The PSP2 announced today - The PS3 in the palm of your hand.

[mudah.swf]

So inbetween my schedule of being intensely annoying about video games, I came across the PSP 2 in my internet travels.

If you thought the 3DS had stunning graphics for a handheld, think again. Think the fuck again. Graphicswise the PSP2 looks pmuch like a PS3, only portable. Yakuza, Uncharted, MGS4, Killzone, Wipeout HD, Little Big Planet and Resistance have been seen running on it.

And as for features? Well, we've got dual-analog sticks, cloud saving, a multi-touch screen, a rear touch-pad, 3G, WiFi, GPS, cameras, augumented-reality games, an OLED display, downloadable backwards-compatible PSP games, an accelrometer and gyroscope as seen in the PSMove and some kind of social networking thing.

Here's the Engadget link, it has videos, it's real (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/the-sony-psp2/).

PS this comes out this year, in the holiday season.

EDIT: This Neogaf thread has a bunch more screenshots and info on specs. Here's a few pics and the specs: (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419932)

http://i53.tinypic.com/34zisms.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/2w6fn8l.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/ezl3rr.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/riw01g.jpg

[greed]

Looks pretty but, holy fuck what is this gonna cost?

[walkertexasdruid]

All I can say is wow, and I want one!

[Ryong]

Looks pretty but, holy fuck what is this gonna cost?

Yeah, this so HARD. It pretty much does everything. I wonder if it'll have the 3DS battery life...I'd guess not, but hey.

[PyrosNine]

It sounds like the PSP2 just ate and absorbed every other game system ever. Also, rear touch pad?

[Kim]

I've been hearing it'll have a rear touch pad for a while now and I still can't figure out why.

[bluestarultor]

I've been hearing it'll have a rear touch pad for a while now and I still can't figure out why.

Ergonomics. Your fingers can wrap around the back while your thumbs continue to handle the face buttons and other normal stuff. With multi-touch support, that gives you potentially eight cursors (unless you're polydactyl, in which case, more power to ya) to do stuff on the screen.

What I can't figure out is why they did the same thing on the front with the actual screen. :raise:

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

It does look quite sexy, though I bet that's gona cost no less than a Metric Fuckton.

[Marc v4.0]

Man, I don't need a handheld that does "everything".

I have a fucking smart phone.

Sony still doesn't seem to quite grasp the "less addon technology = less production cost = less retail cost = more people can buy it" thing at all

[bluestarultor]

Man, I don't need a handheld that does "everything".

I have a fucking smart phone.

Sony still doesn't seem to quite grasp the "less addon technology = less production cost = less retail cost = more people can buy it" thing at all

Really, it has next to nothing to do with technology and everything to do with software. When you have a quad-core CPU, you don't need to add hardware just for music's sake. They lose basically nothing by having all that stuff in there. All it takes is a few more libraries in the OS, which probably don't take up much space.

The benefits they gain from including all that stuff in terms of sales almost certainly far outweighs the cost of including it.

[Marc v4.0]

It is splitting hairs cause software is still technology. Just not hardware technology, but hardware doesn't have an exclusive contract with the term technology.

Either way, no it does not outweigh anything. We are a culture swimming in technology that lets us have everything we want right at our fingertips on the go. If you don't have this shit in your pocket already, it is because you can't afford to shell out for it, which means you aren't going to be shelling out for it on this device either.

They are a few years behind the wave of all-in-one portable ease, beaten to the punch by cell phones and Apple. I have to say it again, if you don't have it already, you're not going to be buying this just to have it.

edit: On top of the fact that this shit is going to be expensive as all hell thanks to that wonderful hardware. The minaturization of that level of hardware is something that is still new (for portable and phone sizes at least) and as such is going to add a very large tag to the price.

[phil_]

They need the 3G so that they can keep your save files in their cloud, man.

Would you like a tinfoil hat? I feel kinda silly, being the only guy wearing one.

[bluestarultor]

It is splitting hairs cause software is still technology. Just not hardware technology, but hardware doesn't have an exclusive contract with the term technology.

Either way, no it does not outweigh anything. We are a culture swimming in technology that lets us have everything we want right at our fingertips on the go. If you don't have this shit in your pocket already, it is because you can't afford to shell out for it, which means you aren't going to be shelling out for it on this device either.

They are a few years behind the wave of all-in-one portable ease, beaten to the punch by cell phones and Apple. I have to say it again, if you don't have it already, you're not going to be buying this just to have it.

edit: On top of the fact that this shit is going to be expensive as all hell thanks to that wonderful hardware. The minaturization of that level of hardware is something that is still new (for portable and phone sizes at least) and as such is going to add a very large tag to the price.

Well, even splitting hairs, to be blunt, all those libraries are already written, so they didn't likely need to dump much into porting them over to the OS. Heck, for most of it, they probably already had them lying around from the PSP and PS3.

In short, the features account for probably $0.000000001 of the cost of each unit.

Trust me, if they didn't expect it to help sales more than it hurt their costs, they wouldn't have bothered.



Edit: Also, physical units are almost always sold at a loss, with licensing making the actual profits. While the tech may be expensive, expect them to be taking a sizable hit from absorbing the costs like they did with the PS3.

[Marc v4.0]

I still don't see it breaking below 300 bucks, either way, and I can't help but think a lot of that will be due to all the bells and whistles that we just don't need on a portable.

[bluestarultor]

I still don't see it breaking below 300 bucks, either way, and I can't help but think a lot of that will be due to all the bells and whistles that we just don't need on a portable.

Trust me. The cost is going to be 99% hardware. Writing that kind of system software is a one-time expense. Sony most likely did it in-house over the course of a few months. The software is basically already paid for. What everyone will be shelling out for will be the stuff like the CPU, GPU, and GPS, which they'll probably use to aid in region locking.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

It's likely 300-350 dollars. Like the 3DS. (Which may get a price drop on launch to the US).

It'll be like last gen with the PSP NGP being more then the 3DS.

[Doc ock rokc]

are you sure you have the right screen shots. Because that is Ridiculous graphics!
Seriously WTF! I think I will have to see it to believe it (again)

[Kyanbu The Legend]

I told you guys this thing was powerful.

[Donomni]

Man, twitter was crazy in regards to an actual price.

People were being led to believe this thing would be 599 US DOLLARS like the PS3.

...I mean, it's still possible of something similar because, you know, SONY, but still.

region locking

Oh are you fucking kidding me? Aren't we past this nonsense, gaming industry?

[Doc ock rokc]

to be fair I learned my lesson from the last portable generation and I am going to wait a bit after release to buy my next one. Why? so that I know i am getting one with The most games and the best value. If Nintendo pulls this Rapid release shit again I guess I get a 3ds cheep and if the PSP goes into it's Game slump again then I don't have to deal with it.

[Marc v4.0]

It's likely 300-350 dollars. Like the 3DS. (Which may get a price drop on launch to the US).

It'll be like last gen with the PSP NGP being more then the 3DS.

3DS will be at most 250. They are already taking pre-orders for it at that price and it comes out in March.

The price will drop by the time the PSP2 comes out, as well.

[Doc ock rokc]

3DS will be at most 250. They are already taking pre-orders for it at that price and it comes out in March.

The price will drop by the time the PSP2 comes out, as well.

and a month later the 3ds with a second touch pad in the back will come out at $275

[mudah.swf]

In all seriousness my biggest worry for this thing is that we'll get a PSP situation where it ends up being a dumping ground for downports. I pretty much expect that to happen early on, but I hope we start getting games that aren't just PS3 ports eventually.

Really nice looking downports, though. In fact you probably couldn't really call them downports, now.

[bluestarultor]

In all seriousness my biggest worry for this thing is that we'll get a PSP situation where it ends up being a dumping ground for downports. I pretty much expect that to happen early on, but I hope we start getting games that aren't just PS3 ports eventually.

Really nice looking downports, though. In fact you probably couldn't really call them downports, now.

On the plus side, it's starting with an actual back library. Only downloadable games, but I expect they'll start making a lot of their most popular titles downloadable pretty quickly, or at least they'll try to press companies into doing so.

From what we know already, the PSP2 has been in devs' hands for some time, so we can probably expect a launch at least passably similar to that of the Move, where support might not be great, but at least you're not stuck with a doorstop.

[Bells]

As expected, Kotakut is having an Orgasm over this... but holly hell this is one powerfull portable!!!

Speaking of Kotaku, they have a quote from Sony saying they expect the price to make "sense" to their customers when annouced. So... not cheap.

Battery life similar to the PSP3000, which is already a bonus point over the DS

But you can change batteries. So if the batterie goes out, so does the whole thing

[akaSM]

Hmm, that thing has great specs but, I really love Nintendo first party games, maybe I'll have 2 handheld systems in this generation. Also, that thing's obviously powerful, heck have you seen what a N900 can do (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6JfxdWg0HI) with a cortex A8? Except you might not have a lot to see because, as usual, Nokia kinda forgot about that phone :/. It's nice that the PSP2 will use some of the hardware that was just used in smartphones AND that they will actually use the potential of that hardware.

Just for fun :3

What a N95 could do over 3 years ago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iN6SPrRqdI) The video's mine, it's choppy because the video was recorded using the phone's TV out AND I had other apps open. In this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wamjcz4ZxUY&feature=related) video you can see how smooth the demo looks on the phone's screen.

What a N93 could do about 4 years ago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlbckgOnj7E)

[Bells]

Putting Nintendo History vs Sony History, the smart money is in picking up the NGP first and giving nintendo some time to check just in case they release a quasi-new revision of their console. Sony is less prone to do so. nintendo does it pretty much as a business model.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Once again NGP's GPU is just so crazy. X3

Might just get it instead of the PS3.

After all the PS3 can wait and it's getting a WipeOut (TM) launch title.

[Kim]

I hate that people are saying these are PS3 graphics. They aren't. They're really, really nice looking, but none of it is as smooth as the PS3. Still looks great, and I don't mean to detract from that, but claiming it's "as good as the PS3" is just a flatout lie.

[Doc ock rokc]

I hate that people are saying these are PS3 graphics. They aren't. They're really, really nice looking, but none of it is as smooth as the PS3. Still looks great, and I don't mean to detract from that, but claiming it's "as good as the PS3" is just a flatout lie.

while I agree that it isn't PS3 graphics exactly It's certainly damn close. its about AA title PS3 game good.

[Kim]

Ehhhhhhh... naw. People say "PS3 graphics!!!" and all I think is that pic from what I assume is Yakuza and go "Lookit dem jaggies... lookit them flat lookin shirt textures..." It's pretty, but whenever someone goes PSThreeeeeee~ I feel the unquenchable desire to be a nitpicky ass.

[Bells]

Well... it varies really... i mean, there are some PSP games that look as good as quite a few PS2 games, and yet, the PSP is not as powerfull as a PS2...

It depends on what you take as the Ground in which you define graphics as "PS3 Level" ... if you only look at the top tier of best looking PS3 games (which is a small percentage of the library) you get a result, but if you look at an average across the entire library, you get another result.

Then again, the point is that the PSP is pretty much like a Portable PS3 with Move built in AND touchscreen capabilities. It might not rival it in the graphics department... but feature wise, it just might surpass it.

It just depends on what games start showing up for it really...

[bluestarultor]

Well... it varies really... i mean, there are some PSP games that look as good as quite a few PS2 games, and yet, the PSP is not as powerfull as a PS2...

It depends on what you take as the Ground in which you define graphics as "PS3 Level" ... if you only look at the top tier of best looking PS3 games (which is a small percentage of the library) you get a result, but if you look at an average across the entire library, you get another result.

Then again, the point is that the PSP is pretty much like a Portable PS3 with Move built in AND touchscreen capabilities. It might not rival it in the graphics department... but feature wise, it just might surpass it.

It just depends on what games start showing up for it really...

Really, I think comparing its motion capacity to the Move is inaccurate. The Move works with a synergistic motion-sensing system combined with positional tracking via the known size of a sphere using a camera. The PSP2 is really much closer to a standard SixAxis without the visual component.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

It even says Six Axis on it's spec sheet.

[mudah.swf]

Ehhhhhhh... naw. People say "PS3 graphics!!!" and all I think is that pic from what I assume is Yakuza and go "Lookit dem jaggies... lookit them flat lookin shirt textures..." It's pretty, but whenever someone goes PSThreeeeeee~ I feel the unquenchable desire to be a nitpicky ass.

"Graphics kind of like the PS3 but not quite as good" wouldn't make for a good thread title or OP, though.

Plus you have to remember that when you're actually looking at these while playing, the smaller screen will help a lot. The Yakuza screen is way bigger than the game's actual aspect ratio.

[Kim]

I'm aware, and I've mentioned that when talking to some other people, but if Sony is gonna keep pulling the "rivals the PS3" thing I'm gonna keep calling them out on it.

[krogothwolf]

I'm aware, and I've mentioned that when talking to some other people, but if Sony is gonna keep pulling the "rivals the PS3" thing I'm gonna keep calling them out on it.

But, then how would they be able to continue to inflate their egos?

[Marc v4.0]

All-in-all, they better have a strong, iron-clad showing of titles at release and the production line better pump. Holiday season means that Nintendo will have , at the very least, an 8 month lead on the market, I would bet a 50 dollar price drop, and a better scale of the demands for the season. If they don't bring the A game, it could be another PSP lull right from the start.

[krogothwolf]

*goes and looks at PS1, PS2, PSP and PS3 launch titles*

Yeah, fat chance of them having quality launch titles.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Hey Ridge Racer (PSP) was great and so was Wipeout Pure.

[Bells]

Yeah, but this time you are likely to get MGS, Killzone and Uncharted Spinoffs.

That covers, action, stealth and Shooter. That one that uses the rear touch pad is the Glorified tech demo, invizimals should be coming to show off the cameras... wipeout is there for the Sixaxis motion.

So, you are still missing a RPG (not traditional as first line up) a fighter ( Mortal Kombat to counter Dead or Alive / Street fighter on the 3DS) and i would guess a Strategy title to use the Touchscreen...

[bluestarultor]

Yeah, but this time you are likely to get MGS, Killzone and Uncharted Spinoffs.

That covers, action, stealth and Shooter. That one that uses the rear touch pad is the Glorified tech demo, invizimals should be coming to show off the cameras... wipeout is there for the Sixaxis motion.

So, you are still missing a RPG (not traditional as first line up) a fighter ( Mortal Kombat to counter Dead or Alive / Street fighter on the 3DS) and i would guess a Strategy title to use the Touchscreen...

All things considered, having Dissidia 012 out in March could almost be considered the requisite RPG. If not, Type-0 is coming out in Summer for Japan and if they fast-tracked the localization, they could probably get it out in English by mid-2012 if they haven't already started in on it.

Mind you, those are both for the PSP1 (as it must now be distinguished), but at least if Square releases them for download, it's two games to the good.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Yeah, but this time you are likely to get MGS, Killzone and Uncharted Spinoffs.

That covers, action, stealth and Shooter. That one that uses the rear touch pad is the Glorified tech demo, invizimals should be coming to show off the cameras... wipeout is there for the Sixaxis motion.

So, you are still missing a RPG (not traditional as first line up) a fighter ( Mortal Kombat to counter Dead or Alive / Street fighter on the 3DS) and i would guess a Strategy title to use the Touchscreen...

EoJ Legends 2 would've been a great launch title to fill that role even if it's a card battle game.

[Niveras]

Who cares about launch titles. I'd probably buy one so I could play all the older PS1 games I've been missing, and the PS2 and PSP games that I've been wanting to play. (That is what backwards compatible means, right?) I tried to do that with my homebrewed slim but a fair number of PS1 games need that second analog stick, and it couldn't run PS2 games anyway.

Battery life is an issue. Unless I'm blind the tech specs didn't cover it at all. What's the expected charge time if you're playing music or a low-key game? Can you switch out batteries?

[bluestarultor]

Who cares about launch titles. I'd probably buy one so I could play all the older PS1 games I've been missing, and the PS2 and PSP games that I've been wanting to play. (That is what backwards compatible means, right?) I tried to do that with my homebrewed slim but a fair number of PS1 games need that second analog stick, and it couldn't run PS2 games anyway.

Battery life is an issue. Unless I'm blind the tech specs didn't cover it at all. What's the expected charge time if you're playing music or a low-key game? Can you switch out batteries?

I'm guessing it won't be PS2-BC, simply because the PS2 was not well-planned in being able to be emulated what with a very expensive proprietary engine chip included. That's why they cut PS2 BC support with PS3s. They cut the E-chip out to cut costs and tried emulating for a while, then threw their hands up because it didn't work as well.

Ironically, the whole PS line is still based off the PS1 and just expanded from there. The issue is the PS2 is on an entirely different branch of the evolution tree, like the Neanderthal, and will eventually similarly die out if all continues in the current direction. Either that, or the PS4 will be so ridiculously powerful that emulation won't be as big of an issue, but the PS3 already is running on a CPU literally designed for supercomputer use. Or the E-chip will have become dirt cheap and it won't be an issue.

At any rate, not to dash your hopes, but on a specs level, I'm sure the PSP2 could handle it, if not for the need for the Emotion Engine.

[Bells]

The fact that they Rebranded their portable, seems to be a clear indication that it will Drop out of the current tree. So, PS1 and PSP BC is a given, but i'm sure as hell there will be no PS2 BC.

You are likely to see a lot of titles Launching for the PS3 and PSP (the psp getting a Graphical and Audio downgraded version) of the same games though.

Indead, Dissidia 012 and Type-0 Are flaggship titles, but they are not even close to what the new Portable showed to be capable of... i would not put past Squeenix to relase a "International Final Mix Plus" version of these titles for the NGP though....

[phil_]

If Capcom can get Monster Hunter Portable 3rd G out by the holidays for the NGP, then Sony has nothing to worry about, at least in its home territory.

[Doc ock rokc]

If Capcom can get Monster Hunter Portable 3rd G out by the holidays for the NGP, then Sony has nothing to worry about, at least in its home territory.

I...You...That...Awesome...

[mudah.swf]

Yeah, a version of that was, after all, shown running on this PSP2 thingy, complete with right-stick camera controls.

[bluestarultor]

EoJ Legends 2 would've been a great launch title to fill that role even if it's a card battle game.

Seem to have missed this.

Eye of Judgment wasn't a bad game from what I hear except that it was impossible to find more cards for the thing, which is pretty much death to any TCG. No cards, no game.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Thankfully they scrapped the card game in favor of a virtual card game with a story. So the RL cards are no longer needed or even used anymore.

I still have hope they'll continue the series this way.

[Jagos]

If there is no Scott Pilgrim on this machine, I'm not interested.

Seriously, best brawler out currently. And I've beaten The Warriors about 10 times now.

[phil_]

Yeah, a version of that was, after all, shown running on this PSP2 thingy, complete with right-stick camera controls.Portable Monster Hunter with not f-ing retarded Wii controls? Good gracious, I seem to have the vapors.

Wait, there's still that cloud saving thing... how vexing...

[Bells]

i'm sure you will still be able to have Local save files, i mean, a huge save file is what? 300kb? that's nothing. No reason not to have it. Cloud is likely an option

[phil_]

If cloud saving is an option and not mandatory, and if I don't have to sign up for a 3G data plan, and if I win the lottery and can stop living in drunken poverty, then I'd consider buying a PSP2 just for Monster Hunter 3rd Portable G. I would play it on the way to school and get hit by cars making right turns without signaling. Then I would play it in the hospital and name my cats Gutts and Charlotte.

[ZAKtheGeek]

Putting Nintendo History vs Sony History, the smart money is in picking up the NGP first and giving nintendo some time to check just in case they release a quasi-new revision of their console. Sony is less prone to do so. nintendo does it pretty much as a business model.
I'm no expert on the PSP but I believe its various versions are a fine counterexample to this...

[Bells]

Dude... c'mon...

PSP - 2004
PSP 2000 - 2007
PSP 3000 - 2008
PSP Go - 2009

DS - 2004
DS Light - 2006
DSi - 2008
DSXL - 2009

it took 5 years for Sony to launch a model that had Different applications (The Go, and even that one was just a poor gambit from sony). The only main difference between PSP models were Size and in the 3000 version a brighter screen (slightly larger too).

It took nintendo 2 years to slim their console down and then 2 more years to launch a quasi-upgrade with unique software that would gain another special version 1 year later, that would then be surpassed by an entire new Machine 1 year later...

[ZAKtheGeek]

I thought you meant the opposite of that, that they make revisions without "different applications" which are just the same thing but better. Now I'm just really lost. First, can you show me strong evidence of a history of this from, say, before the DS?

The contrast doesn't seem significant. Two years to slim down vs. three years to slim down (plus another version a year later); four years for new applications vs. five years for them. And neither of them really caught on (did they?), and what else do you expect, slapping on new features in the middle (or end, I suppose) of some hardware's lifetime? Finally, total number of revisions is equal.

So I don't really see what you're trying to say. I would think the "new applications" are just expensive bullshit that's not gonna go anywhere anyway and you can freely pass on; it's the simple hardware revisions which offer real benefit.

[bluestarultor]

I thought you meant the opposite of that, that they make revisions without "different applications" which are just the same thing but better. Now I'm just really lost. First, can you show me strong evidence of a history of this from, say, before the DS?

The contrast doesn't seem significant. Two years to slim down vs. three years to slim down (plus another version a year later); four years for new applications vs. five years for them. And neither of them really caught on (did they?), and what else do you expect, slapping on new features in the middle (or end, I suppose) of some hardware's lifetime? Finally, total number of revisions is equal.

So I don't really see what you're trying to say. I would think the "new applications" are just expensive bullshit that's not gonna go anywhere anyway and you can freely pass on; it's the simple hardware revisions which offer real benefit.

Game Boy (1989), Game Boy Pocket (1996), Game Boy Light (1998), Game Boy Color (1998), Game Boy Advance (2001), Pokemon Mini (2001), Game Boy Advance SP (2003), Game Boy Micro (2005), then the DS line as stated. Take that however you will.

[Kim]

I'm honestly surprised, the more I think about it, that the PSP2 hasn't been delayed to include 3D. They seem, to me at least, to be pushing it on the PS3... not really hard but they're definitely pushing it. I kinda expected that they'd wait until they could include 3D to avoid "falling behind".

Thinking on it, this portable generation probably could have stood to wait a couple more years. Better graphics for the 3DS, and 3D for the PSP2.

[bluestarultor]

I'm honestly surprised, the more I think about it, that the PSP2 hasn't been delayed to include 3D. They seem, to me at least, to be pushing it on the PS3... not really hard but they're definitely pushing it. I kinda expected that they'd wait until they could include 3D to avoid "falling behind".

Thinking on it, this portable generation probably could have stood to wait a couple more years. Better graphics for the 3DS, and 3D for the PSP2.

Honestly, from my standpoint, there's no surprise at all. There are buttloads of reasons not to include 3D.

1) Timing. The PSP2 has probably been in development for several years. The 3DS coming out in the interim means that, short of spying, Sony had no way of knowing it would be coming. They'd have needed to redo their own console late in development to copy Nintendo's.

2) Technology. Barring glasses, they'd be using the same tech as the 3DS while they're still reeling from the Move being mistaken for a Wii ripoff. This is the LAST thing they need in terms of marketing.

3) Resource usage. The 3DS is a powerful machine, but its resources are eaten up by having to render not two, but three screens. As such, system specs that should make it look as good as the PSP were it not for the 3D are not up to par with the polygon count of the competition from several years ago. Every screen you have to render splits your GPU by more than that fraction because it also has to juggle them. The PSP2 is selling itself on doing one thing and doing it damn well to pull in a different audience.

4) Pricing. People are going to be looking between the two and choosing which one they like better. Again, catering to a different audience. Those who want 3D will get the 3DS, while people who favor polygon count will get the PSP2. Rough guess, the two will be roughly the same price at launch. Adding in extra technology to do 3D would push the cost of the PSP2 above the margin which many people would be willing to pay for the feature if the current resolution and polygon count were to be kept.

[Kim]

The PSP2 is not going to be as cheap as the 3DS. I just do not see that happening.

[bluestarultor]

The PSP2 is not going to be as cheap as the 3DS. I just do not see that happening.

The 3DS already has an announced price of ~$300 due to "positive reactions." I think Sony can match that.

[Marc v4.0]

250 dollars!

It comes out in 2 months and the price has been something you could find with a half-assed google search for a long damn time now. How many times must it be repeated to get you to stop misreporting the cost of the 3DS?

Look: http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?dsNav=Ntk:TitleKeyword%7c3ds%7c1%7c,N: 378

[bluestarultor]

250 dollars!

It comes out in 2 months and the price has been something you could find with a half-assed google search for a long damn time now. How many times must it be repeated to get you to stop misreporting the cost of the 3DS?

Look: http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?dsNav=Ntk:TitleKeyword%7c3ds%7c1%7c,N: 378

You're assuming I could be assed at all with a Google search. :3:

Besides, while $50 is a lot of money, I'll admit, I used a tilde. $250 safely closer to $300 than $50 for the difference. It's close enough that splitting hairs over it will, well, cause these kinds of arguments.

However, in the interest of accommodation, I hereby amend my statement to be $2 Damn Much For A Nintendo Handheld.

[Kim]

I do not think Sony can match even $300. I'm expecting $350 bare minimum. The PSP Go was $250 at launch, and it was just an "improvement" on an existing handheld.

[Bells]

well, you need to twist logic a bit but... if you buy the console plus a game... yeah... 300 bucks.

i'm pretty sure Sony is reeeeeeeeeeeeeally looking into making this one cheaper or at least same price as the 3DS. I mean, they do have the advantage of not using new technology. Everything the NGP uses has been around for a few years.

[Marc v4.0]

Then again this is Sony so I'm not going to be all shocked and devastated when the pricetag is 350 bucks.

[ZAKtheGeek]

Game Boy (1989), Game Boy Pocket (1996), Game Boy Light (1998), Game Boy Color (1998), Game Boy Advance (2001), Pokemon Mini (2001), Game Boy Advance SP (2003), Game Boy Micro (2005), then the DS line as stated. Take that however you will.
I'll take it like this: Pokemon Mini? Does not belong. Never heard of Game Boy Light, and if the wikipedia entry is accurate, there's good reason for that. Not a big factor. This list is missing the GBA SP+, but both that and Micro came after DS so... it's hard to care.

The general pattern seems to be one hardware revision a few years after the start of each "generation." They did more than that with the DS. The PSP has as many revisions as the DS does, though, so I really don't see how there's an advantage in either direction.

On a final note, according to a recent Iwata Asks, they really stuffed the guts in there this time so they don't think there's gonna be a lite version anytime soon. If you believe them.


As far as pricing goes, I find it hard to believe it'll be cheaper than 3DS. Same price does not seem super likely, especially if you want to accept PA's logic that they'd be shouting it from the rooftops if that were the case, but I dunno.

[bluestarultor]

I'll take it like this: Pokemon Mini? Does not belong. Never heard of Game Boy Light, and if the wikipedia entry is accurate, there's good reason for that. Not a big factor. This list is missing the GBA SP+, but both that and Micro came after DS so... it's hard to care.

The general pattern seems to be one hardware revision a few years after the start of each "generation." They did more than that with the DS. The PSP has as many revisions as the DS does, though, so I really don't see how there's an advantage in either direction.

On a final note, according to a recent Iwata Asks, they really stuffed the guts in there this time so they don't think there's gonna be a lite version anytime soon. If you believe them.


As far as pricing goes, I find it hard to believe it'll be cheaper than 3DS. Same price does not seem super likely, especially if you want to accept PA's logic that they'd be shouting it from the rooftops if that were the case, but I dunno.

I just listed everything in the Wikipedia list. I wasn't trying to argue one thing or another. I guess I could have been clearer about that.


Also, I totally would have bought a Game Boy Light if it had come out and not been the same year as the GBC. I mean, go to this page (http://www.herbertweixelbaum.com/comparison.htm) and scroll down a bit and just look at the thing. It's the first backlit Nintendo handheld and it's silver with an Indiglo backlight. Okay, by today's standards an utter piece of crap, but back in the Stone Age when they came out with it, that was downright classy. Even just looking at it now gives retro-space-age vibes.

[Nique]

I wanted to get back on the whole '3D' thing for a second and say that I am totally ok with this not having 3D at least not as a selling point becuase really who knows what else they'll cram into it, because I'm sure they would do it wrong.

3D could be done via head-tracking for video games, and has been by some modders, which is the perfect way to incorporate it becuase 3D then becomes part of the mechanics of the games itself. A handheld system would be a good test for that techology since those are single-player only.

[bluestarultor]

I wanted to get back on the whole '3D' thing for a second and say that I am totally ok with this not having 3D at least not as a selling point becuase really who knows what else they'll cram into it, because I'm sure they would do it wrong.

3D could be done via head-tracking for video games, and has been by some modders, which is the perfect way to incorporate it becuase 3D then becomes part of the mechanics of the games itself. A handheld system would be a good test for that techology since those are single-player only.

Actually, with both front and back cameras, they'll probably be doing just that. I mean, sure, the back camera will be for augmented reality, since that's basically what having a back camera is for, but in the same vein, there's really no point in having a front camera unless you're going to have it watch the player. Combined with having SixAxis in there, the thing is basically built to do that kind of thing. I mean there's really no other reason you'd need tilt in a handheld unless you're stuck decades in the past and want to do ball-maze things like that one Kirby game.

[Marc v4.0]

What exactly is Augmented reality? I've seen that term a lot and it screams of something that you would make up to make something mundane sound "X-Treme". Or what a pot head calls a bag of doritos

Unless it is something like setting you on fire or giving you a crippling brain injury. Those are ways to 'augment reality'

[Doc ock rokc]

What exactly is Augmented reality? I've seen that term a lot and it screams of something that you would make up to make something mundane sound "X-Treme". Or what a pot head calls a bag of doritos

Unless it is something like setting you on fire or giving you a crippling brain injury. Those are ways to 'augment reality'

Augmented reality is a program that is poping up on Portible devices that makes it so Certain hit markers are repainted with digital models. Meaning when a AR looks at a Target it will display a eye in the center or something. ARs can also detect surfices so it can do things such as digital remote control cars or fighting game made of what is on your desk.

some examples
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=humqD4PR2f8&NR=1&feature=fvwp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bW9Xgm7fj0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFwzFby2eNo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk1xjbA-ISE&feature=related

[Marc v4.0]

See, that is neat and cool...

...and all of it requires pre-programming around the target. The chances we are going to see anything of that level of sophistication without having the programmers come over to your house and pre-program all your junk into it are next to 0, though.

I mean, I guess I could see it using some bare form of environmental pattern recognition software to hide monsters behind your moniter or under your lampshades, but that just reeks of a gimmick.

[bluestarultor]

See, that is neat and cool...

...and all of it requires pre-programming around the target. The chances we are going to see anything of that level of sophistication without having the programmers come over to your house and pre-program all your junk into it are next to 0, though.

I mean, I guess I could see it using some bare form of environmental pattern recognition software to hide monsters behind your moniter or under your lampshades, but that just reeks of a gimmick.

Well, actually, we've already had some practical applications of it come out on the market (or at least get announced). The DSi has Ghostwire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostwire) and there's also a game out for the PSP called Invizimals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invizimals) that comes packaged with the PSP camera.

Not all augmented reality requires a card or symbol to orient on. It's probably powered by fairly simple things like edge detection at its base and can therefore be extended past the limitations we're seeing now, which are probably just to save on processing.

[mudah.swf]

Where the price is concerned Sony have claimed that it will be "affordable" which will probably mean $299. Can't see it being lower than that.

[Marc v4.0]

"Make sense to Sony customers" isn't a term that really inspires confidence and affordability, to repeat the point.

[bluestarultor]

"Make sense to Sony customers" isn't a term that really inspires confidence and affordability, to repeat the point.

Well, remember, too, that Sony's going to be selling these at a loss. The PSP sold for $200. If that's any indication, considering that the tech inside this thing is already a few years old, the price may not be so bad.

Also, being an overall technologies corporation, all things considered, Sony could use pricing to undercut Nintendo's pricing advantage. Nintendo is selling high for its own reasons. If Sony sells low, they might finally dent Nintendo's handheld market domination.

[Marc v4.0]

Everyone sells at a loss. So that really doesn't mean anything and isn't impressive.

Nothing about the past history and business choices of either company predicts that second part happening.

Lets just be honest and realistic. 300 dollars at the least.

[bluestarultor]

Everyone sells at a loss. So that really doesn't mean anything and isn't impressive.

Nothing about the past history and business choices of either company predicts that second part happening.

Lets just be honest and realistic. 300 dollars at the least.

Nintendo never took a 50% loss on every system.

I think (or at least hope) that Sony is learning from past mistakes with the PSP in terms of getting it into people's hands. The PSP was too expensive compared to the competition with too little for it at launch. Sony seems to be working on the latter this time around.

Of course, the difference between $300 and $250 isn't much. It's just that Nintendo will be able to pull a quick price drop because they're intentionally selling it for more than they could otherwise. Sony already knows this and the chance of Nintendo pulling the pricing rug out from under them is something I'm sure they're acutely aware of. Knock $50 off the 3DS and the difference becomes much greater, leaving Sony to scramble. The smart move would be to plan for that, try to undercut Nintendo's pricing, and then make Nintendo scramble to drop the price potentially lower than they'd like much sooner than they'd like.

[Marc v4.0]

Nintendo never took a 50% loss on every system.

There is actually something to be said for that.

Still doubtful they aren't going to pull a Sony, because they are Sony, and drop a big pricetag on this even taking a loss.

I mean, Cell phones that can only do a third of the stuff this is supposed to cost between 600-800 retail. Using common technology. I don't see them giving Nintendo a run for their money when they launch, because they would have to cut the cost down to less then 200 dollars. This would be a terrible move on their part as there is only so much loss you can eat before you start tripping over the wrong side of the risk/reward line and investors start running away.

[Bells]

Just to point out, $299 for the NGP sounds about right. Not terribly outrageous, and yet sensible to the tech in the product.

Still, Costier than the 3DS, also, if Sony could make this cheaper than the 3DS they would've rubbed in everyone's face already... And the 3DS gets a early start, so there is also THAT adding to the difference. So my guess is that Sony is probably going to try and push a few bundles out there to not lag behind too much