1st-Timer/Old-Timer looking at PSP-3000 for daughter & NGP

[jedifred]

My last console was the original Playstation. Frogger. Frogger 2. Those were the days.

My daughter turns 10 in July. Around her birthday last year, she asked for a DS. We put it off. She brought it up around the holidays and we again put it off, but this time it was because of the 'new' DS that was coming.

As we know, that turned out to be the 3DS. My wife, myself and my daughter have all test-driven it in the stores a couple of times and the 3D bothers us; seasickness-type feeling and eyes feel odd. So my daughter is no longer interested in that machine.

She also test-drove the PSP-3000 (MLB 2011 I think it was) and she like it alot. She liked the feel of it better, liked the screen better - just felt better to her. We stumbled upon a web seller who still has an Invizimals pack with the electric blue PSP and the camera, etc. This blue is close to her favorite color and although I am not sure the game appeals to her, the PSP does. So she is leaning that way, as opposed to a DSi or DSxl, etc.

Now that you have the background, here are my questions and all input is welcome:

1. If I get her this PSP and download games, would I be able to download them to my 'NGP' - I plan on getting one later this year when it is released. I may use her PSP until the 'NGP' comes out.

2. Can games be restricted? In other words, if she has Little Big Planet and Lego Clones Wars on her PSP and I want to play a game like Call of Duty, can I download the game to the PSP and then prevent it from being played without a password, etc? Example, can it be restricted to only 'E'-games? Unless I enter a code so something else could be played?

3. What music files can be ported to the PSP? She inherited my wife's iPod Nano and has all her music on it. I am wondering if any of those files can be put on her PSP; incidentally, we are 'Mac' people so any comments about connection or communication issues are also welcome.

4. Anything a parent needs to know about the PSP that might not be obvious? I am told we can restrict it so that the internet access is shut off. Any other tidbits that may be concerning? This is her first venture into non-straight-educational gaming as we have had several LeapFrog, Diijs and VTech games in the house up until now.

Thank you so much - this seems like a very active forum and I appreciate your comments in advance.

jedifred

[swiftzx]

Why not get a DS lite or DSi for your daughter?

[brunoafh]

There was just a thread about this, it'll probably answer all of your questions:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 26&t=29941

Edit: May as well answer your questions briefly too.

1. No one knows yet.

2. Yes, most games have a "parental control level", and you can adjust what level the PSP will play.

3. MP3, ATRAC, MP4, WAV, WMA.

4. You need to buy memory cards (Memory Stick Duo) to store data, there's no internal storage space. Not sure if you knew already, but something to consider.

Why not get a DS lite or DSi for your daughter?

Why post stuff about the DS in every thread about the PSP? Has the PSP offended your person somehow? Besides, he specifically wrote that his daughter isn't interested in DS/DSi/3DS.

[gtmtnbiker]

I have two daughters (10 & 7) and I think the DSi or DSi XL would be a better choice than the PSP for your daughter.

What kind of games does your daughter like?

[AznKhmerBoi]

10 years old girl , definitly a ds lite or dsi.

dsxl is too big for her for to carry around.

[jedifred]

When she tried the 3DS, besides being turned off by the 3D effect, she also said the controls were tougher to use than the PSP turned out to be. We have nothing whatsoever against the DS series and in fact, our local stores do carry more DS games than PSP games. However, she seemed to like everything about the PSP while she had reservations about the DS. I know the camera that comes with the Invizimals game is not a great camera, but she would enjoy using it to take photos.

Good to know there are game-level parental controls. I know this will shock some, but we will be very closely monitoring what she plays on this device and how long she is allowed to use it each day. So one concern was whether, if I wanted to go ahead and get a game for me, if I could prevent her from accessing it. Sounds like I can. If the answer was 'no', I would simply wait to get my own later this year.

I did know about the MemStik need but not about the audio files formats - thank you. Follow-up: does that mean I can drag & drop files from our iTunes music folder into the 'music' folder (etc) on the PSP once it shows up the desktop? Probably not that simple, so forgive my ignorance.

As for the question about what games she likes; she has shown an interest in Little Big Planet and Lego Clone Wars so far. However, she, like her Dad, has an interest in comics and such and I would bet she might like a game such as Marvel SuperHero Squad. Maybe Lemmings. Stuff like that. Hey, she might even like Frogger (guessing it is not available for PSP!). She plays soccer and may also like a soccer game.

[brunoafh]

Follow-up: does that mean I can drag & drop files from our iTunes music folder into the 'music' folder (etc) on the PSP once it shows up the desktop? Probably not that simple, so forgive my ignorance.

Actually, it is that easy.

You might want to look into the DS though if she's not totally against it, there are a dozens up dozens of children-oriented games for it, not to say there aren't any for the PSP though.

[jedifred]

From the PS site, it looks like there are nearly 450 games rated E or E-10+. I think that is plenty to chose from; she's not into Pokemon or Mario so I am not sure what she would really miss out on by choosing the PSP over a DS.

[AznKhmerBoi]

she would lose oun on touch screen puzzle games which im sure lil kids would really enjoy.

From the PS site, it looks like there are nearly 450 games rated E or E-10+. I think that is plenty to chose from; she's not into Pokemon or Mario so I am not sure what she would really miss out on by choosing the PSP over a DS.

[Opa Opa]

she would lose oun on touch screen puzzle games which im sure lil kids would really enjoy.

Guys, I think he's pretty set on getting a PSP. Let's try to help him out, shall we?
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Back on topic, you'll want to invest in a screen protector. The PSP screen is vulnerable to scratches and once you put on a screen protector you won't have to worry about any damage.

I did know about the MemStik need but not about the audio files formats - thank you. Follow-up: does that mean I can drag & drop files from our iTunes music folder into the 'music' folder (etc) on the PSP once it shows up the desktop? Probably not that simple, so forgive my ignorance.

Once you connect a PSP it kinda works like a thumb drive. You can copy/paste or drag and drop files onto your memory stick. Once you put the files in the right folder, you can access the files from the PSP's home menu.

I apologize but I do not have experience with iTunes but if you can move your music files around on your computer; chances are that you can put them on your PSP (provided they are a supported format, of course).

4. Anything a parent needs to know about the PSP that might not be obvious? I am told we can restrict it so that the internet access is shut off. Any other tidbits that may be concerning?

While I don't agree with everyone else recommending a DS while you're asking about a PSP, I do have this to say. In my experience, a PSP is not as sturdy and rugged as a DS. A DS can take a little more abuse than a PSP but if your daughter is careful with electronics I wouldn't have a problem recommending a PSP.

I'm also fairly certain that you can find protective cases for a PSP if you so desired.