Things that would’ve been nice on the PSP

We’ve come up with a list several things that we feel would’ve helped the PSP along if Sony included these software/hardware features on the PSP right off the bat, when they first launched the handheld.

To the PSP fanboys out there, forgive us if this post is going to sound extra whiny, because that is, after all, the point of it. This post is here to voice some disappointments, hope that the sentiment pools, and hope to high heavens that Sony listens. Don’t worry, we’ll try to keep the ranting within reason.

We’re putting our emo-whine, blog-drama hats on. Brace yourselves. Here we go.

Since this is a bit on the rant-y side, having to Jump will spare you from the drama.

We’ve come up with a list several things that we feel would’ve helped the PSP along if Sony included these software/hardware features on the PSP right off the bat, when they first launched the handheld.

To the PSP fanboys out there, forgive us if this post is going to sound extra whiny, because that is, after all, the point of it. This post is here to voice some disappointments, hope that the sentiment pools, and hope to high heavens that Sony listens. Don’t worry, we’ll try to keep the ranting within reason.

We’re putting our emo-whine, blog-drama hats on. Brace yourselves. Here we go.

A right analog stick
Yes, yes, this complaint is old, but we have to start somewhere, right? And admit it, since a lot of the games that developers thought up for the PSP felt like portable versions of PS2 games, why not include a PS2 convention and have the in-game camera controlled by a right analog stick? It would certainly make aiming in a shooter a whole lot faster, and it would make third-person experiences less awkward.

At present the convention right now for FPS controls on the PSP is to have the left nub control movement, and have the face buttons on the right control aiming.

Several smart folks have thought up several right pseudo-analog stick mods already, but those “right stick mods” usually just “hijack” the face buttons.

Tilt-sensing
We were about to suggest a big wide touch screen but the DS has that already. Anyhow, if the DIY user mod below is to be believed, and not seen as a fake, it only proves tilt sensing is something that the PSP would benefit from tremendously.

If the DS and the Wii are to be used as examples, it only proves that non-conventional means of input allow for expanded gameplay possibilities. Take this Japanese advert for Loco Roco, wouldn’t it have been cool if their tilting was a bit more than acting?

Better battery management
If only they figured out a way for the wireless network features to consume less battery life. And now that we’re talking about the battery, couldn’t have Sony allowed for a more accurate battery icon? Ten bars perhaps? Or maybe even a real-time clock?

It’s really a bummer when you’re in a middle of an in-game cutscene that you can’t skip, you weren’t able to save, and then your battery dies on you.

These guys managed to find a way to use AAA batteries on their PSP. We now wonder if that mod is ultimately more useful, or more annoying.

Better Connectivity
They marketed the handheld to be something that’s a bit more than a gaming device. They even allowed it to have Wi-Fi at the cost of increased battery consumption.

Why didn’t they consider giving the thing the capability to send SMS messages or connect to at least one of the more popular messenger networks (ICQ, Yahoo, AOL) without having to rely on solutions from creative modders/hackers? Here’s one such “PSP phone” work around:

Oh, and now that the PS Network is up and running wouldn’t it have been nice is Sony was able to sort of jump-start that PS Network by starting it on the PSP and not on the PS3? You know, what Microsoft did with Xbox Live, Xbox 360, and the big black hackable Xbox?

Some folks even turned their frustrations into something positive and came up with a chip for a “PSP-Phone.” Of course, a lot of us are wondering what that would do to your battery.

Downloadable Games
The PlayStation Store allows users to download PS1 games that run on your PSP via the PS3 solution is nice and all, but wouldn’t it have been nice if Sony set up a network that allowed us to download a game license into our PSPs (for a fee of course) and, using that license, we’d be able to play downloaded PSP games?

Perhaps they could’ve thought up something that’s similar to the iTunes Store model? Only this time with security in mind for the PSP games.

Oh well, maybe they really just wanted to push the UMD format or something. Okay, here, we’re bargaining now, can’t they at least release more game demos regularly?

Sigh. This is why Dark_AleX is a PSP god to many users. He knows we can’t live on bread alone.

Better media capability
If they really wanted the PSP to become something that’s a bit more than your regular gaming handheld, Why didn’t they include support for the more popular media formats like DivX, etc? Moreover, it would’ve been really neat if they allowed media sharing among a multiple formats.

The Zune is sharing files left and right as early as now, the PSP could’ve done that from the start right? The tech is there right?

Speaking of being able to play popular media formats, the debatable (because some folks are screaming fake) “hack” below seems to prove that some people have already managed to get their PSPs to play AVI files from the XMB.

Camera/GPS
Did the Chotto Shot Camera and the GPS attachment arrive too late? Would it have helped the PSP tremendously if GPS and Camera functions – two features common in most Japanese phones – were available right when the PSP was launched? Would it have increased the PSP’s cool factor if right from the start people can drive around town and use the PSPs GPS function to look for recruitable soldiers?

Given that this article is causing this blogger to wear the rant-hat a bit too comfortably already, we’ll let you guys debate that.

Enough ranting
The point of this all? Sony could’ve done a lot, and could still do a lot, to help make their handheld sell more. However, the fact that the community that a lot of folks would like to brand as mere “hobbyists” and “hackers” are currently outpacing Sony in terms of adding functionality to the PSP isn’t comforting.

Now that the PSP is facing a great deal of criticism that its sales aren’t doing better despite some of its coolest games being released during the holidays, perhaps Sony should listen to its fan-base more. The sad thing is that this is a tired tune already, and that this sentiment has been voiced countless times before. But it is still worth saying …right?