If you're looking for a portable gaming console that can do more than just play games, the PSP's your guy. It can play movies and music, both of which can be downloaded from the PlayStation Network right through the device. Don't fret -- it does still play video games. We've listed some of our favorites below.
Hardware
Sony PSP Gran Turismo Bundle - $199.99 [compare prices]
Sony PSP Limited Edition Assassin's Creed Bundle - $199.99 [compare prices]
These two bundles both contain everything you need to start playing, including the system itself, a memory card for saving games, a protective case, a charger, vouchers for downloadable movies, and a voucher for 10 downloadable songs off of the Sony music store. The only difference? One comes with Gran Turismo, a racing title, while the other comes with Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, an action title. We trust you can figure out which one comes with which. Neither of these games are particularly amazing, but these bundles are only $30 more than the core system, and come with enough extras to justify the slightly larger price.
Sony PSP Limited Edition Assassin's Creed Bundle - $199.99 [compare prices]
These two bundles both contain everything you need to start playing, including the system itself, a memory card for saving games, a protective case, a charger, vouchers for downloadable movies, and a voucher for 10 downloadable songs off of the Sony music store. The only difference? One comes with Gran Turismo, a racing title, while the other comes with Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, an action title. We trust you can figure out which one comes with which. Neither of these games are particularly amazing, but these bundles are only $30 more than the core system, and come with enough extras to justify the slightly larger price.
PSP Go - $249.99 [compare prices]
Unless your loved one requested this model by name, we'd advise against picking up a PSP Go at the moment. It's far more expensive than the other model, and with no disc drive to speak of, it relies solely on downloading games from the PlayStation Network in order to play. These downloaded games aren't any cheaper than their real-life counterparts, and sometimes even get released later than their retail iterations. Until Sony makes the offer more appealing, we suggest going with one of the above two old school PSP bundles.
Unless your loved one requested this model by name, we'd advise against picking up a PSP Go at the moment. It's far more expensive than the other model, and with no disc drive to speak of, it relies solely on downloading games from the PlayStation Network in order to play. These downloaded games aren't any cheaper than their real-life counterparts, and sometimes even get released later than their retail iterations. Until Sony makes the offer more appealing, we suggest going with one of the above two old school PSP bundles.
Games
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - $19.99 [compare prices]
Another portable adaptation of a popular home console franchise that made the trip to the PSP beautifully. Liberty City Stories and similarly priced follow-up Vice City Stories both recreate the crime-based action of GTA without losing too much visual fidelity or control capability in translation.
Another portable adaptation of a popular home console franchise that made the trip to the PSP beautifully. Liberty City Stories and similarly priced follow-up Vice City Stories both recreate the crime-based action of GTA without losing too much visual fidelity or control capability in translation.
God of War: Chains of Olympus - $19.99 [compare prices]
Rarely is there this much consensus when deciding upon a platform's best game: If you're getting a PSP, get Chains of Olympus. It's an utterly amazing game, and a brilliant way of showing off the handheld's technical strengths.
Rarely is there this much consensus when deciding upon a platform's best game: If you're getting a PSP, get Chains of Olympus. It's an utterly amazing game, and a brilliant way of showing off the handheld's technical strengths.
Half-Minute Hero - $29.99 [compare prices]
Though probably not the type of RPG you're used to, Half-Minute Hero is an extremely enjoyable, quirky game for folks with severely limited attention spans.
Though probably not the type of RPG you're used to, Half-Minute Hero is an extremely enjoyable, quirky game for folks with severely limited attention spans.
Jeanne D'Arc - $28.99 [compare prices]
A lengthy, story-driven turn-based strategy RPG that follows the life of Joan of Arc. That is, if Joan of Arc possessed a magical bracer that transformed her into an angelic warrior. So yeah, they've taken a few liberties.
A lengthy, story-driven turn-based strategy RPG that follows the life of Joan of Arc. That is, if Joan of Arc possessed a magical bracer that transformed her into an angelic warrior. So yeah, they've taken a few liberties.
LittleBigPlanet - $39.99 [compare prices]
Though it may lack the tight controls of its home console predecessor, LittleBigPlanet on the PSP is a well-made, family-friendly title that can keep players entertained for days, regardless of age.
Though it may lack the tight controls of its home console predecessor, LittleBigPlanet on the PSP is a well-made, family-friendly title that can keep players entertained for days, regardless of age.
Lumines II - $19.99 [compare prices]
While it's not the easiest game on the platform to locate, Lumines II and its predecessor are both solid puzzle games with trance-inducing music and sharp visuals.
While it's not the easiest game on the platform to locate, Lumines II and its predecessor are both solid puzzle games with trance-inducing music and sharp visuals.
Patapon - $19.99 [compare prices]
Further propagating the stereotype that the PSP plays host to really weird games, Patapon is a rhythm/RPG/strategy game in which you control an army of creatures using rhythmic button presses. It's as fun as it is bizarre.
Further propagating the stereotype that the PSP plays host to really weird games, Patapon is a rhythm/RPG/strategy game in which you control an army of creatures using rhythmic button presses. It's as fun as it is bizarre.
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters - $19.99 [compare prices]
If you're looking for a solid 3D platformer, you can't do much better than Ratchet & Clank. Their PSP outing is one of the best action-adventure games on the platform, and with an E10+ rating, is a bit more suitable for the crowd that's too young for Chains of Olympus.
If you're looking for a solid 3D platformer, you can't do much better than Ratchet & Clank. Their PSP outing is one of the best action-adventure games on the platform, and with an E10+ rating, is a bit more suitable for the crowd that's too young for Chains of Olympus.
Rock Band Unplugged - $19.99 [compare prices]
Sure, it lacks the instrument-shaped peripherals of the other versions of Rock Band, but Unplugged still has a wide music library to choose from, and accessible note-matching gameplay.
Sure, it lacks the instrument-shaped peripherals of the other versions of Rock Band, but Unplugged still has a wide music library to choose from, and accessible note-matching gameplay.
Tekken 6 - $39.99 [compare prices]
The PSP isn't exactly jam-packed with quality fighting games, but Tekken 6 helps make up for the void. No corners were cut in bringing this multiplatform brawler to a portable format.
The PSP isn't exactly jam-packed with quality fighting games, but Tekken 6 helps make up for the void. No corners were cut in bringing this multiplatform brawler to a portable format.
Wipeout Pure - $14.99 [compare prices]
One of the platform's launch games, but still one of the best racing games on the platform. It's fast-paced, addictive and, best of all, eye-searingly beautiful to look at.
One of the platform's launch games, but still one of the best racing games on the platform. It's fast-paced, addictive and, best of all, eye-searingly beautiful to look at.
Accessories
8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo - $34.99 (estimated) [compare prices]
16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo - $59.99 (estimated) [compare prices]
If the person your shopping for wants to download games from the PlayStation Store (and, by all means, they should), you'll need some extra storage space. These two memory sticks, though pricey, should have all the space any PSP owner could possibly need.
16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo - $59.99 (estimated) [compare prices]
If the person your shopping for wants to download games from the PlayStation Store (and, by all means, they should), you'll need some extra storage space. These two memory sticks, though pricey, should have all the space any PSP owner could possibly need.
PSP Remote Control/Headphones - $24.99 [compare prices]
They're a little extravagant, but if you're hoping to use the PSP as a multimedia machine, it helps to have this pair of remote control-equipped headphones.
They're a little extravagant, but if you're hoping to use the PSP as a multimedia machine, it helps to have this pair of remote control-equipped headphones.
