What's your favorite PSP model?? - PSP appreciation thread.

[FinalBaton]

Not exclusive, but some liked Disgaea PSP versions best. To me, the graphics on PS2 looked ruined by the sprites filtering, so even if they are filtered on PSP too, small screen should make it easier on the eye. I can see how the games' turn-based nature would fit handheld.
I suppose the Monster Hunter craze in Japan had something to do with quality of the games (as well as their ways of using public space).
Last but not least, I doubt Ridge Racer (2) is all that bad. How's Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception? Is there any flight sim playable, by hook or by crook, on PSP? Some emulated oldie perhaps?

Don't even know what Monster Hunter actually is about, despite seeing shit tons of youtube thumbnails for it.
Just checked some vids out, looks like it's a hack 'n slash set in feudal Japan (with dinos!), and you carry familiars that can attack as well?

[Xan]

I think the go is the best model... that's the only one I have without this annoying screen glue issue anyway, which my 2000 and 3000 both have. The 1000/2000 fall into nearly unusable territory these days for me, even a Game Boy Color fares much better in terms of ghosting.

Never thought to bother with a Vita, but I might as long as the OLED model is still available. Does anyone know if Cross-Buy works for Wipeout 2048 DLC if I have the Wipeout HD Fury disc instead of the downloadable game? If so I might go for it.

[blizzz]

You hunt monsters in Monster Hunter to get parts of their bodies. With these items you can craft better armor and weapons. There's no real story or leveling system, you level in real life by getting better at the game. It's really fun if you hunt with multiple people and the later stuff can get really challenging. A single attack from a monster can end a 30 minute hunt if you don't know how to evade it. It's like playing a game that's 90% boss fights. It can get grindy though if you want to farm for something specific and you have to do the same mission 20 times in a row.

I'd recommend Monster Hunter 4U on the N3DS (better textures and frame rate compared to the old 3DS) or 3U on the Wii U, but if you don't have Nintendo consoles then the PSP titles will also do fine. They are just a bit harder to get into and lack stuff like mounting monsters.

[FinalBaton]

If it wasn't for the need to play UMDs, I would have definitly considered this setup (PSPgo + DS3 controller).

you can use your 3000 to rip your UMDs and play them on a Go.

That's a nice solution.

Unfortunately I don't feel like buying a PSPgo + a dock + a PS3 controller at the moment.
Maybe in the future though.

[qmish]

Monster Hunter's combat reminds me 2d beatemups a bit. You have 3-4 variations of input that gives you attack and different weapon has different approach of what's possible to do.

[Smashbro29]

If PSP/Vita is 16:9 why does the PSTV have weird black bars on the sides?

[BazookaBen]

Never thought to bother with a Vita, but I might as long as the OLED model is still available. Does anyone know if Cross-Buy works for Wipeout 2048 DLC if I have the Wipeout HD Fury disc instead of the downloadable game? If so I might go for it.

Yeah, owning Wipeout HD and Fury will get you those tracks in 2048 and vice-versa (even with cross-platform multiplayer, I think).

[Xan]

People on the net say it doesn't work with the disc version, but on this Sony site it seems to mention something about registering discs for Cross-Buy. That's what confuses me.

[HydrogLox]

but on this Sony site it seems to mention something about registering discs for Cross-Buy. That's what confuses me.

I read that link as referring to DLC codes that are sometimes delivered with the physical medium - for example the physical copy of Wipeout 2048 comes with a code for a "Wipeout 2048 on-line pass". If you buy Wipeout 2048 used and the code has been redeemed you have to pay for the online pass separately.

The wipEout HD/Fury disc was released in Europe and Asia before Cross-Play was introduced, so it never included a code that would make it possible to link (unique) disc ownership to a specific PSN account. Typically these codes are tied to a specific region's store - so you are SOL if your PSN account is in one region and the code was issued by another region's online store (and so region-locking lives on ...).

[BuckoA51]

There are ways to get around those black borders. I use a DVDO Edge.

I'd not tried it but I was told the Edge's scaling of the PSP was quite meh. Does look ok in your video though.

I'm more interested in how you're controlling your DVDO Edge from your PSP, some sort of IR transmitter?

[Triple Lei]

Never thought to bother with a Vita, but I might as long as the OLED model is still available. Does anyone know if Cross-Buy works for Wipeout 2048 DLC if I have the Wipeout HD Fury disc instead of the downloadable game? If so I might go for it.

For the cross-buy DLC, you'd have to have bought it digitally like the rest of us. Then it'll appear as separate WipEout 2048 content in your download list. Some people (myself included) mistakenly thought you'd have to scroll way down to when you first downloaded the Fury DLC on your PS3 and somehow download that to your Vita.

Also, as an owner of an OLED model, I say go get the 2000 model. It's lighter and you can just use a micro USB cable instead of the increasingly rare proprietary cable that people say always breaks.

If PSP/Vita is 16:9 why does the PSTV have weird black bars on the sides?

PSP and Vita resolutions are very slightly taller than 16:9.

When I resize my videos to 720p, I resize to 1272x720 and add borders to make the width 1280. Although some people just resize it to 1280x720 anyway...

There are ways to get around those black borders. I use a DVDO Edge.

I'd not tried it but I was told the Edge's scaling of the PSP was quite meh. Does look ok in your video though.

I'm more interested in how you're controlling your DVDO Edge from your PSP, some sort of IR transmitter?

PSP does look fine to me through the DVDO Edge. The ringing or whatever might be more noticeable in games with small text (I'll probably do another screenshot or video comparison later). But even if the XRGB-3 had better scaling, I'm not going to buy a $300+ device and have something else to plug into the wall just to have the picture look marginally better (which I can't believe I'm writing on this forum ), especially when the PSTV will look even better than that.

As for controlling the DVDO Edge with my PSP: First of all, it really does have to be the PSP-1000 as only that model had the infrared port. Never used by Sony officially, or maybe in some obscure Japan-only thing, but either way it was gone since the PSP-2000. Then it's just a matter of getting this specific configuration:

1. Downgrade below 5.00.
2. Upgrade to 5.00 M33 custom firmware. (You'll also need the official Sony Eboot to do this, but it's floating around somewhere)
3. Apply the 5.00 M33-6 patch.
4. Install iR Shell 5.2. (I think there's a patch you have to perform within the iR Shell configuration screen or something)
5. To create your remotes, follow the examples in your X:\IRSHELL\IRCODES folder. Get the codes from the DVDO IR Program. You can just edit those RDF files in Notepad. Or you can download my main remote here and my really, really specialized remote here (that second one's always in progress)
6. To save time, there's a way to make your PSP load iR Shell upon bootup (I think in your PSP recovery mode menu?), and within iR Shell you can make the IR Remotes page the default screen.

Note that there is a standalone app called iR Commander, but that never, ever worked for me. I think it's really old legacy homebrew that just wouldn't work with today's firmwares. This specific 5.00 & iR Shell setup is the only way I found that works.

[Ed Oscuro]

The screen isn't the best ever, but the PSP-3000 with CFW does pretty much everything I'd want. After that I'd be interested in a Vita TV. Of course, it should be fairly obvious that I'm not big on using the device far from home

[BuckoA51]

Triple Lei - Thanks for that link, I've been writing about the edge for years and never came across it. Hopefully I can adapt the IR codes for my Pronto

[BONKERS]

If PSP/Vita is 16:9 why does the PSTV have weird black bars on the sides?

Because it's not 16:9. Not quite.

16:9 is 1.7777777777777777777777777777778
The PSP and the Vita by extension to maintain the same ratio is 1.7647058823529411764705882352941

The 16:9 equivalent of the PSVita is 960x540, where as the PSP is 480x270

I have the PSP 3000. It's great, just the only thing I wonder about is if I should be using the "original" color space for older games that were designed for the PSP 1000 and 2000.

My only complaint about the system is that the analog nub doesn't work that great for games that require more precision, like the Wipeout games.

It is awesome that all the PS1 classic Sony releases on PSN are still compatible with the PSP. Like Tron Bonne came out last year and still works on PSP. And they play in proper 240p too with the TV out. Only downside is 3 or 4 frames of input lag from the emulation.

Castlevania : The Dracula X Chronicles contains the only physical form of "Castlevania : Rondo of Blood" ever released outside of Japan.

I've read that the original version that you unlock after beating the remake isn't as accurate as the emulation on the Wii Virtual Console, so I never bought it.

You are missing out anyway. Since Dracula X Chronicles is just as good if not far superior to the original game IMO.
And playing Dracula X on the handheld itself is fine, it's not perfect but it's not horrible either.

Too bad the PSTV doesn't have a UMD slot, lost opportunity there.

Everything with the PSVita is a stupid lost opportunity. Sony shot themselves in the foot from the very beginning.


As for PSPGO with UMDs, you can always just download ISOs of games you own. Or you can pick up a 1-3k on the cheap and use it as a UMD ripper.

[ZellSF]

I hate the Go. Too small screen and uncomfortable controls, especially for games that have you using the left analog and dpad at the same time.

3000 is best PSP, but today I would go with a Vita 2000. It can't run all PSP titles, but it can run many of the best and combine it with the Vita's fantastic library... If you get a Vita, a PSTV is a perfect companion for it and they basically give those out for free now.

Reasons to own a PSP:

• Gradius Collection
• Valkyria Chronicles III
• Wipeout Pulse

Underrated titles:

• GripShift
• Tom Clancy's Endwar

[FinalBaton]

I hate the Go. Too small screen and uncomfortable controls, especially for games that have you using the left analog and dpad at the same time.

3000 is best PSP, but today I would go with a Vita 2000. It can't run all PSP titles, but it can run many of the best and combine it with the Vita's fantastic library... If you get a Vita, a PSTV is a perfect companion for it and they basically give those out for free now.

Reasons to own a PSP:

• Gradius Collection
• Valkyria Chronicles III
• Wipeout Pulse

Underrated titles:

• GripShift
• Tom Clancy's Endwar

Thanks for the game recommendations. Will check into that.

So pissed that the PSTV won't play Y's : Memories of Celceta I really wish Falcom would produce a patch to fix this
This is legit holding me back on buying a PSVita

[FinalBaton]

Thought I would hop in since this thread is VERY relevant to the Playstation Anniversary Sale that is going on right now.

Here is the list, currently filtered for PSP: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/ ... ga-5-81877

Very relevant indeed Thanks for linking this up. I'll probs buy a game or two

[Immryr]

Every extend extra is an essential psp game imo, along with lumines. Gunhound ex is great too.

[BazookaBen]

So pissed that the PSTV won't play Y's : Memories of Celceta I really wish Falcom would produce a patch to fix this
This is legit holding me back on buying a PSVita

Won't play Wipeout 2048 either, last I heard. Which is total bullcrap, they could easily enable a cursor for the touch screen sections with a patch.

[Xan]

Thanks for the clarification. Apparently the HD/Fury tracks run worse than the stock 2048 tracks and there doesn't seem to be any unique content in there, so I can probably live without that DLC...

Why would anyone purposefully go with the LCD Vita over the OLED one though, if not to save money? The LCD screen might be more durable in the long run, but as long as the OLED lasts it should outperform the LCD in most regards. If it's really a TN panel it's clear they are just cutting costs and their statements about the LCD offering comparable performance to the OLED aren't to be taken seriously. Plus if the previous PSP-1000 to 2000 switch is anything to go by build quality for the slim Vita might be inferior as well, and that's exactly what some owners seem to report...

[ZellSF]

Thanks for the clarification. Apparently the HD/Fury tracks run worse than the stock 2048 tracks and there doesn't seem to be any unique content in there, so I can probably live without that DLC...

Why would anyone purposefully go with the LCD Vita over the OLED one though, if not to save money? The LCD screen might be more durable in the long run, but as long as the OLED lasts it should outperform the LCD in most regards. If it's really a TN panel it's clear they are just cutting costs and their statements about the LCD offering comparable performance to the OLED aren't to be taken seriously. Plus if the previous PSP-1000 to 2000 switch is anything to go by build quality for the slim Vita might be inferior as well, and that's exactly what some owners seem to report...

Just about every Vita owner I've read who owns both models have preferred the 2000. Better ergonomics, controls and battery life is not insignificant for a handheld.

Screen quality difference is also way overstated (especially by 1000 owners). The 2000's IPS screen is a downgrade of course, just don't listen to people trying to justify their purchase about how much of a downgrade it is.

Since this topic is about PSP games: the Vita 2000 is technically an upgrade. PSP games were designed for a LCD screen.

[Xan]

Sony indeed seems to claim an IPS panel for the 2000 Vita: https://support.jp.playstation.com/app/ ... a_id/12938

The "designed for" angle is problematic though, or would you also say that the PSP-1000/2000 screens are an upgrade over the 3000 and go because that was the "reference" color space when probably over half of PSP games were released?

[Ed Oscuro]

Many old games get by with motion blurred screens, but removing that blur is clearly an upgrade. Since that's the opposite direction from what the Vita 2000 has taken, we can rightly call it a downgrade in that respect. Saying otherwise is nonsense - my favorite counterexample to "screens don't matter" people is Castlevania: Circle of the Moon's high-contrast pixel art. There's clear pixel trails when some art is scrolling across the screens, and clearly it's not meant to look that way, even though for years that's exactly what people had to put up with.

I'd like to see one in person sometime to get a personal feel for how much blur there is - IPS certainly has glow and motion blur, but newer screens are getting to the point that IPS is suitable for 60 fps and even for faster screens than that. Personally, I think even the PSP-3000 does fairly well enough with its screen, and I think Sony chose right even from the gamer's perspective in switching to LCD, due to the increased runtime.

[Xan]

Well, from what I recall the motion blur on taillights in GTA LCS/VCS might even have passed for an elaborate intended effect to some

I think GBA games are somewhat comparable to the color space story on PSP - it's clear that the vast majority of them used decidedly saturated colors in order to compensate a bit for the lack of lighting on the original GBA screen (FFTA even has dedicated color modes for different displays), and playing them on a backlit SP could be similar to playing certain PSP games on a 1000 Vita or even 3000/go PSP in that not everybody might like the result. Personally I find it hard to pass up the much better contrast ratio on the backlit SP even with the worse motion blur there, and likewise I think PSP games typically do look better with the 3000/go color space setting.

[ZellSF]

Many old games get by with motion blurred screens, but removing that blur is clearly an upgrade. Since that's the opposite direction from what the Vita 2000 has taken, we can rightly call it a downgrade in that respect. Saying otherwise is nonsense - my favorite counterexample to "screens don't matter" people is Castlevania: Circle of the Moon's high-contrast pixel art. There's clear pixel trails when some art is scrolling across the screens, and clearly it's not meant to look that way, even though for years that's exactly what people had to put up with.

I'd like to see one in person sometime to get a personal feel for how much blur there is - IPS certainly has glow and motion blur, but newer screens are getting to the point that IPS is suitable for 60 fps and even for faster screens than that. Personally, I think even the PSP-3000 does fairly well enough with its screen, and I think Sony chose right even from the gamer's perspective in switching to LCD, due to the increased runtime.

If this was in response to the Vita talk... OLED Vitas are motion blurred screens too. If you're buying a OLED Vita expecting to get perfect motion, you're in for a surprise: that just isn't happening on a 60hz sample and hold displays.

The "designed for" angle is problematic though, or would you also say that the PSP-1000/2000 screens are an upgrade over the 3000 and go because that was the "reference" color space when probably over half of PSP games were released?

No, because you can set the PSP 3000 to emulate 1000/2000 color space. You can set the Vita 1000 to emulate PSP color space too, but it's nowhere near accurate.

[BONKERS]

Thanks for the clarification. Apparently the HD/Fury tracks run worse than the stock 2048 tracks and there doesn't seem to be any unique content in there, so I can probably live without that DLC...

Why would anyone purposefully go with the LCD Vita over the OLED one though, if not to save money? The LCD screen might be more durable in the long run, but as long as the OLED lasts it should outperform the LCD in most regards. If it's really a TN panel it's clear they are just cutting costs and their statements about the LCD offering comparable performance to the OLED aren't to be taken seriously. Plus if the previous PSP-1000 to 2000 switch is anything to go by build quality for the slim Vita might be inferior as well, and that's exactly what some owners seem to report...

I don't care for the PSV 2000 TBH. It feels cheap and the screen is only ok. The motion is of course worse than the 1k. But that wasn't perfect either.

Honestly I wish they made it bigger not smaller (The unit itself with the same size screen). The buttons are too close together, too close to the screen.

The PSP on the other hand had perfect ergonomics. Minus the Go which can be uncomfy.

Many old games get by with motion blurred screens, but removing that blur is clearly an upgrade. Since that's the opposite direction from what the Vita 2000 has taken, we can rightly call it a downgrade in that respect. Saying otherwise is nonsense - my favorite counterexample to "screens don't matter" people is Castlevania: Circle of the Moon's high-contrast pixel art. There's clear pixel trails when some art is scrolling across the screens, and clearly it's not meant to look that way, even though for years that's exactly what people had to put up with.

I'd like to see one in person sometime to get a personal feel for how much blur there is - IPS certainly has glow and motion blur, but newer screens are getting to the point that IPS is suitable for 60 fps and even for faster screens than that. Personally, I think even the PSP-3000 does fairly well enough with its screen, and I think Sony chose right even from the gamer's perspective in switching to LCD, due to the increased runtime.

If this was in response to the Vita talk... OLED Vitas are motion blurred screens too. If you're buying a OLED Vita expecting to get perfect motion, you're in for a surprise: that just isn't happening on a 60hz sample and hold displays.

The "designed for" angle is problematic though, or would you also say that the PSP-1000/2000 screens are an upgrade over the 3000 and go because that was the "reference" color space when probably over half of PSP games were released?

No, because you can set the PSP 3000 to emulate 1000/2000 color space. You can set the Vita 1000 to emulate PSP color space too, but it's nowhere near accurate.

Like you mention with the Vita. It's not quite accurate on the 3000 and it kills the black levels.

[FinalBaton]

The PSP on the other hand had perfect ergonomics. Minus the Go which can be uncomfy.

I'm really impressed by this aspect. To me, not only do the buttons and d-pad feel great on the 3000, but those 2 are at the right distance from each other. And I mean just right. It couldn't be better IMO.

The thickness and weight also fell good. They totally nailed the ergonomics on this. This is definitly a part of why I enjoy the system so much.
Played some Ys Seven again last night (totally addicted to this) and the controls feel great. And when an action RPG or a hack 'n slash feel good on a handheld, you know you've got quality controls.

I also love the design. The layout is very nice and the screen has a nice size.

[Xan]

Have you ever held a PSP-1000? The buttons are somewhat worse than on the slim versions, but the system itself is a lot more ergonomic than any later model because the back isn't competely flat, but the left and right sides rather stick out a bit. The system itself also has more of a solid feel than the 2000 and 3000 with their cheap flimsy UMD doors and memory stick covers. I actually felt quite bummed when I first got my 2000 with its creaky battery cover and compared to 1000 consoles...

[FinalBaton]

Have you ever held a PSP-1000? The buttons are somewhat worse than on the slim versions, but the system itself is a lot more ergonomic than any later model because the back isn't competely flat, but the left and right sides rather stick out a bit. The system itself also has more of a solid feel than the 2000 and 3000 with their cheap flimsy UMD doors and memory stick covers. I actually felt quite bummed when I first got my 2000 with its creaky battery cover and compared to 1000 consoles...

Nope never tried a 1000. if I see one I'll play around with it to see how it compares

I guess the 3000 could use some grips (ends that are sticking out) but it feels really nice to hold still. The distance between the d-pad and the buttons matches very well with the console's thickness.

[BONKERS]

Have you ever held a PSP-1000? The buttons are somewhat worse than on the slim versions, but the system itself is a lot more ergonomic than any later model because the back isn't competely flat, but the left and right sides rather stick out a bit. The system itself also has more of a solid feel than the 2000 and 3000 with their cheap flimsy UMD doors and memory stick covers. I actually felt quite bummed when I first got my 2000 with its creaky battery cover and compared to 1000 consoles...

Aside from the Right Dpad and the Square button the 1000 is fine. I've owned like 3 of them.
But you are right the later ones feel cheaper. But they are still comfortable enough.

But the screen is horrible in terms of motion. Just so bad.