Best PSP for Shmups?

[NAVVARR]

I've just bought Darius Burst for the PSP, waiting on it being delivered.

I've already got a Sony PSP -the old one - quite chunky. I've got a few games for it including the Gradius Collection.

I've noticed that the PSP doesn't much like 'diagonal' movement- up down, left , right- are great- but try to do diagonal and I'm having to use the D-pad- which doesn't give great Shmup accuracy.

What are the other PSP's like- do they all suffer from this flaw? -Should I just make do with the old style PSP, or shell out for a newer one to enjoy Darius Burst?

[ACSeraph]

PSP 2000 is the best version of the system. Best looking screen, video out, perfectly accurate dpad. It's absolutely the way to go.

2000, 3000, and Go all have perfectly fine diagonal movement unlike the 1000, but the 3000 has a shittier screen than the 2000 and the Go is A: digital only, and B: the dpad is really really flat, so while it's accurate it makes your thumbs sore rather quickly.

[HydrogLox]

There is a recent topic discussing the various aspects of the different models.
One option you may have not considered:

1. Create a Japanese PSN Account.
2. Purchase some PSN currency online.
3. Purchase your PSN STG of your choice.
4. Download onto PS Vita with a memory card dedicated to the Japanese Account.

Some people feel that the PS Vita controls (especially the D-pad) are superior.

[ACSeraph]

I would have to agree actually, the Vita is probably the best control and screen wise. But I believe there are in fact a few UMD only shmups, so you'll miss out on them if the Vita is your only option.

[Damocles]

If you're stuck with the old model of PSP, cut four small squares comprised of four layers of tape and put one under each d-pad direction between the button and the rubber "grommet". By now your PSP is out of warranty, so you should have no qualms about cracking it open. Hackish, but it works until you upgrade to a new model or a Vita.

Also:

http://www.play-asia.com/extra-button-k ... -1gii.html

These work wonders in actually making the d-pad comfortable.

[NAVVARR]

Thanks everyone for your contributions- I'll likely pick up a 2000 - checked out ebay and the prices are pretty low.

What other Shmups are worthy on the PSP - i've bought Darius Burst and enjoyed the Gradius Collection- what else would you recommend to me?

[Jonst]

Strikers 1945 plus & Neo geo ultimate shooting are both pretty good.

[Damocles]

The other Konami collections are good. Also, Super Star Soldier.

[ACSeraph]

Neo geo ultimate shooting

+1

Seems like this one went mostly ignored, but it's actually excellent. It's everything KoF Skystage could and should have been. Awesome soundtrack too, especially if you like SNK music.

[DrMattBuckets]

I would recommend the above and also Salamander and Parodius. They both have a choice of games. R-Type isn't bad either.

[Damocles]

Neo geo ultimate shooting

+1

Seems like this one went mostly ignored, but it's actually excellent. It's everything KoF Skystage could and should have been. Awesome soundtrack too, especially if you like SNK music.

What am I missing with this one? It seems like the levels boil down to destroying random enemies until your gauge gets full, firing off a level 3 super move to clear most everything out, retreating, then repeating until the boss. Bosses seem much the same way, except for holding off on the super move to negate some of the tougher* patterns.

I want to like it, as I think the gauge idea is clever. I just can't get into it.

*I would tend to call them bullshit.

[ACSeraph]

^I'm not sure what character you are using, but that strategy sure as hell wouldn't work for me. I use the ASO ship, and you have to carefully plan out which gauge skill you want to use where, there are no skills that work in every situation. Even with careful planning the game is brutally difficult, I have yet to 1cc. For me the planning and flexibility involved is extremely deep.

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

Emulation opens up a whole new world.

Want to play Progear running seemingly perfectly on your PSP?

[lilmanjs]

If you're looking to play Strikers 1945 Plus on your psp, emulation is really the best way to go. Too much wrong in the psp version to really be worth mentioning as something to buy. As for good shmups, Flying Hamster is worth a purchase if you are into cute 'em ups. Though I only have a 1000 psp, so yea, probably not the one I should have, but its what I could afford at the time I got it.

[GSK]

Whatever happened to Vita TV?