EGM's PSP pros & cons

Strengths:
-Disc-based media can hold entire movies or excellent-quality audio and costs a fraction of the price of cartridges. This also means better audio and video for use in games
-Analog stick is a must for many 3D games, as experience with the very first PlayStation controller taught us all
-Gorgeous design: Sleek and sexy, the PSP will be an easy sell to the gadget fetishists
-Wide third-party support--as with their consoles, Sony isn't trying to make all the games themselves. Some big-name third-party games makers are already on board, including EA and Konami with a Metal Gear game

Weaknesses:
-Disc-based media also means shorter battery life, although Sony claims the system will last around 10 hours when playing games, eight hours playing music, or two-and-a-half hours playing movies
-Will it break? Sony doesn't have the best track record as far as dependable hardware, and optical disc drives tend to bust easily
-Cost: Although Sony hasn't mentioned anything about the price, most analysts are expecting it to come in at around $300 when it first goes on sale, with the price then decreasing gradually

Vital Stats

Release Date:
Official: Spring 2005
Our guess: March 2005

Price:
Official: "For what we offer, it'll be a good price."
Our guess: $300

Media:
-New UMDs (Universal Media Discs) are about 2.5 inches in diameter. They can hold up to 1.8 GB (14 times the DS' media) and will be used for games, movies, and music

Other:
-Wi-Fi functionality will allow PSP users to network with PSPs and connect to the Internet for online gaming or other applications at Wi-Fi hot spots
-USB 2.0 port, infrared data port, and Memory Stick slot
-Planned accessories include an external battery pack and headphones with remote commander and microphone
-Switches include brightness control, sound mode, and wireless on/off

Sounds nice...could be worth the rumored $300...but I think it'll be $200

They want to have familiar names on there so customers won't be taking a shot in the dark.

I mean for me, the ONLY draw for the PSP is going to be that it's going to have Tales of Eternia on it and probably a Final Fantasy game as well.

I don't think I'd buy a PSP at all if that weren't the case.

You're going to have to deal with the fact that companies are going to do sequels and ports. If it bothers you that much, maybe it's time to get out of gaming. Because it's not going to change anytime soon.

That's true.

But I know I'm looking forward to the new Zelda and Halo 2. I dunno.

I wouldn't mind another franchise along the lines of Animal Crossing or Golden Sun though.

It's too bad Nintendo didn't bring Giftpia to the US. I would have gotten that game in a second. I might just have to import it.