PSP go hardware confusion

Here are some interesting points that I read about PSP go on Ars Technica

"Sony is making waves with the PSP Go, although what many gamers are failing to realize is that the ability to buy games online and go purely digital already exists with the product they own. Everyone is talking about the hardware, when the PlayStation Network as a service is the big story... and that already works with your less expensive PSP.

Holding a PSP Go, it's hard not to fall in love with the hardware, or at least develop a little crush on it. The system feels nice and sturdy, with a beautiful screen and clear sound. It feels like what it is: an expensive piece of consumer electronics equipment.

Starting with the launch of the PSP Go, all PSP games will be available both as UMD releases and purely digital downloads. The PSP Go ships with 16GB of storage and no UMD drive, making it seem like the perfect platform for gaming on the go. Of course, so is your existing PSP system. You can download a limited number of UMD games directly to your Pro Duo card right now, and when that number increases all it takes is more storage to take advantage of it. You don't need $250 worth of hardware to go digital: buy a second-hand PSP, slam in a large Pro Duo card, and there you go.

Unfortunately Sony and many pundits have the PSP Go confused with the service that Sony is offering with the PlayStation Network. Your existing model will take advantage of the new digital ecosystem just fine. The value of these moves for Sony is a more direct line to consumers with both games and content, and downloads that can't be traded in or bought used.

Sony is going to be delivering great content, online, bypassing retail completely if you decide to download your games.Sony's strategy is a clear movement to a purely digital platform"

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Tetris for Sony PSP

Ever since the original Game Boy, Tetris has been one of the most popular and most addicting portable titles. To this date, hardcore and casual gamers alike kill time with Tetris while on-the-go on their cell phones

According to a listing by on a German software rating board, similar to the ESRB in the US, it looks like EA is publishing the classic Russian puzzle title for the PSP. Since the confirmation came from a content rating site, no release date or even official confirmation is known.

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PSP Manga Downloads Announced

I’ve mentioned having manga on PSP before.

Today Sony announced that they will begin to offer comic strips available for download over the PlayStation Network for PSP owners. There has not yet been any official news as to what the cost will be, or which comics will be available, just the mention that it's coming later this year. At first this will only be available in Japan, but we believe this access will eventually be brought over to the U.S. PSN store as well.

According to PlayStation Japan , manga will be available for download through the PlayStation Store in Japan by the end of 2009. The manga will utilize the full screen of the PSP, and be compatible with all versions, including the PSP Go.

The American and European divisions of Sony have yet to announce similar plans. This might add to the incentive to buy a PSP or dust yours off if you’re into manga, especially if they’re offered in both English and Japanese.

Would you pay for manga downloads to the PSP? Or would they have to be free?

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Playstation PSP2 portable rumors

Rumours that first emerged towards the end of last year regarding Imagination Technologies' involvement with a supposed PSP2 portable system have surfaced once again, this time in the form of a quad-core graphics processing unit for the alleged handheld (not to be confused with the officially announced PSP Go).

The unconfirmed reports once again surround Imagination Technologies' SGX range of chipsets, which have been used in palmtops and notebooks in the past as well as Apple's iPhone 3GS.

We've been sceptical over these rumours in the past simply because of the graphical power of the SGX chips. The single-core models are capable of running Quake 3 Arena at 30 FPS, which doesn't even come close to the capability of the current-gen PSP.

Hardware details for the next generation successor to the PSP have been leaked, according to the Spanish edition of Eurogamer.

The new handheld will allegedly feature a PowerVR SGX543MP chip, codenamed 'Hydra', said to resemble the iPhone 3GS's GPU. The Playstation PSP2 will also come with a quad core processor, making it capable of supporting superior graphics to the Xbox.

Of further note is the fact that this 'Hydra' chip can act as a general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU), which means that it can effectively operate as both a central processing unit (CPU) and graphical processing unit (GPU).

Chip manufacturing giants Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and ATI are all working GPGPU technology into their high-end products at the moment. The integrated units offer a number of efficiency benefits such as space and power, which would be invaluable for a prospective PSP2 handheld product.

Sony has previously denied that it is working on a follow-up to the PSP, with the system's next iteration, the PSP Go, still yet to be released.

The electronics giant is yet to comment on the hardware leak.

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PSP go rumors

Rumors of a major PSP hardware redesign some claiming the removal of the system's UMD disc drive, and others pointing to a second analog stick and sliding screen.According to sources directly involved with the new system, we have learned that Sony will quell those rumors by unveiling their revamped PSP at this year's E3 conference in June.

Many have speculated that the update would be called either the PSP 2 or PSP-4000, but our sources claim Sony will forgo a numerical moniker in favor of a subtitle. We've heard various rumored code names for the project (including PSP Slide, PSP Flip, and PSP Go!),but given that Sony has introduced the Go! brand of add-ons (the Go!View video on-demand service and 1.3 megapixel Go!Cam)for the European PSP, it seems likely that the new system will in fact be called the PSP Go! Our sources further confirm that this redesign will be available in two SKUs, with either eight or 16 GB of built-in flash memory. The system is set for release in Japan this September with a U.S. debut comingin either late October or early November.

In addition, since the UMD is going away, Sony will have over 100 classic and new PSP titles available for download at launch (Gran Turismo Mobile is said to be one of the premier launch titles). As for the hardware itself, the redesign will include a d-pad, analog nub, and face buttons as part of a sliding unit sticking out below the screen (as seen in our mockup above). Unfortunately for those looking for twin-stick shooter controls, the new system will not have a second analog stick, but instead will remain consistent with the current control configuration.

When asked about any of these details, Sony, of course, stated that it "does not comment on rumors or speculation."

As a bit of actual speculation, we wouldn't be surprised to see Sony borrow many design features from their Mylo 2 handheld Internet device, which is seemingly dead in the water. This could provide an 800x480 pixel touch screen for he system, as well as a camera on the system's backside.

Between the redesign and a strong lineup of recently announced PSP titles (see: Tekken 6 and Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny), Sony is clearly attempting to assert their relevance in the wake of the DSi's release and success of the iPhone as a gaming platform. It'll be interesting to see what sort of a splash Sony makes and the reaction the new hardware receives when it debuts at E3, which is only a month away. Preloading every PSP Go! with a copy of LittleBigPlanet would certainly make some waves.

I'm not excited about the new PSP go (or whatever it name is).From what I read Sony will just
make a smaller PSP version with 8gb or 16 gb internal memory.Anyone heard about better graphics or better LCD screen? It reminds me of Gameboy Pocket...

Remember we told you about Patapon 2 Umd free version

Anyway I'm waiting for the E3 conference in June

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Patapon 2 to be UMD free

The new sequel of the Patapon 2 will not be shipped on UMD. Instead, the game will be available via the PlayStation Network for $15 and it will also be sold in retail stores.The PSP cases will be empty, with a voucher for the download inside. If you purchase the product at retail, it will be $19.99. You'll also be able to purchase the download code via the web sites of certain retailers.You'll buy a code that let you download the game. There will be no UMD, physical copy of the game available.

This move by Sony allows them to sell directly to consumers, there is no product that you can resell, and retailers are selling physical cases with download codes for $5 more than the pure digital product.

Patapon is good title to use as a test. It has many fans, who may be more willing than an action game fan to try this new system. It's not a huge title in Sony's lineup, meaning the company doesn't stand to lose a huge amount of money if the gamble doesn't pay off.

This could very easily be the first shot in the battle to move even closer to a more digital future, and an industry where you can't resell or even rent games.

I would not buy the download version even if it's 5$ cheaper.It's better to have the UMD version so I can swap it with a friend or even resell it when I complete it. What do you think? Download version or not?

Portable Sega Megadrive Genesis

New handheld boasts 20 in-built retro classics including Sonic and Knuckles, Shinobi, Ecco the Dolphin and Golden Axe

Gamecheat specialist Blaze has announced a brand new Sega MegaDrive based handheld, which includes 20 16-bit titles built in out of the box.

Due out some time this month, the £29.99 device includes headline titles such as Sonic and Knuckles, Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe, Kid Chameleon, Altered Beast, Alex Kidd and Enchanted Castle and Alien Storm. The device will also hook up to TV sets using the included cable.

The firm’s press release reads: “Blaze are proud to announce they will be releasing their 16bit Megadrive handheld console in July 2008. The Blaze portable game player will be heading to a store near you from next month, so mums and dads, if you missed playing Sega Megadrive classics such as Sonic and Knuckles, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Ecco the Dolphin, you now have a chance to do so again and all for the price of a single Nintendo DS game.”

Games Built in:-

Sonic & Knuckles
Shinobi
Alex Kidd (and the enchanted castle)
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Arrow Flash
Columns III
Crack Down
Decap Attack
Dr.Robotnik
E Swat
Ecco
Ecco Jr
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe
Jewel Master
Kidd Chameleon
Sonic Spinball
Shadow Dancer

View Blaze website