Is the PSP 3000 a worthy upgrade?

[Fraser]

The Leipzig GC saw the surprise announcement of a new PSP model to much whooping and back slapping.

But is it the upgrade we have all been waiting for? Is a built in microphone really necessary? Is the PSP's current screen really desperately in need of replacement? Is a two tier retail model for the PSP a bit too much to ask for of a handheld? Is 200 euros too much to ask for a console that's already been around for four years? Shouldn't Sony just concentrate on hooking those all important third party developers that the DS has so many of?

Admittedly these questions are somewhat loaded, but I'm sure you lot, the clever bunch that you are, can take this to pieces and provide some much needed insight.

Begin...

[Mandark]

No it isn't but the annual console facelift seems with us for good. Still, it gives the collectors something new to buy!

[hunter_alien]

Well the higher-quality screen and the added microphone are good extras, and if the 480i/Dualshock 3 support is true then its even better. But then its not a huge extra and to be honest I dont think that many will buy into it. I will of course, and it will be a day one purchase for me ( and probably for a couple of thousand more people) but in the same time Im not seeing it bumping up sales % as much as the Slim& Lite did. Also where is the big game for the launch of it? The S&L had Crisis Core and MGS: PO+ in Japan, and arguably Syphon Filter: Logans Shadow ( coming rougly a month later) for the US, but this one will have in best case Loco Roco 2 and again that is a game that will probably sell well, but it wont move units.

So is it a worthy upgrade? No, I have to say its not, but the added features will be great extras for the late adopters and PSP fans, and it will probably help Sony to secure this 4th quarters 3rd overall hardware position for itself.

[HiddenAway]

The one thing that did tempt me for a few seconds was the fact that Video Out support would now include Composite (from what I heard). That means I can record my EG2 videos and get some replay space! I've got 3 PSPs though so why do I need another one?! I also heard that the new PSP will lose about 30 minutes of battery life due to the screen improvements.

[danskmacabre]

Well it's pretty much standard practice to come out with minor upgrades for handhelds.
Personally it would not tempt me to buy the psp 3000, however if it means the earlier versions will drop in price even more then I'm all for it.

But I'm not buying a PSP until there's several games I REALLY want for it, which as yet, it has not achieved for me.

[hunter_alien]

Ah, and talking about the price... the fact that it will come only in 200 Euro bundles is not a good idea IMO. Yes bundles usually sell well, but for upgrades the stand-alone version is the one that flies of shelves from the first minutes. This may simply mean that the sales benefit of the new version might be noticed only in the really long-run.
The fact that the PSP 3000 wont be availible for 170 Euros will turn away IMO many potential Christmas shoppers, whom try and save every single penny ( well cent in the case of the Euro) they can.

[danskmacabre]

That Bundling thing is such a con anyway, the shops always bundle consoles/handhelds with with really bad games noone would buy otherwise.

[hunter_alien]

Yes, but in the same time except the crappy EA bundles we are also getting a non-game bundle: the GO! bundle. If you ask me thats a bad decision to market the already ill-fated ( software wise) hand-held as an only multimedia device... not a good move Sony, not a good move. Hardware might go out this way from stores but software will struggle even more.

[Mandark]

You might as well buy it and get the whole set hiddenaway! To be honest the thing that would have been most use to me is much improved battery life. I'd want it cheap too.

[HiddenAway]

To be honest the thing that would have been most use to me is much improved battery life. I'd want it cheap too.

I'd read the latest reports before you get one then

[Mandark]

Ah just read about the shorter battery life of 3000 model. What a waste of time!!!

[HiddenAway]

Ah just read about the shorter battery life of 3000 model. What a waste of time!!!

Whoops. Hold on, now Sony are saying that there is no issue and the battery life of the 3000 is the same as the Slim models :p

[Bludhavenn]

Yeah I heard alot of discussion about the lower battery life. Be very weary.