By: James Yu Posted on August 28, 2008

Sony PSP-3000

Sony announced its updated PSP-3000 system at last week's Leipzig Games Convention. Pictures of the new system have already popped up online, but GameSpot has the first hands-on look at the new PSP here in the United States. Click here to see the full PSP-3000 interview with Sony's John Koller.

The PSP-3000 plays the same games and offers the same media support as the older PSP models, but Sony has upgraded the system with an improved LCD screen and a new built-in microphone. The LCD is the same size and resolution as older PSP displays, but it has a "wider color gamut and anti-reflection technology," according to the latest Sony press release.

Silver PSP-3000 (top) compared to white PSP-2000 (bottom). Click to see full size.

The wider color gamut means that the new PSP screen is capable of displaying a wider range of colors. The new LCD also features five times the contrast ratio and quicker pixel-response times than the old PSP display. The response time has doubled in speed and will help eliminate ghosting or blurring during gameplay and video playback.

The increased color gamut and improved contrast ratio was noticeable when we placed the PSP-3000 system right next to a PSP-2000 (PSP Slim); colors looked richer and more vibrant on the PSP-3000. The vivid, ghost-free screen does draw more power than the old screen. John Koller, Sony director of hardware marketing told GameSpot that the new screen will reduce battery life by "about 20 minutes."

Here's the official Sony PSP-3000 versus PSP-2000 LCD comparison image. Click to see full size.

Sony added the antireflective technology to improve the PSP's outdoor playability. We took our two PSPs outside for some side-by-side testing under the bright California sun. Neither system was playable in direct sunlight, but the PSP-3000's display performed better than the 2000's when we took a look at both systems in a shady area beneath a tree. We had difficulty taking pictures of the PSP's antireflective screen in action outside--please bear with our angled indoor shots.

The new system has the same video-out port and uses the exact same video cables as the PSP-2000, but Sony has upgraded the PSP-3000's video output to support gameplay output on interlaced displays using composite video cables. The move will surely excite gamers dismayed over the fact that the PSP Slim can output gameplay video only to progressive scan displays. Now they can buy a new PSP instead of an HDTV.

The PSP-3000's other major upgrade is its new built-in microphone. Sony put the integrated microphone into the PSP design roadmap after seeing the success of the headset-enabled SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo. Sony placed the microphone pickup beneath the screen to the right of the volume buttons, well out of thumb reach, to prevent any inadvertent muting.

(For viewer reference, the PSP-3000 is the silver system, while the white PSP is the older PSP-2000.)

Sony hasn't moved around any buttons or switches on the PSP-3000, but the system does have a few external design changes. The black PSP-3000 will have the same glossy finish as the older models, but the silver and white PSP-3000 systems now have a textured surface that provides better protection against fingerprints. The Sony logo that was located on the upper right of the system face has moved to the upper left, and the PlayStation logo that used to be in the upper left is now on the home button beneath the LCD. In addition to rotating the logos, Sony designers have replaced the brushed metal ring on the back of the unit with a thinner chrome ring. The PSP's edges have also softened along the sides while hardening in the corners.

The PSP-3000 will be compatible with the same accessories as the PSP-2000. However, Koller did tell us that the PSP-3000 power adapter might not be 100 percent compatible with older PSP models. Sony has seen a very small number of cases where the PSP-3000's AC power adapter was unable to charge older PSPs.

The silver PSP will be available first, on October 14, 2008, in a $199 Ratchet & Clank Entertainment Pack. The package will include a silver PSP-3000, a Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters UMD game, a National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets UMD movie, a PlayStation Network download voucher for Echochrome, and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. The black PSP will ship in November in a $199 PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack that includes the black PSP-3000, a 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a PlayStation Network download voucher for Everyday Shooter. The black PSP-3000 will also make it into the basic PSP Core Pack, priced at $169, sometime later this year.

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later and we are excited to report that Chrono Trigger one of the greatest RPG's ever created has been announced for release on the Nintendo DS later this year and we couldn't be more excited. More Inside!

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 is finaly here and it's amazing! Get the full scoop inside!!!

We got to spend a few minutes with the new Sony PSP slim during E3, but that was more of an introductory meet and greet. We had just enough time for hardware shots and a quick look at the video output in action.

For those of you who are too lazy to click on the link to our original hands-on, here's the executive summary on the redesigned PSP: The new PSP is a slimmer, lighter version of the original, with a few new features. The system plays the exact same games, but now it has a video output port that lets you connect the PSP to an external display, such as an HDTV, for big-screen playback. The system also has a simplified UMD loading tray, 32MB more system memory, lower power consumption, a smaller battery, and can now charge via USB. The new PSP will replace the current system this September. Systems will be available in Piano Black, Ice Silver, and Ceramic White. They'll come in various retail packages with a variety of bundle options that include pack-in games, UMD movies, memory sticks, and, in the case of the white PSP, a Darth Vader silk-screened battery cover.

While it was nice to check out the new PSP's redesigned features at E3, what we really wanted to do was pull out a few games and test how the new portable handles load times with its extra built-in memory and fancy UMD-caching system. That agenda was first in our minds when we opened up the shipping box, but we got sidetracked when we noticed that the background display color on the new PSP was different from the color on our original PSPs. It turns out that our new PSP actually has more background-theme color options, 28 compared to the old PSP's 13 color options. We've asked Sony if the new colors are available only on the new PSP, or if they'll be included in the 3.60 firmware update, which is the version we had on the new PSP. Unfortunately, our Sony contacts haven't gotten back to us yet.

Sony has finally responded to consumer demand for more PSP background-color themes.

After solving the color mystery, we were distracted from memory testing once again. The new PSP feels like it offers better controls, and so we decided to examine the controller inputs to see if we could detect any physical reasons that would justify this feeling. We didn't have to look very hard. All we needed to do was turn the system flat to see that the buttons on the D pad are raised slightly higher on the new system, which makes game control so much better.

The directional pad buttons on the new PSP (left) stand higher for improved control.

Finally, we got to the memory-load testing. You'll find the new "UMD Cache" option in the System Settings Menu. According to the scrolling description, enabling the UMD Cache will "reduce the frequency at which the system reads from the UMD." We enabled the UMD-caching feature and tested a few games to see if it had any affect on load times. UMD caching requires an initial memory load, so we also tested how fast the games could load up levels after we first started and exited a game to preload the data into system memory. We had time to test out only three games, but early results indicate that the additional system memory and UMD caching really do help speed up initial game launches, as well as subsequent level reloads.

PSP Slim Loading Performance (in seconds)

Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 - Load time from XMB to play

PSP Slim 12

Original PSP 153

Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 - Reload time from game menu to play

PSP Slim 21

Original PSP 40

Test Drive Unlimited - Load time from XMB to play

PSP Slim 107

Original PSP 106

Test Drive Unlimited - Reload time from game menu to play

PSP Slim 28

Original PSP 30

WWE! SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 - Load time from XMB to play

PSP Slim 177

Original PSP 214

WWE! SmackDown vs. RAW 2007 - Reload time from game menu to play

PSP Slim 106

Original PSP 124

The video output also works well. Sony added a new "Connected Display Settings" menu item for managing the PSP's new video-output capabilities. The "Switch Video Output" option toggles the video output between the PSP screen and the external display. You can also toggle the display by holding down the display button right below the PSP screen. The "TV Type" option lets you set the display to 16:9 widescreen or the normal 4:3 aspect ratio. The "Component/D-Terminal" setting lets you select between progressive or interlaced video out when using a component or D-Terminal cable. The menu also offers the option to enable a screensaver that will kick in after five, 10, or 15 minutes.

The PSP's new video output lets you play games and movies on regular displays.

We played a Dodgeball UMD on our 37" Westinghouse HDTV. We had to fiddle with the video settings to get the picture to fill properly, but the video worked fine after we set everything up. We'd recommend using a native 480p or 480i display for playback, given that upscaling the video to HDTV resolution isn't going to give you the best picture. We do have to say that the video looked fantastic when we plugged the component cables into a PC to capture images. Our test system included only the component AV cables, so we weren't able to see how the regular composite cables perform.

The new Sony PSP is a nice upgrade over the original model. The lighter system feels much more comfortable in hand and the internal memory upgrade has also improved game performance. The changes aren't drastic enough to get current PSP owners to replace their current systems, but potential buyers leaning towards the PSP will find the new system difficult to resist. Check out our first preview to find out more about the official retail packages shipping next month.

Gamespot

Sony finally announced the long-rumored redesigned Sony PSP during its E3 2007 press conference. A recent patent update sparked speculation that the new PSP would have a swivel screen and mobile phone capabilities, but Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai revealed a more modest PSP redesign at E3. The new "enhanced-design" PSP is a smaller and slimmer version of the original, with a third less weight and about four-fifths the thickness. Sony plans to phase out the current PSP design and replace it with the new model by September.

The new weight is immediately noticeable as soon as you hold the PSP in your hand. It's so light that you might think that it's missing a battery or doesn't have a UMD inside. Sony was able to slim down the battery size while maintaining the system's 5-hour battery life by decreasing the power draw of the unit. You'll be able to use old batteries from the original PSP to double playing time, but the standard battery cover won't be able to fit over it. Sony will offer a high-capacity power kit that will come with its own PSP cover to fit over the larger battery.

The video output from the new PSP is very watchable.

The difference is really slight, but several GameSpot editors have noticed that the d-pad and buttons on the new PSP provide a little more tactile feedback for a better overall feel. Other changes we noticed include a spring-less UMD retention mechanism and new speaker holes just above the d-pad and button areas. The remote jack has changed--headphones will still work with the regular headphone output, but new systems will ship with a new headphone/remote unit to fit the new remote jack. The memory stick slot remains on the left side--shifted over a bit, but the Wi-Fi switch has moved from the left side of the system all the way to the top of the unit where it's far more difficult to hit accidentally.

The 4.3-inch display remains the same, but the new unit will now include a video output that will let the PSP to output gameplay, movies, and photos to a TV display. The component cable we saw also had audio connectors to offer complete AV connectivity. The actual composite, s-video, component, and D-Terminal (Japan) cables will be sold separately, price TBD. The PSP we tested was able to play back a Spider-Man 2 movie clip at 640x480. The video on the big screen looked sharp with minimal loss.

Sony has doubled the built-in memory from 32MB to 64MB, and the new PSP will also be able to speed up game load times by storing UMD data in temporary memory. The new PSP will also be able to recharge over the USB data connection.

The redesigned Piano Black PSP will make its way into the basic $169 Core pack this September. Sony will offer a $199 Ice Silver PSP in a new Daxter Entertainment Pack that includes Daxter, Family Guy, The Freakin' Sweet Collection on UMD, and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. Star Wars fans can wait an extra month to pick up a Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack on October, 9th. The limited edition package includes a copy of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron and a ceramic-white PSP with an image of Darth Vader silk-screened on the back battery cover. Sony currently has no plans to release a ceramic white unit after the Star Wars edition sells out, but that can always change.

Source: Gamespot

We will be updating this Bulletin with all the most anticipated Portable Games Updated at E3!

Get ready, the God of War "Chains of Olympus" is coming to the PSP in an all new adventure, more inside!

There is quite a bit of difference between the Japanese version and the U.S. version. Step inside for the other U.S. version!

Currently the 2 most wanted games on the the Nintendo DS, Pokemon Pearl and Diamond versions are due out on April 22nd, more inside!

Widely Regarded as one of the finest Castlevania games  ever made and the prequel to Symphony of the Night, Castlevania The Dracula X Chronicles will be making its way to the PSP this year, the official Movie is inside!

Lately there have been a lot of rumors floating around regarding a new dramatically improved PSP becoming available this year, more details inside!

Is this the future of Portable Gaming?

February is going to be a great month for portable action game fans as Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters (above) is releasing for the PSP on 2/13/06 and Lunar Knights (below) was recently released for the Nintendo DS! More details inside!

Nintendo's answer to the upcoming PSP Final Fantasy 7 Prequel "Crisis Core" featured in our last article is going to deal a devastating blow to Sony, what we are reffering to is this years upcoming release of Dragon Quest 9 for the DS Lite for those of you who haven't already heard of it, the single most important Media franchise in the Japanese culture. The official Trailer for this awesome game is inside!

 Nintendo recently unleashed one of the most beloved RPG's ever made, Final Fantasy 6 for the Game Boy Advance system! Later this year Sony will release the Prequel to the mighty Final Fantasy 7 "Crisis Core" for the PSP. Let the battle of the Portable System RPG's leave no man standing! Also take a look inside for a view of the game in action!

Sony drops an atom bomb on camp Nintendo by unveiling the most incredible fighting game ever created for a handheld system. Tekken Dark Resurrection is here, find out more inside!

It's about time! The Legend of Zelda  Phantom Hourglass is slated to release soon. What are your thoughts, is this going to be the great PSP killer? For the official trailer see inside!

                   VS.     

GameSpot's 2006 PSP Game of the year: Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops and the Nintendo DS Lites Game of the year: Elite Beat Agents could not be more different. do they represent what each of these systems stand for? Which of these two games would you rather play on the go and why?

So how do you like the look of the union? Do you think you have what it takes to make it look even better or is our resident officer Tyrant-666's talents to much for ya, go ahead see if you have what it takes to compete with him because he doesnt think so! Go ahead, we dare ya!

[[But don't say we didn't warn ya]]

The Battle has Begun!