So is the PSP finally done for?

[Krooze L-Roy]

The DS is a better gaming system, but honestly, I don't think the thing has left my house more than once or twice. I play it sitting in the exact same chair I use for my home consoles. But if I'm going on vacation, or riding public transportation, I find myself turning to my PSP ten out of ten times. Having music, movies and photos (okay, I'll be honest; porn) makes a huge difference when I'm out in the wild. Being able to have all that, plus extra games, right on the memory card really puts it over the top in my book.

But to answer the question in the subject; it certainly looks that way. It's been at least six months since I bought a new PSP release (during which time I bought six or seven DS games), and there's nothing on the horizon that has me particularly jazzed.

[Gamerforlife]

The PSP is far better than the DS and there has been a ton of announcements regarding the PSP recently indicating that Sony has lots of plans for it this year. Google PSP updates and check out the first site that pops up. No, it's no where even close to being dead. Like I always tell people, don't put too much stock in internet rumors and popular opinion, judge for yourself. All the talk about the PSP's death has been premature and exaggerated.

[Zork]

The PSP is far better than the DS and there has been a ton of announcements regarding the PSP recently indicating that Sony has lots of plans for it this year. Google PSP updates and check out the first site that pops up. No, it's no where even close to being dead. Like I always tell people, don't put too much stock in internet rumors and popular opinion, judge for yourself. All the talk about the PSP's death has been premature and exaggerated.

I was judging for myself on this one. four or five months ago the PSP's outlook was dismal, now out of nowhere the New Release list for it has suddenly shot back up and a new game came out that I was actually interested in. Things look much better than the initially did even two months ago but I'm still pretty much finished with it until there will be more games coming out for it, I'm not interested in doing emulation on a portable so thats not even a factor for me.

[JJJ]

I have both DS and PSP. I rarely play the PSP anymore. For a few reasons.

A. Small selection of good games. Yeah, thats subjective but its the way I feel. I've played a *ton* of Hot Shots Golf on it, but other than that and Crisis Core I haven't found much of interest. Conversely, I've sunk huge amounts of time into a whole variety of DS games, and there are a bunch I want to play but haven't had time to yet.

B. Load times. If I'm gaming portably I just don't have patience for it.

C. Terrible controls. My hand cramps up extremely fast when using the analog pad on PSP. Its just an awful, un-ergonomic design. Maybe other's hands fit better, but for me its a nightmare.

D. Graphics. PSP can do 3D, but often its pretty ugly. DS for the most part doesn't even try, and thus actually there are some quite good-looking 2D games released for it. A good example is the PSP Castlevania. I think the 3D graphics are pretty ugly and bad. Some people will say 'but its a portable!!'. Still its just ugly art. Now the 2D Castlevania's for DS have a beautiful art style and look stunning for the most part.

I think its a console obviously on the way down, just looking at the releases in 08 now in 09.

Oh, and on the topic of emulation. I was underwhelmed. I was hoping for SNES and Genesis emulation, but for the most part the emulators currently available don't play these systems at 100%.

[IcKy99]

well im gonna pick up a PSP again soon, im too excited for a portable little big planet

[wip3outguy7]

This is probably a rehash of what has been posted but here is my two cents:

The PSP definitely isn't doing so hot in the US. The hardware has sold well but the software isn't going anywhere. Large retailers like Walmart know this and have scaled the PSP software section down to one measly row of games (mostly EA throwaways). Homebrew is an issue but an even bigger problem is SCEA. The USA PSP front has settled into an unacceptable pace 3 to 4 "decent" titles per year. The redesign of the PSP at the end of 2007 jump started sales that rivaled the DS. But the games never came. Everyone went out and bought a sexy, slim PSP but didn't have any new games to buy through out most of 2008.

US Delays... Making the US market wait 6 months or longer for A+ titles like Final Fantasy Dissidia and Phantasy Star Portable is bad business. Sony should work side by side with companies like Sega and Square to translate games like these so they receive a US release on the same day or shortly after the Japanese releases. Denying the US market games like this for an extended period of time fuels CFW piracy and possible buyers loose interest from the unnecessary wait.

I still think the entry price for the PSP is a bit high, too. Instead of releasing newer hardware with extras crammed in to justify the same price, Sony should lower the price and keep the system the way it is.

If you are considering a PSP and you live in the US, prepare to CFW it or import a large majority of your games. I finally sold my PSP in December of '08 because I was tired of keeping up with CFW changes and importing games.

[IcKy99]

This is probably a rehash of what has been posted but here is my two cents:

The PSP definitely isn't doing so hot in the US. The hardware has sold well but the software isn't going anywhere. Large retailers like Walmart know this and have scaled the PSP software section down to one measly row of games (mostly EA throwaways). Homebrew is an issue but an even bigger problem is SCEA. The USA PSP front has settled into an unacceptable pace 3 to 4 "decent" titles per year. The redesign of the PSP at the end of 2007 jump started sales that rivaled the DS. But the games never came. Everyone went out and bought a sexy, slim PSP but didn't have any new games to buy through out most of 2008.

US Delays... Making the US market wait 6 months or longer for A+ titles like Final Fantasy Dissidia and Phantasy Star Portable is bad business. Sony should work side by side with companies like Sega and Square to translate games like these so they receive a US release on the same day or shortly after the Japanese releases. Denying the US market games like this for an extended period of time fuels CFW piracy and possible buyers loose interest from the unnecessary wait.

I still think the entry price for the PSP is a bit high, too. Instead of releasing newer hardware with extras crammed in to justify the same price, Sony should lower the price and keep the system the way it is.

If you are considering a PSP and you live in the US, prepare to CFW it or import a large majority of your games. I finally sold my PSP in December of '08 because I was tired of keeping up with CFW changes and importing games.

i did do just that, but i just realized i had a pretty decent portable i miss my emulation on the go, plus i dont mind if the LBP is just a rehash its a rehash of a good game

[PGchris]

actually I'm looking to trade my DS for a PSP PM me if anyone is interested