36PM
You don't have to sync the whole thing every time, you can selectively sync. Try looking into your options, it only takes a minute to learn how to properly use your $200 product..
I have one, no sync-crazy problems for me. I put what I want on my zune, and it usually stays on there. I then can right click on any artist, album, track, video, or picture, and choose to sync to device. Tada, done!
gonk @ Dec 6th 2007 12:53PM
it "usually" stays on there?
Mike @ Dec 6th 2007 12:55PM
I would love to buy this, but I don't run Windows. I do have a PS3, but for some reason you can't buy through the PS3 store and transfer to PSP the way you can with PSone games.
C'mon Sony!
kentuckyfried @ Dec 6th 2007 12:56PM
Get an iPod Touch Fernando!
Jailbreak (hack) that sucker and you have one of the best PDA's on the market :)
Tons of games and apps.
ThePassenger @ Dec 6th 2007 12:56PM
Wow, Mazzy Star. I thought I was the only person left on earth who listened to them.
(semi) obscure music references FTW!
Cal @ Dec 6th 2007 2:25PM
...Why has no one commented on the last sentence until now?
Dave Silva @ Dec 6th 2007 2:51PM
Wait.
Am I the only one that's noticed that this looks a lot like the "Defend" sections in Gitaroo Man?
Zoesch @ Dec 6th 2007 3:02PM
Fun game (Downloaded it from the Australian store last week) throwing some ISIS, Enslaved or Front Line Assembly tracks makes it so full of win it's not fair
rockintom @ Dec 6th 2007 5:27PM
Anyone know if this requires a specific firmware? I'm on 3.4OE, and don't have any plans on "upgrading" anytime soon.
drun @ Dec 6th 2007 7:58PM
Now I have some reason to store MP3 into the memory stick.
Cal @ Dec 6th 2007 8:07PM
There was a post about it over on the CAG forums, it seems to work with 3.71 or above, the 3.71 custom firmware included.
I just wish this was available on the ps3 store as I don't want to install any sony software on my pc.
Sean @ Dec 7th 2007 1:46AM
Mazzy Star. Awesome.
Crazy 88 @ Dec 7th 2007 11:47AM
I just bought "Beats" lastnight. Does anyone know how to play your songs within the game? I have tried all the settings and can't play my mp3s in the game as they promised. The game is not worth the price if you can't do this.
Joe P @ Dec 8th 2007 3:11AM
Um.. it's pretty basic functionality. Just make sure your MP3s are in the "SONG" folder on your PSP (ie you can play them from the PSP browser) and just select "My music challenge" from the main menu in BEATS. They should be right there.
This is an excellent game, well worth the $5 and I think it should be on everyone's PSP.