Sony Playstation Portable PSP Review

The PSP system, the abbreviated name of the Sony Playstation Portable, is not the first portable gaming system. Nintendo beat Sony to the drawing board when it debuted the Gameboy in 1989. The Gameboy helped pave the way for portable gaming systems. But there was still a lot to be desired. The early Gameboy's had very basic functions and the games were very monochromatic. The screen was a decent size considering how small the unit was, but it lacked the versatility and graphics of the Super Nintendo game unit.

Thanks to the Nintendo pioneers, the Portable Playstation crew had a place to begin their design. The Playstation was debuted in 1994 and was the fifth generation in gaming consoles. This 32-bit wonder had incredible graphics that blew the competitors completely out of the gaming waters. It had a wide variety of games for every palate and the controllers were a wonder unto themselves. They were the first controllers to have a plethora of buttons to control every aspect of the game. A gamer felt they were actually inside the game.

Microsoft moved into Sony territory with the Xbox. Sony still had the Playstation Portable, but had to worry if a portable Xbox was in development to edge them out of the hand-held gaming industry, as they had done to Nintendo's Gameboy. So far, Microsoft has limited itself to the traditional gaming system but that has not stopped Sony from continuously improving upon their system and delivering top-notch PSP value.

In the spring of 2004, the Playstation Portable made its entrance onto the scene. It was not just a game console though. It could play music, movies and video. This was something the Gameboy did not have the capability to do. Granted the controls are better acclimated to gaming versus playing music or movies, but the versatility is what sets this gaming system apart from all the rest. Will Microsoft respond with a portable Xbox? It is unknown at this time, but there are rumors. If that happens, the gaming world can count on a new portable gaming system from Sony.

If you have decided to purchase a Sony Portable Playstation, then you may realize that there are a lot of options open to you. Sony first released the Playstation Portable in the spring of 2004. While this was an impressive hand-held gaming device, Sony went a step farther and debuted the Slim and Lite in September of 2007. Anytime a gaming system is released, the manufacturers offer special versions of the system. Why? People will pay more for gaming bundles and special release versions of the console.

The Core bundle for the Sony Portable Playstation comes with an AC adapter, USB cable and the basic console. The Ice Silver Dax Entertainment Pack is around thirty dollars more if you buy it in a retail store. The Ice Pack comes with a silver player, the game "Daxter" and a 1 GB memory stick with UMD movie. If you compare the Ice and Core packs, you will see that you are actually getting a great deal if you take the upgraded limited edition bundle.

Other special release bundles for the Sony Playstation Portable system include a Star Wars bundle, complete with a silk screening of Darth Vader on the back of the unit, and a Final Fantasy Limited Edition bundle. Why release these limited edition gaming bundles? Sony gets to charge more for the specialized colors and accessories included in the bundle and it makes the unit collectable. For hard-core collectors, such as those who avidly collect Star Wars merchandise, this means adding value to a collection.

Making special release bundles and gaming consoles is nothing new. Some people will undoubtedly pay more for the option of having a color choice for their new PSP system. It may not mean a difference in functions or games but it is nice to have that choice. Others like the fact that they get more for their money. Consider that a Core Pack retails in the U.S. for $169.99 and only $199.99 for the specialized packages, most of which come with a playstation portable game and a memory stick. By purchasing the specialized pack, you are getting a bargain.

Whether or not you go with a Core Pack or seek out the specialized entertainment packages for your Sony Portable Playstation, the end result is one with which you will be happy. The PSP value pack does not mean you will have any less fun with your hand-held gaming console than if you had purchased the more expensive bundle. The games will still play the same.

When the new Playstation Portable hit the scene with its slim and lite design, people were skeptical about whether or not it was going to be a real improvement over the traditional PSP system already on the market. Since Sony had already forged their way into a new era of gaming with its Portable Playstation and Portable Playstation 2 versions, would the new portable system be along the same lines? To add pressure, Sony was in a gaming battle with rival company Microsoft, with the debut of the Playstation 3 going up against the Xbox 360.

September 6, 2007 was the launch date for the new Playstation Portable Slim & Lite. The name summed up its brand new look. On the surface the hand held console looked the same, but upon picking it up, the difference was immediately noticeable. The new Sony Playstation Portable was 33% lighter and 19% slimmer. However, the real improvements are inside the little hand held gaming console.

So what can you expect from the new gaming unit? You can expect shorter load times. The designers at Sony doubled the internal memory to 64 MB. The LCD screen is lighter. The D-pad is raised a bit higher, thus helping your fingers gain better control when playing. It also now has the ability to charge via its USB port while gaming. This was something the original could not do. Before, you could only charge the PSP system while not gaming.

Games are a big expense when it comes to playing. Most people elect to purchase games versus renting them. This was a great concern with the new Playstation Portable. Would the old games still play on the new system or would players be forced to buy all new games if they wanted the new system? Rest easy, because the new PSP does play the old games, and as well, any new Playstation Portable game will play on the older system.

The new Playstation hand held gaming system will not always be the only game in town. Nintendo is answering back with the new Nintendo DS Lite. For now though, Sony can ride high on its incoming revenue from all of the gaming bundles. The limited edition PSP's will fly off the shelves even at a whopping $199.00 and will probably go for twice that on Ebay. The gaming world is a very competitive arena between rival companies and they must constantly reinvent their software and consoles to be faster and better. There is little doubt that Sony has met this challenge head on.

It is a simple fact that no matter how far science and technology has taken the world, opinion is what drives and shapes it. Unless they are completely mindless, every single person has an opinion. It is this opinion that can make or break a product. Take for example the Sony Playstation Portable system. PSP reviews are what potential buyers read up on before they plunk down a wad of cash or plastic to purchase the gaming console. Buyers want to know if the PSP is going to be worth the investment. Is it? You have to decide that after reading the reviews.

If you were to google PSP reviews, you would be given hundreds of listings where the PSP was debated. Most of the reviews come from other buyers who have purchased the new Playstation Portable and have commented on its assets, as well as its deficits. The best advice for reading and sorting through all of the reviews and discussions is to find a reliable website or company that has an unbiased opinion.

There is a great reliable website to find the latest PSP reviews. Cnet.com offers members the chance to sound off on the things they like and dislike about the new PSP system. The staff also reviews the new console and new Playstation Portable games. However, you do need to take some of the member reviews with a grain of salt. Many of the reviews posted offered no tips or reasons behind their dislikes, so you will have to weed through the fluff in order to find the substance.

Cnet gave a positive review of the graphics and gaming abilities of the Sony PSP Playstation Portable. But, they found that the multimedia functions left a lot to be desired. The problem, as stated by the reviewer, was the impossibly long load times and the expensive memory cards. Cnet's members gave the PSP a score of 7.8 out of 10. Members cited problems with the gaming discs, size, battery life and audio as key factors in their less than stellar praise of Sony's latest endeavor. But keep in mind that unlike professional reviews, personal reviews can be based on preference for another gaming system.

You should always do a bit of research before making a major purchase. Review the positives and negatives of the PSP reviews in order to make an educated and informed decision regarding the system and the games. It may also help to borrow the new Playstation Portable from a friend, just to see if you like the graphics and the controls. You can save yourself some time and money by doing a bit of research.