Sony's PSP: A Review

Touted for all sorts of fancy multi-media capabilities, Sony's PSP is, in the end, truly only meant for one thing: Playing games. It's more then equipped to do just that. It even looks like it's ready to go with a stunning design that makes jaws drop the moment it's taken out of the box.

The console is an immaculately designed piece of hardware, arguably the best looking portable ever produced. Pictures do not convey just how slim and small the system really is, dominated by the largest screen in the history of handhelds. Holding it is pure gaming bliss with a similar feel to a standard Playstation controller, just minus the extra thickness and second analog stick.

The included analog "piece" really isn't much of a stick though. Those who grew up on the NES will likely remember the rather odd NES Max, a goofy little controller with a sort of "gliding" d-pad. That's the best description possible, just now that pad automatically returns to the center. It seems to pick up on slight movement quite well during a test with "Ridge Racer."

The d-pad and buttons feel about the same as they did on the standard Playstation controller. They offer a little more resistance and the L & R triggers go a little deeper than you might be used to. They seem to be a little bit sticky, though this is a likely a problem because the console is brand new. The button configuration is the same as well, with the usual triangle, X, circle, and square designations.

Of course, it's really that screen that grabs you. This is simply an awe-inspiring display, and this time without argument, it really is the best portable game screen ever developed. The LCD nature of can cause a small amount of blurring with fast moving, dark objects. It tends to clear up rapidly without too many problems. The biggest issue is that this screen is seemingly made to clean your home from dust and fingerprints. Just the slightest touch smudges it and holding it close reveals just how much dirt you have on your person. Everything can be wiped off without too much effort.

There are plenty of buttons on the front, including the usual features like volume and start/select buttons. There's a small icon for sound that lets you choose from various audio presentations if you're using headphones. This can increase the bass, treble, etc. Finding a mix that suits you should be easy. The "Home" button takes you back to the main setup screen when in mid-game if you wish to quit.

The power switch is if off to the right, well out of reach of any buttons. There will be no turning your game off on accident. The switch on the left side turns on and off the consoles wireless capabilities. The memory stick slides in just underneath it; the battery under the power switch.

The UMD is a totally unique medium that will only work on this system. They're smaller than a Gamecube disc and come in a caddy for protection and portability. However, the caddy cannot be changed out if it becomes damaged. There's also a rather large portion on the back (where the disc is actually read) that allows dust and other unwanted materials to seep inside. If cared for properly inside the somewhat oversized cases they come in, this likely will not be a problem for you. If you plan on stuffing you pockets with software, you will likely have some games stop working after a while.

Article Author: Matt Paprocki

Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.

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