Post by shadow on Dec 16, 2004 19:00:35 GMT -5
Summary
PSP comes in a black color, with a 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD centered in a sleek ergonomic design with a high-quality finish that fits comfortably in the hands. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm with a weight of 260g. PSP features a high-quality TFT LCD that displays full color (16.77 million colors) on a 480 x 272 pixel high-resolution screen. It also comes complete with the basic functions of a portable player such as built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector, brightness control and sound mode selection. Keys and controls inherit the same operability of PlayStation® and PlayStation 2, familiar to fans all over the world.
PSP also comes equipped with diverse input/output connectors such as USB 2.0, and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN, providing connectivity to various devices in the home and to the wireless network outside. The world of gaming is further enhanced by enabling users to enjoy online gaming, or by connecting multiple PSPs to each other, directly via the wireless network. In addition, software and data can be downloaded through a USB or wireless network onto Memory Stick™ PRO Duo. All of these features can be enjoyed on one single system.
The Games
Ape Academy
Imagine Wario Ware with monkeys: that is how great Ape Academy is. Developed by the team behind Devil Dice, this 45 level mini-game fest follows the small simians through school as they learn the skills needed to master this monkey business. Skills that somehow seem to revolve around button bashing in the brilliant One Metre Dash, balancing towers of primates and even playing a Paper, Scissors, Stone shooter. Up to four players can go head-to-head over WiFi, trading and betting trophies, but two players can also share a PSP for frantic, even mini-er, mini games such as Air Hockey. So good, the word 'genius' was even mentioned once or twice.
Everybody's Golf
Sat at the opposite pole to Tiger Woods, this cartoon putter is Pringle jumper-free and gag heavy. It still plays a decent round too thanks to an enhanced roster of six new courses and some colourful but changeable characters. With WiFi offering the chance to pitch into eight player tournaments, and the Ad Hoc option letting you know of other swingers in the area, it should be highly clubbable. So far it seems to be every bit the equal of the PS2 version but not much of a sequel.
Ridge Racer
After sullying the good name of the series with the disappointing sideline of R: Racing, Namco look set to surge back into first place with this stunningly swift, incredibly smooth racer. Purring away on the PSP like a Jaguar sat at traffic lights, it comes alive in your hands by returning to its past life of pure 720-throwing trademark drift driving. The combination of 24 circuits and a World Tour mode gives it more depth than you can explore in just a day but the eight-player WiFi Battle Mode was instant, lag-free fun. Verging on the visually beautiful, this almost perfect arcade game was everyone's highlight of the day.
Wipeout Pure
The perfect fusion of '90s clubbing 'choons' and pop-video visuals returns in this astonishingly packed version of the futuristic racer. Looking every bit as refined as the PS2 version, it has the same ultra-quick handling, although we preferred to play on the D-pad instead of the analogue stick. While new craft and courses mingle with some classic combinations, the new VR Zone mode and the flawless eight-player WiFi impressed everyone. But with this game, what you see isn't all you get because Sony plan to use the PSP's ability to connect to the internet to add new bits to Wipeout Pure on a weekly basis. That way, everything from bonus ships and tunes to gamer-designed billboards can be added or taken away from the game.
WRC
Almost identical in looks to the big black box version, the official rally game returns with 16 rallies, 19 bonus stages and the promise of even more to download later. Despite the handling feeling slightly simplified and the lack of manual gears, the cars are still breakable with all 30 able to bend and bounce back. Once again WiFi is supported to the tune of eight racers but, this being a rally game, you can only go head-to-head on the special stages.
These are just a few of the launch games.
Feel free to use this thread to talk about the PSP.
...but for me its a deal and is the future of handheld entertainment. 
