PSP: The Definitive Verdict (Page 2)

After two weeks of intensive handheld gaming, we offer a comprehensive and detailed review of PSP, along with an extensive photo shoot, all-new high quality videos, and market analysis.

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Two Week Playtest

We've had our PSP for nearly two weeks now, so it's probably about time we wrote something about it. Of course, there has been the small issue of Christmas, and also, we've been sitting around eating pies. But having given the PSP a pretty thorough testing, these are our thoughts.

The Value Pack box itself features luscious design

From the moment we laid eyes on the final PSP design back in May, to the first time we played proper games on it at September's Tokyo Game Show, it has been clear that this is something extremely special - but nothing compares to the thrill of finally buying this machine. A casual stroll out of the importer's door turned into more of a plod, before a fully fledged sprint saw us all the way to the nearest public house, where we could examine the kit in the only proper way. The day's Christmas shopping - you know, buying stuff for other people - was indefinitely postponed until we had given this thing a damned thorough once over.

How the Japanese box might look unfolded

The packaging itself is pretty tasty, with the Value Pack version - the version we'll be discussing here - emblazoned in perfect photos of its contents and a few stylish Sony logos thrown in for good measure. It's a whole lot prettier than previous Sony efforts such as the relatively bland PS2 box. Take a look at it in our revolutionary open layout shot somewhere on this page. We learnt that in school, you know.

Inside the Box

Opening the box, and you'll find all the stuff that makes the Value Pack the one to have - at least, that's what you think, when exploring all the mint-new, sealed contents. Closer examination reveals that not all the stuff inside is as valuable as you might think, with the earphones and remote proving the most disappointing - although in fairness, at an extra cost of around $50, it's a fair enough deal. We'll move onto the Value Pack extras later on, first let's look at the console.

Contents of the Value Pack duly spread for inspection

After getting it up and running, it didn't take long to announce that it's the most amazing import games console I've ever bought. The sensationally alluring design and instantly arresting, much celebrated LCD screen, displaying truly beautiful PS2-quality visuals with astonishing clarity and detail, was enough to sell anyone. It didn't take long for the first random strangers to start asking questions - where did you get that - I didn't know they were out yet - it looks amazing - to start coming in, something there's been a great deal more of since, as any PSP owner will be able to relate to. This is one puppy that loves being taken out to show off in public.

Build Quality

The machine has had its fair share of trolling when it comes to discussing the build quality, but in Kikizo's humble opinion, this is a resoundingly solid final product.

A pretty decent piece of craftmanship by any standards

Compare it to a really, really nice mobile phone. Does it look the part? Absolutely. Does it feel comfortable to hold and sturdy to control and operate. Definitely. Will it smash to its user-removable components if you chuck it around in the street? Of course it will (though there is supposedly a shock proof element to the PSP design). Look, this is not a piece of military equipment, it is a ¥19,800 (USD$190, €140, GBP£100) gadget when bought in Japan, and offers the sort of build quality you might expect from something far, far more expensive.

Worried you'll need the charger too often? Don't be.

The unit feels only slightly less sturdy than it looks beautiful; you could only really level any kind of quality complaints at the shoulder triggers and the battery pack cover, but apart from that this is tight engineering. Ironically, perhaps the most beautiful aspect of the unit, the shiny top surface - which spans across the already legendary widescreen display - is also the most prone to markings and scratches, in theory at least - ours is still scratch free, thanks to the Value Pack's protective case, but the machine still becomes inevitably grubby after the slightest of play time.

Like any thing of beauty, it looks just as good from behind

For all PSP's glamour photography, trade showings over the last few months and videos on the web, nothing - absolutely nothing - could prepare us for the awe of the machine in action privately for the first time. We'd played it extensively just a few months back at TGS, but somehow the impact of the PSP's screen of ultra justice was thoroughly stronger this time around.

Continue Through Feature:

• Page 1: The Hardware Buzz, Hot Property
• Page 2: Two Weeks, Inside the Box, Build Quality
• Page 3: Secret Screen, Ergonomics, Triggers
• Page 4: Sleeping, Useful Buttons, Faulty Units
• Page 5: More on UMD, Make Some Noise
• Page 6: Thanks for the Memory, Battery Power
• Page 7: Full Whack Value Pack, Just Browsing
• Page 8: Movies and Music, Will You be My WiFi
• Page 9: It Plays Games Too - Performance
• Page 10: PSP vs DS, Final Thoughts

See also: Full Launch Report from Tokyo
               PSP Set for Launch in Japan
               PSP Launch Could be a Disaster