Schild's PSP Countdown Thread

[HaemishM]

You guys don't want teh hate, and yet you roast schild when he shows his undying, sweaty manlove for an inanimate object that happens to play games? WHAT DO YOU WANT?!

schild is quite obviously a fanboi for the thing. I can hear his erection on the phone when he speaks of it. I wonder how he can walk around without a drool bib on.

[Shockeye]

schild is quite obviously a fanboi for the thing. I can hear his erection on the phone when he speaks of it. I wonder how he can walk around without a drool bib on.

To be fair Haemish, we don't know if he's wearing a drool bib or not.

[Furiously]

Regardless - we're all soaking in it. Now can we please get back to trolling and tormenting the fanboi.

It does seem a bit cluttered.

[Kairos]

On another note, I just picked up Metal Gear Ac!d. Obviously I can't play it but there's one thing I'd like to point out: If it says infrastructure on the back of the box it may only be the equivilent of Live Aware (Xbox Live, not playable but cna download shit and updates).

It is my understanding that MGA has two-player mode.

[Rasix]

Review I read wasn't too kind to the game.

[Litigator]

Litigator, please - you obviously aren't their target market. Stop thinking of yourself as a sample size. Have to crack encryption. Christ, don't act like you're completely clueless.

If their target audience is people who can hook this thing into their computer, download third party emulators and media players, and rip DVDs onto the memory stick, their audience is very small and very geeky. 

[Shmtur]

Review I read wasn't too kind to the game.

If IGN gives a score that low to a game, you know it's bad.

[Hoax]

Frankly I also want this to have some crippling technical problem, like 3minute load times in most games that happen fairly often.  Its twisted how human's work but when somebody is this excited I really do want to see their hopes/dreams dashed into tiny pieces.

That and I think portable game systems suck, see my point about when will I read books if a PSP becomes as mandatory as an mp3 player or cell phone.

[Trippy]

Now you're getting into something that requires extreme tech savvy. Don't you have to crack encryption to rip a DVD?

For virtually all purchased DVDs, yes, though it's trivially easy to do thanks to Xing making the mistake of not encrypting their decrypting key in their DVD player software.

And wouldn't you have to reencode the file for PSP resolution?

That's what the above mentioned PSP Video 9 software is for.

If you want to learn more about this stuff I suggest you visit AfterDawn.com and doom9.org (which seems to be down right now though the forums are still working).

[Alkiera]

I'd like to thank you, schild, for that link to lik-sang.  I'm gonna hafta get one of those carts for my GBA... been looking for an e-book reader for awhile.  That'll do, I think.  And it'll play mp3s and movies too, on a much cheaper media(CompactFlash) than those sony pro duo sticks.  And comes with conversion software.  For $25.

Alkiera

[NiX]

I caved when I found out my store had an extra value pack without Gretzky. God damn. I just paid for my ipod too.

[schild]

I have a DS.  I love it.

And the truth shall set you free! Now I see why you're digging on the PSP. Seriously, no need to be envious of the system. Everyone knows Nintendo screwed the pooch. It's ok, we're here for you.

But this frothing and utter insistence its the best thing since the discovery of oral sex is just...  SILLY.  Last night I was mostly playfully trolling you and it was clear you were getting all bent out of shape about it like I was defiling a holy object and not poking fun at a media device being released by a mega corporation from Japan. 

PLEASE RELAX DUDE.  ITS ONLY A VIDEOGAME.

Mmmmmmmmmmm, the thread was started so I could be fanboish. You came in and start ragging on the system I was being fanboish about. You know, just protecting my interests.

[schild]

Review I read wasn't too kind to the game.

If IGN gives a score that low to a game, you know it's bad.

Big corporate sites are ragging on it and independent sites are loving it. That means 2 things:

1. Someone forgot to pay their bill.
3. It's a love it or hate it game. I love card games. I can deal with quibbles here and there.

The above bits aren't about being a fanboi. But I swear to holy heaven on high, if a site attacked Lumines I would defend it until death. LUMINES UBER ALLES.

[schild]

Accessories

Here's what I see as the "must buy" accessories for the PSP (most don't have websites yet, so no links):

The first 2 are solely to deal with that little problematic 4-5 battery issue:

Nyko Charger Case - Portable battery in the case, as well as access to charging while the case is on. The battery built in (allegedly) adds an extra 9-12 hours of gaming. Unfortunately no USB access while in the case. $59.99.

Pellican Power Brick - My favorite accessory. Also one that I was joking about making a few days ago before this was announced. Basically just a solid rechargable battery that plugs into the PSP and recharges it. You can play while the unit is recharging and it will recharge to full. Probably around $30.

Probably the two most important accessories:
Sandisk 1GB Memory Stick - Neon Yellow - it's ugly and it's 1 gig. It's $40 less than the Sony brand one. Probably better as well. $149-$159 depending on where you shop.

Hori Screen protectors - Hori makes fantastic...everything. Already got their new one, comes with a cleaning towel. $5.

Two pairs of headphones - one cheap one not:

Logitech PlayGear Stealth Earphones PSP: Uhm, they're black earbuds. Probably $40 or so.

Bang & Olufsen Headphones - When I worked there I think they were just breaking the $100 barrier. Anyway - The most beautiful earphones ever made. Comfortable and probably one of the only things you can get that look better than the PSP itself.

One last thing:

USB Cable. Pelican or someone makes one for $9.99. If you have any Sony devices, you probably have one. My dumb ass bought a second one.

[ahoythematey]

$150 for a 1gig stick?  That does nothing to endear me to the PSP...

[schild]

$150 for a 1gig stick?  That does nothing to endear me to the PSP...

Meh. $150 holds 3 full length (2-3hr) movies. Or Half a season of TV.

I don't fucking get it. That's a complaint a lot of people are making and I wouldn't be surprised if at this very moment the majority of them are stealing acquiring leeching filling their computer with tv shows and movies. Now you get to carry them around on something that's cheaper than 90% of the portable dvd players out there. Much smaller, cheaper, and lighter than a laptop. And it can play a slew of games.

How about this: Sony doesn't care if you buy a memory stick. If you want to get the most out of a unit you will. A 512 one will run you $60-$90 depending on how cunning a shopper you are. That'll hold exactly half of the above mentioned. Oh and save games. When emulators come out $150 will seem like a bargain.

Sorry to sound so rude. There's less than 24 hours left and I'm getting irrational and fidgety.

[Trippy]

The problem is that SD is half the price compared to Memory Stick Duo.

Edit: BTW, how come you didn't pick up one of the midnight sale PSPs?

[schild]

Edit: BTW, how come you didn't pick up one of the midnight sale PSPs?

Because that doesn't happen til tonight. At midnight. In less than 24 hours! Damnit! You just did that to taunt me, didn't you? </withdrawl>

[Trippy]

Oh sorry, I got my midnights mixed up.

[Paelos]

Just don't rub it on your crotch when you finally get one. Or if you do, don't put it in your review.

[Megrim]

Just don't rub it on your crotch when you finally get one. Or if you do, don't put it in your review.

I.. er.. wha... bu.. why would you not?!

 - meg

[Hanzii]

This is what I have for extra battery:



I tested it for my magazine with an iPod and immediately told the company they could bill me, because there was no way in hell they'd get it back. Which they did. (tried the same trick with Sony and the PSP. No ball. Fuckers).
It's a solar charger, which is also a rechargeable battery - ie it doesn't have to be connected to the device it will be recharging while charging itself (but it can be). If there's no sun, you can charge it from a wall socket and just use it as an extra battery. 7-8 hours in the Danish wintersun (hanging inside on a window) gave a full charge to an iPod (after 2 hours of charging). I have the iPod adapter and one for my SonyEricsson phone.
They're making a PSP adapter.

[Jain Zar]

Now that battery thing is quite fancy.

But do folks really need the big memory stick doo dahs if they just like, want to play videogames on the thing?  Like I said, in the future once it gets some good games or if I happen to be a sheep and buy one just because its OMG new I would only want it for games and not to watch movies on anyhow.  Since coffee breaks aren't exactly conducive to film watching.  I know I have been poking a bit of fun at the thing, but learning more about a new game product is never a bad thing.

[Hanzii]

Now that battery thing is quite fancy.

But do folks really need the big memory stick doo dahs if they just like, want to play videogames on the thing?  Like I said, in the future once it gets some good games or if I happen to be a sheep and buy one just because its OMG new I would only want it for games and not to watch movies on anyhow.  Since coffee breaks aren't exactly conducive to film watching.  I know I have been poking a bit of fun at the thing, but learning more about a new game product is never a bad thing.

No. the value pack has a 32 MB stick, which is adequate for gaming and savegames.
The big ass sticks are for those of us, who want it as a mediaplayer too.

[schild]

Exploit your local EBGames today. Or tomorrow. Any time through April 10th.

Buy Xbox Exhibition packs volume 3 and 5. Buy LOTR: Return of the King or Eternal Darkness for $18.99 total (using a 10% off edge card).

Trade them right back in for $30 credit towards any PSP game. Or you can trade it in for Twisted Metal, Ape Escape, Wipeout, ATX, Soccer, Baseball, Football or Basketball and get them for $2. Rebuy the games you just traded in. Rinse repeat.

When I do my roundup next week it will have:
THUG2
Ape Escape
Wipeout Pure
Twisted Metal
Metal Gear Ac!d
Lumines
Untold Legends.

All told I spent about $122 on all the games.

If you can't rationalize camping an EB and exploiting a programming bug - think of it this way: They rip you off when they trade in games. It's your turn.

^_^

Edited: Clarity.

[Strazos]

Question:

Without a Best Buy recipt, they still take the stuff back?

[NiX]

I know up here EB has a deal going on where you get 15% off accessories with the purchase of 1 game, 25% with 2 and 35% with 3. I'm grabbing a memory stick just because the deal is pretty damned worth it.

[MrHat]

Exploit your local EBGames today. Or tomorrow. Any time through April 10th.

Buy Xbox Exhibition packs volume 3 and 5. Buy LOTR: Return of the King or Eternal Darkness for $18.99 total (using a 10% off edge card).

Trade them straight back into that best buy for $30 credit towards any PSP game. Or you can trade it in for Twisted Metal, Ape Escape, Wipeout, ATX, Soccer, Baseball, Football or Basketball and get them for $2. Rebuy the games you just traded in. Rinse repeat.

When I do my roundup next week it will have:
THUG2
Ape Escape
Wipeout Pure
Twisted Metal
Metal Gear Ac!d
Lumines
Untold Legends.

All told I spent about $122 on all the games.

If you can't rationalize camping an EB and exploiting a programming bug - think of it this way: They rip you off when they trade in games. It's your turn.

^_^

Edited: Clarity.

Explain yourself better.

Are we buying "Buy Xbox Exhibition packs volume 3 and 5. Buy LOTR: Return of the King or Eternal Darkness for $18.99 total (using a 10% off edge card)." from EBgames and then returning them to EBGames?

[schild]

Are we buying "Buy Xbox Exhibition packs volume 3 and 5. Buy LOTR: Return of the King or Eternal Darkness for $18.99 total (using a 10% off edge card)." from EBgames and then returning them to EBGames?

Yes, you're returning them into that EBGames. Slip of the tongue up top. Edited original post now.

[Trippy]

So? How is it?

[Hanzii]

So? How is it?

Didn't I allready answer that?

Allthough the only game I can comment on is Ridge Racer.
My review is online, but in Danish. The conclusion is: It's everything Schild is hoping for!

[Mi_Tes]

Five pages of build up...  Who else has one and does it really exceed expectations? 

[bhodikhan]

I just got mine from Best Buy. What a nightmare. It's like a car dealership in there. The sharks smell blood.

One question. What's with the "special" memory stick you need? I've got a ton of "regular" ones.

What did they change that the PSP requires a "special" memory stick. I have the feeling I've been violated yet another time by some Best Buy pressure selling asswipe.

[schild]

I've played 7 games (I bought 7. Heh).

Anyway, full review in a week with tons of photos and probably movies.

Here's the short review after about 3 hours of multiplayer Lumines, Tony Hawk, Twisted Metal and Wipeout:

This is, in fact, robot jesus.

[HaemishM]

I'm sure that schild has passed out from gamegasm and lack of sleep, and I'm so goddamn tempted to call his ass and wake him up, just for the sheer pleasure of hearing him slur out the word "Whorebag."

But I won't.