PSP 2 here by Christmas – any chance against the DSi & iPhone?
The handheld games market is suddenly looking a lot more interesting, possibly more so than it has since the days of the Sega Game Gear and, hmm, the Atari Lynx. Rumors surrounding the next iteration of the PSP have been flying around for some time but now the Sony console looks set to become reality.
While we tend to concentrate more on the home console market here on Gamer.Blorge, the popularity of handhelds cannot be underestimated. The Nintendo DS and Sony PSP continually top the hardware sales charts in Japan and the DS is usually only beaten by the Wii in other territories around the world.
Nintendo has long been the masters of the handheld domain, starting out with the Game & Watch line, then changing the world (and Nintendo’s fortunes) with the Gameboy and its many predecessors. And now we have the DS, the DS Lite, and DSi pleasing people of all ages.
More recently, Apple has got in on the act. While its iPhone is first and foremost a mobile phone (naturally), it can also be used as a handheld games console, albeit one that is more likely to appeal to the casual gamer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and the developers of these games are certainly raking in the cash.
Then there is Sony. After becoming a virtual monopoly in the home console market with the original Playstation and Playstation 2, it launched the PSP in an effort to steal some of that market too. Unfortunately things haven’t quite gone according to plan. Despite being a very impressive piece of kit, poor marketing, a lack of support, and the fact it isn’t a Nintendo console have all contributed to the PSP failing to take the world by storm. Although 50 million units sold can hardly be described as a failure (unlike the PS3 so far).
A successor to the original PSP has been rumored for a while, and whether it ends up being called the PSP 2, the PSP 4000, or something else altogether, it looks likely to now be on its way. Pocket Gamer claims an inside source has revealed Sony is eying a release before Christmas 2009. Little is known about the console apart from the fact it will have a large touchscreen, dual analog controls, and all games available via digital download. The official announcement is due at E3 in June.
I’m actually quite excited to see what Sony has in store with the PSP 2. However, it could be too little, too late in the big scheme of things. PSP owners are very likely to upgrade but will the millions of people who currently own (and are happy with) a DS or an iPhone really want to buy another handheld gaming device? Personally, I can’t see it. Unless of course the PSP 2 is something really unique and really special.
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12 Responses to “PSP 2 here by Christmas – any chance against the DSi & iPhone?”
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April 8th, 2009
Not gonna happen… Wow this is just common sense, who ever believes this rumor is just stupid.
April 8th, 2009
God I hope this comes true just so you get egg on your face, Ivan.
April 8th, 2009
I heard a rumor that I would buy one if it had the rumored upgrades …….
Well, i would actually !!!
April 8th, 2009
hmmm ive been told you can do some pretty neat things with the psp/ps3 connectivity… wouldnt mind a hand held for the long trips into the city when i have to go in for site inspections for work… or even when going away with thy family
April 8th, 2009
I still have my hands full catching up on the PSP games I’ve missed. I’ll probably enjoy the cheap used PSP games for a while before I upgrade.
I’m not sure Sony would/should have 4 consoles on the market at the same time though.
April 8th, 2009
harry sachz:
Your comments get more lame by the seconds wow. And no there’s not going to be a new PSP this year. I predict almost every rumor and i’m never wrong.
April 8th, 2009
I don’t think it’ll be able to compete unless it has an “i” somewhere in the name.
-Arvis
April 8th, 2009
Arvis:
iPhone sucks for games is just pathetic epic failure. DSi well is just an improve version of the DS with a “i” added to sell. Fuck your “i” LoL. I know you just trying to be funny, but PSP is so fucking insane is a mini PS3 without Blu-ray Disc. I can watch all my movies from my PLAYSTATION 3 remotely on my PSP. Also LocationFree Player is awesome you can watch TV free on PSP and have a free DVR built in.
April 8th, 2009
*blinks*
I see iVan is bored today…
-Arvis
April 8th, 2009
Just like you
April 9th, 2009
i can’t see this happening. With the economy the way it is. On top of that, Sony is holding on to the console’s current price, because they actually want to make a profit right? So it wouldn’t make sense for them to release a new product, unless its manufactured and sold at profit right from the get go…but i don’t see that happening so, again doesn’t make sense for this come out…
But then again, it is Sony we are dealing with, and they work in mysterious ways (sometimes dumbass ways coughlackofmarketingcoughstupidcommercialscough)
But hey, seems to be working for them, this year seems to be even better than last year for Sony’s PS3
April 9th, 2009
HA HA HA!
Wow… Ivan was that wit?? DANG man, I’m impressed! Seriously!
-Arvis