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Specs for Sony PSP Handheld

Posted by michael on from the 802.11-sweetness dept.

doctor_no writes "Sony has announced the specs for its upcoming handheld gaming device, the PSP, at their PlayStation Meeting 2003. Most interesting is that this device promises Playstation 2 level graphics, a compact 1.8GB media, Wireless 802.11, USB 2.0, 7.1 channel Audio, and a 24bit 16x9 screen TFT LCD screen. Sony has called this device the 'Walkman for the 21st Century', and plans to allow the user to enjoy movies and music for the device, along with games. Full specs can be found at ZDNet Japan. The PSP will debut at next year's E3."

6 of 497 comments (clear)

  1. my dear lord.... by sweeney37 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    when this thing was first announced, there were a lot of naysayers, "Nintendo rules the market, and it's going to be hard to beat them." but these were some of the same comments that were being made in 1995 when the PSX was introduced. the specs on these thing are unbelievable.

    the reason Sony does as well as it does in the videogame market is because it tries to find out what it's competitor does well, and improves upon it. I'm not saying this is going to be a GBA killer, (price is going to be a big factor) but it looks as if there is finally going to be a viable GBA competitor. (N-Gage eat your heart-out.)

    but as we all know, it all comes down to software. personally, I'd love to be able to play Vice-City whenever and wherever I want.

    Mike

    1. Re:my dear lord.... by Ominous+Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I don't know about that. The majority of people want simple and durable from a handheld. People don't want a giant laptop made especially for gaming, they want a little Game Boy that won't break when you throw it into your backpack.

      It sounds like it might be good, but PS2 calibur graphics in a hand-held will either mean it's large, really expensive, or both. Neo-Geo suffered because of its outrageous price, and I'd imagine this one would, too, if they manage to shrink down the components enough to make it a nice little, durable handheld.

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une sig.
    2. Re:my dear lord.... by slimak · · Score: 5, Interesting
      but as we all know, it all comes down to software.

      Right you are, but the type of games that are playable on a portable are different from those on a standard console - The [relatively] small screen of most portables can make it difficult for many gammers to play high-action and/or immersion type games. The GBA for example is very well suited to RPG games, but I do not think I could enjoy playing a sports game (since the players would have to be very small) or a vice city type game (i just think it would be difficult to play at ~4"x4"). That said, if the PSP really has a 16x9 screen and is large enough, it could be awesome for many type of games.

      The downside to the large screen of coarse is shortened playtime and a larger overall system - the GBA SP is so ultra-portable that its almost scarry.

      Will be interesting to see though....hope the price is right (or at least reasonable)

  2. So now.... by ziggy_zero · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ....you'll have to rebuy all your PS2 games you know and love, even though they'll be exactly the same on this.

    Would it have been possible to make something that can take PS2 discs? I remember that portable PSX that guy made, it didn't seem too bad. Another idea would be to make a discman-like device you put in your pocket but it has a cable running to a screen/control pad thing. I saw a portable DVD player made by Sony at the Metreon last year based on that idea (although it was just a screen, no control pad).

    --
    I belong to the ______ generation.
  3. Audio + Copyright by merlin_jim · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ... 7.1 channel Audio

    Why?

    It's a HANDHELD!!!

    I can just imagine the proprietary headphone now... it's a wrap around band for your whole head, with a subwoofer on top.

    Oh and the name... PSP?

    I hate to say that this guy is already using the name....

    Oh and in case I haven't karma whored enough?

    Here's pics of the presentation

    --
    I am disrespectful to dirt! Can you see that I am serious?!
  4. Not a GBA competitor by MBraynard · · Score: 4, Interesting
    While both the PSP and the GBA are "handhelds," the cost/features/size suggest that rather than competing in the same market at the GBA, this device is going into it's own market.

    Just like the SUV doesn't compete in the same market as "trucks" or "station wagons," the SUV created it's own market. And unlike the in the car industry, the PSP and GBA will not be chasing the same dollars nearly as much.

    In fact, there may instead be three classes here as the NGage seems to lie somewhere between the GBA and the PSP in terms of cost and capabilities.