should i get a PSP?

[kenshin-dono]

im a pretty big gamer but i never did get into handhelds. I own 2 NES's, 3 Genesis, 2 SNES's, 2 Ps1's (ones the older model that doesnt' play fmv's well), 2 PS2's, a Dreamcast, 2 Xbox's, 2 xbox 360's, a PS3, and a gamegear that i havent used in ages. I also have an extra broken Xbox

As you can see the only handheld i ever used was a gamegear and I havent touched it in ages. Im just not really a 'gaming on the go' type of guy. I have tons of consoles all hooked up to various TV's and monitors and when i game i like to do it comfortably on the recliner.

Still, i noticed the PSP is getting quite a few RPG's which is probably my fave genre these days. Id really like to play stuff like Jean D'arc, and Valkyrie chronicles II (why the hell is this only on psp!) Theres also a remake or two id like to check out, namely Lunar (even though i have the PS1 disk) and maybe the FF tactics remake. I heard they added a bunch of stuff.

So i guess i was wondering if anyone here owns one and thinks its worth it just to play some RPGs. Im also wondering if their remakes. I.e. FFT, Tales of Eternia, star ocean 2, Valkyrie profile, ect, are just ports or if they've added enough stuff to make it worth getting. I own all those games so im not sure if its worth re-buying on PSP or if its just the same thing with pretty graphics. If the PSP is probably worth it, what version should i get? Its confusing since theres several versions plus a PSP go. But i dont know if the go can play UMD's at all or what.

I was also wondering if it may be better to wait for xmas for a price drop or to see if theres a new model coming out or what.

I was even eyeballing the nintendo DS simply because it has a SUikoden game on it and im a HUGE Suikoden fan. Unfortunately, i think the DS is really dumb with the stylus and find it tough to buy a system just for 1 game. Does the DS have some good rpgs?

so what do you guys think? And if the PSP is a good idea can anyone recommend some RPGs for it? i dont really see any 'best of' lists online

[skyknight]

If you really loved the Sony PlayStation series, there should be no reasons not to own a PSP.

For one, the PSP remake of FF: Tactics is a superior version than the original PS release (also on PSN), with better translation, new cut scenes, and 2 new characters.

VP: Lenneth has also received better translation for the PSP, as well as the updated SMT: Persona, with the slightly downgraded Persona 3. The PSP version Lunar is to have better translation and slightly better graphics than the PS1 release.

Get Crisis Core: FF VII, if you are indeed a FF7 fan.

At this point avoid getting the PSP Go, for it is DRM, meaning you can only play games that you downloaded from PSN (not talking about modding here). Pick the PSP-2000 or -3000 for the light weight and better screen than the -1000 launch version.

Believe me, there is no shortage of good games for PSP!

[Yiddishpilot]

The majority of new jrpgs these days are on the psp and ds. Both systems have a ton of fun rpgs and if you like the genre you should really own one.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

I've got a PSP 1000 model myself and it's great to have!
Just started playing Ys 7 and so far I'm incredibly impressed, (speaking as an old-school RPG fan.)

My advice: Get a 2000 or 3000 model, (AVOID the PSP GO,) as they both support AV-out. That way you can get cables and play PSP on your TV screen, as opposed to only playing "on the go."

[yomomma1]

Well Here is my input.

I bought a PSP a year or so ago. I bought it for a few games, mostly rpgs. The psp Is useless if you don't plan to emulate older games on it. I guess it wouldn't be so bad of a handheld if the ds didn't exist. I played about 9 games on it, then quickly sold it. I am happy with my DS. The ds has alot of good rpgs. And alot more better games in general.

[brunoafh]

The psp Is useless if you don't plan to emulate older games on it.

What does this even mean?


The PSP has a huge amount of great games. Some RPGs not mentioned yet:

Crimsom Gem Saga - this is probably my favorite one, it's an old school style turn based RPG. The characters are very interesting, story flows nicely. If you like old JRPGs, you shouldn't be without this game.

Star Ocean 1 and 2 - enhanced ports of the first two Star Ocean games are on the PSP. The first Star Ocean game was never released in the US before this, it's a great game though. Honestly, I'd take the first Star Ocean over any of them.

Half Minute Hero - a really cool parody/satire game, almost in the vein of 3D Dot Game Heroes. The gameplay is hard to explain, but you should watch some videos of it. It pokes fun at all the cliches and conventions of RPGs and doesn't take itself seriously for a second.

Disgaea series - a solid tactical RPG. You can play enhanced ports of the first two games on PSP. It has a very "Japanese anime" style if that's your thing. There are hours upon hours of things to accomplish in these games.

Final Fantasy series - lots of FF games. The Tactics remake and Crisis Core have been mentioned, both great games. Final Fantasy I & II have been put on PSP also. The fighting game, Dissidia, is also worth a buy. It's an incredibly fun game for any FF fan, loads of things to do, it almost feels like an RPG really.

Brave Story: New Traveler - nothing flashy really, but a good JRPG. You'll go in knowing what to expect.

Monster Hunter series - a series that many absolutely love. This game is pretty unique, the basic concept is that you hunt monsters, get materials, get better equipment, improve your character, etc. The combat is very fun, but the game has a bit of a learning curve. There are a lot of games on the PSP for this series, but you're best off just getting the most recent one which is Freedom Unite.

Phantasy Star Portable - I haven't personally played this, but I hear it's pretty much PSO.

Imports

Breath of Fire III - a UK import, so it's all in English. A direct port of the PS1 game. The rest of the games listed are all Japanese imports.

God Eater - pretty much Monster Hunter. The updated version of the first game will come to the US next year.

Suikoden I & II - this is a great collection to own. I see you mentioned Suikoden, so I figured this deserved mention. Pretty much direct ports, but with a few improvements. The graphics were slightly redone for both games, you can move diagonally, and the anime intro from the Saturn version of Suikoden I was added. There is also a gallery mode. Unfortunately, if you can't read Japanese playing this will be a problem.

Knights in the Nightmare - a very hectic game that hybrids SRPG with shump gameplay. You should check out a video for this game, it's really unique. It's originally for DS, the PSP version is the same minus annoying stylus controls. It comes out in the US in November.

King's Field Additional I & II - if you like the King's Field series, you'll probably like these games very much. Some things have been changed though, it's still first person but the movement and battle system have been changed. The actual King's Field games are much better of course, but more King's Field is more King's Field.

Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku - this comes out next month in Japan, but god damn is it awesome. It's a Yakuza game for the PSP.

There are literally dozens of RPGs on the PSP, but I think I've typed enough. If RPGs are your favorite genre, you are greatly missing out by not having a PSP.

[Opa Opa]

Personally, I think the rpg selection is good for both systems. However, I like the DS' selection more because of the Dragon Quest series.
I also think the controls are a little better on a DS as well.

[Opa Opa]

... Unfortunately, i think the DS is really dumb with the stylus ...

Most, if not all, rpg's on the DS do not require the use of the stylus.

[Opa Opa]

Monster Hunter series - a series that many absolutely love. This game is pretty unique, the basic concept is that you hunt monsters, get materials, get better equipment, improve your character, etc. The combat is very fun, but the game has a bit of a learning curve. There are a lot of games on the PSP for this series, but you're best off just getting the most recent one which is Freedom Unite.

The only downfall to the PSP MH games is the bad camera control. I have Freedom Unite and it's a great game but it leaves you with a want for a second control stick.

[brunoafh]

Monster Hunter series - a series that many absolutely love. This game is pretty unique, the basic concept is that you hunt monsters, get materials, get better equipment, improve your character, etc. The combat is very fun, but the game has a bit of a learning curve. There are a lot of games on the PSP for this series, but you're best off just getting the most recent one which is Freedom Unite.

The only downfall to the PSP MH games is the bad camera control. I have Freedom Unite and it's a great game but it leaves you with a want for a second control stick.

A second stick would certainly be nice, but after a few hours the camera control is only bad if you're bad at controlling it.