brighter meaning less glare?

can skype do video chat?

TT

This is getting ridiculous.

They have to stop.

karasu is my homeboy

@y2julio: but in what, a little over a year? it's way too soon methinks.

@Ad-hominem: Sure it's a minor change, but I like having the best of the best models and my impulsive buying habits will make me WANT it somehow.

PAULINK

@Swift_: Pretty much. It's really disappointing. All that's in the pipeline for the next year and a half is Resistance: Rebribution, FF: Dissidia, and Kingdom Hearts. I wasn't a big fan of Loco Roco or Patapon, so a big MEH to those.

HaydenTenno

Whoopdie doo? The slim was at least something of an acceptable upgrade to the original... This one isn't an acceptable upgrade to the Slim.

Looks like Sony is going to try nickel and dime us with PSP hardware updates, only adding a smidge here and a smidge there every time. I think I'll pass until something significant in the hardware changes.

Dark_Mirage

@TheHeeyyy: Well, built-in Skype would be a little pointless without it, now wouldn't it?

jtyson

Since I have a hacked fat its probably worth me selling it and getting a 3000, its not much of an upgrade for slim users though.

Ryuujin1024

@Cronoking: you are not very nice to your cousins!

skype out of the box with a microphone is truly rad. i just can't get into mobile gaming though... my hands cramp up on the psp and ds! ergonomics vs. portability is a biotch.

subterfunk

no camera?

akilshohen

Yeah, right when i was thinking of getting a new one to update my fat one...

Daisuash

Makes my God of War bundle all the sweeter.

jackburnt

PEOPLE sony WILL never release a psp with a 2nd analog stick.they will never release a touchscreen psp, and a psp with internal HDD. because it will for all purposes be a BRAND new Hardware which inturn will alienated the 30 million psp owners.

All this features are probably reserved for the psp2.

Servant_of_Jashin

@Wolfers: I completely agree.

Why still all the talk of the second analog nub? If they make games that require the second analog nub, what's going to happen to all those on the old PSPs?

If they don't have a second analog nub for the PSP2, then we have something to complain about.

mahjustin

@TheHeeyyy: Built in microphone is probably for the built in Skype functionality.

Better than forcing you to buy a separate headset.

mahjustin

What sort of anti-CFW features will the 3k have, and who wants to take bets on when they'll be worked around?

ConstyXIV

@Swift_: Dude, if you have nothing to say you know where the door is...

walls99

Sounds lovely. I bought mine the moment it came out, so I got some dead pixels. Its nice to know if I sell that off to my cousins, I'll have this new model to work with~

Cronoking

(No 2nd analog stick means hamstrung games and no PS2 ports ever. Still no internal HDD or large enough memory.) = No buy.

inajeep

I love how people continually mention the 2nd analog nub. Yes, please make all the other PSPs obsolete. No thanks.

Wolfers

I knew there was going to be a new PSP this year. My PSP is in need of replacement and I have been waiting. Now these new features are not a big improvement but I will wait for PSP-3K model.

jackal888

If they'd just improve the controls on it I'd gladly pick one up.

Guild_Navigator

@Swift_: Is this enough for disemvowelment? I just want to know where the line is.

snakepliskin

I dont think this is really an upgrade. Just added features to entice people still on the fence while not adding enough to make slim owners like me want to buy a new one.

snakepliskin

@PAULINK: It's a minor change.
It's nowhere near the change between the PsP and the Slim.
It's like when the Ps3 upgraded the chipsets, if nobody had announced it, nobody would have noticed. Well, people would probably notice the Mic a little, but it's a useless add-on.

@Swift_: Sigh. If you're going to troll, try to be even the least bit original.

Ad-hominem

I have to think about it. I might trade in my slim for this one. We'll see.

BabeBro

@PapaBear434: Why not get a GP2X?

y2julio

@PAULINK: yes, because products never improve. After a company puts out a product, they can never improve on it or upgrade it.

y2julio

I just bought the red GOW PSP a few months ago. Kratos beats built in Mic....how about internal memory...then I might have to divorce Kratos.
I hate memory cards, with a passion.

Sihaya

@incredibilistic:The DS-Fat to DS-lite upgrade was more of a major upgrade then Slim and Lite was to PSP-Fat.

Foxstar Sixtail

Yeah I'll hold out til the next true iteration of the PSP. I want my damn 2nd analog stick.

Itri

How about a second analog stick, Sony. Make me actually want a PSP.

CHU BOI

@PapaBear434:Putting a touch screen out would split the PSP marketshare and effectively piss off people needlessly. Will the next PSP have one? Yes. Will this one? Hell no. Same goes for the second nub.

Foxstar Sixtail

I'll keep my Slim, because I really don't see the need for a built-in microphone. (Skype? They're still pushing that?) Unless it's part of Capcom's plan to release PSP ports of the Ace Attorney games.

Ah, to be a dreamer. (Meh, I'll still play them on my DS. A stylus is better for pointing and clicking.)

armless-phelan

@Foxstar Sixtail: It's simpler in Europe.

There's only one PS3 spec, with different HDD sizes. That's not as confusing as different PSP models with different appearance and even specs.

Candlejack

I'm a bit disappointed by this news. When I saw "Sony Announces New PSP Model" I was hoping it was a TOTALLY new model, not a DS-like update.

I still have a PSPhat and I don't plan on giving it up to talk on the phone ONLY through a wi-fi connection. That's why God invented cell phones. How much of a geek do you have to be to call someone from a Starbucks with your PSP? Especially when there's probably a bunch of iPhone 3G users in the same room.

Since they're releasing this model that means yet another year or more before we see the true next generation model of the PSP (touch screen, dual nubs, slide-style QWERTY keyboard... I can dream).

incredibilistic

@TheHeeyyy:
You bet, the DS has it - so it's necessary.

Lazlo

Why wasn't this stuff in the 2000? And is this going to be the new norm, yearly PSP system upgrades? If you want to speed up your adoption rate Sony, this is not the way to do it.

So that's 3 PSP's now and 5 PS3's (With the new 80 gig a coming possably without BC), this crap is a retailer's nightmare.

Foxstar Sixtail

What no touchscreen? god damn those rumors going on the internets, getting my hopes up just to bash them brutally like this

Ragarnok

@BOSSMKXXIII:

I gave up waiting on the Nub a while ago. All I've wanted is a touch screen. The fact that the system has a web browser is awesome, but typing with an analog stick or D-Pad is pathetic and annoying. A sylus with a touch screen would get rid of a lot of that, and would basically let me use it as a PDA/Palm computer with awesome gaming capabilities.

PapaBear434

This is what I hate about Leipzig, it concerns only Europe :( Oh well, bout time Europeans finally get something from Sony.

tironabardheblu

nice, was thinking of getting one, guess i'll wait until the new model releases.

IthilDuath

Meh, I hardly ever play on mine and even then it's usually homebrew. Maybe if this model looks nicer and can still be hacked with a custom firmware I'd consider it.

photoboy

Oh WHY... there are no games anyway!

Swift_

sigh.

glad i sold my old one and all my games.

was hoping for a internal flashdrive and touch screen but once again you have disappointed me Sony, guess i'll wait for version 4000 or until nintendo brings out something better.

Onizuka-GTO

I was really looking forward to a phone model - something that could replace my iPhone. Oh well, at least iSaber is fun.

Ring-ring-ring-ring-ring...Swoooosh!

Kanik

Uhm.. Okay I guess.

Fulgurator

Oh fuck off Sony, I sold my old psp to get a 2000, and you release a BETTER ONE in what, over a year? YOU'RE WORSE THAN NINTENDO GOD DAMN IT

PAULINK

I think I'll pass. I'm happy with my slim, thank you very much.

Purple Flames

I R getting wunn.
Mine broke like a year ago(nasty accident) and I've been needing a new one.

And for those of you still hoping for a second analog nub...forget it. It just doesn't make much sense at this point anymore. Besides this thing sells best in Japan and Japanese d00ds are handicapped with analogs.

BOSSMKXXIII

@FP_slomo788: Yeah I have a fat that is used regularly, hmmm I need a little more of an excuse to get a 3000 as you do...

And no kotaku liveblog? :( I'm on the ign one right now...

Astrofox

I know what I am asking Santa for this Christmas!

A new stethoscope! What? You thought I was going to say PSP? Well, I could use one of those too, while I'm sitting around bored waiting for a call. But YOU trying listening to breath sounds and blood pressures while bumping around in the back of an ambulance while using a $25 pair of ears.

/push comes to shove, I'll probably try to get the PSP

PapaBear434

8 bundles? Um...I think that's a bit overkill.

KingBroly

@Arttemis:
There won't be a second analog nub ever on the first PSP. Wait until PSP2 for that.

BPMΣ

I think I might just get myself a PSP now given the pricepoint and the new features, its not much added but im sure some other things are there as well but not mentioned

Fauxe

Was a built-in microphone really necessary?

TheHeeyyy

Pretty neat. But as long as my Fat is alive I don't think I'll buy one for myself. Maybe if there were another weight reduction...

FP_slomo788

"Featuring a built-in microphone, a new, brighter LCD screen and Skype out of the box" and no 2nd analog nub.

Oh well, I'll most likely buy this!

Arttemis

This is just stupid. Sony keeps saying that they want more games for the PSP. Easiest way to do that is to release a PSP Touch model that works with all existing PSP games but also has a built-in touch screen. Instantly you'd get a ton of games, particularly quite a few of the coaching and brain training type of games that work much better with a touch screen interface. And ports of all 3 Castlevania DS games.

I understand that you shouldn't just change your hardware based on what customers are demanding, but it's been obvious for a while that PSPs biggest limitation is the lack of a touch screen. Just do it already, you're alienating current PSP owners enough by revving the hardware each year.

crackp1pe

I wonder how long until games start using the mic. I really do not want to see games that make you breeze into the PSP like you have to do on some DS games. I always thought that was really dumb and I don't want to have to do that on the PSP too. The good thing is with the mic being added when ever Sony does bring out the PSP2 you know that Sony will keep the mic on the PSP so that is good news.

BlackIceJoe

I thought the PSP already had a mic?

Oh well. The screen was good already, so the new one should be superb.

Numanoid

~crosses fingers~ star ocean bundle star ocean bundle mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm please!~

Kane666

@FP_slomo788: Speaking of which. I still use the "fat" PSP. I've used the slim ones and the weight difference really is significant. Especially if you're playing a long time.

@BPMΣ: Agreed. I want a second analog nub. You want a second nub. Everyone wants a second nub. But logically it would create more problems than it would solve.

@Astrofox: I was just saying this. I haven't seen a site cover the EA presser as well. Not blaming Kotaku though. Just a bit curious that most of the sites aren't live-blogging this.

@karasu is my homeboy: Not just Sony, I think MS has to stop with all the "upgrades" etc. It's getting a little confusing. Nintendo is the only one not doing it. And it's because the Wii's selling like hotcakes. The DS on the other hand is getting that "noise" you hear when a rumored redesign is upcoming...

excaliburps

This is great and all... but why would their design teams be working on another PSP model when there's a guaranteed market for a PSPhone?

Huh. Maybe they've done their market research and come to the conclusion that adding a phone to a PSP is a bad idea. Which I guess means that the eventual release of the PSPhone won't play PSP games.

Tonx

@The Wreckard: I agree the small upgrades are for people who still havent picked up a psp yet, not to try to get people who already have psps to upgrade. I think theyre trying to expand their audience not nickel and dime their current one unlike a certain computer company named after a fruit.

snakepliskin

@karasu is my homeboy: Exactly - people seem to forget that all existing PSP owners can't be counted on to run out and upgrade.

wild_world_girl

@karasu is my homeboy: Why? If you don't want it don't buy it.

I like Sony's model better than Nintendo's - Sony makes incremental upgrades that aren't really going to compell you go out and get a new one. Nintendo, on the other hand, seems to almost deliberately misdesign their hardware (the non-backlit GBA for example) so that you're compelled to get the far superior redesign.

The Wreckard

@Foxstar Sixtail:
I wouldn't say the DS Lite was a massive upgrade, despite how different the two models were.
-Smaller and lighter
-Better screen backlighting
-Larger stylus
-Microphone and power button relocated

Other than that, the DS Lite is functionally identical to the original DS. With PSP-2K and PSP-3K, they both add features not available on the model prior to themselves.
PSP-2K:
-Slightly slimmer and MUCH lighter than PSP-1K
-Video-out added
-RAM doubled, to help with loading from UMD
-UMD door changed
-Buttons more tactile
PSP-3K:
-Brighter, clearer screen (hopefully, this means no most ghosting issues)
-Built-in microphone

The newer PSPs are more capable than the first model (you can't even do Skype on the first PSP for some reason... I mean, I think there's a homebrew Skype app for PSP, so I don't understand why the official app doesn't work for the first PSP...). DS and DS Lite are identical in function (except the DS Lite can adjust level of screen brightness).

BPMΣ

also as far as people being all "omg this is rediculous blah blah blah" turns out there are people who haven't bought a psp in the world (shocking, i know). seems sony is going to want to try and make it a more enticing prospect for those people. obviously the current hardware has yet to do that. obviously a way to do that is to add a few new features while still maintaining the basic unit. while im sure sony would just love for us all to buy a new psp every time they release one it's not like you have to. so really bitching is pointless.

demonknightinuyasha

Oh c'mon! I just bought the blue one!

Goddamn u Sony!

AxelMinami

@Sihaya:

fuck that just switch the battery plates on the two models, that's what i plan on doing with my vader if i ever get a new psp for whatever reason.

kinda glad this is nothing special cause i haven't had my slim for even a year yet. i also had a fat but sold it because for a while there wasn't much to play and well..i needed to eat lol.

demonknightinuyasha

people in the US still use the PSP? weird

theboyfrombrasil

Seeing as how I've held off buying a slim for this long, now seems like a good time. But honestly, my old PSP-1000 is still doing the job quite well, so it's not exactly a high priority item. More interested in more new games, something that can usurp Puzzle Quest in my UMD slot.

drifter13

@Ragarnok: People like you and the ones praying for a second analog stick confuse me.

Uh, obviously a touch screen or second analog stick makes it have completely different capabilities not possible on the prior model. They have to all have the same capabilities for gaming.

A touch screen, second analog stick or any other huge, system changing modification will never come to a system refresh. That's for PSP2.

How would analog stick or touch screen games control on PSP1000 and 2000? They're all still PSP1 games.

karasu is my homeboy

I've really been wanting a PSP lately and this might just be the model that puts me over the top

Sparx

@Swift_: Guess you didn't like God of War or Crisis Core huh? Or any of the Wipeouts. And i'm guessing you're not a fan of ports like Disgaea or Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions. Or heck iunno maybe even Siphon Filter maybe? Sure...no good games for the PSP.

I have a PSP fat though and have been pondering to get a new one seeing as how my analog stick is fucking up though -_-;;. We'll see...

s0nlxaftrsh0ck

@Numanoid: Now all it needs is a touch-screen.

Ryūko

Give me a PSP3000 + GoW: CoO bundle, and I'm sold.

Combichristoffersen

I would buy it if it could play Super Mario 3 or Mario Kart DS.

aussie

I'm down for this new model. Since my PSP fat boy was stolen a few months ago, I need a new one anyway.

KINGZ

Damn Nintendo!

Always releasing a million versions of their hand-held systems, leaving original adopters furious.

Wait a tic...

Mact

Wow... just bought the blue PSP (yes, and got stuck with a "free" copy of Madden). They managed to do the 2 things that would tempt me to get one-- better screen (even thought the PSP screen is awesome currently, what's not to like about "better"?) and the mic, as I'll be doing some international travel next year and was seriously thinking of using Skype for at least some of my communication needs. (and I don't have a cellphone that works internationally)

That said, I probably WON'T buy this since I don't need another PSP. It's a tiny but significant upgrade, though, and I'm a bit annoyed they made it even slightly tempting. ;)

Justin42

@Swift_: This hasn't been a legitimate problem for the PSP for at least a year now, and I'm speaking as a long-time DS owner and fan (who happens to be even more interested in a PSP now).

Xenigma

I don't get why people are making such a big deal about this. It's just a new model change. They probably swapped out some parts to reduce production costs and such. They do this all the time with the home consoles, except no one gives a crap.

People expecting huge changes like touch screens and secondary analogs are probably the same people who think the next Wii revision will come with a high end video card. In truth, this is more like when the 360 changed from a 90nm chip to a 60nm chip. In the larger scope of things, it really doesn't matter.

Xagest

If it had blutooth connectivity to my ps3 I would seriously be considering upgrading.

Punkateer

come one, give me more games dammit! I want great games, not new hardware, any recommendations? I was going to pick up Crush the other day...

dozerking

I'm happy with my slim, those added features with the new one doesn't seem so appealing.

Nice price though.

SensAzn

@TheFaze: People are just commenting on the pros and cons they see in this. Noone is getting worked up except you.

Reikoku

Sony improves products... haters throw on more hate...

It makes no sense, but I think some peeps just need to get a life. No one is being forced to keep getting a new upgraded version, and no one was forced to purchase the older model. Either upgrade or stick with what you got. Wtf should it matter if it's only a new screen, mic, and Skype? Some peeps act like it's the end of the frickin world. Get a grip. I just read about a plane crash in Madrid, and you fools are bitching about a PSP. Do you know what perspective is?

TheFaze

Meh. I won't be splurging on this one, thank you. My PSP Fat still works flawlessly. Although, if this brings down the price on the Slim I might consider a trade just for the Video out feature (which, by the way, I consider is an abomination that it took a handheld this long to incorporate). This isn't a major upgrade, but then the PSP doesn't need one. It's a stellar system as it is, and was designed well from the get-go. And please, to those suggesting it: no, no, no to touchscreen. Leave that to Nintendo.

everygoodusernameistaken

Keep ignoring the consumers, sony. It's working well for you.

JoshuaC

A screen with a better response time could cause me to finally leave behind my PSP fattie.

Deviation59

Would have preferred they reduce the weight even further. That would convince me to upgrade from my phat. Actually I'd probably do it if they just improved power consumption and with that battery life.

Reikoku

@KINGZ:
Shit!
Heyyyy KINGZ.. . wanna buy your PSP back.

mr30gZune

I'll hold off until the PSP-4000 next year.

Count_Elmdor

And still no increase in battery life: the one thing the console really needs.

headcrab

@TheFaze:

You, sir, are the only one getting entirely too worked up.

But thanks for the bit of perspective: dead people can't complain.

Mact

@Xagest: I just mainly want a better analog. A stick would be nice.

Guild_Navigator

@crackp1pe:It does not work that way.
There is no bigger way to completely split your marketshare, piss off customers, retailers and stop your growth cold then to release a PSP which a major feature like that, while having three that don't. If you don't understand why, then there's nothing else I can do for you.

@TheFaze:Cry more SDF tool, cry more. Let's make a bigger deal out of things then it really is, shall we?

Foxstar Sixtail

um... so when are they gonna come out with psp-4000 model?

I was waiting on the first fat model to drop price dramatically...
instead, i got a DS.
I was gonna pick up psp slim model (psp-2000) this holiday...
oh well, gotta wait again...

neo177117

A brighter LCD?

So Sony won't stop until they've replaced the sun, I guess.

Guizzy

Neat, Skype out of the box? It basically turns the PSP into a pay-as-you-go cell phone! I'm gonna have to get one of these, especially since I use Skype all the time as it is.

Everybears

Three revisions in and they still can't fix the most obvious need and complaint, a second "analog" pad.

FoxHoundADAM

......Waits for a Psp with touch screen...>>

Arihara

Meh, there is still only one analog stick.

Quicksilver4648

@PAULINK: Apple releases a new iPod almost every year. Don't see whats wrong with Sony doing it.

y2julio

they should move the analogue pad to where the d-pad is and make it a bit easier to use. that's why i got rid of my psp, cuz every game used the analogue, but it made my hands cramp up to use it.

moominsean

good thing i didn't get a PSP 2000 XD

Akmed

8 bundles WOW

ViciousViper

@Reikoku: no one except PAULINK anyhow...

@incredibilistic: Skype has advantages over Cell Phones... Cost, for instance. Unlimited calling to any phone in the US is 3 dollars a month, vs 50+ on a cell phone or 30+ on a land line. I use skype all the time. More than my Cell phone, since the damned battery is about dead (only retains a charge for about 15 minutes of use)

bobtheduck

Depending on the price I might give in and get one. I can't not have played God of War: Chains of Olympus and since I'm such a big platformer/adventure gamer this handheld is just wanting me to get it.

kylo4

no built in hard drive? WTF This thing is not even an upgrade...

wingingflipper

@TheFaze: Completely agree. People bitching are a joke. Technology improve, I couldn't care less about this new model despite having a phat PSP. It's a good incentive for new buyers, but I had the benefit of owning one for a couple of years

CockneyKaiser

@The Wreckard: Me not buying it isn't the point. Their releasing a new PSP so often is ridiculous and imo sends out a bad message. They keep ever so slightly adjusting the PSP. Why couldn't have they included the mic to begin with? Was their some breakthrough in microphone technology? They're holding back on making the realistic, capable product that is completely possible to make in order to continually boost sales.

It's not about me not buying it. It's about me having bought a PSP that doesn't have features that were completely possible to include for no reason at all other than they didn't feel like including them for 4 months.

Nintendo releases things in new colors. Sony releases things +1 tiny new feature. I love my PSP more than any system, but this is annoying.

karasu is my homeboy

@TheHeeyyy:
Yeah for skype.

Watari-San

SONY also added that in place of a rumored second analog nub there would be a an electric shock "fun" hole.

GOLD5

I'll probably get this when my current PSP bites the dust. I have to say it hasn't lasted nearly as well as my DS and has seen about a quarter of the usage. Whatever you think of Nintendo games, their consoles are built to last.

hikaizer

Oh fuckbeans. My PSP Fat died last week and I grabbed a Diet PSP today.

Wait, I hate skype and have no use for a microphone. Nevermind.

DONAR

PSP-2000 (Slim) does have support for microphone, but it's through the headset. I just bought a PSP-2000 on sale for $169, and I've started using Skype with my mic+headphone set. The PSP-3000 has minor hardware upgrades, but you can also see that it has an indented area on the d-pad and the game buttons so that the buttons now appear more raised and thus easier to press. I have no regrets in buying my PSP-2000, and Sony releasing PSP-3000 will attract more customers, I don't see a problem with that. I'm enjoying my PSP every minute and it's worth every penny.

EnochAthos

I was mugged last week and they got my psp so I guess I'll wait for this one to get released hopefully in a Star Ocean
Bundle

kazenojigoku

No 2nd analog, NO Flash Memory. So I also have to drop extra dollars for the memory.

V12themonster

@TheHeeyyy: For skype

Barf#1

did any of u even notice that they dont raise the price of the product.....its the same since like 4 years still 200 for bundle and 160 for core system.....i say thats great, a mic and a better lcd screen for no extra price if ur a new consumer or just want this new one and already have a psp oh and the bundle comes with a 4gb memory card :)

naruto0371

@DONAR: u forgot that it has an enhanced screen more vivid colors and anti-reflection (when ur playing ur psp out side u can see it better ) and if u buy bundle u get 4 gb card with it i WILL BUY THIS

naruto0371

Hurray! Now I'm glad that my PSP broke!

ZNOLMT

wooohooo thanks nintendo

Ondrei

So glad I waited to buy the PSP-2000, and I'm glad they improved the screen (no ghosting plz?)

crabperson