Is getting a PSP worth it?

The Dutch Ghost

The Dutch Ghost

Grouchy old man of NMA
Moderator
Hello all,

This month I really have been thinking of getting myself a PSP, there are a couple of games for it which I really would like to play.

- Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops
- God of War Chains of Olympus
- Star Ocean: First Departure

And the upcoming "Resistance: Retribution" and "Star Ocean: The Second Evolution".

I actually already have the first three games, a bit strange some might think, of getting games for a console you don't own yet but I was already planning to get a PSP and I wanted to pick the games I wanted to play in advance before they become hard to find or that I have to pick up the "Greatest Hit series" version instead which boxes I really don't like.

What I find a bit of a problem with the PSP is its price to be exact, the PSP is sold for 169 Euros here which is quite some money.
The thing is that the PSP isn't exactly a machine you just sit behind the whole time like a PC or a console, it was mostly intended as something for when you are traveling, that is why I wanted to get it when it was more cheaper or available on Ebay for a small price.
Well I don't trust the idea of buying a console through Ebay any longer and Sony isn't going to lower the price in some time, that is why I would like to know the opinion of people who own it.

Please be honest.
 
I've had a PSP for a while, obtained for ~$400AUD. Recently however it's been gathering dust, none of the games have really managed to capture my interest (and I have bought or at least borrowed most of the 'good' titles). I've played the first two of your three - MGS was good but got boring quickly, and God of War lasted about 5 hours. The portable aspect has been somewhat neglected on my part though, so if you find yourself traveling a lot it'd be better value.

Overall for me it was a rather bad decision, but primarily because I never really used it while traveling. The homebrew scene adds a lot more functionality to the PSP though, and since you already have the games it seems like a bit of a waste if you don't go ahead with the purchase. And of course, if you find yourself away from home a lot it becomes a much better investment.
 
I bought one when they first came out, and while the novelty was decent for a couple of months, I ultimate got tired of it, and sold it off.
 
Hello Tycn,

I have been talking with someone else on school who also owns one who was rather disappointed about it also, he has a pile of games but has only played a handful of them.
From what I understand it simply lacks long term appeal, making the purchase somewhat of a disappointment.

I was mostly considering one because I still am waiting for my new PC which still isn't finished yet
Thing is, even if its finished I don't know what games to play on that because of the DRM mess and the lack of good quality games (Fallout 3).

The person I was talking too also brought up the price issue and after having talked with him about it I think I can better wait until its just a 100 Euro.

...and since you already have the games it seems like a bit of a waste if you don't go ahead with the purchase.
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Well I am planning to get a PSP eventually, but as said before, it depends on the price.

Pope Viper said:
I bought one when they first game out, and while the novelty was decent for a couple of months, I ultimate got tired of it, and sold it off.
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Yes, and that is my worry too, having bought something and getting tired of it quickly like what happened with the Wii I bought.
 
I've got one. I can say that it really depends on what kind of games do you.
No normal RPGs for PSP. The most fun games are action/arcade.

It's really worth playing Sony's own games like Patapon (love it!) or LocoRoco.
I've also enjoyed Lego StarWars, Worms and GTA titles on PSP.

Also, buying the latest PSP, you get a GPS device (which is not bad to my opinion). Also, the newest PSPs've got built-in mics, which is cool, because you have Skype software installed on it.
 
I had one for a while, but since I'm a big fan of JRPG's, and there aren't really any for the PSP, I eventually sold it off.
 
I think that's your best bet. No sense blowing money on something that will more than likely start gathering dust in a few months.
 
I modded mine and now it has a bunch of emulators on it. That is the only use I found for it. You have to have a decent size memory stick to make it worth anything.

A failed platform in my opinion.
 
TorontRayne said:
I modded mine and now it has a bunch of emulators on it. That is the only use I found for it. You have to have a decent size memory stick to make it worth anything.

A failed platform in my opinion.
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That's a big reason I got mine, so I could play with the emulators, but it just turned out to be a waste.
 
Personally I think with portable systems you should think more about how you will use them as well as what games they have. How many hours will you be using it on a regular basis? Does the battery life/charging time fit well with your travel schedule? Do you mind being seen as the gamer on the train/bus (some people do mind, but you might catch the attention of some gamer chick)? Is glare going to be a problem?

Portable systems are best for pick up and play time (unless you don't have a console or gaming PC that you can use where you live). Remember that even a PS2 has better graphics than a PSP and while there are some great games on a portable system, usually there is less variety.
 
Personally, for my portable stuff, I'm using an subnotebook. Good for playing the old games (Ultima, Fallout,etc).
 
I wanted to mod mine, but couldn't be arsed to figure out how to do it... read a bit, but it seemed very complicated.
 
When I had mine, it was just copying files around, but back then, it depended on what firmware you had, as Sony kept trying to prevent the mods.
 
I got a psp right now, the one that come with god of war, so far the only games that i really like where star ocean, x-men , god of war and need for speed. I buy it expecting that i was going to play lot of jrpg but soo far looks like DS is getting all jrpg releases.

For a time i use it for read pdf files, check maps and talk on skype but i get tired of it and right now is getting lot of dust.

I just waiting for any good rpg, even is a remake from psx, i miss all those rpg because i never own a console like psx and ps2.

Go sony go put some oldie jrpg on psp.
 
PSP is only good if you want to mod it for emulation. There is not enough games for the PSP too keep it good.
 
Drakehash said:
I just waiting for any good rpg, even is a remake from psx
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I recommend Tales of Eternia, it's a great for a JRPG even being a PSX port, and has decent amount of voice acting and quite good graphics for its age not to mention relatively original gameplay. Ironically one of my favourite PSP games.

B5C said:
PSP is only good if you want to mod it for emulation. There is not enough games for the PSP too keep it good.
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Agreed, homebrew apps add a lot of appeal once the initial shine is gone, and emulation for older consoles works perfectly. Getting the right firmware can be a bit tricky though.

The person I was talking too also brought up the price issue and after having talked with him about it I think I can better wait until its just a 100 Euro.
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Waiting does seem like the best idea right now.
 
Tycn said:
Drakehash said:
I just waiting for any good rpg, even is a remake from psx
Click to expand...
I recommend Tales of Eternia, it's a great for a JRPG even being a PSX port, and has decent amount of voice acting and quite good graphics for its age not to mention relatively original gameplay. Ironically one of my favourite PSP games.
Click to expand...

I will give it a try, hope is good. Thankz for the tip.
 
Get Final Fantasy Tactics, it's fucking gold. You can even play it with your friends, it's the best title on PSP, IMHO.
 
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