PSP2 Details

So Sony recently announced the PSP2, errr the NGP (Next Generation Portable). While we don't yet know all the details, we do know a few things. While I can't really compare it to the PSP much, I never owned one, it does actually hold some promise. Here is a list of the things we actually find most interesting.

TWIN STICKS
This is big, yet unexpected news. People have been clambering for a twin stick hand-held for a while as we have yet to find a more precise control scheme. It seems as though Sony has finally taken notice and implemented this feature.

TOUCH CONTROL
I'm actually kind of skeptical of this. For one, this seems to rip off both to Iphone and, in some ways, the DS. However, imitation is the best form of flattery and it might actually turn out OK. The think I'm most concerned about, though, it the fact that the back also has a touch screen. What possible use that could have baffles me, but some developers do tend to be quite creative. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

THE OLED SCREEN
OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Display and it apparently looks terrific. While the screen is only 5 inches, it has a resolution of 960x544. That isn't HD, but it is better than standard definition. However, because it is on a 5 inch screen, it will look amazing.

YOU'LL GET PS3 QUALITY GAMES
Apparently, the NGP has close to the same abilities that the PS3 has. Several franchises have already been confirmed such as, Uncharted, Call of Duty, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, Wipeout, and Resistance. This is all very promising, but to be honest, the only ones we care about are Uncharted and LittleBigPlanet.

3G
In the era of quick, digital download, this is very important. We don't know everything that the PSP2 will be able to do with this, but it does seem that there will be a online store service called the PS Suite. This will contain Android software for those of you that like casual phone games. However, the PSP2 will have multiple models and the one that includes 3G will cost extra. Sigh.

FLASH MEMORY MEDIA
After the failure of the PSP Go, it seems like Sony is once again realizing the importance of physical media. The PSP2's games will come on flash memory sticks, which, according to Sony, will allow developers to make larger games.

SIXAXIS IS BACK
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.


IT'S NOT GOING TO BE $599.
One of the biggest problems with the PSP was that it wasn't worth the price. However, just because it won't be almost $600 doesn't mean it won't be cheap. If Sony makes it about as expensive as a PS3, I guarantee is won't be as successful as it could be.

4-6 HOUR BATTERY LIFE?
While this isn't yet set in stone, Sony is apparently shooting for a longer battery life. If it can pull this off, it might have the edge against the 3DS with its 3-5 hour life.

So what do we think? To be honest, we are skeptical. While the PSP was more powerful than the 3DS, Nintendo's hand-held handed its ass to it. This was because Sony subscribed to the idea that more power meant more sales. They didn't seem to understand the hand-held culture. We weren't going to pay that much money for a hand-held that didn't have that many interesting titles just because it could play PS2 level games. We were more interested in the cheaper DS which provided more creative titles on top of Nintendo's proven games, such as New Super Mario Bros. and Zelda. While the PSP2 is impressive, we aren't yet sold on it. I suppose we will see when it launches this holiday season.