My PSP Arrived - My Full Review - Why you NEED one of these.

[Dave]

PSP Hardware Impressions - Japanese Import Version - By Dave

Im not a DS hater.. I love my DS and as this sites original founder I'd just like to clear that up. Although I compare the PSP to the DS in this review a bit, I truly believe that they are aimed at different markets and have different aims. I sure as hell wont be selling my DS.. advanced wars is coming :D With that said, I hope you find this useful...

You know that feeling you get when the red parcel van pulls round the corner of your street and you know that one of these days it will stop at your home with that parcel you've been waiting for? Well I experienced that this morning. It was about 10:30 (uk GMT) and the parcelforce van pulled up my street. However, this morning was special... the van stopped outside my home. It had a parcel that was about to change my perception of the portable gaming industry forever. Yep, my PSP was here. Lovely...

That WOW factor:
So anyway. I've had a DS since Christmas, and although it is fun, it never had that WOW factor when I opened the box. As soon as I opened the PSP box I was wowed. I bought the value pack so inside the box were firstly my headphones and remote, case and strap and instruction booklet and absolutely TINY memory stick duo. Then to the important bit. At the bottom of the box, carefully wrapped in a white foamy material was the PSP. AS soon as this thing slips out into your hands, I can promise you, you will be amazed. As an ex-nintendo fanboy I didnt ever believe anything would be better than the DS or GBA, but seriously the PSP is something that even if you dont want one right now, seeing and holding it will instantly change that.

First Look Impressions:
Its a lot smaller than I had thought. Its sleek, quite wide, but slim, lightweight and oh so shiny. The first thing I did was put on a screen protector which I reccomend as your fingers smudge so much on the smooth finish. The screen is HUGE. Its widescreen look is gorgeous even when off and you see instantly why this screen is better than anything else you've seen on a portable device before. The 4 standard PS buttons are nice to press and the d-Pad is comfy and very stylish with translucent buttons. The L and R buttons are transparent and have the essential 'clicky' feel that shoulder buttons should have. The UMD slot pops open wonderfully, and the power switch and wi-fi switch are easy to slide. My only gripe is that the volume buttons and home, screen brightness, sound type ones are difficult to press, especially should you wish to change volume during a game, but it really doesn't matter much.

The analogue nub/stick/button/disc:
I thought i'd talk about this to clear up any questions people have about it. Its not your usual stick. It looks like it could be a speaker as its tiny and has almost no space between its top and the PSP itself. However, its pretty damn cool and I praise sony for including it. It slides round anywhere within the circular hole it is in allowing analogue-esque control on games. It has a grip on the top so that your thumb rests perfectly and grips perfectly onto it. It snaps back to the center quickly and effectively and despite the initial hard to use factor, you'll soon find it perfect for playing games with. with Ridge Racers it really is good to use - i currently prefer the D-Pad but with time i'm sure i'll use the analogue disc more. Its position is fine, but maybe people with bigger hands and thumbs will struggle. I think you'll like it though!

The Turn On:
As soon as you turn on the PSP, the menu screen greets you - you choose language, set time/date and a nickname for your PSP. (this is for mutliplayer) This month the background is an attractive green color, which I like. The menu glides perfectly around, and the presentation is superb and without causing a system war, it certainly looks a heck of a lot better than the DS menu system. Playing videos is easy and good (even though family guy compressed into 20mb looks quite poor!!) and the mp3 playback is great quality on headphones and the controls and features are resonably good. When you insert a UMD, it will show up in the GAMES section and even give you a small preview of the game footage (just incase you didnt know what game you put in!!). Its all very sleek and just adds to the overall hi tech look of the PSP. The whole thing justifies the price tag easily.

Value Pack Accessories:
The case is great for protecting that gorgeous screen, the strap is great to stop droppages, the Memory card is good to get you started and the Headphones are essential for sound lovers of MP3 people. A great load of extras for the small amount you pay. Well worth it I think...

The Games:
I got Ridge Racer - Its simply awesome. Graphically it is a superb showcase for the PSP's capabilities and the sound is awesome (on headphone especially) and there is plenty to unlock. Although its in japanese, you should have no problems - I dont and i'm even failing my German A level, so languages are clearly not my strong point! Controls are great, and it handles so easily and fluidly. You probably want to get this game at US launch, so far its really fun. Finally, a handheld console with long lasting, console quality games.

Overall:
Its sleek, stylish and im in awe right now. This has been the best 3 hours of gaming in my life - playing on this PSP and experiencing what i consider to be a industry changing product is breathtaking. I cannot describe the feeling you get when opening the box and seeing just how damn good the thing really is. If you are not sure yet, then trust me. You NEED one of these... its like the air we breath, but more fashionable!

COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERS:

Did you get charged tax on importing your PSP into the UK:
Nope. I suggest if you are importing using EMS as parcels can slip through.

Any Dead pixels?
None. And now I put a protector on, no smudges either. Its great.

Square button working? D-Pad squeaking? UMDs flying?
Nope, nope and nope. Its a perfect piece of kit. Im sure sony fixed all these issues early on, so you probably need not worry

Does it take ages to load?
Not at all.. i was surprised to find I hardly noticed the Ridge Racer loading screens. You see them but it looks nice so you dont really notice them....

How about battery life?
Seems fine for a handheld. I played RR for 2 hours solid (sad I know) and battery then read 86% with 4 hours left. Not sure how accuracte, but it had a great deal left so its not a problem, certainly not worth not getting a PSP for.

What is sound quality like?
Its tinny for MP3s and very good for games. Slap in the value pack headphone though and its simply incredible...

Please feel free to ask any more questions and i'll answer them ASAP.

Thank you for reading.
Dave

[Dave]

Lets start this thread again shall we guys.. sorry LKR :)

Based on your experience so far, how much more (or less?) does the PSP weigh in comparison to...the DS?

[Lkr]

I also apologize to the whole forum. And the next thing i am going to say is true. That was a very nice review, and probably better than anything i could ever write.

[Sepharite]

Glad you reopened it, Dave.

And thanks a lot! Now I regret getting the DS! ._.

[Lkr]

Really Sepharite? I might get the PSP when they are cooled down in price range. I still believe that the DS has a lot of potential, especially because of the prices.

[Sepharite]

But the PSP is more shinier ._.

Originally Posted by Sepharite

But the PSP is more shinier ._.

Very true. I'm very excited right now, waiting for my PSP. :D

[NinTen1]

Amazing review, you made me want a PSP more than anything right now.
Oh, and Sepharites right, it looks like the PSP has been laminated.


P.S.: This thread is going to make ElementK happy.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by tehdsdude

Based on your experience so far, how much more (or less?) does the PSP weigh in comparison to...the DS?

Lets just say the DS is a featherweight whereas the PSP seems to be more like a sumo. Its not that bad actually, but the DS is clearly a lot lighter and also not so hard to wreck with finger prints.

If you get a PSP, first thing you do is put a screen protector on. Trust me! :roll: