Loose Threads: Is the PSP 3000 a worthy upgrade?

Before we go any further we just want to say, we have a shiny new forum and it looks ace. We know that it's a bit crass to blow one's own trumpet, but to hell with it. We have a shiny new forum, and it looks ace - we could say it again but we would only be repeating ourselves (crassly).

The best thing about it though, is that it is filled with all of our lovely pocket gaming darlings (that's you), who have done a great job this week of tearing last week's Loose Threads topic post from post. That topic was of course, 'Is the PSP 3000 a worthy upgrade?' and judging by your responses, Sony ought not to go counting any chickens before any eggs have hatched, if you get our meaning.

First to the discussion was Mandark to got things off to a less than enthusiastic start:

"The annual console facelift seems to be with us for good. Still, it gives the collectors something new to buy!"

That it does, but does it give Joe and Jane gamer something new to buy? PSP die-hard hunter_alien waded in next with a view from both sides of the fence:

"Well the higher quality screen and the added microphone are good extras and if the 480i/Dualshock 3 support is true, then it's even better. But then it's not a huge extra and to be honest I don't think that many will buy into it. I will of course, and it will be a day one purchase for me (and probably for a couple of thousand more people) but at the same time I'm not seeing it bumping up sales as much as the Slim & Lite did.

"Also, where is the big game for the launch of it? The Slim & Lite had Crisis Core and MGS: PO+ in Japan, and arguably Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (coming roughly a month later) for the US, but this one will have, in best case, LocoRoco 2 and again that is a game that will probably sell well, but it won't move units.

"So is it a worthy upgrade? No, I have to say it's not, but the added features will be great extras for the late adopters and PSP fans, and it will probably help Sony to secure this 4th quarter's 3rd overall hardware position for itself."

It's true, given that the Sony first-party well seems to have temporarily run dry (LocoRoco 2 notwithstanding) and that the third-party well has long been dry (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed notwithstanding), the PSP 3000 won't have much in the way of armed back-up when it launches. That is unless Sony is keeping something close to its chest for the Tokyo Game Show. Next up, HiddenAway gave his tuppence worth:

"The one thing that did tempt me for a few seconds was the fact that Video Out support would now include Composite (from what I heard). That means I can record my EG2 videos and get some replay space! I've got 3 PSPs though so why do I need another one?! I also heard that the new PSP will lose about 30 minutes of battery life due to the screen improvements."

As much as we like to promote the healthy adoption of numerous handheld consoles, we're inclined to agree that you probably don't need a fourth PSP HiddenAway. But what of this shortened battery life you speak of? Are the rumours true? It would make sense given the new screen, though danskmacabre had other worries:

"Well it's pretty much standard practice to come out with minor upgrades for handhelds. Personally it would not tempt me to buy the psp 3000, however if it means the earlier versions will drop in price even more then I'm all for it.

"But I'm not buying a PSP until there's several games I REALLY want for it, which as yet, it has not achieved for me."

Well the Slim & Lite is remaining at its 169 Euros price point (about £140) so it's probably not worth hoping for reduced hardware prices (unless of course you can find a PSP Phat lurking on the back of a shelf somewhere).

As for the game situation, well we have to disagree with you there, but we concede that you are probably not the only pocket gamer who feels that way. Coming back for more hunter_alien provided some additional food for thought:

"Except the crappy EA bundles, we are also getting a non-game bundle: the GO! bundle. If you ask me that's a bad decision to market the already ill-feted (software wise) handheld as an only multimedia device... Not a good move Sony, not a good move."

Surely the thinking behind the Go! Messenger bundle is that it will make use of the PSP 3000's built-in microphone. We can't help but feel that if Sony didn't release a Go! Messenger bundle, there would be grousing about that too. Point taken on the bundles in general though: there are so many PSP games out there that are much more deserving of a push than Harry Potter and the Sequel of Tedium.

With this topic generating so much interest and many others from week's gone by still getting regular posts, it won't be long before we have to do a revisit round-up Loose Threads, where we trek back over some old threads that have been getting some fresh attention. We'll let that particular vine ripen for another week yet however, as we have a great fresh topic for you this week:

Loose Threads: Handheld game music…

The topic title might sound a bit vague, but there are loads more details over in our forum, so head there now and make your presence felt. And to make sure that you don't miss out on the ensuing discussion next week, do be sure to click 'Track It!'. Happy opining!