Why get a PSP?

hotwls13

hotwls13

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I am still contemplating getting a PSP. I know it's only hours away, but a couple of my local Gamerushes still have pre-orders available. I just have so many games to play right now, I don't know if it's a good move to buy now.

I heard something like there wouldn't be anymore PSPs shipped until the end of the year after this first million. From what I hear, just about everywhere will be sold out within the first week.

I don't want to miss the boat, but I don't want to get it just to say I have it and not play it.

Constructive criticism please. :lol:
 
I think it depends on if you do gaming on the go. if you don't and you have tons of games to play to begin with, then you don't really need a PSP.
 
Holy shit, how many PSP topics do we need?!?!?!?!!?!?!?

There's no reason to get a PSP. People will realize that this time next week and dump theirs off quickly.

//edit and I agree with Trakan. The initial shipment will sell out, but they'll be easy to find mid-April.
 
I heard something like there wouldn't be anymore PSPs shipped until the end of the year after this first million. From what I hear, just about everywhere will be sold out within the first week.

Sony would have to be utterly, totally and absolutely brain-dead to do something like that. It does them no good, cuts drastically into the sell through of every title that they and third party companies produce.

Doing something so stupid as that is almost a guarenteed way for them to completely disenfranchise thier userbase and third party developers.
 
If you already have tons of games to play, I don't see why you would need to pick up a PSP. Unless you're in my situation when you're awway from home just as much time as you are at home and are in need of a good portable system.
 
anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to fuck over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now
 
[quote name='JSweeney']I heard something like there wouldn't be anymore PSPs shipped until the end of the year after this first million. From what I hear, just about everywhere will be sold out within the first week.

Sony would have to be utterly, totally and absolutely brain-dead to do something like that. It does them no good, cuts drastically into the sell through of every title that they and third party companies produce.

Doing something so stupid as that is almost a guarenteed way for them to completely disenfranchise thier userbase and third party developers.[/quote]

Sony's stated manufacturing goal to meet world demand is two million units a month. There should be at least five milion units shipped into the US by the end of the year. In terms of matching their past successes, Sony won't really feel they've met their initial target until Japan and the US each have at least ten million users. At that level a game that only sells to 1% of PSP owners will still move 100,000 units, offering developers an enticing platform.
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

No. They are two totally different markets IMO. I think Nintendo would be stupid to do that because I don't think Sony would have to retaliate with a quick drop.
 
Sounds like I should wait. I had been contemplating getting my son a DS to replace his SP. Maybe I will wait and hope for a price drop on the DS.
 
[quote name='chickenhawk'][quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

No. They are two totally different markets IMO. I think Nintendo would be stupid to do that because I don't think Sony would have to retaliate with a quick drop.[/quote]

I don't really get how they are two different markets. No one had a problem comparing the GBA to the N-Gage or Zodiac, and those devices were geared at a market quite similar to that of the PSP
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

Not unless sales drop badly. Why take a loss on the hardware when it's selling fine? What they really need to do is deliver good software for the existing users and give potential purchasers a reason to go for it.
 
[quote name='hotwls13']Sounds like I should wait. I had been contemplating getting my son a DS to replace his SP. Maybe I will wait and hope for a price drop on the DS.[/quote]
There aren't any really GREAT DS games out yet, IMO. Hang on to that SP until more titles are released and the DS price goes down a little (they are already selling for about $130 new if you look around). Only reason I got one was I was going to upgrade my standard GBA to an SP and decided to skip over it (since SPs were still pricey even used).
 
[quote name='epobirs'][quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

Not unless sales drop badly. Why take a loss on the hardware when it's selling fine? What they really need to do is deliver good software for the existing users and give potential purchasers a reason to go for it.[/quote]

people would get less money for their DS's when they trade them in for the PSP, and it would entice new buyers who have the choice in what system they want.

I think it would be a fairly smart move, and something that could really do them some good if they can get some quality software out the door in the next three months
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback'][quote name='chickenhawk'][quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

No. They are two totally different markets IMO. I think Nintendo would be stupid to do that because I don't think Sony would have to retaliate with a quick drop.[/quote]

I don't really get how they are two different markets. No one had a problem comparing the GBA to the N-Gage or Zodiac, and those devices were geared at a market quite similar to that of the PSP[/quote]

You pretty much just admitted there are different markets right there! I think for the vast majority of people, you will either want one or the other (or maybe neither). They can be compared, but that doesn't mean that they have the same market. I think they are compared ONLY because they are handheld systems. I believe that the PSP is geared more towards gadget hounds whereas the DS is geared more towards a younger audience. I realize that I may get flamed for that, but I am talking about the general public, not the gaming public. For serious gamers, these markets don't really exist, but for the general public (who will likely make up most of the sales) they do.
 
I think the idea of different markets is total BS. They are all going for the same market which is gamers. This is just an excuse for Nintendo to explain why the PSP is outselling the DS in Japan and probably will here. I like Nintendo better than Sony for sure but sometimes I just wanna scream "pull you head out Nintendo!". It may suck but graphics,marketing, and style sell systems.
 
[quote name='chickenhawk'][quote name='CaseyRyback'][quote name='chickenhawk'][quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

No. They are two totally different markets IMO. I think Nintendo would be stupid to do that because I don't think Sony would have to retaliate with a quick drop.[/quote]

I don't really get how they are two different markets. No one had a problem comparing the GBA to the N-Gage or Zodiac, and those devices were geared at a market quite similar to that of the PSP[/quote]

You pretty much just admitted there are different markets right there! I think for the vast majority of people, you will either want one or the other (or maybe neither). They can be compared, but that doesn't mean that they have the same market. I think they are compared ONLY because they are handheld systems. I believe that the PSP is geared more towards gadget hounds whereas the DS is geared more towards a younger audience. I realize that I may get flamed for that, but I am talking about the general public, not the gaming public. For serious gamers, these markets don't really exist, but for the general public (who will likely make up most of the sales) they do.[/quote]

I only used that term to make reference to your claim. If we use the assertion that they are going for different markets based on the type of system, then every system since the beginning has been after a different market. SEGA was after a more adult market with the Genesis, as was SONY, SNK went after the hardcore market,etc. But though they all had different strategies, the goal for all of them was to eliminate the competition and steal away their place in the market. Personally I do not equate a different strategy to win over a market to that of their being two parallell markets in the handheld arena.
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback'][quote name='epobirs'][quote name='CaseyRyback']anyone else think that Nintendo is going to cut the price of the DS to 99 bucks just to shaq-fu over SONY, and make them eat some more of their hardware costs through a retalitory price cut? Personally I would wait, because I see something happening like this. If you want one, get one, if you are waffling pass for now[/quote]

Not unless sales drop badly. Why take a loss on the hardware when it's selling fine? What they really need to do is deliver good software for the existing users and give potential purchasers a reason to go for it.[/quote]

people would get less money for their DS's when they trade them in for the PSP, and it would entice new buyers who have the choice in what system they want.

I think it would be a fairly smart move, and something that could really do them some good if they can get some quality software out the door in the next three months[/quote]

There is already a $100 price gap at entry level for the products. As I said, until their sales fall below an acceptable level why take on negative revenues to possibly do some harm to a competitor? They can do much more harm by just getting out good software and selling it at a profit. Every DS game sold is not only profit for Nintendo but also money not spent on PSP hardware or games. Would you smash yourself in the mouth just so you could spit blood in your opponent's eye? If the opponent is looking to punch you already, why not wait and see if he actually manages to land a good smack on you before doing it for him?
 
Yea, let's be realistic here. Sony is getting into the handheld market because Nintendo has had no real competition for years. The N-Gage has as much of a future as a comeback tour of the Virtual Boy. There is a large market that Nintendo has been the only one to cater to, and now Sony is trying to get a piece of that pie. One system may end up appealing to a certain generation more than the other, but overall neither company is going to hang their hat on one particular age or group. The DS and PSP are in a head-to-head competition for all gamers who want a portable system. Nintendo is selling innovation with the touch screen, while Sony is selling performance and screen size. Neither seems to have an advantage with the launch titles, but Nintendo's backward compatibility mixed with their pre-existing market presence is a big advantage.
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']

I only used that term to make reference to your claim. If we use the assertion that they are going for different markets based on the type of system, then every system since the beginning has been after a different market. SEGA was after a more adult market with the Genesis, as was SONY, SNK went after the hardcore market,etc. But though they all had different strategies, the goal for all of them was to eliminate the competition and steal away their place in the market. Personally I do not equate a different strategy to win over a market to that of their being two parallell markets in the handheld arena.[/quote]

I guess we'll agree to disagree then. The thing about your point with the Genesis going after an adult crowd and Sony/SNK going after hardcore gamers is that there is alot crossover there. As of now, there are very few similarities among the PSP and DS systems. Maybe that will change, but there must be a reason for that. I just don't think someone considering a PSP is going to change their mind and buy a DS and vice versa unless they was the possibility from the beginning that they would buy both.

Think of it this way, if Sony really was worried about competing with the DS don't you think they would have put more effort into the gaming portion of the system instead of worrying so much about adding MP3 and movie capabilities? This is not just a gaming machine, whereas I see the DS as purely for gaming. Again, maybe this will change. Maybe I am off my rocker, but the facts are pretty clear cut to me:

PSP -
$40 and $50 titles
MP3 capabilities = extra $$$ to spend
UMD Movies = extra $$$ to spend
Memory stick = extra $$$ to spend

These are all things that eliminate the younger generation from the target market. What parent is going to buy a PSP for their kid with all the extra shit thrown in?

EDIT: I am not saying there is NO competition among the 2 systems, I just don't think they are hardcore in direct competition with each other. Just my opinion....
 
isnt this all just preference? who cares about markets and competition...well of course it matters in a biz perspective but personaly if it floats you r boat than go get one...and be happy with it...
 
Why get one? How much do you travel/commute/or are otherwise unable to play console/PC games? I wouldn't spend $250 on a handheld just to play it on my couch.

But this could end up being a godsend for people that spend a lot of time on cars, buses, planes, or trains.
 
Actually I see the two as direct competition (at least for adults). Realistically you are only going to bring one portable game system with you on a trip or wherever you are going. You are not going to bring two along with all the other crap for each (chargers, cables, games, cases, memory, blah blah). I already think its a hassle bringing all my gameboy crap and my ipod crap on a trip. Its not like when you are at home and you can have your ps2, xbox, and gamecube all hooked up to the same tv and you just push a button on your system selector to switch.
 
[quote name='ElwoodCuse']Why get one? How much do you travel/commute/or are otherwise unable to play console/PC games? I wouldn't spend $250 on a handheld just to play it on my couch.

But this could end up being a godsend for people that spend a lot of time on cars, buses, planes, or trains.[/quote]

There are some times I spend a long time on the toilet where it'd be nice to have something other to do that stare at my feet.
 
The only downfall for the PSP is the Memory stick.
If it had a compact flash slot... It would be Bananas!
Pop in a 5gb card and you got a heavy weight on your hands. But nooooo Sony didn't forsee the need for big cards and overpriced them and slowly developed them. But now with all of the PSP's thats hitting the market, we'll see a 4GB card in a within year
 
I totally agree. They screwed the pooch on the memory stick thing. They would sell many more PSPs if it used compact flash. It would easily be a Ipod contender.

[quote name='jetblac']The only downfall for the PSP is the Memory stick.
If it had a compact flash slot... It would be Bananas!
Pop in a 5gb card and you got a heavy weight on your hands. But nooooo Sony didn't forsee the need for big cards and overpriced them and slowly developed them. But now with all of the PSP's thats hitting the market, we'll see a 4GB card in a within year[/quote]
 
because it gets you chicks. trust me, i just got my these morning, went to school and played spidey man2, and this cute chick who i dont know came over and just started talking to me ^_^
 
[quote name='omegaweapon7']because it gets you chicks. trust me, i just got my these morning, went to school and played spidey man2, and this cute chick who i dont know came over and just started talking to me ^_^[/quote]

So is she talking to you or your PSP?
 
Play your unplayed games to get your mind off the PSP for awhile. Then trade in those games you didn't like towards a PSP. By then the PSP may be cheaper and in abundance.

EDIT: Hey, look! 2 cat avatars in a row!
 
[quote name='Santorum X']Play your unplayed games to get your mind off the PSP for awhile. Then trade in those games you didn't like towards a PSP. By then the PSP may be cheaper and in abundance.

EDIT: Hey, look! 2 cat avatars in a row![/quote]

Dude they are plentiful now. Everywhere around me has plenty of them still in stock at this moment.
 
All everyone had to do is not go to the store to buy one until later this year and I bet Sony would have to drop the price to get people to buy it. But hey I don't buy most gaming devices or games when they first come out just to see how people react before I go spend my cash on it.
 
good reasons--

good launch games
amazing graphics for a portable
great control
great sound
plenty of cool games on the horizon
just a slick system all around, if you have the money to spend and think you'll use it a lot.
 
here were my good reasons~

*i don't have an ipod.
*i hadn't decided what kind of camera i was getting yet but i need one for this summer.
*the games at launch and the strings available to sony to pull for future games look really good to me.
*it's dayum sexy, if i had problems picking up men this would fix that, now i might have to carry a big stick around with me.
*i'm taking a couple long flights and trips this summer, now i can use one type of memory stick for gaming, music, photos and random tv/anime eps to keep me entertained.
*i really couldn't resist the temptation of all that free launch stuff included in the price.
 
[quote name='Kayden'][quote name='ElwoodCuse']Why get one? How much do you travel/commute/or are otherwise unable to play console/PC games? I wouldn't spend $250 on a handheld just to play it on my couch.

But this could end up being a godsend for people that spend a lot of time on cars, buses, planes, or trains.[/quote]

There are some times I spend a long time on the toilet where it'd be nice to have something other to do that stare at my feet.[/quote]

you might be finished by the time the games load :) but really, i was playing my buddies today and the loading takes awhile initially, with my ds i can easily get a couple games of time attack on mr driller in

but to stay on topic, dont let the dead pixels scare you, if you want it go get it, most of them dont have dead pixels, id say about 10% based on our returns today, remember you mostly hear about the problem units, not the ones that work
 
I too have a deposit on a PSP at GameCrazy. I am in the same boat. I really don't do gaming on the go. I guess I want to say that I have one. I am pretty sure I won't get it.
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']I don't really get how they are two different markets. No one had a problem comparing the GBA to the N-Gage or Zodiac, and those devices were geared at a market quite similar to that of the PSP[/QUOTE]

Because this is Sony, nobody wants to compare this to Nintendo. Apparently a huge percentage can't admit Sony might be out of their element, and might not necessarily dominate the handheld market like they have the console market to this point.
By making them "different markets", people want the luxury of stating they were geared towards different groups when/if the PSP doesn't really meet the same userbase numbers.
Once it does however, the PSP will suddenly become an apple instead of an orange.

I saw plenty of PSPs over the weekend, and everytime I had a nagging urge to put it on the plasitc. They don't appear to be selling well that I've seen and heard. This Christmas season however will be very interesting, and could make or break the PSP's status in the handheld market.
 
[quote name='howlinmad']Because this is Sony, nobody wants to compare this to Nintendo. Apparently a huge percentage can't admit Sony might be out of their element, and might not necessarily dominate the handheld market like they have the console market to this point.
By making them "different markets", people want the luxury of stating they were geared towards different groups when/if the PSP doesn't really meet the same userbase numbers.
Once it does however, the PSP will suddenly become an apple instead of an orange.

I saw plenty of PSPs over the weekend, and everytime I had a nagging urge to put it on the plasitc. They don't appear to be selling well that I've seen and heard. This Christmas season however will be very interesting, and could make or break the PSP's status in the handheld market.[/QUOTE]

it is just one market, the handheld market, and right now Nintendo owns almost all of it. Sony may or may not grab a majority of it, but they will grab enough to survive. There isn't a huge competition between the two companies because of this-- there's more than enough pie for everyone! Nintendo has stated that the DS will be home to PDA-type applications and simple games...the PSP is more for games and media. they'll both do well.

besides, It doesn't really matter as long more games are coming out for both systems.

btw, i just read that PSP sales in japan are ahead of the DS by about 150,000.
 
[quote name='howlinmad']

I saw plenty of PSPs over the weekend, and everytime I had a nagging urge to put it on the plasitc. They don't appear to be selling well that I've seen and heard. This Christmas season however will be very interesting, and could make or break the PSP's status in the handheld market.[/QUOTE]

Seems to me like sony fufilled on their promise at least when they said their goal in production numbers was to have everyone who wanted one at launch be able to get one. (screen problems nothwithstanding, I think that happened). i.e. everyone who preordered one or tried hard enough looking for one on the 24th got one.

Now there will probably be a break in shipments, since sony's production cababilities shifted focus from pstwo to psp and (hopefully) back to some fitting percentage of both. I agree the christmas season could be what makes or breaks the overall historical impact of the system. Any system is going to sell around christmas if there are systems in stock, but if those who want it already have it by then (we've got a long summer ahead of teens with spending money and handheld friendly traveling) it would be a great time to introduce some flashy periphreal or a batchful of highly anticipated releases. So far, we don't know what those releases are (my guess ff, and another batch of movies, and at least one new hyped up original IP would help). My guess is they could get away with no price drop until after christmas, it's an lcd screen and a lot of power in there, a higher loss for them unless they're really not selling because of price...I don't know, then again, if you could get an xbox2 for $50 more at christmas season, I'm sure they'll drop it some if they're smart.

~
 
[quote name='Apossum']it is just one market, the handheld market, and right now Nintendo owns almost all of it. Sony may or may not grab a majority of it, but they will grab enough to survive. There isn't a huge competition between the two companies because of this-- there's more than enough pie for everyone! Nintendo has stated that the DS will be home to PDA-type applications and simple games...the PSP is more for games and media. they'll both do well.

besides, It doesn't really matter as long more games are coming out for both systems.

btw, i just read that PSP sales in japan are ahead of the DS by about 150,000.[/QUOTE]

That's pretty much how I feel, I personally like games, not systems. I want one, don't get me wrong. I just don't really get into the one brand over another. A spade is a spade.

I was mainly saying that seems to be the general thought is Sony can do no wrong. Truth is, Sony can do wrong just as well as Nintendo and Microsoft.
 
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