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[Amir0x]

So I made a thread for the first launch of the DS, and I thought I'd make a comparable thread for the first launch of the PSP. Although most of us here live in the USA (I'd wager), it's safe to assume that each handhelds first launch is of equal significance. With that said, I think it would still be awfully nice if we didn't discuss the DS in this thread, much like we didn't discuss the PSP in the DS thread. Sounds fair enough, doesn't it? There's basically only seven days left til' launch in Japan, so I thought a good seven days to meditate and hype about the PSP before it launches would be decent enough in an official thread. Also, it'd be nice if we can have the GAF members who pre-ordered the PSP chime in, so we know who to expect hands-on previews from.

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GENERAL INFORMATION:

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Launch Date Japan: December 12, 2004
Launch Date USA: March 2005 speculated
Launch Date Europe: Unknown

The PSP comes in two different packages for its Japanese launch, a value pack and the standard pack.

Standard (PSP-1000):

Price: 19,800 yen [193.94USD] (20,790 yen [203.68USD] after tax)
Package: Sony PlayStation Portable, AC Adapter and Battery pack
Final Image of Japanese Standard Packaging:

Value Pack (PSP-1000k):

Price: 24,800 yen [242.98USD] (26,040 yen [255.13USD] after tax)
Package: Soft Case & Hand Strap, Headphones With Remote Control, Battery Pack, AC Adapter, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, Sony PlayStation Portable
Final Image of Japanese Value Pack Packaging:

Here is a quick break down of each individual item including price:

Memory Stick Duo
Model: PSP-M32
Price: 2800 yen (2940 yen with tax)
Specs: Magic Gate, 32 Megabytes

PSP AC Adapter
Model: PSP-100
Price: 3500 yen (3675 with tax)
Specs: 100V - 240V, 50/60Hz

PSP Battery Pack
Model: PSP-110
Price: 4800 yen (5040 yen with tax)
Specs: 3.6V/1800mAh

PSP Headphones With Remote Control
Model: PSP-140(W)
Price: 2800 yen (2940 yen with tax)
Color: white
Specs: inner-ear headphones, functions for play, pause, FF, FR, volume, hold

PSP Soft Case & Hand Strap
Model: PSP-170(B)
Price: 2000 yen (2100 yen with tax)
Color: soft case is black, hand strap is white
Case Size: 195 x 7.5 x 108 mm (width, height, depth)
Strap Size: 189 x 3.3 x 9 mm (width, height, depth)

Sony PSP Interface:

According to IGN, this interface may or may not have changable colors (red-blue-etc) as well as perhaps the ability to skin the background how you like.*

*Update (12/10/04): IGN confirms that the XMB PSP Interface changes color depending on what month it is. For more information, click here.

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SYSTEM SPECS:

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PSP CPU Core

PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1~333MHz)
32MB Main Memory
4MD Embedded DRAM

Media

UMD Drive (Playback only)
Region Code
Parental Control

Format

PSP Game
UMD Audio
UMD Video

Input/Output

IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
USB 2.0 (Target)
Memory Stick PRO Duo
IrDA
IR Remote (SIRCS)

5V DC OUT
Terminals for charging built-in battery
Headphone/Microphone/Control connector

Control:
- Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
- Analog pad
- Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
- Left, Right keys (shoulder buttons)
- START, SELECT, HOME
- POWER On/Hold/Off switch
- Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-
- Wireless LAN On/Off switch
- UMD Eject

Size Details

Dimensions: Approxately 170mm (L) x 74mm (W) x 23mm (D)
Weight: Approximately 260g (including battery)

Other Specifications

Screen: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
- 480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
- Max. 200 cd/m2 (with brightness control)
Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in lithium-ion battery
AC adaptor
128 bit AES encryption
Individual ID for each PSP hardware unit

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TECHNICAL SPECS:

PSP CPU CORE
MIPS R4000 32bit Core
128bit Bus
1 - 333MHz @ 1.2V
Main Memory :8MB(eDRAM) (**Changed to 32MB, 4MB embedded in May 2004)
Bus Bandwidth :2.6GB/sec
I-Cache, D-Cache
FPU, VFPU (Vector Unit) @ 2.6GFlops
3D-CG Extended Instructions

PSP Media Engine
MIPS R4000 32bit Core
128bit Bus
1 - 333MHz @ 1.2V
Sub Memory:2MB(eDRAM) @ 2.6GB/sec
I-Cache, D-Cache
90nm CMOS

PSP Graphics Core 1
3D Curved Surface + 3D Polygon
Compressed Texture
Hardware Clipping, Morphing, Bone(8)
Hardware Tessellator
Bezier, B-Spline(NURBS)
ex 4x4, 16x16, 64x64 sub-division

PSP Graphics Core 2
'Rendering Engine' + 'Surface Engine'
256bit Bus, 1-166 MHz @ 1.2V (**Changed to 512bit Bus in final version)
VRAM :2MB(eDRAM)
Bus Bandwidth :5.3GB/sec
Pixel Fill Rate :664 M pixels/sec
max 33 M polygon /sec(T&L)
24bit Full Color:RGBA

PSP Sound Core: VME
Reconfigurable DSPs
128bit Bus
166MHz @1.2V
5 Giga Operations /sec
CODEC
3D Sound, Multi-Channel
Synthesizer, Effecter, etc

UMD(Universal Media Disc)
60mm
Laser Diode:660nm
Dual Layer :1.8GB
Transfer Rate:11Mbps
Shock Proof
Secure ROM by AES
Unique Disc ID

AVC Decoder
AVC(H.264) Decoder
Main Profile
Baseline Profile
@Level1,Level2,Level3
2Hours(High Quality) - DVD movie
4Hours(Standard Quality) - CS Digital

I/O
USB 2.0
Memory Stick
Extension Port(reserved)
Stereo Head phone Out

Communication
Wireless LAN (i802.11)
IrDA
USB 2.0

Side Note: The PSP is using some sort of coating to protect its large, gorgeous screen. Although it is not confirmed precisely what formula they are using, there was an article posted at IGN about a test on a formula that is reportedly extremely similar to the final one being used on the PSP. I don't know how true this will end up being, but it might perhaps help ease some fears about the screen being protectionless. Read up about it here. It took a knife gouging at it to damage it. So if that's true, you can expect the PSP screen to be extremely scratch resistant. Here's hoping!

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LAUNCH GAMES:

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Note: These are all games currently slated to be released before the end of December. Release dates are, obviously, subject to change. If I've made any mistakes here, feel free to correct me. I can't keep up with the constantly shifting release dates, especially for inconsequential Mahjong games

December 12th
Armored Core Formula Front (From Software)
Mahjong Fight Club (Konami)
Everybody's Golf Portable (Hot Shots Golf) (SCE)
Ridge Racers (Namco)
Vampire Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (Capcom)
Lumines

December 16th
Dynasty Warriors (KOEI)
Metal Gear Acid (Konami)
Kollon (Cyberfront)
Dokodemo Issho (SCE)
Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Daijiten (Namco)
The Gagharv Trilogy

December 22nd
Puzzle Bobble Pocket (Taito)
AI Series Igo (Marvelous Interactive)
AI Series Shougi (Marvelous Interactive)
AI Series Mahjong (Marvelous Interactive)
Mahjong Takai (KOEI)

December 24th
Puyo Puyo Fever (SEGA)

December 30th
Piposaru Academia: Dossari Saru-gee Daizenshuu! (SCE)

December (unspecified?)
Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory (Hudson)

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THE GAMES:

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Note: I won't be going over any of the Mahjong games... because... well... they're Mahjong games. I'll just list them with their box shots

Armored Core: Formula Front

Publisher: Agetec Inc.
Developer: From Software

This is a part of the mech combat "simulation" franchise that has gathered a bit of a cult following over the years. Although it still has some archaic control schemes and other varying flaws, that core fanbase for this game is extremely zealous and find it extremely fun. It features a lot of customization for your mech, which is definitely the main draw. There are differences to this version, however.

Gamespot had a feature about it: "As we discovered, you won't actually control any of your mechs directly in AC Formula Front. Your job will be to build a team of five mechs using a large selection of different parts and weapons, paint those parts in different colors, upgrade your mechs' abilities by spending points on any of around eight different attributes, and then give your mech (or its pilot) its own personality by moving five slider bars, which determine such traits as its aggressiveness and whether it prefers to battle by initiating attacks or by counterattacking enemies that are on the offensive. "

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Everybody's Golf Portable (Hot Shots Golf Portable)

Publisher: SCEA
Developer: SCEA

Basically, if you've ever played the console versions... this is an all new game in the franchise for the PSP. It has a bunch of new characters and a bunch of new courses, and it has a bunch of new modes and stuff. It's got a sort of chibi almost Mario-golf style to it, but the gameplay leans slightly more realistic than that game.

Here's a rundown from Gamespot: "The characters we were able to choose from before teeing off weren't nearly as wacky as those that are featured in the recently released PS2 game Hot Shots Golf Fore, but after selecting a young male golfer with spiky hair we were pleased to find that our options for clothing him included not only a number of different outfits, but also a brightly colored motorcycle helmet--we can only imagine what other accessories will be featured in the finished game. Once we got into the game proper everything felt extremely familiar--all of the onscreen indicators for wind direction, shot strength, fairway undulations, and so on, were more or less identical to those in the aforementioned PS2 game. The game uses the same three-click method to take shots as in previous entries. When we played a good shot our character would whistle, and when we hit a bad one his speech bubble contained a skull and crossbones. "

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Ridge Racers

Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco

Ah, here's one of the first real big ones for the PSP. Basically a huge compilation of essentially every Ridge Racing game ever made (with a few exceptions), it features some new tracks, as well as tons of classics from many titles in the franchise (24 unique courses in all, not counting mirror courses or reverse mirror courses). The new feature in this game is the nitro, which some of you may or may not like. The list of music has been released recently, and it's quite impressive. There's 30 tracks in all, and it's a compilation of new, old and remixes. Check it out here. The game features incredibly sharp visuals and of course the same Ridge Racer drift play we've all come to love (or hate).

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Mahjong Fight Club

AI Series Go (Marvelous Interactive)

AI Series Shougi (Marvelous Interactive)

AI Series Mahjong (Marvelous Interactive)

Kollon (Cyberfront)

Mahjong Takai (KOEI)

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Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Daijiten

Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco

This has been described by IGN as "A crazy Japanese version of scrabble with some fast paced additions to spruce up gameplay." It was originally an arcade game, but I don't know if it's any good. Thought I'd add a qualifier to this as it is not exactly Mohjong, Go or Shogi.

 

[Amir0x]

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Vampire Chronicle: The Chaos Tower

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom

Another big one for the PSP, this basically marks the reinvigoration of the Darkstalkers series in time for the 10 year anniversary of the series inception. Although it's mostly a arcade-perfect port, it does feature several "PSP Specific" features that give the title its clout. For one, there's the Tower mode which gives the games its subtitle. This is basically a mode which generates a branching path of fights which change depending on the characters you use and how well you fight during various challenges. This prizes for this mode are unlockable features, such as original Darkstalkers art and movies. Also, the game allows you to choose from the widescreen format and the "original" screen size, which is awesome.

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Lumines

Publisher: Bandai
Developer: Q Entertainment

Lumines...ah. The number one reason to own a PSP, imho, so far. It's a pretty hard game to describe, but the best description is it's basically tetris turned on its side, only there are different shapes and all the block landing and clearing and combos creates techno. "Think Reztris" (thanks Oktober). This is the most accurate description I've read anywhere, and it doesn't even begin to describe the awesomeness of this title. The visuals are bright, vibrant and pulsating. The music is, just from the taste we've had, incredible (Mondo Grosso++). It's the definition of handheld gaming, and this is the game you should get. If someone has a better description of how it plays (if you've been to TGS?), feel free to inform us.

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Dynasty Warriors

Publisher: Koei
Developer: Koei

If you played any of the previous Dynasty Warriors games, then you know it's essentially a large-scale beat em' up done on massive battlefields in the middle of wars. There's usually a rudimentary combo system and perhaps some other cool features, but that's generally the way it has been each title. Dynasty Warriors PSP plays a lot like Dynasty Warriors 4, apparantely, albeit with toned down visuals and less characters on screen at once:

Gamespot: "It probably won't come as a great shock that this game plays an awful lot like the other Dynasty Warriors games, just on a smaller screen. As usual, we ran around the expansive battlefields alongside like-minded warriors who were labeled with blue names (written entirely in kanji for this demo, natch). We were constantly on the lookout for soldiers bearing the enemy colors, as well as any enemy officers bearing a red name (a mark for certain death next to our vicious polearm). We had the standard array of basic combo moves and more powerful musou combo attacks that series fans will be intimately familiar with already. Interestingly, the game doesn't use the entirety of the PSP's exceptionally wide screen for gameplay--your battlefield view is close to a four-by-three size, similar to a standard TV. The right side of the screen is instead used to display a tactical map, officer health readouts, and so on. "

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Metal Gear Ac!d

Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami

This is probably the game we can bet will cause the most "controversy" among gamers, simply because it takes an already established franchise and moves it in such a dramatically different direction. That direction, you ask? Well, it comes in the form of cards. Yes, now instead of controlling your character directly, his actions will be determined by a set of cards. From all indications, the game still manages to capture the intensity of stealth based gameplay, while subsequently raising the difficulty level to excrutiating levels (based on impressions from 1up).

Here's a little Gamespot rundown:

"Here's the deal: You've got Solid Snake, and he has a mission to accomplish. You have a certain number of points per turn that you can expend on actions that will help you complete that mission. Some actions cost more points than others, and when you hit zero points, you'll have to rest while any bad guys in the area take their turns. To invoke a particular action, you'll need to play its corresponding card, assuming you have enough points left in that turn to cover the cost. As you'd expect, every time you play a card, you lose it, so you've got to choose wisely or risk finding yourself in a bad situation.

Luckily, the benevolent gods of stealth action will mete out a new hand of cards every turn to replenish your store of available actions. Most of the cards we saw were related to some sort of equipment; there was a FAMAS card, a silenced SOCOM card, a body armor card, grenade card, and so on. When you select one of these cards, you can opt to use its corresponding effect, or you can sacrifice it to move Snake a certain number of squares across the map. Often, these item cards are to be used instantly; a grenade must be thrown immediately, for instance, or the SOCOM fired at a nearby enemy (if one is present). Snake also had two equipment slots, and we were able to equip other cards into these slots to provide passive effects. Equipping the body armor lessened damage from enemy attacks, for instance, while equipping the AK-47 let Snake counterattack with that rifle right after an enemy hit him. "

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Dokodemo Issho

Publisher: SCEI
Developer: SCEI

This game, which has no chance of coming to the USA, is Sony's answer to the ol' virtual pet/tamagochi phenomena back in the late 90s. It plays like a virtual pet, in that you must teach your avatar different things and you must take care of it and socialize it and other such things. I don't know if this will actually interest any of the early Japanese PSP adopters, but here's Gamespots hands-on view:

Dokodemo Issho for the PSP plays pretty much like the original PlayStation edition, but with updated graphics and additional new features. You basically play the game by teaching words to your cute 3D-rendered virtual pet and then making the pet use them in conversation. The TGS demo featured the most popular virtual pet, Toro, a white cat who's become one of Sony Computer Entertainment's representative mascot characters. You can teach Toro a new word, and whether it's a noun, verb, adjective, and so on, and then he'll try to learn more about it by using it in conversations when talking with you. While the normal way to play the game is to teach your pet correctly, you can also have fun by telling it bizarre things, like that a "toilet" is a building where you go to work, or that a "president" is a small girl. And, of course, you can teach it some of the dirtier words for some good chuckles.

Great news for the claustrophobic fans of Dokodemo Issho is that your pet is no longer confined in its house like in the original PlayStation version. You can travel in the PSP version, riding on trains, walking through the streets, or going to check out an office. And the words you input in the game are subtly used in the backgrounds, like written on the walls or on a blackboard. There's also some other neat features in the game that spice up the existence of your virtual pet. For example, your pet keeps a diary, which you can check out to see its view of the world.

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The Gagharv Trilogy

Publisher: Bandai
Developer: Nihon Falcom Corp

It's basically an RPG that'll (most likely) only be released in Japan, but definitely worth a look at if you can speak fluently. It apparantely offers the most impressive display of 2D graphics to date on the PSP, and will offer some interesting concepts. You can read about it at IGN:

As far as gameplay goes, The Gagrav Trilogy uses standard RPG elements of exploring a town and foraging through a forest, but it does have some specific and interesting gameplay characteristics. For one, enemy encounters are not random (hurray!), as enemies are shown roaming the world. Better yet, they have an indicator above their head to show their current state -- idle or alert are two we saw -- and you can sneak up on an enemy to get an advantage in battle (or have several enemies chasing you down in a dungeon as you work to avoid battle. Also, while the gameplay seems standard thwack-thwack turnbased battle at first, there were some odd but not entirely unwelcome additions. For one, it seems there is not specifically direct control over your character -- in this TGS demo, he charges into battle and dukes it out with the wild boars roaming the land. Players can influence the character by making choices from a menu to use magic or, we believe, to assign your battle tactics (this menu was tricky to navigate in Japanese, but we were able to pull off some different tactics while in an encounter.)

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Some other games... (more updates later)

Ren-Goku: The Tower Of Purgatory

Puyo Pop Fever

Puzzle Bobble Pocket

Ape Escape Academia

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IN MOTION

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Some commercials:

Ridge Racers and Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Daijiten:

http://www.welshcorgi.tv/cgi-bin/updir/data/cm.wmv

Random:

http://wakayama.cool.ne.jp/warzard/psp_02_15.mpg
http://wakayama.cool.ne.jp/warzard/psp_03_15.mpg
http://wakayama.cool.ne.jp/warzard/psp_04_15.mpg
http://wakayama.cool.ne.jp/warzard/psp_05_15.mpg

A compilation of various games (Paste Link in Browser):

http://www.gu-videogames.de/uni-playstation2/movies/[GU]PSPlineup.wmv

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UPDATES

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So, like, I totally just found the best FAQ ever for the PSP and frankly compared to that thing I feel like I underperformed... so I'm going to update this thing with a heap load of information straight from the most awesomely awesome PSP FAQ that can be found here. I'll post relevant information and shit, though.

Author of this extra information (and the full FAQ): speedis
See the full thing here.

PSP Back:

Launch Details:

How many units will be shipped?
Launch day in Japan: 200,000.
Before the end of the year in Japan: 300,000.
Between January and March in Japan: 500,000.
North America: 1 million units during the 2005 fiscal year.
Europe: 1 million units during the 2005 fiscal year.
Source: Gamespot

Will the PSP come in more then one color?
Most likely. Although it will only come in black when it is first released.
When Japanese people were allowed to vote for their favorite color besides black, they chose red, so it's possible that red will be the next color.
"At the start of sales, black will be the only color but, after that, we will keep that (color variations) under consideration."
Source 1: IGN.
Source 2: Techjapan.

Is there an official price of how much the PSP will cost in North America/Europe/Korea, or what the release date (specific date) is for those regions?
No. They've said that they will reveal the price/launch date etc for America after the PSP has started being sold in Japan. However, consoles and games have always been more expensive in Japan compared to USA (excluding Nintendo DS), so it might end up at a lower price (probably $179.99). Europeans can expect a price around £150.
Source: Game Informer

Which games will be available at launch (Japanese, North American, European, Korean)?
For a list of what games have been announced as launch titles so far, click Here.

Are most of the PSP games ports from PS2?
No. There are some games that people could see as "ports" (GT4, Tony Hawks Underground 2 and Hot Shots Golf for example), but the amount of games like that are very few compared to all the brand new games being developed for the PSP. Those "ports" all feature new content as well. GT4 features wireless play (as well as online), THUG2 features 4 new levels and more players to choose from as well as wireless multiplayer, Hot Shots Gold features 4 new maps, 10 new playable characters and wireless multiplayer. Need For Speed Underground Rivals features brand new levels and wireless multiplayer specifically made for the PSP. Every game features new game modes as well. Sony has actually said that they don't allow games to be ported without new content/features.
Source: IGN.

How long does a game running from UMD take to start up?
About as long as it takes for a PS2 game to start.
Source: Techjapan.

Multiplayer:

What kind of multiplayer will PSP offer?
Wireless and online multiplayer. Online will be similar to Xbox live, except that it will be free of charge (content downloading such as new maps etc will be charged though).
Max amount of players for Wireless: 16
Max amount of players for online play: Unlimited (there's actually a MMORPG being developed which will hold thousand of players)
Source 1: IGN.
Source 2: Gamespot.
Source 3: Sony's official online plans for PSP.

What kind of wireless standard is the PSP using?
It's using 802.11B, and therefore it will use regular 802.11B limitations;
Indoors: 30 meters at 11Mbps, 91 meters at 1Mbps
Outdoors: 120 meters (393ft) at 11Mbps, 460 meters (1508ft) at 1Mbps
This is under extremely perfect conditions, you will most likely not get range like this.
Source 1: Techjapan.
Source 2: Official Sony PSP Documents.

Will you be able to play against other players through the Internet with your wireless router/hotspot?
Yes, although it has not been specified when this will be possible.
Source: Techjapan.

Will it be possible to buy games/download demos from the Internet and then save on your memory stick?
Yes, however, Sony wants to show off the UMD capabilities at first so it might not be possible to buy games online and put on memory sticks until 2005.
Source: Techjapan.

Can I play multiplayer games with people (online and local wireless) that have games from USA if I have the same game, but from Japan?
No, games are not cross region compatible. If you want to play against someone that has an English version of Ridge Racers then you need an English version as well.
Source: IGN.

Will it be possible to play online by using your cell phone in case you aren't near a wireless router?
Possibly, the PSP has a built in IR-port which could be used to communicate with cell phones (with built in modem and IR connectivity).
Source: Official PSP specifications.

Battery Details:

What will the battery time be?
4-5 hours for Video watching through UMD.
4-6 hours average for gameplay through UMD.
4 hours with headphones and 50% volume, no WIFI and highest screen brightness (180 cd/m2).
6 hours with headphones and 50% volume, no WIFI and lowest screen brightness (80 cd/m2).

Basically, if you use all features (highest volume on speakers, highest brightness setting, WIFI and a badly coded (in terms of saving battery power) high graphics game then you will end up with 3 hours. If you play a puzzle game on low brightness, no audio and no WIFI then you will get 8 hours. Batteries are $45 (in Japan) if you want more battery time.

Source: IGN.

How do I know how much of the battery is left?
The PSP have a battery meter with three notches.
3 notches lit = 100% battery.
2 notches lit= 66% battery.
1 notch lit = 33% battery.
Source: IGN.

Can you change the brightness level on the PSP?
Yes. There are three different ones available. 180 cd/m2 (brightest), 130 cd/m2 /(medium) or 80cd/m2 (lowest). When being plugged in to your AC Adapter you get 200 cd/m2.
Source: Techjapan.

Can the battery be switched while the PSP is running?
Yes. But just like laptops you might have to put the game in "stand-by mode" before switching.
Source: Inside Pulse.

Technical Details:

How powerful is the PSP?
In the words of EA's developers; "Although the PSP CPU power is less than the current generation living room console, we are able to achieve visuals that are on par with second or third generation PS2 titles."
Earlier, Sony has also announced that it's comparable with the PS2.
Source: EA.

Can the PSP's firmware be upgraded?
Yes, Sony will release firmware updates for the PSP which you will be able to download. These upgrades will fix bugs with the systems software (if there are any) and allow upgrades on the software to be made.
Source: Techjapan.

Can the PSP handle sudden shocks?
Yes. "Internally, there is a mechanism to cache a certain amount of data while reading. It is similar to the anti-skip mechanisms that already exist in current products. While playing a game, the UMD is not always spinning; it can be controlled by software so there will be continuous read/pause operations."
Source: Techjapan.

Will the PSP's screen be protected?
Yes, it is covered by hard coating. Apparently, this is basically indestructible. Journalists tried to scratch it with keys, steel wool and permanent marker pens. Nothing made a scratch, and the journalist could just wipe off the permanent marker pen without any problems. It took a hard ram with a knife to scratch it.
Source 1: Techjapan.
Source 2: PSPInsider.

Is there a problem with the PSP getting overheated?
No.
Source: Techjapan.

Analog Controller

What does the PSP's analog controller feel like?
Like the PS2's analog controller. It has the same sensitivity (resolution).
"The PSP feels comfortable in the hand, with all the buttons, and the analogue thumb pad, falling right into place. We actually found the analogue thumb pad to be perfectly situated for making our pointer fingers fall onto the shoulder buttons"
Source 1: Techjapan.
Source 2: IGN.

Critics

What are journalists saying about the PSP?
"The PSP feels comfortable in the hand, with all the buttons, and the analogue thumb pad, falling right into place. We actually found the analogue thumb pad to be perfectly situated for making our pointer fingers fall onto the shoulder buttons"
"The system is certainly much cooler than our cell phones get when we play even simple 2D games. Amazingly, the system is very quiet -- there doesn't seem to be anything moving around to cool it off inside."
"Having played cartridge-based portable games for over a decade, the jump to UMD-based games is like jumping from cartridges to CD's as far as sound is concerned."
The PSP also won Gamecritics Awards during E3 2004.
Source1: IGN.
Source2: Game Critics Awards.

Ok, well, that's the update. Hope it was helpful.


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CONCLUSION

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So there it is. I hope some of our fellow GAFers are expecting PSPs at launch (I've heard a few of you mention you've pre-ordered) so that we can get much more insight into how exactly in handles and how the games play and how certain things work.

Here's some hands-on impressions from...

Play-Asia
IGN

I'll be adding some more things as the time draws near, but for now...

Discuss!

 

[lunlunqq]

It's finally coming!!!

 

[Amir0x]

Oh, those are some cool pics.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Great summary!

I have PSP Value Pack+Lumines+Ridge Racers on pre-order from yesasia.com (free-shipping and VAT-free to the UK). Their pre-order page wasn't up for long, and I got my order in as soon as it went up, so hopefully that means I've got one of the initial batch. But prepared for the worst!

Lumines is what sold me on the PSP, Rez was probably my favourite Dreamcast game. Loved the style and the way the music built up layer by later, so can't wait to play a puzzle game like that. Perfect for a handheld. Anyone who hasn't done should check out the site - http://lumines.jp - not much there yet, but what is there is sexy! And the music! :-O Synths + filters float my boat!

 

[Amir0x]

Great summary!

I have PSP Value Pack+Lumines+Ridge Racers on pre-order from yesasia.com (free-shipping and VAT-free to the UK). Their pre-order page wasn't up for long, and I got my order in as soon as it went up, so hopefully that means I've got one of the initial batch. But prepared for the worst!

Lumines is what sold me on the PSP, Rez was probably my favourite Dreamcast game. Loved the style and the way the music built up layer by later, so can't wait to play a puzzle game like that. Perfect for a handheld. Anyone who hasn't done should check out the site - http://lumines.jp - not much there yet, but what is there is sexy! And the music! :-O Synths + filters float my boat!

Hahha, Lumines is totally what I want at launch too. I hope the best for your PSP pre-order. If you get it, be sure to stop by and give us first hand insight into how it all is.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Hahha, Lumines is totally what I want at launch too. I hope the best for your PSP pre-order. If you get it, be sure to stop by and give us first hand insight into how it all is.

Cheers! Will do

 

[captainbiotch]

Definately a beautiful, well designed system. I'll be there at USA launch thanks to the MP3 and MPEG-4 support. The games are iffy though, the only one that sounds interesting to me is Armored Core. Can't wait to hear the impressions. Sony may win a fan, this could be my first Sony system if I don't pick up a Pstwo before then.

Another well laid out and informative thread Amir0x

 

[Fafalada]

Ok I figured I'd this post here, instead of bumping the old thread

For the impatient people from the thread earlier this week that can't wait another few days to find out officially - the OS interface IS bilingual on japanese units.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Ok I figured I'd this post here, instead of bumping the old thread

For the impatient people from the thread earlier this week that can't wait another few days to find out officially - the OS interface IS bilingual on japanese units.

Yay!

 

[lunlunqq]

Oh, btw, i think these are some new screen shots of DW psp. Somehow, i think they look "better" than the one posted above, maybe because they came from a more complete build of the game:

 

[Amir0x]

Yeah, those pics are of better quality. I added one of them into the initial post over the old pic.

 

[Chittagong]

Thanks, excellent thread!

I have two PSPs pre-ordered from Play-Asia. I ordered both the Value Pack and the Basic Pack because I figured that there is no way of telling the split of quantities between the two, and I didn't want that to affect my chances of getting one. I think I'm pretty early with my pre-order, the date is Sept 28th.

 

[Scrow]

i must admit, as a nintendo fanboy, i'm tempted by PSP.

 

[Amir0x]

I have two PSPs pre-ordered from Play-Asia. I ordered both the Value Pack and the Basic Pack because I figured that there is no way of telling the split of quantities between the two, and I didn't want that to affect my chances of getting one. I think I'm pretty early with my pre-order, the date is Sept 28th.

You planning on selling one on eBAY or to some GAFer?

 

[JackFrost2012]

I have two preordered at Tokyo stores: one Regular and one Value. I'm gonna wait in line the night before for a third, hopefully.

Between all of those, I think it's likely I'll get at least one, possibly two PSPs. I doubt all three will come through. This is gonna be a BRUTAL launch.

 

[TheGreenGiant]

I have two preordered at Tokyo stores: one Regular and one Value. I'm gonna wait in line the night before for a third, hopefully.

Between all of those, I think it's likely I'll get at least one, possibly two PSPs. I doubt all three will come through. This is gonna be a BRUTAL launch.

is that for $$$ or for ebay. no shit. I guess you will need about 3 for that battery life thing :lol

:runs away:

wish I had the sense to maybe preorder. I could have made a KILLING on ebay.

 

[JackFrost2012]

is that for $$$ or for ebay

Well, I need at least one for work. If I get extra, they'll go to eBay! I preordered so many cause I don't expect preordered units to actually be delivered ... my faith in Sony is nil.

 

[DCharlie]

absolutely everyone i know has at least 2 units on preorder, with some people having up to 10 preorders (with no intention of purchasing games for the remaining 9).

Add to that the very strong rumours that Sony won't have 200k units at launch and it's gonna be interesting to see the attach rate at launch.

Indeed , this is going to be a very very messy launch indeed.

Oh , P.s. Ren-Goku: The Tower Of Purgatory has apparently been "indefinitely delayed".

 

[Laurent]

I'll wait for it's American release for the same reason I've waited for NDS: I want to try those games before making my mind. The PSP seems like an interesting choice, but I can't choose it over NDS simply for Lumines, Metal Gear Ac!d or Ridge Racers...

A lot more software on Sony's side, but neither Sony nor Nintendo have a system seller yet...

 

[mashoutposse]

Nice thread, Amirox. I wasn't going to preorder Lumines, but you talked me into it

And damn, I hope that I can make it into the pool of those who receive 12/12 PSPs. I have five units preordered from different sources; someone's gotta come through.

 

[JackFrost2012]

...this is eerie. Are there gonna be like 200k units that end up exclusively in the hands of 60k users?

And here Namco is making 300k Ridge Racers... :lol

 

[TheGreenGiant]

I have to say... it will be good for PSP to be released in Japan first so we can get a sense of how the console is. The DS came out and did fairly well and user reviews have been mostly positive. We'll get the definite word on usability/battery/games... etc so yeah.

At its new price point. I must say. I am actually interested in getting a PSP + RR(psp). I saw the retro tracks in the new images thread and my resolve was cracking - not cracked enough to buy it at an exhobitant price but definitely keen now. I wonder why they don't do a GT4 and do a simul PSP+PS2 launch.

* does anyone one else think that Konami made the PSP titles less polygonal/visually rich to preserve battery life? Both MGS + Dynasty looks nasty in those screens Amirox posted. Dynasty has got nothing on the graduer of PS2 battles with a bazillion opponents onscreen

 

[Fafalada]

does anyone one else think that Konami made the PSP titles less polygonal/visually rich to preserve battery life?

Personally I very much doubt that - at least based on what I know of battery behaviour so far.

 

[Spiritreaver]

I cannot wait for Lumines impressions, videos, and so on. For some reason I went from utterly no interest in it upon hear what it was all about and seeing the first screens, to having this odd crazy hype for it. I still don't quite comprehend it, but it's something different. I've been really into a puzzler mindset lately, as they fit perfectly with the whole ideal of portable gaming.

I'm also pretty interested in the Vampire Chronicles port. But I haven't heard anything good about the controls yet, but hopefully we get some more detailed impressions on it next week. The rest of the line up though, isn't something that interests me very much. I've never been much of a racer or MG fan, and those are about the only other potential big titles for the PSP at launch.

 

[aerodynamik]

The Lumines hype is going way too far. As much as I want to like it (I like puzzle games and am the Rez fanboy #1) there have been but a bunch of simplistic impressions write-ups and noone actually knows how it'll work (or at least I haven't seen much on the internet). Music will rock and graphics are awesome, but not much is known about gameplay, am I wrong?

 

[ourumov]

I wish I could get one at launch...with either RR o VS...I refused to preorder at Lik-Sang/Play-Asia because I thought prices would go the heaven...Ah...I am dumb.

 

[TTP]

Ok I figured I'd this post here, instead of bumping the old thread

For the impatient people from the thread earlier this week that can't wait another few days to find out officially - the OS interface IS bilingual on japanese units.

HOLY SHIT THAT'S A FUCKING GREAT NEWS! THANKS FAFA.

*faps furiously*

 

[xsarien]

Ok I figured I'd this post here, instead of bumping the old thread

For the impatient people from the thread earlier this week that can't wait another few days to find out officially - the OS interface IS bilingual on japanese units.

WOOOOOOOOOOOO! (There were a few more questions in that thread that wouldn't mind being answered too, but this was the main one.)

 

[CrimsonSkies]

Never really have been a fan of handhelds but I'll probably get this unit for the MP3 ability. I'll probably get a few games like Tiger Woods or Madden Football to play on it. I won't buy the originial launch systems as I assume that it will take a year to get a really good product from Sony.

 

[xsarien]

Never really have been a fan of handhelds but I'll probably get this unit for the MP3 ability. I'll probably get a few games like Tiger Woods or Madden Football to play on it. I won't buy the originial launch systems as I assume that it will take a year to get a really good product from Sony.

There are better and cheaper MP3 players, if that's your main concern.

 

[Rhindle]

It would be really awesome if millions of people bought this just to watch downloaded movies, with Sony losing $300 a pop. Totally awesome.

 

[DECK'ARD]

The Lumines hype is going way too far. As much as I want to like it (I like puzzle games and am the Rez fanboy #1) there have been but a bunch of simplistic impressions write-ups and noone actually knows how it'll work (or at least I haven't seen much on the internet). Music will rock and graphics are awesome, but not much is known about gameplay, am I wrong?

From the videos it looks really interesting actually. Aim is to put 4 or more of the same colour together, but they aren't cleared instantly like Puyo - they are only cleared as a a scan line moves across the playarea from left to right. The scanline moves in time with the music, so clearing blocks is obviously going to affect the music like Rez.

And lots of potential for combos, and working infront of the scanline to clear as many blocks as possible in one pass.

http://www.kikizo.com/viewer/vidvie...umines_psp_oct04/kikizo_psp_df_lumines_ws.wmv
(Direct-feed video, no sound unfortunately but gives good idea of how it plays).

 

[cvxfreak]

I haven't exactly decided what game I want yet for my PSP. Ridge Racers looks like a good contender, though.

 

[Jr.]

All I can say is HUGE! The launch of this system is HUGE!!! I love Nintendo and all and I am a huge Nintendo fanboy (regardless of all the other systems I own) but if Sony does it right, which they will this is gonna be the leader in handheld entertainment 2 years from now. Consumers want graphics (as you can see from this forum alone) and multimedia features and the PSP has it all!

The ONLY hurdle that I can see for this thing (and my real only concern) is how big of a piece of trash it is going to be and how often they break.


Oh, if my Christmas list comes true then I should be getting:

-PSP (base package)
-Ridge Racers
-DarkStalkers

-Rengoku when it comes out (someday)

 

[Laguna X]

It's finally coming!!!

Oh sweet jesus! I can't imagine what'll this be like when it hits stateside.

 

[COCKLES]

Ugghhh. That's it Reiko....caress me in my pocket......yeah baby.....uggghhhhh

FIZZ! BUBBLE!!! POP!!!!

Union Hill District from Rage Racer - CONFIRMED! (cries tears of joy...)

http://namco-ch.net/ridgeracers_psp/course/unionhilldistrict.php

 

[human5892]

It would be really awesome if millions of people bought this just to watch downloaded movies, with Sony losing $300 a pop. Totally awesome.

:lol

 

[DECK'ARD]

Union Hill District from Rage Racer - CONFIRMED! (cries tears of joy...)

Indeed!

Lakeside Gate is in there as well:

http://forums.gaming-age.com/showthread.php?t=26151

Tis a good day!

 

[cvxfreak]

Say, will the PSP Value Pack come with a screen protector or do I have to get Famitsu PSP for one?

 

[olimario]

I have a feeling the DS is dead.

 

[aerodynamik]

From the videos it looks really interesting actually. Aim is to put 4 or more of the same colour together, but they aren't cleared instantly like Puyo - they are only cleared as a a scan line moves across the playarea from left to right. The scanline moves in time with the music, so clearing blocks is obviously going to affect the music like Rez.

And lots of potential for combos, and working infront of the scanline to clear as many blocks as possible in one pass.

http://www.kikizo.com/viewer/vidvie...umines_psp_oct04/kikizo_psp_df_lumines_ws.wmv
(Direct-feed video, no sound unfortunately but gives good idea of how it plays).

That video's on IGN as well, or a very similar one, I think I've watched about half a dozen. And it's all guessing :/. I'm sold anyway, but considering launch's the 12th and it's supposed to be a launch game (should be on its way to the stores) some more details would be welcome.

I'm afraid I won't get mine in time (pre-ordered in october), so I'll have time to hear about the mechanics from you .

 

[WhippinSean]

Best box art this gen? I think so! It does a great job of depicting what Ridge Racer is all about, powersliding, amazing cars and airplanes that fly by

 

[kaching]

the OS interface IS bilingual on japanese units.

Damn, if I had known that, I might have thought more seriously about preordering a Japanese unit.

Oh, and I assume its intentional that the boxes are 9:16 aspect ratio. Just noticed it, seeing so many in one place.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

I have a feeling the DS is dead.

damn u olimario...

anywho... I want a PSP = sex

 

[Amir0x]

The ONLY hurdle that I can see for this thing (and my real only concern) is how big of a piece of trash it is going to be and how often they break.

To be honest, that's the main reason I didn't pre-order. It's not that I don't trust Sony (none of my Sony products have ever broke), it's just that it's too big of an investment to have faith in it just working perfectly - especially since I'm constantly hearing about other people's hardware woes.

The Lumines hype is going way too far. As much as I want to like it (I like puzzle games and am the Rez fanboy #1) there have been but a bunch of simplistic impressions write-ups and noone actually knows how it'll work (or at least I haven't seen much on the internet). Music will rock and graphics are awesome, but not much is known about gameplay, am I wrong?

I think the hype is fueled by the fact that the concept sounds so awesome, and yet so little is actually known about how well it plays. I can't wait for it, though. Nothing can make me excitement for that particular game subside

Say, will the PSP Value Pack come with a screen protector or do I have to get Famitsu PSP for one?

Hm... could you post pics of that screen protector that came with Famitsu PSP? I'm just curious to see what it looks like.

The short answer to your question is no, it does not come with a screen protector. It does have a case, but obviously that's a bit different from what you're asking for here.

The long answer is that the PSP still has some sort of screen protection. There was a article about IGN about what the likely candidate for the screen coating was, and you can read about it here. To summarize it, basically a coating was tested that is reportedly remarkably similar to the PSP screen coating, and it took a knife gouging at it to scratch the surface. But this all remains to be seen if this will be like the final product.

 

[mrkapawutzis]

My only question is, why didn't it come with bluetooth? Other than that, can't wait till march.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

I am now 100% sold on the PSP because of her

PSP SEX

 

[DECK'ARD]

I'm afraid I won't get mine in time (pre-ordered in october), so I'll have time to hear about the mechanics from you .

With pleasure!

Just depends if going with yesasia.com pays off or not. Being in the UK though, the free-shipping+tax-free offer makes it by far the best to use. I've been caught for import duty and VAT in the past, and it wouldn't be pleasant on something like a PSP! Hopefully they didn't get as many pre-orders as the sites like playasia and lik-sang as well.

 

[COCKLES]

With pleasure!

Just depends if going with yesasia.com pays off or not. Being in the UK though, the free-shipping+tax-free offer makes it by far the best to use. I've been caught for import duty and VAT in the past, and it wouldn't be pleasant on something like a PSP! Hopefully they didn't get as many pre-orders as the sites like playasia and lik-sang as well.

Hopefully as it's christmas they'll mark it down as GIFT.