For quite some time, I've been buying PSP games out of bargain bins because I knew that I'd eventually own one. Well, that day has come. With the release of the Dracula X Chronicles and the slim PSP (PSPee?), I couldn't resist any longer. I had to debate for a bit between the Daxter edition and the Star Wars edition, but chose Daxter. The Vader pic is sweet, but the Daxter edition is the better deal, with a 1gb Memory Stick Duo included. Daxter was one of those games I had already picked up cheap, so I gave the pack-in copy of Daxter to a friend, along with the Family Guy UMD, since I can't stand Family Guy.
I like the silver color, and while the finish is still glossy, fingerprints aren't as obvious as they were on the old black models. The screen is already starting to pick them up near the d-pad and square button, though, from the edges of my thumbs. Minus the finger smudges, that screen is really pretty, even without anything on it. I never had an original PSP to compare it to, but this slim model really is very light.
Like any handheld, I find it awkward to play no matter how I hold it... holding it like a controller and looking down fatigues my neck, while holding it up where I can see it creates an uncomfortable angle on the controls. The analog nub feels awkwardly placed no matter how I hold the thing. Even using it as a controller while using the TV out cables doesn't feel quite right somehow. Like I said, though, I find all handhelds somewhat uncomfortable for the same reasons.
After I got my PSP out of the vault--er, packaging, and admired it for a bit, I went to the box I'd been stashing PSP games in as I picked them up, and I'm rather surprised at how many games I had in there. With my recent acquisitions of Dracula X Chronicles and Guilty Gear Judgement I have over a dozen titles ready to play. Of course, one of themis a $2 copy of Death Jr....
I've tried a wireless co-op game of Judgement, and it worked very nicely. I'm still looking forward to trying out some wireless versus play and seeing what can be done with a PS3/PSP tag team. I'm also looking for game recommendations, as I haven't been following the PSP library too closely before now, and may have missed some good stuff. I also need to hear about good accessories... right now, my PSP is swaddled like an infant in a soft cloth, and I'd like to find a good case to keep it safe. Existing products may not be designed with the slim PSP in mind, though, so I'll have to watch out for that.
Comment/suggest away!
Comments
1. Star Soldier
A remake of a remake. Japan release only and played Tate, so not very good for the TV out. The best version of the game to date in my opinion, with better tailored graphics, new music, better level design, and all-round arcade game play make this a perfect fit for some serious spaz gaming. 2. Ridge Racers 2
Another Japan only title, and I know: you don't dig the RR. However, I feel it is my duty to at least mention it as a quality racer for you new unit. Um...that didn't sound so good.
3. Street Fighter zero (Alpha) 3 double upper.
A great fighting game loaded, and I mean loaded with modes and extra features not found in any other version.
4. Capcom Classics re-loaded vol 1
Worth it just for Final Fight on the go!
6. Vampire (Darkstalkers): The dark tower.
A great smörgåsbord of the series. Another great fighter to have on the go!
7. Lumines
I am horrid at puzzle games, but I still love it. I mean, it's Tetsuya Mizuguchi man!
8. Ghouls and Ghosts.
Need I say more?
Accessories:
You have the AV cable. You are finished.
Ok, hope this helps!
BettyBot
I recommend getting a screen protector for it asap. My original psp's screen still looks almost like the day I got it, but the second time I used my new silver slim one there was a huge gouge across the screen. Yikes! Fortunately, BestBuy let me exchange it because I had only owned it for a couple weeks, at the most.
As far as comfortably playing a handheld, I find that if I put some kind of pillow on my lap it raises the screen enough to avoid too much neck strain and your arms don't tire. My favorite pillow to use is actually one of those travel neck pillows. If you place it on your lap with the horse-shoe opening towards your body, the psp can rest on the center of the U and your wrists are supported by each end; also, you can widen the U as needed to fit whichever position is most comfortable for you.
My favorite psp games that I've played the most in the last 9 months probably aren't games up your alley, but I think they are good games and was surprised by how much I played each of these:
Gurumin - also a cheap game! Looks kiddie, but it's much deeper than you think and very fun to pick up and play no matter how much time you have to game. I played this game a ton earlier this year.
Puzzle Quest! - so, maybe you've played it on the ds or 360, in which case what's the point in getting it for the psp? I have more fun playing puzzle games like this on a handheld. Also, I've played both the ds and psp versions and I definitely prefer the psp version - it's more comfortable to play for longer periods on the psp for a few reasons: less eye strain; it's more comfortable, (less cramping), to hold the psp and primarily play with your thumbs than hold the ds and use the stylus on the touch screen - and you have to use the stylus on the ds because the pieces are so small fingers can't be used without repeatedly making errors. Again, like Gurumin, a game with more depth than one might think.
Jeanne D'Arc is a must get! Except for FFT, it's my fav rpg of the psp rpgs I've played this year.
Other recommendations, in no particular order, are:
Crush - I've only played a bit of this but liked it alot, someone borrowed it and it hasn't been returned yet
Sid Meijer's Pirates
Snoopy vs the Red Baron
Lemmings
Every Extend Extra & Gunpey - only worth it if you score them cheap! cheap! cheap!, imo, but very fun on the psp.
Need for Speed Carbon
And, if you want a seasonal choice, Dead Head Fred is great fun!