So is the PSP finally done for?

[Zork]

So I got a PSP a couple of years ago for Christmas. At that time it looked more promising than it initially did when it was released and a few years after. It had finally seemed like there were enough games on it that I wanted that would justify me wanting to own one. After I had gotten my first few games and enjoyed them enough I was starting to wait on new things to come out.

I kept waiting, and waiting and nothing came out. Then I noticed that the PSP new release list was looking dangerously thin for the better part of 08 and now it looks worse for this year. I decided to trade mine in towards the end of last year to help me get a 360. I don't regret the decision because I felt pretty disappointed by the PSP and it seemingly lacking a future. Although the weird thing is, I notice a lot of people are buying them, but it just doesn't seem like anything is really coming about from it.

Supposedly the PSP has been selling the best it ever has but it's losing games and development time. What gives? I've heard it can be all sorts of stuff like piracy issues (But I never buy completely into Piracy effecting a system that bad as with anything else) or just because the DS is still selling better. Either way, I've given up on it and I think the thing is on borrowed time, and it will go under in 2010.

What do you all think?

[Emerald]

According to the sales data I have seen from Japan on Kotaku, the PSP continues to sell well. Also with all the Playstation remakes (particularly the Star Ocean ones for me) I believe the PSP has a great deal of life left in it. Though I admit that I feel like the DS is better pure gaming device for the games it has.

[the7k]

PSP isn't fairing to well in America, because A) No one likes portables in America and B) No portable has ever beat Nintendo, and people tend to go for the sure thing.

I plan to get a PSP, actually, because I love Tactical RPGs. Also, seeing as Japan is the hot spot for PSP, I'd gladly take advantage of the region free aspect of it.

Honestly, a PSP would do me more good than my DS is doing me now. Currently, the only thing I use my DS for is playing Neo Geo roms, which the PSP can do much better.

[Zork]

PSP isn't fairing to well in America, because A) No one likes portables in America
Honestly, a PSP would do me more good than my DS is doing me now. Currently, the only thing I use my DS for is playing Neo Geo roms, which the PSP can do much better.

I think you mean no one likes portables that aren't made by Nintendo in America. The DS flys off the shelves in the US.

But beyond that I'm shocked. Have you simply taxed your DS out for games or are there really not any you like for it? I always sort of thought of the DS as literally the everyman's portable.

[CaptainWeasel]

I really hope not, considering I just bought one a few days ago. It had better be alive and well for years to come. Personally, I just got it because I've heard so much about the homebrew capabilities, however there are a few games that I really want to play. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy having it.

However, I feel like the DS has a more 'versatile' selection of games. RPGs, puzzle, shmup, etc. I've played the hell out of mine (Thank you, Mister R4!), and I continue to find more and more things to do with it.

[the7k]

I think I have all the games I want for the DS. Both Advance Wars, Both Luminous Arcs, Jump Super & Ultimate Stars and a few Nintendo games like Warioware Touched... that's about all I care about.

I have a decent library of DS games, its just that lately I haven't seen anything that made me think "Gotta have it." In fact, I haven't seen anything come out for the DS that made me even think "Lemme see if I can find that for cheap somewhere." (That I don't already own.)

Personally, I'm just don't like playing many games portably. I'd like to see Ben Heck turn the PSP into a console. (I know the PSP can plug into the TV, but I specifically wanna control the games with a PS2 controller. The d-pad and analog stick for the PSP don't do it for me.)

[superlarz]

If you get custom firmware, PSP has almost an unlimited library of games(homebrew and ROMS). There are quite a bit of great PSP games already out, and I do recommend you go out and buy the UMDs.

[Niode]

Wow that's an exaggeration if I ever saw one. It has the ability to play a tonne of games thanks to emulators but it cannot play every game 100%. Unlimited is quite a word to throw around, there's obviously a finite amount of games available. I would barely say there's enough games worth playing before you die. There's a lot but once you get rid of the rubbish games it's not insurmountable.


Anyways.


I haven't touched my PSP for over a year. No games interest me. The screen sucks, the controls suck and it's uncomfortable to play for any length of time. The only games I tend to play are Neo-Geo and that's when I can be bothered to fish the thing out. Also battery life sucks ass now. I'm lucky to get 2 hours. My DS lite still plays for days on end.

[andythebadass]

The psp is never going to do as well as the DS anywhere. Nintendo has done handhelds right for a long time and people remember that ( i.e. gameboy's). Kids are still the biggest segment of that market, which Nintendo really appeals to well. The PSP has had identity crisis problems just like the PS3, trying to be an all in one, when we all know whats important is the games it plays.

But with those few things said... The PSP rocks! It has kick ass adult game and non adult games. 2008 was a fun year for it with games like Patapon, Final Fantasy games, Loco Roco, God of War, Echochrome. 2009 should be a decent year too with sequels to most of these games, resistance, killzone, and more. It could always use more but we shall see what developers have up their sleeves. Also the PSP will do better if the PS3 does better. So lets keep our fingers crossed that is does.

Last thing i want to say about it is. The PSP is such a good system that ppl have crafted tons of mods and hacks for it. Which helps it be one of the best handhelds of all time in my mind, but also hurts it retail sales. I should know, I have a modded PSP and only own 2 games for it sadly, but I play lots more.

All in all its one of the best handhelds around and I hope it sticks around for years to come!

[Killette]

I think the psp will last and next year they mite put out a prototype. it just hit what will be one of its last price drops before dying and sony promises to improve the library of games this yr. i bought mine over a yr ago and only half as many games or on the shelves anywhere now and it's unfair