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PSP questions

InxInx Registered User regular
edited June 2009 in Games and Technology
I'm considering getting a PSP, but I'm not completely sold. I really love my DS, but there are a decent number of games for PSP that I'm interested in (specifically Monster Hunter and the couple of Megaman Games).

I'm just curious what people have thought, overall, of the PSP, especially people who also like the DS and the PS2. Whats the control scheme like? How is the battery life? How heavy is the damn thing?

Is it worth getting a PSP just to play a handful of games on it in the long run?


Also suggest some games cuz yeah.

Fearless Games

Inx on

Posts

  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    If you don't require brand new you can get a used psp for damn cheap.

    greeble on
    PSN/steam/battle.net: greeble XBL: GreebleX

    Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
    I’ll tell you what happens in Demon’s Souls when you die. You come back as a ghost with your health capped at half. And when you keep on dying, the alignment of the world turns black and the enemies get harder. That’s right, when you fail in this game, it gets harder. Why? Because fuck you is why.
  • InxInx Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Well, while I hadn't thought of that, where would I find used? Gamestop?

    Inx on
    Fearless Games

  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Craigslist/Kijiji/eBay would be your best bet.

    You want a PSP-1000 or PSP-2000 model so that you can load custom firmware. Why? How does the idea of loading your games off a memory card instead of UMDs sound? Pretty sweet, right? Now imagine you get another hour or two of battery life by doing that. Yeah, you like that dontcha.

    PeregrineFalcon on
    Looking for a DX:HR OnLive code for my kid brother.
    Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I haven't tried it myself but it seems like you can get CFW on the 3000s as well as long as the person you are buying it off of hasn't updated to the latest firmware. CFW is great, I probably wouldn't like my psp nearly as much without it. But if you only plan on playing a few games it probably doesn't matter all that much. (Especially because I hear Monster Hunter has an option to cache stuff to the memory stick)

    greeble on
    PSN/steam/battle.net: greeble XBL: GreebleX

    Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
    I’ll tell you what happens in Demon’s Souls when you die. You come back as a ghost with your health capped at half. And when you keep on dying, the alignment of the world turns black and the enemies get harder. That’s right, when you fail in this game, it gets harder. Why? Because fuck you is why.
  • PeregrineFalconPeregrineFalcon Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    greeble wrote: »
    I haven't tried it myself but it seems like you can get CFW on the 3000s as well as long as the person you are buying it off of hasn't updated to the latest firmware. CFW is great, I probably wouldn't like my psp nearly as much without it. But if you only plan on playing a few games it probably doesn't matter all that much. (Especially because I hear Monster Hunter has an option to cache stuff to the memory stick)

    You can run unsigned code on the 3000s, but it requires a reload of the hacked OS every time you cold-boot the system. So either you leave it on standby instead of shutting it off, or deal with that. Plus you have to have firmware 5.03 to make it work. I won't say any more than that to avoid Teh Lockyness.

    But a CFW-enabled PSP is an entirely different console than one that isn't. Load times go down, battery life goes up, and you have as much of your library with you as you can fit on your memory stick.

    PeregrineFalcon on
    Looking for a DX:HR OnLive code for my kid brother.
    Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    There's a number of solid games on it from all kinds of genres, and if you like Megaman, you'll probably want Prinny and Castlevania Dracula X for more platforming goodness.

    Crisis Core is also an action game, sort of.

    As for the control scheme, it's pretty much just like a PS2 except it uses an analog nub instead of a stick. I also have a DS and still love the PSP, so there's no reason you can't enjoy both.

    cj iwakura on
    z48g7weaopj2.png
  • ElderlycrawfishElderlycrawfish Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    When I first had a PSP in the early days, it didn't get too much playing time compared to the GBA/DS. That did shift though, and there are so many good titles out that I honestly have not touched my DS in months. The fact that I became a crazy Monster Hunter addict probably helped with that. If you can get into that game, that's easily a couple hundred hours of playing right there. Do it with friends locally, or online via X-Link Kai or PS3/Ad Hoc Party, double that. And if you're absolutely nuts about it, people clocking in closer to 1000 hours is not unheard of.

    Control is okay, as mentioned. You lose L2/R2 and the second stick, which can be a bit of a pain, though most games do their best to accomodate this. The Syhon Filter/Resistance games actually do a passable job (IMHO) with a shooter-type without the 2nd stick. I kind of wish more games would use a similar control scheme.

    As mentioned, running games off a stick (either through CFW or purchasing games via PSN) uses up less battery, has faster load times, and is far less noisy (no drive access noise). Extended batteries are still available, I believe, and that will increase your playtime between charges dramatically.

    Whatever you decide to do, I'd recommend getting a good screen protector and carrying case.

    Elderlycrawfish on
  • Cucco LeaderCucco Leader Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I've played atleast 600+ hours of Monster Hunter Freedom. It's a superb game, and it totally justified the purchase for me. As much as I love Monster Hunter, if this was a DS vs PSP buy thread, I'd still recommend a DS. It isn't really a portable system. It's a handheld you play at home, or by an outlet. But, seeing as you already have a DS, failings aside, get a PSP. Monster Hunter is totally worth it.

    Gurumin, is a fun little action (?) game.
    Gradius Collection is a must if you like shumps.
    Megaman Powered Up is great. Get that Megaman game first.

    Cucco Leader on
  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Cucco Leader wrote: »
    It's a handheld you play at home, or by an outlet.

    See this is why CFW rocks. Run games off the the memory stick with extended battery gets you 8 hour play times. I take my psp everywhere.

    greeble on
    PSN/steam/battle.net: greeble XBL: GreebleX

    Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
    I’ll tell you what happens in Demon’s Souls when you die. You come back as a ghost with your health capped at half. And when you keep on dying, the alignment of the world turns black and the enemies get harder. That’s right, when you fail in this game, it gets harder. Why? Because fuck you is why.
  • DehumanizedDehumanized Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I've had a PSP for maybe a month now. Of the games I've bought so far, I'd recommend:

    Crisis Core
    Loco Roco
    Rock Band: Unplugged

    as really clear, easy-to-decide on purchases. There's a couple other I'd recommend with some caveats:

    Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops is great, but can be hard to find and you might hate the controls.
    Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles is a nice platformer that can be had cheaply, but I found after having played it for a while that really the only thing I wanted out of it was Symphony of the Night... which I've already bought like 3 times already in various incarnations...


    I don't have a screen protector/carrying case, but I would recommend one. I just store my PSP inside a sock when I'm not using it. This works for me because I don't really travel with it. It's more of something that I'll play before going to bed. If I'm going somewhere, it's much more likely that I'll take my DS.

    Dehumanized on
  • StronginthearmStronginthearm Hi, I'm Liam! with broken glassesRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    This is a list I have recently started posting for new PSP owners and those looking for games, etc.

    Star Ocean First Departure
    Star Ocean Second Evolution
    Tales of Eternia
    God of War: Chains of Olympus
    Patapon
    Patapon 2
    LocoRoco
    LocoRoco 2
    Lumines
    Lumines 2
    Crisis Core
    Ratchet and Clank Size Matters
    Daxter
    Prinny Can I Really Be The Hero
    Dissidia
    Monster Hunter Freedom 2
    Wipeout Pure
    Wipeout Pulse
    Tekken: Dark Resurrection
    Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions
    Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
    Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
    Jeanne d'Arc
    Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
    Burnout Legends
    Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
    Space Invaders Extreme
    The Warriors
    Resistance: Retribution
    Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
    Gitaroo Man Lives!
    Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
    Worms: Open Warfare 2
    Echochrome
    Every Extend Extra
    Metal Slug Anthology
    Silent Hill Origins
    Exit
    Killzone: Liberation
    Brave Story: New Traveler
    Power Stone Collection
    Tokobot
    The Silent Hill Experience
    Secret Agent Clank
    Flow
    Class of Heroes

    And FF7 for download from the PSN!

    Stronginthearm on
    my backloggery 3DS: 0533-5338-5186 steam: porcelain_cow goodreads
  • HounHoun Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I dispute the above poster. The PSP is not a console you play at home; you CAN play it at home, as with any handheld, but I play mine the most on the bus or breaks at work. There's nothing about it that locks you to playing it at home. :P

    As for games, I cannot recommend God of War: Chains of Olympus highly enough. Amazingly fun, controls beautifully, and looks gorgeous.

    You'd mentioned Megaman, and Maverick Hunter X was one of the first games I got for PSP. Great update on a classic. Patapon is pretty fun, as is Loco Roco. I never got very far into Metal Gear AC!D, but it seemed cool when I bought it. Oh, and Wipeout Pure was great fun.

    Houn on
  • MoioinkMoioink Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    CFW crew doing this thread proud. You only have half a PSP without CFW.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udEywtrjBkw

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJebreP-P2w

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9GQGt1oDSc

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmlcDzA03FI

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmAnMEMtmO8

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmY3VtNzNsk

    <3 my DS and my PSP.

    Moioink on
  • freakish lightfreakish light butterdick jones and his heavenly asshole machineRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Disgaea PSP is amazing. I can't play Disgaea DS because the sprites and animations are such low quality compared to the PSP version. It's a shame, because Prinny commentary sounds really great, but I start playing the tutorial and it looks like jaggy vomit. PSP version is smooth as silk and really pretty.

    freakish light on
  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    On that, Disgaea 2 is getting its PSP port translated pretty soon as well

    elliotw2 on
    camo_sig2.pngXBL:Elliotw3|PSN:elliotw2
  • InxInx Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Outside of CFW, whats the difference between the 3000 and the 1000/2000? Would I even be able to find a 1000 or 2000 without having to hit ebay?

    Inx on
    Fearless Games

  • MinionOfCthulhuMinionOfCthulhu Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Inx wrote: »
    Outside of CFW, whats the difference between the 3000 and the 1000/2000? Would I even be able to find a 1000 or 2000 without having to hit ebay?

    Weight, and a few other things. The PSP 2000/3000 are called the 'Slim'. I'd go for the 2000. Easier to load custom firmware on than the 3000, and lighter than the PSP1000 (although I never had a problem with my PSP1k), plus TV output. You probably won't be able to find a 1000 or 2000 at EBGames/Gamestop though. You may have luck with some place like Sam's Club, maybe. Look on Craigslist, though. I don't know where you live, but I just looked at Miami's and I see a decent number for sale.

    MinionOfCthulhu on
    mgssig.jpg1152dt.gif
  • DehumanizedDehumanized Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Amazon still has 2000 PSPs available. It's a lottery as to whether you get one that's got old enough firmware to easily load custom firmware on to, though.

    http://www.amazon.com/PSP-2000-Console-Piano-Black-Sony/dp/B000UA0LXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1246314974&sr=8-1

    Dehumanized on
  • EliminationElimination Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Im gonna be selling my PSP - 1000 and a whack of games i think next week, i never play it anymore and basically only use my DS as far as handhelds go. My PSP is in really good condition too cuz...well, i never use it.

    Elimination on
    PSN: PA_Elimination 3DS: 4399-2012-1711 Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/TheElimination/
  • InxInx Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Another question - I appreciate all the help and advice, btw - let's say I get monster hunter freedom unite. Can I play it with someone like, across the country, or is it more of a wireless connection to play with buddies in the same room?

    Inx on
    Fearless Games

  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Elimination wrote: »
    Im gonna be selling my PSP - 1000 and a whack of games i think next week, i never play it anymore and basically only use my DS as far as handhelds go. My PSP is in really good condition too cuz...well, i never use it.

    See thats the thing. There are plenty of people who never touch their psp like Elimination and others that use theirs all the time like yours truely. If you are really on the fence about it I'd go with a used psp incase you are one of those that don't use it for some reason.

    Also as for game recommendations I say get Jeanne D'arc if you like tactics games. (like FFT) And get Hot Shots Golf 2.

    greeble on
    PSN/steam/battle.net: greeble XBL: GreebleX

    Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
    I’ll tell you what happens in Demon’s Souls when you die. You come back as a ghost with your health capped at half. And when you keep on dying, the alignment of the world turns black and the enemies get harder. That’s right, when you fail in this game, it gets harder. Why? Because fuck you is why.
  • MoioinkMoioink Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Inx wrote: »
    Another question - I appreciate all the help and advice, btw - let's say I get monster hunter freedom unite. Can I play it with someone like, across the country, or is it more of a wireless connection to play with buddies in the same room?

    If you have a PS3 you can use Adhoc party to play over the internet.

    Moioink on
  • EliminationElimination Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    greeble wrote: »
    Elimination wrote: »
    Im gonna be selling my PSP - 1000 and a whack of games i think next week, i never play it anymore and basically only use my DS as far as handhelds go. My PSP is in really good condition too cuz...well, i never use it.

    See thats the thing. There are plenty of people who never touch their psp like Elimination and others that use theirs all the time like yours truely. If you are really on the fence about it I'd go with a used psp incase you are one of those that don't use it for some reason.

    Also as for game recommendations I say get Jeanne D'arc if you like tactics games. (like FFT) And get Hot Shots Golf 2.

    I have Jeanne D'arc , i will list the ebay thinger here once i post it up on wednesday/thursday see if the OP is interested...the games im selling with it are: (If i decide to ultimately sell the system, which i probly will.)

    Phantasy Star Portable
    DJ Maxx Fever
    Jeanne D'Arc
    God of War
    Burnout Legends
    Sega Genesis Collection (awesome cuz it includes the Phantasy Star games.)

    Annddd thats all i can think of off the top of my head.

    Oh and with it also is this armoured logitec case that is as tough as nails.

    Elimination on
    PSN: PA_Elimination 3DS: 4399-2012-1711 Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/TheElimination/
  • donhonkdonhonk Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Pst... This case rocks.

    Totally protects it, I've dropped my PSP twice and it was fine, only got a little scuff on the plastic. And you can put in your own custom skins. Its the best case I think.

    donhonk on
  • HounHoun Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    donhonk wrote: »
    Pst... This case rocks.

    Totally protects it, I've dropped my PSP twice and it was fine, only got a little scuff on the plastic. And you can put in your own custom skins. Its the best case I think.

    :^:

    Houn on
  • EliminationElimination Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    donhonk wrote: »
    Pst... This case rocks.

    Totally protects it, I've dropped my PSP twice and it was fine, only got a little scuff on the plastic. And you can put in your own custom skins. Its the best case I think.

    Thats the same case i have on mine ha ha ha, yeah its pretty invincible. And padded on the inside.

    Elimination on
    PSN: PA_Elimination 3DS: 4399-2012-1711 Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/TheElimination/
  • freakish lightfreakish light butterdick jones and his heavenly asshole machineRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    And there's XLink Kai, but you need a Linksys WRT54G running custom firmware or... something else? It's complex.

    freakish light on
  • InxInx Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Moioink wrote: »
    Inx wrote: »
    Another question - I appreciate all the help and advice, btw - let's say I get monster hunter freedom unite. Can I play it with someone like, across the country, or is it more of a wireless connection to play with buddies in the same room?

    If you have a PS3 you can use Adhoc party to play over the internet.

    So to play over the net, I need a PS3?

    Inx on
    Fearless Games

  • MoioinkMoioink Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Inx wrote: »
    Moioink wrote: »
    Inx wrote: »
    Another question - I appreciate all the help and advice, btw - let's say I get monster hunter freedom unite. Can I play it with someone like, across the country, or is it more of a wireless connection to play with buddies in the same room?

    If you have a PS3 you can use Adhoc party to play over the internet.

    So to play over the net, I need a PS3?

    For games that are Adhoc (local) only yes, it's a neat little (Sony made) hacksie. Some games do have direct internet play but yeah for ones that don't, Adhoc Party ftw.

    Moioink on
  • RenzoRenzo Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Moioink wrote: »
    Inx wrote: »
    Moioink wrote: »
    Inx wrote: »
    Another question - I appreciate all the help and advice, btw - let's say I get monster hunter freedom unite. Can I play it with someone like, across the country, or is it more of a wireless connection to play with buddies in the same room?

    If you have a PS3 you can use Adhoc party to play over the internet.

    So to play over the net, I need a PS3?

    For games that are Adhoc (local) only yes, it's a neat little (Sony made) hacksie. Some games do have direct internet play but yeah for ones that don't, Adhoc Party ftw.
    freakish light wrote: »
    And there's XLink Kai, but you need a Linksys WRT54G running custom firmware or... something else? It's complex.

    Renzo on
  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Nah you don't need a ps3. You can run XLink Kai off your PC, you will need to get a usb wireless adaptor for it though. (Look on the monster hunter thread.)

    greeble on
    PSN/steam/battle.net: greeble XBL: GreebleX

    Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
    I’ll tell you what happens in Demon’s Souls when you die. You come back as a ghost with your health capped at half. And when you keep on dying, the alignment of the world turns black and the enemies get harder. That’s right, when you fail in this game, it gets harder. Why? Because fuck you is why.
  • IAmTheRadIAmTheRad Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I object to your suggesting of Monster Hunter Freedom 2, and recommend Monster Hunter Freedom Unite! Unite is the exact same game except more stuff. Basically it's like the expansion pack with Monster Hunter 2 (not Standalone)

    IAmTheRad on
  • MoioinkMoioink Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Oh wicked, I had no idea. Link. The USB dongles are inexpensive too and there's a Mac version of the software! :O

    Moioink on
  • elliotw2elliotw2 Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Yes, I just ordered the dongle that they have on their front page, and hope to Monster Hunt through both Xlink and Ad-hoc party soon

    tip:Amazon doesn't work on there

    elliotw2 on
    camo_sig2.pngXBL:Elliotw3|PSN:elliotw2
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