The PSP: Losing third parties and loving it

Newer PSP Slims with the spanking new motherboard haven't been hacked yet, and there's word that the Brite will be hackproof. (Although I may be wrong, because rumors of a release of a new, yet easily hackable motherboard have been making rounds at hacking communities).

Being the kewl guy I am I just buy my games (well, most of 'em)... I do have my PSP hacked but I only have three CSOs on it right now (Daxter, lost the UMD. Crisis Core, let a friend borrow. God of War, I wanted to save battery life since overclocked with a UMD spinning, shit drains battery life like no other) and the rest of it (it's an eight gig stick mind you) is filled with music, videos, and apps.

@TFOK

As far as I know you have to have a physical UMD in the PSP even with running hacked games. I have a few hacked games but for the most part (90%) I also purchase my games. BTW, I have the original fatter PSP.

I hope they release a hack proof PSP. There is plenty of quality content but the sales are not good enough to merit big time exclusive games. Though there are 3 exclusives from Square on the horizon including two final fantasy games and a new Parasite eve game.

"As far as I know you have to have a physical UMD in the PSP even with running hacked games."

The newer M33 firmwares give you the option to play backed up games without a UMD. 96% of the library works with this option, and while it renders video a little bit choppy and vertical syncing becomes a bit of an issue, it's still a good option if you don't have a UMD to use.

There are rumors that the Brite is hackproof.

My cousin owns a hacked PSP-slim. He used the Pandora battery

Don't be silly.

Nothing is hack-proof.

Unless you're issuing a challenge...?

I have a hacked Slim too. I meant the newer Slims - around February, Sony started sticking in new motherboards that have so far been immune to hax.

Noshino: Fighting the fine fight!

Regarding PSP and DS, they complement each other almost perfectly.

Although I play more GBA games on my DS than DS games...

REEEEEPLLLYYYY SSSSYYYYSSSTTTTEMMMM!

Anyway, that was for the next post down.


Oh, and nothing, I mean NOTHING is H4xx0|2 proof.

I don't know when they started, but the early TA-88's were fine. This was June-ish that I remember hearing about these. TA-88v2 blocked the making of a Pandora. I started hearing about TA-88v3 in July or so, and that one blocks the IPL exploit. However, the newest board is the TA-90, and it's still vulnerable. Sony hardware revisions are truly bizarre.

Sure, the boys in Stringer's lab can make it hack-proof. But that don't mean we ain't gonna hack it.

I have to agree with Ayrkain, I was also shocked to hear the new motherboards were pandorable.

111 isn't much more than 106. Just saying.

Something I've noticed is that DS games just plain have more replay value. PSP devs try too often to make titles for the PSP that compare to console games rather than handheld games, and we end up with so many one-time-through games as a result.

No, IMO it doesn't have that much to do with the titles, as the PSP beats the DS hands down on that (If you want to argue about that, please use valid facts)

I really think that it has more to do with the advertising the it has received, not only Sony's advertising of it was rather awful, but also mainstream media used often have "news" about PSP hacking, porn, or whatever else that would scare parents to buy one for their kids, or to even allow on at home...

I had to get one for my uncle before I actually got his permission to gift on to my cousin...

"(If you want to argue about that, please use valid facts)"

Uh, use valid facts regarding a matter of opinion? That makes perfect sense right there.

There are some PSP games I've really enjoyed (Space Invaders Extreme, Exit, God of War, Wipeout Pulse, etc.), but it's kinda hard to deny that the PSP is the home for 'console game on a handheld' type games, and therefore end up with less replay value than most DS games, which are usually designed to be pick up and play affairs. I still have yet to play a single game this generation that beats out the replay value that Dual Strike has (except maybe Geometry Wars Galaxies).

"If you want to argue about that, please use valid facts"

Wait, where are yours?

I kinda agree with TFoK here, but with a twist ;) I think that looking forward, the handheld market may come to be stronger than the console market. But right now it's too early. The Wii is shifting the way people think about gaming on consoles, and when that shift has run it's course, people will probably start buying more handhelds as Japan seems to be doing. Eventually people may want a console experience on the go, but most people just aren't there yet. PSP will probably continue to play second fiddle, but it's second fiddle to a virtuoso, so it's all good.

Sorry, I should have said "data" instead

"Uh, use valid facts regarding a matter of opinion? That makes perfect sense right there."

Sire, it is by critics/reviews that we decide the best when it comes down to it. I would actually support other ways such as a survey/poll instead or number of units sold, but then that would mean that Hanna Montana or any other Disney artist are the best on the music industry, or that Disney movies are the best out there.

"but it's kinda hard to deny that the PSP is the home for 'console game on a handheld' type games"

When did I deny that? so because they are aiming for more than just a pick-up-and-play experience, this suddenly became bad?

"and therefore end up with less replay value than most DS games, which are usually designed to be pick up and play affairs"

what are you smoking? so now only pick up and play games can have the most replay value?...

I have yet to pick up MP: Hunters again, NSMB, Phantom Hourglass (yes nando, borrowed it once again, once again disappointed). The 3 handheld games in which I have ever put over 100 hrs have been THUG 2 Remix, FFTA, and Fire Emblem Rekka No Ken (this one has over 500 hrs on it)

I apologize, it should have been "I have yet to pick up again"

dark_inchworm

Source: http://www.Metacritic.com )

The PSP has 392 games
The DS has 451 games

The PSP has an average rating of 67.135
The DS has an average rating of 63.462

The PSP has 115 games with scores of 75+ (29.337%)
The DS has 106 games with scores of 75+ (21.946%)

The PSP has 30 games with scores of 49- (7.653%)
The DS has 79 games with scores of 49- (16.356%)

I've always found the number argument to be a bit silly. The PSP catalog very clearly caters a bit differently than the DS catalog - that is, once you cut out the ports and rehashes and narrow them both down to something like 15 games* - and which one is better is dependent on what genres you enjoy. I think they're both pretty spiffy, myself.

*exaggeration

I think the important thing here is, how many games are coming out in the future and not just overall. It doesn't take a math genius to look at a websites with lists of upcoming games for the ds and psp and figure out which one has more games coming. Take ebgames, 26 items in the psp list 195 for ds (of course some of these items are things like strategy guides etc, but it gives you an idea of scale). Also, different games appeal to different people, it's important to have a wide verity so that it's easy for all your customers to get their fill. Just because a system has a great game coming out doesn't mean I'm going to buy it, it just might not be my thing.

I for one, don't really care how many bad games come out for a system, because I don't have to play those. I'm only interested in the bottom line, which is how many games I want to play. I think that both systems have good libraries, and I enjoy both of them a lot. But looking to the future, there's just not nearly as much coming out on the PSP that interests me as the DS.

Wanna know the main problem with the PSP's library? They're home console games. A lot of them are basically ports or converted PS2 games. From a design standpoint, there are trade offs one needs to make to create a good or great portable game. If you take a look at a lot of what makes a portable game great, the PSP is severely lacking in that department. Not that they don't have a few gems mind you, just that the DS does infinitely better in that department.

I own a PSP but it gets so little use, it's not even funny. Honestly I should have sold it a long time ago but I'm not poor and I'd still like to keep my options open for the few gems on it now and then.

But DS has more highly rated exclusives and original IPs. The reason that the PSP has tonnes of high rated games is that alot of them (not a majority though, I don't think) are multiplat with like GC, PS2 and Xbox etc. And also has ports of PS2 and XBox games like The Warriors (which is incredible on the PSP because it has enough power to make the port not watered down).

I'm not bashing PSP, but if you are comparing the games, you should compare exclusives like you do with PS3, 360 and Wii. DS has 3 exclusives that are 90+ and PSP only has 1.

Noshino: Those numbers seem to make a good argument that software titles and quality has little to do with the dropoff in PSP game sales.

But I would be curious to know what the numbers and ratings are for platform exclusive games.

Still, I'd agree with you because perception is important in sales, too. Fairly or no, it seems that common perceptions include a) PSP has mostly shooters, b) PSP has mostly ports, c) PSP games aren't all that different from console games, and d) the PSP never had the "hot" and "must have" buzz about it that the DS had.

Superstar90

"But DS has more highly rated exclusives and original IPs."

Huh? They both have their fair share of exclusives and original IPs, but I ll agree that the DS has more 90+ and 85+ titles (2 and 3 respectively)

"The reason that the PSP has tonnes of high rated games is that alot of them (not a majority though, I don't think) are multiplat with like GC, PS2 and Xbox etc."

So does the DS...what's your point?

"And also has ports of PS2 and XBox games like The Warriors (which is incredible on the PSP because it has enough power to make the port not watered down)."

And what about it?


guttertalk,

Yah, its rather sad to see so many wrong perceptions of the PSP...

"what are you smoking? so now only pick up and play games can have the most replay value?...

I have yet to pick up MP: Hunters again, NSMB, Phantom Hourglass (yes nando, borrowed it once again, once again disappointed). The 3 handheld games in which I have ever put over 100 hrs have been THUG 2 Remix, FFTA, and Fire Emblem Rekka No Ken (this one has over 500 hrs on it)"

Nosh, you're acting as if I don't fucking love my PSP. Yeah, I didn't pick up those games again either. Metroid Prime Hunters just plain didn't feel like Metroid, New Super Mario Brothers was too damn easy, and Phantom Hourglass was just awful.

You know what I have picked up over and over and over again?

Both Advance Wars titles, Mario Kart DS, Meteos, Elite Beat Agents, N+, Kirby Canvas Curse, Animal Crossing, Contra 4, WarioWare Touched, Sonic Rush, etc.

Dude, you need to chill. I never said the PSP didn't have some pretty damn good games. In fact, I'll say right now that, in terms of epic 1 player games, it trumps the DS pretty easily. Can I say it beats out the DS period? No, because I've put in plenty more hours on DS games than on PSP games, and that's just because DS games have more replay value.

Do you have any of the online PSP games? Usually there's no opponents in, well, any of them, and I really want to play someone in Wipeout Pulse...

@Noshino
I can't clarify what I said, because it's already clear.
DS vs PSP software should be decided with exclusives because obviously multi-platform games work better on the PSP. The PSP has more PS2/Xbox/GC ports than the DS and the PSP's hardware helps to keep the design of the original. So a good PS2 game becomes a good PSP game (that's my point!).

And maybe next time, you should reply to the whole comment instead of taking every part out of context and replying with "so, what's your point?"

I apologize if my comments were a bit rude Fatass, just thought that your comment came off a bit too harsh towards the PSP and its gaming library.

Superstar90,

"DS vs PSP software should be decided with exclusives because obviously multi-platform games work better on the PSP."

What? the "best" software should be decided by the whole library, not just exclusives, hell, the same applied even for the PS2, or did you only count the exclusives?

"The PSP has more PS2/Xbox/GC ports than the DS and the PSP's hardware helps to keep the design of the original. So a good PS2 game becomes a good PSP game (that's my point!)."

First of all, you make it seem as if the gap between ports was that big, newsflash, the PSP does have new IPs as well.

Second, it doesn't keep the design, most of the ports do not keep the same design, and the ones that do, well, let's just say that they tend to score low.

So when I asked "what is your point" it was because the argument of "good ps2 game = good psp game" isn't true.


"And maybe next time, you should reply to the whole comment instead of taking every part out of context and replying with "so, what's your point?""

So yes, I'm replaying bit by bit so you understand it well enough. Dude, stop assuming stuff.


Btw Fatass, my PSP is being modded...and well, my DS's wifi doesn't work, so yah, no way to get my handheld gaming online, that reminds me, I need to get a new DS before Fire Emblem DS comes out :]

"The PSP just needs a really great action game with good controls, graphics and gameplay, with a ton of marketing."

Where were you when Chains of Olympus came out?

It needs dual analog sticks and 4 shoulder buttons. The system is bad ass. It's essentially a PS2 in your pocket and then some with the media functions.

"It needs dual analog sticks and 4 shoulder buttons."

I'm not sure how a portable system would perform with that many buttons. The second analog stick would make sense, but extra shoulder buttons? The system would have to be xta thick to support those.

...wait, what?

Eh, what?

Was it evicted?

got one for my nephew while he was living here then he moved back to cali

Don't forget SCUMM VM and Exult. Seriously badass emulation machine.

I play on the bus, in-between my classes, at friends' houses...all the places I would use my DS if it had titles other than Castlevania that I was interested in. I do play at home for multiplayer, or at night sometimes.

I use my PSP while I'm sitting on the can. I thought that was what it was intended for. They should make a commercial centering around that...

actually, the whole thing is that psp sales are really good. it's the software sales that are poor. And that's the problem. They aren't sure how why they keep selling psps at a high rate, while software rates are so low. That's why they're pointing to pirating as a possible explaination.

but the psp is selling well

The software problem is sort of the PS3's problem but magnified, since its more convenient to have a multi-purpose device being portable than being stationary, coupled with the PS3's higher cost of entry

Much like the old (and thoroughly debunked) idea of people buying PS3's as a Blu-Ray player, the idea of people buying PSP's as a good multimedia player is one that's a bit more pronounced, i think.