Topic: So let's say I want to get a PSP soon.

[Shaymin]

The recent announcement of the new FF4 + After Years in 2D compilation clinched it - I'm going to make my Lindemann Syndrome even worse and get a PSP once a US release is confirmed.

When I do, the shopping list also includes the Personas, Lunar, Mega Man Powered Up, Maverick Hunter X and the Street Fighter Alpha 3 re-release. My tastes tend toward JRPGs and puzzle games, and it's safe to assume I'm not getting a Go. What else should I look into?

[broodwars]

If you want to get a PSP, more power to you but why for this compilation?  Final Fantasy IV is available on multiple platforms already, including the DS through the GBA port and DS remake and the Wii through the Virtual Console.  The After Years is already available on Wii.

As for recommendations, honestly it's hard to recommend a good JRPG on the system that doesn't have better versions available elsewhere.  Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is generally considered pretty good, Tactics Ogre: Let's Cling Together is coming soon, there's a supposedly decent port of Valkyrie Profile, if you haven't played Valkyria Chronicles on PS3 you have Valkyria Chronicles 3 to look forward to (I've heard that #2 is pretty terrible), and The Third Birthday (Parasite Eve 3) is coming soon as well.  There's also yet another version of Persona 3 on the PSP, though it's hard to recommend when Persona 3 FES was fine just as it was on PS2.  Shin Megami Tensei Persona is something of an acquired taste, but it has had good reviews.

[Adrock]

I'm still trying to figure out why Final Fantasy IV has been remade roughly 37 times.

[Shaymin]

It's cheap, SquareEnix just cut their profit forecast 92%, and it's kind of cool to have The After Years in a portable format.

also I am a Final Fantasy IV whore

[Halbred]

My PSP's disk drive is dying. I'll have to buy a new one soon, but unfortunately not a PSPGo since I still have all my UMD's. Maybe I'll wait to see what the PSP2 is like?

[Chozo Ghost]

My PSP's disk drive is dying. I'll have to buy a new one soon, but unfortunately not a PSPGo since I still have all my UMD's. Maybe I'll wait to see what the PSP2 is like?

Odds are its going to lack a UMD drive.

[TJ Spyke]

And if the other rumors about a possible PSP 2 are also true, the system will be like $400 and will bomb like the PSP Go did.

[vudu]

What else should I look into?

Don't forget Final Fantasy Tactics!

[Halbred]

My PSP's disk drive is dying. I'll have to buy a new one soon, but unfortunately not a PSPGo since I still have all my UMD's. Maybe I'll wait to see what the PSP2 is like?

Odds are its going to lack a UMD drive.

Booo. Thanks for supporting your own media type for half the system's life, Sony.

[BlackNMild2k1]

My PSP's disk drive is dying. I'll have to buy a new one soon, but unfortunately not a PSPGo since I still have all my UMD's. Maybe I'll wait to see what the PSP2 is like?

Odds are its going to lack a UMD drive.

Booo. Thanks for supporting your own media type for half the system's life, Sony.

This is what we know of the PSP2 so far;
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=30989.msg646149#msg646149

PSPgo style slider setup.
Dual Analog
Touch Pad on rear
PS3 level graphics
No UMD Drive (But NOT likely to be download only)

[Chozo Ghost]

If Sony cared about their customers they would allow them to send in the UMD (or proof of ownership) and give those customers a credit so they can download those same titles for free.

[TJ Spyke]

This is what we know of the PSP2 so far;
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=30989.msg646149#msg646149

PSPgo style slider setup.
Dual Analog
Touch Pad on rear
PS3 level graphics
No UMD Drive (But NOT likely to be download only)

At least according to some rumors, but we all know rumors should be treated as false until info is confirmed. Hell, the PSP 2 itself is still technically just a rumor.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I think it's more than a rumor at this point, its just not officially announced. There is talk from devs, pics of the system & resume updates that show them working on the platform.

[TJ Spyke]

True. I just prefer not to speculate on things and I have seen other people take speculation and treat it as fact.

[ShyGuy]

Step your game up! I've heard rumors the PSP2 will have 3g support.

[ejamer]

Although vaguely interested in the next PSP system, if it ends up being a phone combo I'm definitely out.

[Chozo Ghost]

Step your game up! I've heard rumors the PSP2 will have 3g support.

Step your price up! I've heard rumors the PSP2 will cost $400.

[ejamer]

Not sure if they ship to the US, but this is rather appealing:
http://www.archambault.ca/qmi/navigation/catalog/product_generic.jsp?navAction=jump&lang=en&id=ACH002491701&


PSP Go for $100, with free shipping?  I know the Go has some downsides, but it's also a very slick piece of kit.  For that price it would be pretty easy to justify with just a handful of the best games.


Issues holding me back?
(1) Lack of "fun money" after Christmas
(2) PSP battery life sucks (sorry PSP fans, but it's true)
(3) Too many games already in my backlog already


I could convince myself to ignore two of the three... but this just doesn't make sense for me right now.  Oh well.  Pretty sure these sales are going to show up again.

[TJ Spyke]

Even $100 is pushing it, there are just too many downsides to it. I would recommend just spending $99 to buy a used PSP-1000, it can do everything the PSP Go can (plus play UMD's, and be modded if you want to do that). You can also buy games a lot cheaper than having to download them from Sony, especially since not all PSP games can be downloaded from PlayStation Store.

[ejamer]

I understand your suggestion, but the original PSPs are ugly enough I wouldn't want one.  The PSP Go redesign was pretty sexy, and since I'd likely only own a small number of games the increased cost doesn't affect me much.  Being able to (legally) carry all games with me without worrying about UMDs is also a notable bonus.


So a brand new PSP Go can do everything I need it to, looks much better, is more convenient, and is priced roughly the same as a used PSP-1000?  For me that's clearly the better option, even though games are generally more expensive from the Playstation Store.

[blackfootsteps]

Shaymin, if you like puzzle games you can't go past Lumines. 1 or 2.

[leroypantweather]

Dont hesitate get a psp go, so many good psp games coming out this year(third birthday, new dissidia, tactics ogre, new monster hunter), plus alot of games go on cheap cheap  on PSN (especially if you never played psp games thus large backlog) get the component cables for your go too, and use a ps3 controller on the tv, its money. plus playing some of the ps1 rgs from the psn is nice to do on a hand held.  i was a big psp hater but put my go is seriously holding me over till 3ds.  no need to worry greatly about psp2 imo.  though there is tons of speculation , it seems to be just that. .  i have heard they are having mad hadware problems (overheating ect), thus potentially going through a bit more of a redesign but like i said speculation is pooopy .  point being buying and old system that has tons of backlog games especially rpgs is never a bad investment.

[Enner]

... you have Valkyria Chronicles 3 to look forward to (I've heard that #2 is pretty terrible), ....

I've been playing around with Valkyria Chronicles 2 and it's a pretty nice shrinking of Valkyria Chronicles. There are some tweaks to the classes that bring some welcome balance. One of the worst things about it is that it embraces tired anime cliches and story beats harder than the original Valkyria Chronicle. It's apparent up front as you are thrust in to a Japanese cartoon high school with guns (to be fair, its called an academy in the game and most of the students are college aged). Also, I hear that unlocking upgrade parts will require tedious grinding.

[ymeegod]

I liked VC2 myself, the main story is a bit bleh but the characters were full of life, and it's on sale on PSN for like $15 or something.  Did you try the new DLC for it? 

[Enner]

Did not try the new DLC for it. I haven't made much head way in to the game. I think I'm still in the Winter quarter.

If there's a demo available and you like fighter jets, I recommend Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception and Ace Combat: Joint Assault. Much missile-launching fun to be had. Joint Assault is more co-op oriented and has some changes I don't like so Skies of Deception might be the better bet.
There are two Burnout games on the PSP. I have Burnout: Dominator which has all new tracks. There's no Crash mode which is fine for me since I was never really attached to the mode. Instead, they brought back boost chaining, a mechanic I sorely missed in Burnout 3: Takedown and Burnout: Revenge.