This is my ode to the PSP. The most under rated and perhaps over-hated device in the history of portable gaming. Not only is the PSP successful in fulfilling its promise of delivering a hand held Playstation experience, but it is a very dynamic platform. Out of the box the PSP is a media machine, capable of handling large memory cards and storing a reasonable amount of visual and audio entertainment. People use it to read comics and manga, people use it to connect to the internet, people use it as a homebrew device--and people use in a way that defies a popular myth: people use it to play games.

Now it was a slow start, but here we are two years later and things are really starting to finally look good. Not only do we have a platform with some great content right now--but there's a pretty solid release schedule lined up for the next year too. Things are looking up. One area where I'd like to see an improvement is with the platforms RPG's--but there are some nice ones arriving in the future and hopefully more to follow.

Some of my personal favorites from the current line up (loosely organized by genre sorta):


DJ Max Portable (import, sequel ships soon)


Gitaroo Man Lives


Lumines (and Lumines 2)


Every Extend Extra (more original content from Q Ent)


Puzzle Quest (RPG/Puzzle crossover game, interesting and addictive)


IQ Mania


Lemmings


Puyo Puyo Fever (follow up in the works)


Puzzle Bobble/Bust a Move (classic)


Loco Roco


Me and My Katamari


Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee


WipeOut Pure (sequel in the works)


Ridge Racer 2 (favorite hand held racer--would like online mp)


Mega Man Powered Up


Mega Man Maverick Hunter X


Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins


Capcom Puzzle World


Gradius Collection


Medieval Resurrection


Killzone Liberation


Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops



GTA Vice City Stories/Liberty City Stories


Ace Combat X


Sid Meier's Pirates!


Ratchet And Clank: Size Matters


Exit/Exit2


Street Fighter Alpha 3


Tekken 5 DR

Some upcoming games I'm looking forward to:


Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles


Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII



Jeanne d'Arc


Silent Hill Origins


Monster Hunter Freedom 2


Valhalla Knights

DJ Max Portable 2: Crazy video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIGW8coU1W4

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War
Final Fantasy I+II
Hopefully DMC Portable


and finally..for now..God of War PSP

And then there's homebrew--another fine reason to love the PSP. I loved the console hacking scene on the original Xbox, a connection I often make with Sony's king of all portables. Both consoles were well exploited and explored in ways that really tapped unknown potential in the unit. The PSP scene has a lot to be happy about--Dark Alex's custom firmwares make it possible for nearly all PSP users to enjoy the benefits of homebrew code without losing any other functionality in their device. This is emulator heaven, but it doesn't end there. There are custom media players, wifi sniffers, all sorts of tools and homebrew games--even a navigation application with GPS support (the official Sony GPS receiver comes in at an impressive $60 USD for the import) that pulls maps from Google. In the right hands the PSP is like a portable Xbox 1--a great mix of gaming with great media functionality. The best handheld homebrew platform hands down. Did I mention the near perfect Playstation One emulation? Add that functionality with the retail games list above and you've got yourself one hell of a portable machine. GPX2 eat your heart out.

I know I left a lot of games out, but I just sorta came up with a list of games that appeal to me off the top of my head. It's a shame that it has taken this thing so long to get off the ground but with the right games in your collection, a copy of 3.10 OE-A' and a 4 gig memory stick for movies and media you're good to go. Even without indulging in the homebrew scene, the growing library of great games mixed with the advanced media functions of the machine make it a great system to own. If you own a PSP and you find yourself getting bored with it, take a look to the import market and the homebrew scene to add some spice to the consoles diet, you might find yourself loving it again.

I know I'm happy with my PSP library so far, even though there are some obvious genre gaps for me, I know that there is more coming in the following year that will help fill it out. But I can't complain, I have plenty of things to do with the system while I wait, it's got enough of a library already to have a backlog--I'll be good until some of the big releases ship later this year.

Anyone else love their PSP, or am I the only one?

I just bought another PSP. Picked up a 4gig stick, Daxter, 300, Vice City Stories, and a South Park UMD. I also downloaded Crash Bandicoot, WipeOut, and Jet Moto from the PS Store. I bought my PSP used and got a free 512mb stick :). Plus I know it doesn't have any dead pixels (those plagued my last two).


Daxter

GTA: Vice City Stories

300: March to Glory

Crash Bandicoot

Jet Moto

I'm definitely hyped for God of War. I also think I'll get Coded Arms: Contagion when it's released. I loved the first. But with GOW on the horizon and added PS3 functionality, I plan on keeping my PSP much longer than my last ones.

I'm in the process of cataloging all my MP3s to copy over to my PSP. I may just copy them all over to the PS3 so I can stream them from Wifi spots. With a bit of investment I could see myself using the PSP more than my ipod. I also plan on ripping some movies to my PSP.

I don't know much about homebrew. I just updated my PSP to the latest firmware so I guess that ship has sailed. If not, then I'd like to check it out.

Hey cool some other people like PSP too, who would have figured. :)

Initial D looks interesting but I'm hesitant, I should poke around for some reviews. I see it on the Play-Asia top 50 (which is generally a pretty solid list) but Initial D games would sell regardless of quality. You've played it Kenshin? Colin McRae actually looks pretty good too.

I love Ridge Racer though, if you get a PSP and want a good portable racer, you basically need RR2. Oh, and Wipeout, that game is crazy good.

Intelligent Qube was a PSOne game, so maybe it's exactly what you're remembering? IQ Mania is just a straight ahead port of a classic PSX game. Pretty bare bones but it was a great game to begin with.

Also, popstation = any PSX game on your PSP, which makes for some pretty awesome possibilities.

You can do that (create images of your own games) with custom firmware. There are variable levels of risk involved in the downgrade/upgrade process, depending on your PSP model, so whatever you do--do it well informed.

Absolutely awesome thread. This place (XY and PSY) needs more initiative taking like this.

Crazy coincidence that I bought Gitaroo Man Lives! today, my first PSP game since Lumines 2 (and my fifth PSP game in total :P) today. :O

Fair enough, I'm certainly not going to try to talk you into a process that could damage your system. Ultimately that one is up to you. Your PSP is probably a TA-82+ so you'd need to go the GTA:LCS route for the downgrade.

Also Medieval Resurrection is a remake--the story is the same but the content is different. As for Viewtiful Joe I left it off because I haven't played it and haven't really formed a single impression of--it's not a platforming action game like the console versions so I just sorta avoided it. Plus I had to leave some things open for others to post.Sweet, you'll probably love Gitaroo Man Lives! My only complaint is that it's very short. Then again, DJ Max Portable has compelling gameplay and about a million songs to play--but none of Gitaroo Man's charm.Eh I guess I'll pass. Ridge Racers 2 and Wipeout Pure (still) are enough to hold me off on any new racers for a little while. They both control pretty great with the d-pad. Initial D sounds interesting but I'm just a little too unsure still to actually buy it, hopefully I'll get a chance to try it eventually. Colin McRae Rally seems interesting too, but why is it 2005 and apparently not out yet?

What a great list!

I've lost my memory stick for my PSP and it's badly neglected since

Love Ridge Racer on it though :)

The 3.30 firmware has just been released--keep in mind that updating would render a homebrew capable unit, well, less capable. Personally I'll be waiting for 3.30 OE...and stolen from the PSN store thread..official PSOne for PSP releases on PSN:

I don't know if you guys knew this, but you can download PSP demos. Check it out: http://www.pspdemocenter.com/

Also, anyone know how to setup Remote Play with the PS3 via any wifi hotspot?

Remote Play and Location Free Player are two features that haven't even been mentioned yet in this thread. I'm not really entirely sure how either work. If there's not an answer here by the time I come back maybe I'll find out.

Nice score on the demo site, not sure what firmwares they're compatible with, I might have to avoid them but here's a list of what they have available:For what it's worth, I know there are some other demos out there too. There was a Japanese demo (maybe UMD only?) in Japan, at least.

Remote Play is so simple, even an Xboxyde Mod could do it! Just hook up the PSP to the PS3 (via usb of course) and then go to PS3 Network Settings/Remote Plan/Register Device. After a few seconds, it will be done. Set the PS3 to Remote Play (you will also want to turn off Folding@Home autostart if you have enabled it previously) and then jump in and out of PSP Remote Play as you please.

Remote Play is pretty shaky. My PSP froze for a little bit while I was viewing this site using the PS3's browser. And the audio on some videos laps. Some videos have freezes while the audio continues, and some are perfect. It's not due to the resolution or file size of the mp4s. I've streamed PSP quality vids from my PS3 and still gotten some errors. Yet at full 1080p, the Transformers trailer plays flawlessly. There's definitely something "more than meets the eye" about video streaming ;).

So far, of the demos I've played Killzone Liberation. Its better than the actual Kill Zone. Its as close to Gears of War type gameplay that the Playstation will get. Ducking, taking cover, firing, crossbows. The controls are a little annoying, I still haven't gotten used to aiming. I'm contemplating buying this, I'll play the demo a few more times.