Cavin-SmithPSP sales might have increased in May, but I'm sure there are plenty more of you out there who have yet to pick one up! If you haven't taken the plunge yet, here are some good reasons why now is the right time:
5. Hey, it's Summer!
People travel a lot over the summer and spend a lot of time outside – both are great opportunities to whip out the PSP to while away the time in-between. Going on a long car or plane trip? Pick up a PSP with some games and a large memory stick. Not only can you entertain yourself with one of your favorite pastimes, but you can load music and video onto the unit, as well without having to spring for an even more costly portable DVD player. Now the PSP screen doesn't play kindly with natural sunlight, but it's still a lot of fun to sit underneath a shady tree and relax with a game outside. Even those in the path of a hurricane can still enjoy their games if the power goes out!
4. The Core Pack Option
If cost is an issue, the new(-ish) Core Pack might be a good choice. It only comes with the unit, battery, and a charger, but that's all you really need. At ~$200 with a more robust set of features than the Nintendo DS, it makes a great buy. Don't expect another price drop until at least the holiday season, but you wallet will probably be inundated with all the new next-gen hardware anyway.
3. WiFi and System Functions
Though it got off to a slow start, the PSP's stable of online games is growing. SOCOM has been a steady favorite since its release late last year and the recent Field Commander offers stellar multiplayer options for fans of strategy games. Still other titles like the endlessly replayable Mega Man: Powered Up, Wipeout Pure, and EXIT feature plenty of downloadable content to extend the experience. Of course, almost every game features Ad Hoc multiplayer that allows you to play with friends in the same room. Recent firmware updates have added all kinds of features expanding the units media capabilities and an easy-to-use web browser for those with wireless internet access.
2. The Dry Spell
Summer is like a dust bowl for the video game industry with most companies saving up their big releases for the fall. The result? Few games released and even fewer worth actually playing. It's the perfect time to start catching up on everything you missed during the rest of the year and, coupled with Reason 5, means you can indulge in some fresh experiences even when you're away from your consoles at home. The PSP has plenty of titles worth picking up, which leads us to Number 1…
1. Games, Games, Games!
There's a persistent rumor going around that the PSP has no games and hasn't released a single worthwhile title since the launch rush. Word of mouth seems to indicate that many people still regard the system as “the one that can play Lumines and Wipeout.” In reality, there are number of very good games for the Playstation Portable and certainly enough to get you through a dry Summer. Though Nintendo DS games have greater notoriety due to their franchise characters and simple mechanics, the PSP has just as many (and potentially more) interesting titles to choose from. Here's a list of what we recommend with links to their reviews (where applicable):
Gradius Collection
Field Commander
Lemmings
Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast
Metal Gear AC!D 2
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Mega Man: Powered Up
Capcom Classic Collection
Daxter
Me and My Katamari
MLB 06: The Show
Winning Eleven 9
Fight Night Round 3
DJ Portable Max (Import)
EXIT
Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X
Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX
Princess Crown (Import)
FIFA 06
ATV Offroad Fury
X-Men Legends II
Wipeout Pure
Virtua Tennis
Burnout Legends
Darkstalkers: Chronicle
Gripshift
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Hot Shots Golf
Untold Legends
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06
Tokobot
SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo
SSX On Tour
Lord of the Rings: Tactics
Lumines
Metal Gear AC!D
Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
Namco Museum Battle Collection
NBA Live 06
NBA Street: Showdown
Ridge Racer
Monster Hunter Freedom
Whew! That's about 40 or so games we thought were worth your time and money (all rated 7.5 or above with the exception of a few staff favorites thrown in). If that's not enough to justify a purchase, I don't know what is! And if that doesn't quench your thirst, PSOne emulation is in the pipeline so you can indulge in favorites from the past, too.
