PSP to Get Classic Game Download Service

Krishna Dagli writes to mention an Ars Technica story about a classic game download service for the PSP. It's supposed to work with the PS3 as well, and will at this point mostly consist of old PS1 titles. From the article: "According to Kawanishi, the new service will work either through a PC with a broadband connection, or through the PlayStation 3 itself. The user will be able to download games designed for the original PlayStation 1, which according to the Sony head works well. 'As for emulation power there is no problem,' he said, although he added that some changes have to be made to the games because the PSP only has a single analog stick and fewer control buttons than the PS1. He did not mention which titles would be made available, but he mentioned how Amazon had a list of "all books," indicating that Sony probably wants to put a large number of games on the service."

Comments

My advice:

[RichPowers]

It seems more and more consoles are providing classic game download services. This means that copyright holders will have a vested interest in shutting down ROM and Emulator sites, for these will take away business from the "legal" download service. So download ROMS while you can, before the packs of lawyers start searching for targets.

Re:My advice:

[Abcd1234]

So download ROMS while you can, before the packs of lawyers start searching for targets.

Or, god forbid, buy a copy.

Re:My advice:

[puddpunk]

Also, I find it amusing that you don't trust E-Bay or second hand sites but a bunch of pirates and their warez on their spyware-ridden sites are a-ok?

Sony Innovation

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't know why Sony keeps getting such a hard rap. I haven't seen any of the other game makers providing innovations like being able to download old games.

In all seriousness though, there's a huge difference between downloading a game that's a few hundred kilobytes, and is not available in any stores anymore (Except ebay), and downloading a game that is the size of a CD, and is probably still available used at many B&M stores.

Sony fails again...

Re:Sony Innovation

[powerlord]

Well ... considering Sony's first entry into the Console arena WAS the PS1, just which games should they be providing?

They will probably make other games available later on, but remember that part of the issue is not just providing a game that can be downloaded for the PSP, and porting the controls (or creating a universal way to handle porting the controls ... which probably won't work), but creating the infrastructure and network that can support this sort of thing. Since they are already creating it for the PS3, it makes sense to tie in the PSP.

The article also mentions that you can download UMD movies (i.e. to a memory stick and the computer/PS3's hard-drive ... probably the reason the HD was NOT optional on the PS3, unlike the XBox360). Yeah, they are still DRM encumbered (as are the games), but this seems like a great step in the right direction (depending on the price).

The fact that they expect the service to work either through a PC or the PS3 also underscores the idea of making the PSP and PS3 integrate (and perhaps explains Sony's position that the PS3 is a computer, not merely a "console"). Personally I think it bodes well for the platform.

Re:Sony Innovation

[Volante3192]

Damn it Nintendo! Stop going forward in time and stealing Sony's ideas!

Re:Sony Innovation

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

"I don't know why Sony keeps getting such a hard rap."

- $600.
- Blu-Ray.
- Delays.
- Controller.
- Root-kit.
- Real-time weapon switch.

Re:bound to fail

[Manmademan]

maybe to support the people who's hard work went into the games? Just a thought.

Re:missing 2 buttons

[MoriaOrc]

this is honestly a big deal, the lack of R2 and L2, as well as no right hand stick is going to flat out cut out a number of games from being played this way.

The analog sticks where barely even used on the PS1. And the games that did always worked fine with the classic DPad controller anyway. (Don't forget, PS1 didn't get the dual shock for quite a while).

As for L2/R2, that is a pretty big problem. Best solution I can think of off the top of my head is, analog stick for movement (replaces D-Pad), and use some of the PSP's DPad to replace the missing buttons (but that's very awkward).

Oh well, it all comes down to how they pull it off, if it is done correctly, then I can see this realy boosting PSP sales (there are some GOOD PS1 games out there).

I have a PSP, and I'd say that if this takes off and gets some good games in it, I would seriously consider getting a bigger memory stick (since I doubt the 32-meg it came with would work all that well for storing games), and even re-buying one or two of my old PS1 games (plus there were certainly quite a few good games in that generation I missed anyway).

Hell, I was already planning to buy Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth as soon as Best Buy (which I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole if I didn't have a 50$ gift card to spend) gets it back in stock, and it's supposed to be a "Remake with better cutscenes" deal (think the FF:Anthologies/Origins for PSX).