Playstation Portable: Dec 28, 2009

PlayStation Portable (PSP) Entertainment Pack

>>>PlayStation Portable (PSP) Entertainment Pack<<<

By Paul Stuart ""...also I'll brush my teeth... (Tampa, FL) - reviews

I admittedly struggled with the above question for months as my Game Boy Advance collected dust. Moreover, local videogame store employees near-unanimously favored the DS to the PSP; several indicated they traded in the latter for the former after a few months' time. Sales figures for the DS vs. PSP confirmed this preference globally.

After a few weeks' time with the PSP, however, I'm now convinced that title loyalty (Zelda, Mario) sell systems not quality. The PSP -- across the board -- is a vastly superior offering to the DS for several reasons. Simply put, this is the greatest handheld since the Atari Lynx nearly two decades ago, technology so robust you feel almost guilty that it's not tethered to a television screen.

First things first, the screen is absolutely gorgeous. Bursting with resolutions in the thousands, games seem much bigger than the PSP screen, the UMD movies magnificent. Related, in-game text -- often fuzzy in XBox and PS2 menus -- is sharp as can be on the PSP.

Further, the Sony system software is ingenius. Transferring music, video, and movies is seamless via a computer's USB input. Even on a Mac this process is seamless. A simple recognition of the USB connection, create a couple folders, drag and drop. Voila! It's right there on the PSP. Also, games are cached (akin to a DVR on pause) even when turning off the PSP. A clever programming element of the system software + definite plus to counter ocassionally long load times. Finally, access to wireless firmware updates keep the PSP from being hampered by hardware/software compatibility flaws.

Related, I'm not sure why little/nothing has been said about the robust wireless capabilities of the PSP. Easy to setup, clearly capable on a wireless network, nearly every game contains some form of built-in wireless feature. The PSP can surf the Web on the fly, powered by a surprisingly solid browser.

Available titles (movies and games) for the PSP blows away the DS selection. It's akin to having a PS2's library at 1/3rd less the cost in most instances. As a sports/adventure gamer, this is THE system when you're looking for a new title to add to a collection.

Finally for those pondering which of the PSP 'Packs' to pick up (even with the recent, discounted Core System), I highly recommend the Entertainment Pack's heftier price point versus more bare bones and/or used options. A decent memory stick will diminish the $50 in savings the base pack offers, plus the Entertainment Pack is equipped with a surprisingly good game (ATV Racing) and movie ('Lords of Dogtown'). Both are literally out of the box proof of the potency of the PSP.

Still, the PSP is not perfect. The gorgeous screen alluded to above will have dead pixels. (Mine has a trio.) Also, this same screen scratches very easily. I strongly suggest a $10 screen guard + $20 system case at time of purchase. The former might trap a couple of lint particles when applying it, but it beats the bejeebuz out of permanent scratches. Ditto on purchasing a case ($10) for the UMD titles. You certainly don't want those getting scratched as well.

Second, those expecting exact ports of PS2 will be disappointed. Due to the limited buttons on the PSP (versus PS2), titles possess subtle reprogramming to compensate. There will always be functionality removed as a result. The biggest question is whether the tradeoff for mobility is a worthy one for each of these games.

Third, battery life is -- at best -- 6 hours. While the lithium recharges quickly, it is not DS quality in time between charges.

In sum: If you're not married to Nintendo-specific titles, the PSP is arguably a superior system across the board to the DS. A more robust system, vast title catalog, 'open' wireless capabilities, and guilty pleasure of having a portable top flight game system make the PSP a winner. Three months in and I'm admittedly playing this more than my Wii.

Monday, December 28, 2009

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>>>Atari Classics Evolved<<< click more detail :

By Mark (San Francisco, CA) - reviews

I have the Atari collection for the Nintendo DS and boy, was that a disappointment. I wish I could have gotten my money back. This on the other hand is so much better (and cheaper) that I was not expecting it to be this good. The 11 games come in two versions, classic and Modern (evolved). The controls take getting used to since games like Millipede and Centipede had a control ball, this you have to use joystick or direction buttons. There is also unlockable versions of Atari 2600 games too, over 50 according to the box but I haven't gotten there yet. Highly recommended games. Remember back in the 80s when these were top? An arcade game cost a few thousand and you get all these for $20 with better graphics (but not better controls).

>>>PlayStation Portable 3000 (PSP-3000) Skin - NEW - GREEN CHROME MIRROR system skins faceplate decal mod<<<

Cover up your Sony PlayStation Portable 3000 (PSP-3000) with a custom vinyl skin accessory kit. Our Sony PlayStation Portable 3000 (PSP-3000) skins are made from high quality vinyl that will protect your console from scratching and elements while giving you a look that is 2nd to none. The perfect compliment to an already amazing system. Impress your friends and watch them be envious of your Sony PlayStation Portable 3000 (PSP-3000) with a custom skin kit from System Skins. Our vinyl skin kits are digitally cut from high quality premium 2 mil thick 7-year outdoor vinyl, they are not paper stickers. Our skin kits are made from the same material used by the automotive industry for vinyl graphics and lettering. It's the same material you see on most store front windows that display their hours of operation or advertise their products and services. To install our skin kits simply peel each piece off of a waxy liner backing to expose an adhesive side then you apply it to your console, just like you are using contact paper inside of a drawer or on a shelf. No glue is needed.

>>>Sega Genesis Collection<<<

By M. Warren "gamer" (Iowa) - reviews

Okay sorry about the cheesy carnival introduction, but this is simply one of the best compilations I have seen for the PSP. The PSP's strong points have gaven us some awesome complilations (Namco Battle Museum, Capcom collection), and it just got better. Now, here's the thing.

YOu could again, like most of the sheep, buy this for the PS2 console and write of this one, but seriously, do you really want to play old games on a big screen TV? IS it really a treat to here the crappy Columns music blasted everywhere from a home theater sound system? Yeah, the truth is, old games are just so much better on the go, on a slaw system. Okay, if you don't have a PSP, don't run out and get it just for this, but seriously, though, get this instead of the console versions. IT just seems better. Save your HDTV's screen life for Gears OF war or Motorstorm instead of ancient games. Oh and by the way, I can't imagine how grainy the old games will look on a huge TV. That is all.

Now for the game itself. THis truely is more than just a game collection. THe menus are stylish full of great music and cool effects and are easy to use, and fell really slick. Each game has box art, tips, and a museum about the game. You get 28 games that can be customized quite a bit, but are exactly like they were when they first came out. Like for example, each game starts out with the old Sega intro, so basically, right when you start the game, the game feels like you just hooked the original Genesis collection to your PSP. Sonic even has the pause effect it had on the Genesis. The games itself are pretty self explainitory, and you get Golden Axe, the Sonicx games, 3 Phantasy Star games, Columns, and other great games, but you also get some classics some people never got, such as the underrated Super Thunder Blade.

To top it off, you also get some very great extras. YOu have some interesting interviews, a cheat sheet, some interesting arcade games (that probally only took up 60 KB), and some trailers for new games like Virtua Fighter 5 and Phantasy Star Universe. It's prety cool stuff, but you have to unlock it, so if you really are a Sega nerd or like to cheat, your gonna have to play it to win it.

And best of all, the game loads fast. The port when very smoothyl, so you odn't need to worry about wonky controls (the controls are great, and using the analog stick to play Sonic is very good) and load times (they are very fast). So basically, this is better than the console version, plus, who can deny great Genesis games on the road. Sure beats any cellphone game.

This is a no-brainer. If you liked the games from The Genesis, than this will be a game you need to pick up. Add this to your PSP collection, and Happy new Year as well. Can't believe I am already in my 20's. But that's life. Peace out.