Playstation portable - any opinions?

[econ21]

My ten year old son is thinking of getting a PSP for Christmas - has anyone got an opinion on them? His grandparents have offered to buy him a portable DVD player and we were wondering about paying more to get a PSP instead.

[Fragony]

It breaks down very easily, I had no less then 8 dead pixels after a week of use, and I am not alone. Get a GBA or DS instead.

[Monarch]

My friend has one, he only has a few games but its good for other uses as well such as DVDs (not sure how it plays them, but my friend can.), music and all sorts, I suppose it depends....

[Kekvit Irae]

PSP + built-in web browser = instant porn. Not a good idea for a 10 year old, not to mention many of the games are not marketed to that age range.

A Nintendo DS or portable DVD player is a good choice.

Oh, and a PSP cannot play DVDs. They have mini disks called UMD (Universal Media Disks, which are anything but universal). DVDs are too big for the UMD drive. The PSP plays movies at DVD quality using the UMD disks.

[lugh]

And the UMD are horribly over priced, at least here they are. 150% the price of DVDs I've seen.
I'd go for the DS, my little brother has one and seems suitably impressed. I never saw the appeal in portable DVD....

[Kekvit Irae]

I'm impressed by the DS's ability to give a sharper picture when playing GBA games than the GBA SP itself. With the DS, you can play ALL GameBoy games, which is a plus.

[Fragony]

I'm impressed by the DS's ability to give a sharper picture when playing GBA games than the GBA SP itself. With the DS, you can play ALL GameBoy games, which is a plus.

Try the new mini GBA, it is awesome. The image is crisp no matter the angle of view, and it has sooooooooooo many great titles.

[Kekvit Irae]

Try the new mini GBA, it is awesome. The image is crisp no matter the angle of view, and it has sooooooooooo many great titles.

That would mean I wouldnt be able to play Advance Wars DS

[Leet Eriksson]

I got the psp as well, don't bother, i got the dying pixels problem and also screen scratches and such, its pretty sensitive and needs some extra care.. oh and maintenance.

If you are still buying it, it has some good features, like online play. Otherwise get a DS, it has a better line up of games and more friendly towards the younger audience.

[Fragony]

That would mean I wouldnt be able to play Advance Wars DS

Not yet available in europe, but I am a huge fan of the previous ones. Only thing I have played on DS is nintedogs, and it is well worth it.

ps, I have finally found a copy of fatal frame/project zero. Scary indeed, ropes are evil.

[Kekvit Irae]

Oh, and I forgot, so I'm going to correct myself...

You CAN play DVDs on a PSP, but you need a memory card that can hold that much data (2gig) and software hacks to run the ripped DVDs

[Monarch]

I just noticed Gamespot have an article that may interest you.

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6140988/index.html

I think that reviewer is basically saying if you want a machine for multi functions not just gaming it is psp all the way, however for sheer gaming and the fact itl save you a bundle of cash go for the DS.

For a 10 year old I believe you should buy the DS, it has games more suited to the age group.

[Kekvit Irae]

PSP isnt a gaming system. It's a portable movie player.
Unfortunately, the above statement is true. The vast number of UMD movies being churned out far outnumbers the games that are being produced. Barely a few games are worth mentioning... Metal Gear Acid (which I hated), Lumanis (which I've never played, but hear it's as addicted as crack), and The Sims 2. For those of us with the ability to hack the software, a whole bunch of new games opens up for us.

[lars573]

My ten year old son is thinking of getting a PSP for Christmas - has anyone got an opinion on them? His grandparents have offered to buy him a portable DVD player and we were wondering about paying more to get a PSP instead.

He's 10? The PSP is way to much money to piss away on something he has a real chance of breaking in January. Get the DS for him, and tell him why you won't let him get a PSP.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Scroll down, look to left panel for "PS2"

[John86]

To call the PSP amazing is an understatement. No other portable system even comes close. Sure there may be a few dead pixels. I had 15, but I promptly returned it for a new, dead pixel-less PSP. Although there are more movies than games out for the PSP, the few games that are out are nothing short of amazing. I recently picked up SOCOM, and it went far beyond my expectations, and I havent even tried out the multiplayer yet!

[John86]

Oh, and I forgot, so I'm going to correct myself...

You CAN play DVDs on a PSP, but you need a memory card that can hold that much data (2gig) and software hacks to run the ripped DVDs

http://www.pspvideo9.com/ If anyone is interested

[AntiochusIII]

I don't see the appeal of complex portable gaming systems in the first place, even though I like Ipod and such...

May be the hypocrite in me, or may be I'm just of the opinion that games deserved to be played in their full glory on 17+ inches monitors, and why would you go out just to end up playing the games you can play at home?

His grades might go down!

But if you want to give him a gift, I recommend DS--there are much more games available. PSP, meh. He'd be better off with PS2 or waiting for PS3. It is also very easy to break for a child.

[jeffreyLebowski]

PSP + built-in web browser = instant porn.

oh really? where can i get one asap? hahaha.

[edyzmedieval]

Oh no...

What if I get a PSP for Christmas?! I wanted a PSP.....

Any suggestions?!

[Microwavegerbil]

My only problem with the DS is it's lack of port to connect to other gameboys, although that's only a problem with GBA games and older and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (which is the game my friend had to buy a GBA for since his DS didn't have the link cable port). To me, though, the PSP seems like a waste, go for the portable DVD player (which I also don't really care for) or a DS (which I really like, just wish it was cheaper).

[Lehesu]

My opinion of the PSP is rather negative. Small on-board memory doesn't maintain a whole lot of music/movie files, and the games selection is tepid at best. If you want a games system, DS is better, and if you want a multi-media system, a Creative View is better (albeit pricey).

[Fragony]

My opinion of the PSP is rather negative. Small on-board memory doesn't maintain a whole lot of music/movie files, and the games selection is tepid at best. If you want a games system, DS is better, and if you want a multi-media system, a Creative View is better (albeit pricey).

It takes some time, technoligy-wise the psp is amazing, and there are some great things on the horizon. Same with the DS, but for now the absolute king is still the GBA-micro, it is the coolest to look at(so tiny and shiny!) and the clarity of the screen puts every other handheld to shame. Plus, it has a HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE library of games that are generally very cheap and horribly addictive.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I haven't heard much about them breaking, but let me tell you. I'm someone who will spend my money on complex games with the best graphics, not some pidley games on a four inch screen. With that, I'd like to say, get a PSP. I personally don't have one, but I've seen it played many a time and let me tell you. It rocks. It's got complex games, with graphics as good as any console game.

I'd say go for it...

[Fragony]

I haven't heard much about them breaking, but let me tell you. I'm someone who will spend my money on complex games with the best graphics, not some pidley games on a four inch screen. With that, I'd like to say, get a PSP. I personally don't have one, but I've seen it played many a time and let me tell you. It rocks. It's got complex games, with graphics as good as any console game.

I'd say go for it...

Sure nice graphics, but low battery-life and easy to break. The PSP is really a handheld to play at home, kind of misses the point imho.

[John86]

Sure nice graphics, but low battery-life and easy to break. The PSP is really a handheld to play at home, kind of misses the point imho.

I really dont mind the battery life. You can get 5 hours on a full charge and recharges are pretty quick. You can also buy an accessory that extends its life by another 5 hours.

[BDC]

The PSP is great. The GBA never did it for me, and this really does. That's what being brought up with 3d games does for you...

[ah_dut]

I dunno, I've always seen the 5 hour battery life as a disadvantage due to the fact I'm forgetful...that's why a 3510i nokia brick phone is wonderful...12 days without need for a charge. My small piece of forgetful heaven.

Anyways, they seem quite fragile for the amount f money you pay. My friend has a great stonking scratch on his from some minor incident or other. If you are going to get one...at least buy a decent case. Also, I think UMDs are horribly overpriced and so are memory cards (well the big ones anyways)

None of the games do it for me either...I'd prefer a DS (which is half the price I think) but that's just me

[Geoffrey S]

For good, fun gaming I'd go for a DS anytime, particularly if it's for a 10 year-old.

[Samurai Waki]

I take my PSP everywhere. It's great for a lot of different things, (especially those loooooonnnnnnggggg Road Trips.) I've got quite a few movies for it, and the games for the most part are very good, if not a little too mature for a 10 year old, unless you like exposing your kids to Italian Gangsters, and semi naked prostitutes