| I'm fairly certain there are folks at | | | | for a secondary media display device. In |
| Nintendo feeling some serious | | | | each instance, simply connecting the PSP |
| self-loathing right about now. You see, | | | | to your PC with a 5-pin USB cord will |
| back in the mid-90's Nintendo contracted | | | | let you drag files from your hard drive |
| Sony to develop a CD-ROM drive for the | | | | onto the PSP's Memory Stick. Pictures |
| Super Nintendo. As the project | | | | and music are fairly straightforward, |
| progressed, a number of factors (one of | | | | while video is less so, requiring you to |
| them being the spectacular failure of | | | | convert it to .mp4 format and set up a |
| the Sega CD and its' followup the 32X) | | | | separate folder on the Memory |
| led Nintendo to can the project. Sony | | | | Stick.Picture viewing is a breeze. The |
| was left holding the bag, with a | | | | PSP interface is set up in a horizontal |
| CD-based gaming system but no one to | | | | heirarchy displaying each function; you |
| sell it to.Making proverbial lemonade | | | | simply navigate left or right to choose |
| from lemons, Sony turned around and | | | | the application and then vertically to |
| produced what is perhaps the most | | | | choose the source. Selecting 'Pictures' |
| successful game console in history, the | | | | and then 'Memory Stick' will let you |
| Sony Playstation. The result? For the | | | | browse whatever images you have stored |
| first time in history, Nintendo took | | | | on your Memory Stick. Since the PSP uses |
| second place in the video game console | | | | standard Memory Stick Duo format chips, |
| market, while fellow rival Sega got out | | | | if you have a digital camera that uses |
| of the console business altogether.One | | | | MS Duo sticks, you can simply slap the |
| segment of the gaming market Nintendo | | | | stick from your digican into the PSP and |
| still has a stranglehold on, however, is | | | | browse to your heart's content. The PSP |
| the handheld sector. Beginning with the | | | | allows you to zoom in or out and pan the |
| original Gameboy, the name Nintendo has | | | | photos in any direction using the |
| been a veritable synonym for handheld | | | | nub.Music is just as easy...you just |
| gaming. This dominant streak has held | | | | drag your ATRAC (ech!) or .mp3 (yay!) |
| sway through several subsequent | | | | music files onto the Memory Stick, and |
| iterations of the Gameboy. Some have | | | | then navigate to them the same way you |
| claimed Nintendo's dual screen DS | | | | did the photos. One thing the PSP is |
| handheld system to be a revolutionary | | | | not, however, is an iPod...you have to |
| step forward in portable gaming. Others | | | | set up folders for each group of tunes |
| have decried it as gimmicky. Whichever | | | | you want, though you can assign tracks |
| side you fall on, there's no doubt | | | | to song groups and play them back at |
| Nintendo execs are fingering their | | | | will. That said, the PSP's music |
| collars as Sony prepares to rain on | | | | playback functionality is great. The PSP |
| their parade with their new Playstation | | | | comes with a decent set of earbuds and a |
| Portable - aka the PSP.Comparing the two | | | | remote extension allowing you to control |
| systems, I'd say there's a real chance | | | | the PSP's music functions without having |
| Nintendo may finally have a serious | | | | to dig the unit out of your pocket. More |
| challenger to the portable gaming | | | | importantly, it sounds great. If you |
| throne. Most assuredly, Nintendo will | | | | know how to edit .wmu playlists, you can |
| claim that they are pursuing a different | | | | even assign thumbnail images to the |
| demographic than Sony (read 'kids'), and | | | | tracks which will appear when you play |
| to their credit the pre-teen crowd will | | | | back the tune on your PSP.Videos are the |
| probably favor the DS over the PSP. But | | | | biggest pain in the arse, mainly because |
| for anyone over the age of 12, the PSP | | | | you have to do the most fiddling. |
| is definitely a serious contender for | | | | Luckily, homebrew PSP programmers have |
| your pocket change.Okay, so enough | | | | already jumped to action, and there are |
| Nintendo-bashing. Review the damn thing | | | | already a number of freeware apps |
| already.The first impression one gets | | | | available online which will let you drag |
| from the PSP (once you've ravenously | | | | 'n drop video onto your PSP with little |
| clawed your way through the packaging) | | | | or no trouble.The biggest drawback to |
| is just how sleek the system is. From a | | | | all this media fun is the fact that the |
| purely aesthetic standpoint, the PSP is | | | | PSP ships with a measly 32mb Memory |
| one seriously sexy piece of cutting-edge | | | | Stick. By the time you start messing |
| tech. The system's faceplate is | | | | around with music and video files, |
| fashioned of one glassy piece, | | | | you'll be sorely aching for a big 'ole |
| interrupted only by the protrusion of | | | | 1GB Memory Stick.So okay, I'm sure |
| the various buttons. The backside is | | | | you're wondering whether or not any of |
| just as nice, with the UMD disc door | | | | the horror stories you've heard about |
| featuring a prominent PSP logo inside a | | | | the PSP are true. One of the bigger |
| silver metal ring set flush against the | | | | points of contention that's hounded the |
| backplate. The two shoulder buttons are | | | | PSP is the dreaded 'dead pixels' issue. |
| clear plastic, and the perimeter edge is | | | | Reports have circulated widely that a |
| accented in silver giving the whole | | | | number of PSP units have been plagued by |
| thing a very streamlined look.Of course, | | | | 'dead pixels', pixels which are either |
| looks are one thing, but how does it | | | | permanently light or dark, depending on |
| actually play? I'm happy to report that | | | | how they're stuck. My unit does indeed |
| the PSP delivers very well in this | | | | have a handful of these dreaded dead |
| regard. For a portable system, weight is | | | | pixels, but seriously...I think you'd |
| an important factor, as it is by nature | | | | have to be a real anal-retentive type |
| handheld. The PSP is fairly lightweight, | | | | for it to be considered truly |
| especially considering all the hi-tech | | | | bothersome. I'm certain that a handful |
| goodness crammed into it's slim chassis. | | | | of PSP's have some serious issues, and |
| In fact, it weighs just about the same | | | | Sony has agreed to repair or replace |
| as the Nintendo DS, if you need the | | | | these units at no cost. However, seeing |
| comparison. You could easily play this | | | | the problem first-hand, I can honestly |
| thing for hours straight without feeling | | | | say that it doesn't seem to be that big |
| weighed down.One thing that takes a | | | | an issue. In fact, over the last week or |
| little getting used to is the somewhat | | | | so, some of the 'dead pixels' seem to |
| cramped form-factor. While the PSP's | | | | have disappeared, leaving only two |
| controls may be perfect for Japanese | | | | barely noticeable spots. The other |
| gamers, most Westerners will find that | | | | standout problem with the PSP's screen |
| having a go with the PSP will involve a | | | | is that it is a veritable magnet for |
| short learning curve while hunting for a | | | | smudges and fingerprints. Sony |
| comfortable grip. Really, though, it's | | | | thoughtfully includes a microfiber |
| no worse than any handheld system before | | | | cleaning cloth with the unit, and |
| it, and there's no denying that Sony | | | | believe me, you'll get a lot of use out |
| designed the PSP with ergonomics in | | | | of it. If this really bothers you, be |
| mind. The back of the PSP has a very | | | | aware that for less than $5 you can buy |
| subtle curvature on each side, creating | | | | a number of PSP 'skins' which protect |
| a natural shallow channel for placing | | | | the screen from smudges or (gasp!) |
| one's fingertips...it's a small detail, | | | | scratches.The second biggest concern |
| but it counts.Sony smartly modeled the | | | | about the PSP has been the battery life. |
| PSP's controls on the PS2's Dualshock | | | | So far, in my experience, the power |
| controllers, minus two of the front | | | | supply is adequate for what the PSP |
| triggers and the right control stick. | | | | is...a portable gaming system. With |
| Replacing the left stick is an analog | | | | average use, you should expect to get |
| 'nub', which works much better than it | | | | between 4-5 hours of use between |
| sounds. Rather than tilt on an axis, the | | | | recharges. I generally use the PSP to |
| nub moves gently in a horizontal | | | | while away lunch breaks or spare moments |
| direction, giving you the same control | | | | in the evening when I've got nothing |
| as a stick but without the height a | | | | better to do, and I have yet to |
| stick would require. It's actually a | | | | encounter a situation when I've been |
| small bit of genius, and works great in | | | | left with a fully discharged PSP. If you |
| action.As you've probably heard, the | | | | really expect to put some time into the |
| PSP's main selling point is its' | | | | PSP, you will probably want to get into |
| 4.3-inch hi-def screen. While 4.3 inches | | | | the habit of carrying around the |
| doesn't sound like much on paper, the | | | | included 5v power supply or invest in a |
| PSP's screen really must be seen to be | | | | secondary power source (Pelican |
| appreciated. Both games and feature | | | | currently sells a 'power brick' which |
| films look absolutely fantastic, and | | | | will recharge your PSP twice on a single |
| since the screen is formatted to a 16:9 | | | | charge for a mere $10). Other reports, |
| ratio both applications can be | | | | from UMD's ejecting from the unit when |
| appreciated in full widescreen, | | | | its' twisted, to poorly fabricated |
| high-definition glory. Watching | | | | 'square' buttons, have really been |
| Spiderman 2 (which was included in the | | | | overblown. I'm sure you can find faults |
| first million units sold in the US) is a | | | | with the system, but overall, it's very |
| remarkable experience; when I first | | | | well manufactured and should withstand |
| booted it up, I laughed at the game | | | | years of use provided you take care of |
| store manager and proclaimed 'It looks | | | | it.A minor issue of mine lies with the |
| better than my television!'. And sure | | | | UMD movie lineup. While I'm all for |
| enough, it does. The screen is bright | | | | enjoying fan-favorite fare like Hellboy |
| and crisp, and you may find yourself | | | | and Kill Bill, I wonder if film studios |
| picking details out of the image that | | | | will truly embrace the format. Will we |
| you might not have noticed the first | | | | ever be able to enjoy Citizen Kane or |
| time around.Of course, movies are one | | | | the works of Jean Cocteau on the PSP? I |
| thing, but the PSP is primarily a game | | | | think not. Considering the highly |
| platform. You wouldn't think so, but | | | | proprietary nature of the UMD format, I |
| games benefit from the PSP's hi-def | | | | can't imagine the studios taking a risk |
| screen moreso than films. Watching | | | | on less bankable material for |
| something like Wipeout Pure in motion is | | | | consideration for UMD release. I suppose |
| amazing; not only is the image in | | | | those of us who enjoy the occasional |
| razor-sharp hi-definition, it's also | | | | foreign or classic film will have to |
| widescreen, allowing a larger view of | | | | resort to storing flicks on the Memory |
| the playfield than ever before. Again, | | | | Stick. Oh well...least common |
| you'd think a 4.3-inch screen wouldn't | | | | denominator, I suppose...Film snobbery |
| capable of very much, but it just isn't | | | | aside, the PSP is truly a remarkable |
| so. Without a doubt, the PSP's screen is | | | | piece of engineering. When the PSP's |
| one of the greatest single innovations | | | | specs were first unveiled a mere two |
| the handheld gaming world has ever | | | | years ago, it was widely believed that |
| seen.Powering the PSP is a single 333mhz | | | | Sony's handheld system was vaporware in |
| processor, which may not sound too | | | | the making, and that the final product |
| impressive up front, but visually, the | | | | couldn't possibly deliver. Amazingly, |
| PSP stacks up favorably with it's bigger | | | | they have. Nearly every point on Sony's |
| sibling, the PS2. All the flourishes | | | | ambitious list is intact. With numerous |
| you've come to expect from the full-size | | | | hardware and software improvements on |
| gaming platforms, sharp textures, lens | | | | the way (digital camera attachments, |
| flares, hi-poly models, can be found on | | | | installed web browser and chat clients, |
| a device roughly the size of a | | | | PSP MMORPG's), Sony has crafted the |
| scientific calculator. Pick up Ridge | | | | first true challenger to the handheld |
| Racer, perhaps the most visually | | | | gaming throne...and suddenly it feels |
| impressive title in the PSP's launch | | | | like 1995 all over again.Alex Mayo is a |
| lineup, and you won't miss the PS2 | | | | graphic designer of Irish/Filipino |
| iterations one bit. Ditto for the | | | | descent who grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. |
| aforementioned Wipeout Pure, which | | | | He was raised on comic books, punk rock, |
| actually manages to overtake the PS2's | | | | and grade-B kung fu movies, which |
| Wipeout Fusion by a fair mile...and not | | | | explains his complete and utter |
| merely by virtue of it's portability. | | | | inability to deal with real life in a |
| It's actually a better game...if that | | | | rational manner. He is reasonably |
| doesn't say anything to you about the | | | | well-educated (if Art school counts), |
| power of the PSP, nothing will.The PSP | | | | reasonably well-read (if graphic novels |
| also lends itself to other applications, | | | | and the 'Letters to Hustler...' columns |
| such as viewing photos, watching videos, | | | | count), and reasonably well-fed (if |
| and playing music. Though these are | | | | Sliders from White Castle count).Alex |
| definitely secondary uses for the PSP, | | | | currenty supprorts himself as a |
| they are no less good selling points, as | | | | freelance graphic designer and as the |
| the PSP handles them well enough to be a | | | | helmsman in charge of a popular |
| serious consideration for anyone looking | | | | Asian-American Pop Culture webzine. |