Is the PSP dead?

[flux=rad]

The problem, plain and simple, is game piracy. It's killed the PSP, which really sucks, because the PSP honestly is an awesome little system with a shitload of potential.

I'm not sure I buy this argument. Is PSP piracy really more of a problem than piracy on the DS? I can't believe that piracy has much of an effect on either systems' sales. Downloading games and hacking systems is way too much trouble for your average Joe Schmo. Hell, it's too much even for me to deal with, and I just sit here all day reading internet message boards.

[gamevet]

Garnet Chronicle looks like it might be a solid strategy rpg for the PSP.

The system is topping the charts in Japan, so there's still plenty of hope for the system's future.

I've wanted a PSP for quite some time, but I've been spending my money on consoles over the past year.

[mollipen]

I'm not sure I buy this argument. Is PSP piracy really more of a problem than piracy on the DS? I can't believe that piracy has much of an effect on either systems' sales.

First, I'd argue that piracy on the PSP is way easier than on the DS. For the DS, you have to actually purchase a specific piece of hardware in order to even begin to play pirated games. For the PSP, all you really need it a Memory Stick, which you're going to invest in anyhow simply by owning the PSP.

Second, I think the difference in markets is very important. The PSP is being supported by a market that is damn near the exact demographic of people that know how (and unfortunately do) pirate games. The DS has a far wider appeal, and thus, not only has far more customers, but more customers that don't know the first thing about piracy.

And - while I'm not saying we should believe him just because he said it - Jack Trenton specifically mentioned piracy as one of the big problems holding back software sales on the PSP.

[bVork]

The nub is fine but stupid developers keep trying to put traditional 3D platformers onto the system, which just does NOT work without a right analogue stick. Daxter was pretty much the only game that managed it.

And PSP piracy is almost certainly a serious problem. The system is selling amazingly well, even in North America, but the games aren't doing the numbers they should be. PSP piracy is probably the easiest piracy out there, PC included. Install custom firmware, download isos, and you're good to go. At least the DS requires would-be pirates to buy an R4 or other cartridge.

Anyway, back to the original point of this topic. I think the PSP is definitely worth owning. Great exclusives like Wipeout Pure, LocoRoco, and Megaman Powered are obvious reasons, but there are some worthwhile ports as well. It has a couple glitches, but Pirates works very well on PSP. The arcade shooter compilations like Space Invaders Portable, Gradius Portable, and Salamander Portable are also good reasons to pick up a PSP - assuming you're either going to get a PSP Slim or are going to [url=http://www.ufighterx.com/guides/videogame/pspdpadfix/pspdpadfix.htm]mod[/uirl] the PSP Phat's dpad. Not to mention all the homebrew, emulation, and psx-to-psp stuff that you can do with the custom firmware...

It does appear that UMDs are on their way out, though. I wouldn't be surprised if Echochrome was a test to see how full downloadable games will sell. That sort of digital distribution is probably the PSP's future, due to both the costs of UMD manufacturing and the piracy. Of course, digital downloads can be pirated (though not as easily as UMD games), but I bet Sony wants to do anything it can to make it harder to pirate PSP games.

[Rem]

Hey, the Xbox 360 doesn't have very much in the way of *fill in random game genre here*, so I'm perfectly justified in saying it has no games!

If that one random genre is almost exclusivley what you play then you would be justified, because then the 360 doesn't have anything you want to play.

The nub is fine.

No, it isn't.

Rem is a little star of Gamefaqs shining in the darkness of TNL.

Aww you're so sweet to me.

[Kidnemo]

I love both the psp and the ds.

Even if no more great games come out on the psp, I'll still be happy with mine, as I haven't picked up all the games I want for it.

Metal Gear Acid 2 is one of my favorite portable games of all time, so tasty-tasty.

Mega Man Powered Up makes is everything MM9 wants to be.

Monster Hunter is really, really, good. It's like Diablo combined with street fighter and it really doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

Metal Gear Portable Ops is a weird MGS3/pokemon hybrid that I had a lot of fun with too.

When you factor in the emulation aspect, my psp has been playing lots of Gameboy Color games lately, it really is a great little machine that is totally worth what I paid for it.

[animegirl]

There are some Star Ocean games coming out for it in the future if you like RPGs.

[Joust Williams]

So if I *was* to use a custom firmware, where would I go? no google.com

I'd like to play more PS1 games and at least try the emulators

[Shooting Love]

Salamander, Gradius, Twin Bee, Capcom Classics Remixed, and PC-Engine Best collections are the most alluring reasons I've seen for buying a PSP.

[Agent X]

It does appear that UMDs are on their way out, though. I wouldn't be surprised if Echochrome was a test to see how full downloadable games will sell. That sort of digital distribution is probably the PSP's future, due to both the costs of UMD manufacturing and the piracy.

I agree with this. I wouldn't be surprised if more and more PSP games start to migrate towards being released on PSN, for the reasons that you stated. One additional reason why digital distribution would be good for PSP is it would allow developers to take a chance and release a quirky niche game that might find a small, devoted audience, but would otherwise choke on retail shelves.