Congratulations to Sony for five successful years with the PlayStation Portable platform. The company boldly went into territory that was utterly dominated by Nintendo. Although the Nintendo DS is still the king of the hill, the PSP has done quite well. Here’s what Sony Computer Entertainment America senior vice president Peter Dille had to say in today’s press release:
Five years ago, PlayStation had yet to break into the portable market. Today, the PSP system is a well-established handheld platform that continuously redefines portable entertainment with quality that’s unparalleled. As PSP celebrates its fifth anniversary, the best is yet to come. We’re very excited about the vibrant 2010 lineup and are committed to continuing to offer entertainment experiences and immersive gameplay only possible on the PlayStation platform.
Yesterday my friend from Gamasutra tweeted an article I co-wrote in 2004. The topic was Nintendo DS vs. PSP. Like so many others, I completely underestimated the DS and completely overestimated the PSP. You have to remember, at the time Sony was kicking all sorts of ass with the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo wasn’t the dominant company it is today. My friend at Wired remarked that my half of the debate perfectly encapsulated every wrong thought in 2004. Here’s a choice nugget from the article:
A few months ago, GameSpy’s Dr. Angryman and digitaltaco were daydreaming about the Sony PSP and how it would allow them to go head-to-head in a wireless version of Soul Calibur and listen to MP3s while they waited for their grub at their favorite Mexican joint. Wireless multiplayer gaming in a multifunction device is the stuff that geek dreams are made of. I can guarantee you that neither of them have woken up and said, “You know what I wish I had? A handheld gaming system with two screens. That would be brilliant!”
Ha! So yeah, I can admit that I was totally wrong and should eat a healthy serving of crow. The point I really wanted to get at is that although the PSP wasn’t the groundbreaking handheld system many people thought it would be, it has still done very well — especially when you consider that the PSP was Sony’s foray into portable gaming. It’s a great platform with some truly outstanding games (play Crisis Core
When does that Peacewalker bundle go on sale, exactly? Anyone know?
@redd
June 8th, i think.
@Redd75 Yes, June 8 as per this story:
https://rpad.tv/2010/03/16/sony-announces-metal-ge…
@SlickyFats "My hands"? You're quoting Reona Rewis?!?
What chances does the PSPGo have of being able to say this in five years? I know if I buy another/second PSP, it’ll most likely be that ‘MGS:Peacewalker’ bundle. Not only do I want that game (and that emerald green color is pretty nice), but I’ve been jealous of the video-out function that was added to the PSP-2000.
When I first read about the DS back in ’04 I thought it was a crazy ideal and that Sony’s PSP would “Beat it” man was I wrong. I bought a PSPGo at launch but took it back because I did not have the patience to wait for games to download from the PSstore, I thought it would be much eaiser to just go to the store and buy the games on UMD. I’m hopeing that Sony with PSP2 will feature both Physical Media & DD. If it’s DD only I’m getting 3DS instead.
Never had a doubt about the DS beating the PSP. Never bought a PSP.
Anyone want to wager that PSP Go will be around in five years? I’ll put up a good bottle of rum that says “no”.
-M
My hands are already too big for a PSP the PSPGo was way too small for me. I have only used a DS once, it was a friends kids DS and I played some brainage. I thought that thing sucked. I don’t know what type of DS it was but it was tiny and the screen seemed almost washed out. I know I just bought a PSP but I am already hoping to hear about the next iteration of it.
June 8. Got it, thanks!
@Ray
I didn't get it until I googled it. I had never heard of that song. I my musical tastes are stuck in the 80s-90s.