Vita has made me fall in love with PSP again...

[WCP]

I've recently been able to try the Vita out at a Best Buy and a Target. It's an amazing little entertainment device. If I had $300 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd be all over it. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of coin to blow on a Vita, but I do own a PSP. Haven't played the thing in what seems like years. I dug it out of the closet, dusted it off, and tried one of my favorite PSP games, Wipeout Pure. Man, the PSP is still a very impressive little device. After all these years. Wipeout Pure is an awesome game. Makes me want to revisit a bunch of other PSP launch games.

I'm thinking of getting the SNES D-Pad mod for it:

http://nespblog.tighelory.com/2007/09/psp-with-snes-dpad-makes-fighters.html


So, that I'll have a legit D-Pad on the thing. I'm also thinking of getting some of those big arse grip things that you can lock the PSP into. Makes it seem like a PS2 controller, so it's a bit more comfortable. I need a GameStop B2G1 free sale again, so that I can stock up on some classic PSP games. (of course I'll rip them to a memory stick for convenience sake, but that's besides the point...)

Anybody else get nostalgic for their PSP after checking out the Vita?

[Emperor Megas]

I've recently been able to try the Vita out at a Best Buy and a Target. It's an amazing little entertainment device. If I had $300 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd be all over it. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of coin to blow on a Vita, but I do own a PSP. Haven't played the thing in what seems like years. I dug it out of the closet, dusted it off, and tried one of my favorite PSP games, Wipeout Pure. Man, the PSP is still a very impressive little device. After all these years. Wipeout Pure is an awesome game. Makes me want to revisit a bunch of other PSP launch games.

I'm thinking of getting the SNES D-Pad mod for it:

http://nespblog.tighelory.com/2007/09/psp-with-snes-dpad-makes-fighters.html


So, that I'll have a legit D-Pad on the thing. I'm also thinking of getting some of those big arse grip things that you can lock the PSP into. Makes it seem like a PS2 controller, so it's a bit more comfortable. I need a GameStop B2G1 free sale again, so that I can stock up on some classic PSP games. (of course I'll rip them to a memory stick for convenience sake, but that's besides the point...)

Anybody else get nostalgic for their PSP after checking out the Vita?The ONLY reason I barely play my PSP is because the D-pad is HORRIBLE. Absolutely HORRIBLE. Shooting and arcade style games are completely unplayable for me on the PSP. I wasn't aware that there were mods for that sort of thing, though I'm not sure I didn't.

[WCP]

The ONLY reason I barely play my PSP is because the D-pad is HORRIBLE. Absolutely HORRIBLE. Shooting and arcade style games are completely unplayable for me on the PSP. I wasn't aware that there were mods for that sort of thing, though I'm not sure I didn't.


Well, there has been the standard PSP D-Pad mod, in which you take apart the PSP and put some tiny pieces of plastic in certain places, so that the D-Pad will rise up a bit from it's normal position. It does make the D-Pad slightly better. I've always wanted a more "legit" D-Pad mod though. My dream was somehow getting a Sega Saturn D-Pad to work on there. I haven't seen anything about anybody getting a Sega Saturn D-Pad to work on it, but a SNES D-pad sounds pretty good as well.

[Damaramu]

I've got a PSP slim; I've never had problems with the d-pad. I've always been able to do standard Street Fighter motions flawlessly. I guess it's the standard test for me and any controller.

[Emperor Megas]

I've got a PSP slim; I've never had problems with the d-pad. I've always been able to do standard Street Fighter motions flawlessly. I guess it's the standard test for me and any controller.I played around with a friend's kid's slim 3000 PSP and I noticed that the D-pad felt a lot better, but I didn't play any of my own games to know. I just have the original PSP.

[substantial_snake]

The original D-pad was kinda crap but I liked the one on my 2000, it was comfortable and worked well. If you really are getting into the PSP library I suggest picking up one of the slim models instead of using the original. The improved controls and TV out make it a must IMO if your going to enjoy a lot of the PsP classics in comfort. Then you can pick up a good quality grip and really just play it as any other console. I ended up playing the majority of the games near the end of its life as just a traditional console and a getting-to-sleep system.

That mod looks awesome though, good luck if you try it out. Its too bad you made this post now though Gamestop was having a B2G1 a few days ago.

[Leo_A]

No troubles with the d-pad on my 3000. The one on the 1000 stunk. Could barely even hit the diagonals.

[Press_Start]

RPGs! Can't be stated enough!

PSP RPG list (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?126374-RPG-list-for-the-PSP-(rpgpsp)&highlight=rpgpsp)

Persona (1,2,3), Ys (VII, I&II, Felghana, Napishthm), Monster Hunter, Kingdom Hearts, a gigaton of Final Fantasy games, and that's cover only 1/5. WCP, don't bother waiting for B2G1. Half the PSP library are already basement bargain price and with Vita out, all the more reason they will sink faster. :)

[Emperor Megas]

Right, I'm going to grab one of the slim PSP models then. It's IMPOSSIBLE to hit diagonals on my original 1000 series fat model -- I'm glad to hear that it's that way for everyone and now just my unit because now I know to get a different model.

Is it safe to assume that the PSP 3000 series is the best one then, or did they remove or gimp something that the 2000 one had?

[Gamereviewgod]

Is it safe to assume that the PSP 3000 series is the best one then, or did they remove or gimp something that the 2000 one had?

2000 is the best. The 3000 has screen interlacing issues that pulled me right out of hardware and I never went back.

Been trying to trade a 3K for a 2K straight up but no one ever bites.

[Leo_A]

What appears to be interlacing issues (Although apparantly it isn't, according to what I remember Sony stating at the time) never bothered me much on my 3000. And the screen does offer some benefits over the 2000 (Improved contrast, less motion blur, and move vivid colors...although at the expense of the whites which some say get a tinge of yellow on a 3000), although I'll avoid saying if they outweigh the disadvantages since it's so subjective.

The 3000's d-pad is slightly better than the 2000's and you avoid that matte finish that was in vogue for a while that was a fingerprint and dust magnet on the 1000 and 2000 (And the original PS3). But the improvement is a very slight one and both are light years ahead of the 1000.

Suffice it to say that you'll likely be satisfied with either choice after playing on a 1000. Just don't expect to be wowed about the build quality of either. It's quite clear they were cutting cost on these revisions compared to the 1000 and you're taking a step backwards in that area with a 2000 or 3000 that reflect their cheaper manufacturing cost and slimmed down design (The UMD loading mechanism, for an obvious example). And the loose face buttons remain on both if that is a bother for you (It annoys some people).

But either one is worth it for the enhancements that actually affect your enjoyment playing games on it. The improved d-pad is a huge improvement, particularly if you're like me and found the PSP's nub to be all but useless (I don't even consider it an option since it's so terrible), the system is more comfortable to hold (Less weight, slimmer design, rounded edges), and either screen is a big jump past the 1000's screen.

[duffmanth]

The ONLY reason I barely play my PSP is because the D-pad is HORRIBLE. Absolutely HORRIBLE. Shooting and arcade style games are completely unplayable for me on the PSP. I wasn't aware that there were mods for that sort of thing, though I'm not sure I didn't.

The D-pad doesn't really make games unplayable, it's the lack of dual thumb sticks. At least that's what I find.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

PSP 2000 is my favorite as well.

Best D-Pad and best screen.

Throw the official high capacity battery in there with the official conversion battery door cover (it comes with) and you even get a few more hours of play out of it.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/11/psp2000_batterypack-pkg425.jpg

[G-Boobie]

It's funny: I had the exact same reaction. I have a PSP 2000 which I hadn't touched in years. I was at Best Buy on Friday and noticed that their PSP games were priced to move. Persona 1 and 2 and Tactics Ogre for twenty each was too good to pass up. I booted the system up and I've been loving it.

I'm also picking up Corpse Party. Those four games should keep me in business for a while.

[Emperor Megas]

The 3000's d-pad is slightly better than the 2000's and you avoid that matte finish that was in vogue for a while that was a fingerprint and dust magnet on the 1000 and 2000 (And the original PS3). But the improvement is a very slight one and both are light years ahead of the 1000.Um, wait, I'm confused. The original PS3 doesn't have a matte finish, it has a HORRIBLE, glossy, shiny finish that I DETEST.

And I thought that the PSP2000 series was the one in the glossy "Piano black" finish. I have the original PSP and while the face of it's or shiny, it's not high gloss like the PS3, and the back of it is matte, and textured. I believe the 2000 and 3000 have glossy backs.

[Leo_A]

I used the wrong word.

The face of my 1000 seems just as glossy as my PS3 and I know the 2000 has a gloss front as well (I can't recall if the back was on the 2000). The 3000 has a matte finish (Or at least my silver version does) and doesn't reveal every fingerprint and spec of dust.

Another advantage, albeit a minor one these days, is the 3000 can output games to a 480i television without homebrew.


PSP 2000 is my favorite as well.

Best D-Pad and best screen.

Throw the official high capacity battery in there with the official conversion battery door cover (it comes with) and you even get a few more hours of play out of it.

I actually thought the d-pad of the 3000 was slightly improved. It seems more firmly mounted than on the 2000 (On the 2000's that I have used, I can get it the wiggle around a bit) and a bit sturdier and more responsive.

Sadly, the high capacity battery left production years ago (I recall having difficulty and ultimately deciding not to bother with it when I bought my 3000 after it was released). Unless there was another production run of them, I suspect it might be tough to locate one brand new these days.


The D-pad doesn't really make games unplayable, it's the lack of dual thumb sticks. At least that's what I find.

Difficult diagonals on the 1000's d-pad for a game that needs them makes them unplayable. Beyond first person shooters (And all these SNK Minis that used a rotary joystick that could've used a right analog stick to map aiming to), the PSP's face buttons seems to suffice for task like camera controls so I never really missed a right analog nub on it (And the nub was so terrible, even a second one wouldn't of done much good).

[heybtbm]

I've been thinking about picking up my PSP again lately too. Not sure if it's because of the Vita or because I haven't really played the damn thing in 3 years. I even bought a new 3000 last year. It's been played maybe 10 hours total or so. Tactics Ogre is calling me.

[WCP]

I think a big part of it, is the fact that the Vita also has a new Lumines and Wipeout game for it's launch. It's like Spring 2005 all over again...


Trying out the Vita, and listening to a bunch of pdcasts discussing the Vita launch, just made me think of how underrated the PSP is. When I play Wipeout Pure on that thing, and i have the audio going to my receiver and big arse speakers, it's a pretty next-gen experience, and that hardware came out in December 2004 in Japan. That hardware was finished a long, long time ago, and it's held up pretty well when you think about it. I haven't been into my PSP in years, but for some reason, I'm really enjoying playing a bunch of early PSP games, and kinda trying to relive the glory years of the PSP. It's fun, and about $350 cheaper, lol....