PlayStation Store comes to US PSPs

[UPDATE] Latest firmware for Sony's handheld will let users buy games on the go, while PS3 update adds in-game screenshot support, trophy tweaks.

In the middle of last week's Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced that it would be launching a PlayStation Store for the PSP and launching all of its upcoming retail games for the handheld in downloadable form at the same time. Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced that US gamers are going to get one of those later this month with new firmware updates for the PSP, as well as the PlayStation 3.

PSP firmware version 5.00 will debut the PlayStation Store for PSP, allowing users to connect the system to a Wi-Fi network and download games, demos, trailers, and more directly to their handhelds. The update will also include a sleep timer while listening to music, an onscreen QWERTY-style keyboard to make browsing the Web on the system easier, and an adjustment to the video-out feature to ensure original PlayStation games make use of a TV's full display size.

For the PS3's next big firmware update (version 2.50), Sony is adding support for an in-game screenshot function. Sony says the function will make it easier for developers to let players take and share in-game screens, but it will apparently be up to the game makers to include the feature in their games. Specific games supporting in-game screenshots will be announced later.

The 2.50 system update also tweaks the way the system's trophies are doled out. In the future, when players are notified that they have earned a trophy, they'll also see the icon associated with the achievement in-game. The new firmware also adds support for features of SCEA's own Bluetooth headset, such as a "High Quality" mode to take advantage of the headset's dual-microphone design. (The headset will be available in stores bundled with SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation and as a stand-alone product later this week.) Other additions include a power-saving mode and video scene search functionality.

[UPDATE]: As for whether SCEA will follow SCEJ in offering all new games through the downloadable service, a representative didn't rule it out.

"We haven't announced any similar plans for North America, but we're continuing to evaluate opportunities to expand gaming content on the PlayStation Store," the representative told GameSpot. "As we just announced, direct access to the Store is coming soon for PSP owners, so it'll be easier than ever to download games. With that in mind, we're focused on delivering as much content as possible that's targeted to the demographic."

[UPDATE 2]: According to Sony Europe's Three Speech blog, the PSP and PS3 firmware updates will arrive tomorrow, October 15. Sony America has not yet revealed when US gamers will be receive the updates, and had not returned requests for comment as of press time.

137 Comments

  • Edersky

    Posted Oct 21, 2008 6:40 am PT

    It would be really great to get more (better) playstation 1 games for download on the playstation store, such as final fantasy games or resident evil games.

  • migelpsp

    Posted Oct 16, 2008 3:34 pm PT

    i like the new updates on the psp is really cool i like it pretty much.

  • migelpsp

    Posted Oct 16, 2008 3:32 pm PT

    thats good

  • GodsPoison

    Posted Oct 15, 2008 2:37 pm PT

    When are the games i have getting trophies? Hell ive been waiting for weeks for MGS4 to get its update....

  • GANGSTASAN

    Posted Oct 15, 2008 8:05 am PT

    meh... Nothing good on the store anyway...

  • jamesh-42

    Posted Oct 15, 2008 7:56 am PT

    Not only do they save on manufacture/shipping, they also eliminate the second hand market.

    When you buy a second hand game, the shop owner doesn't need to pass any money on to the publisher (in some cases, this can make discounted second hand games more profitable than new copies). If the game is tied to a PSN account, then that problem is solved.

  • HappyBB

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 9:41 pm PT

    Will a retailed game in downloadable form be cheaper than its boxed version? It should be, shouldn't it? After all, game companies are saving all the costs from shipping and manufacturing game disks. If the downloadable games are still at the same price as the boxed ones, then they are greedy SOBs.

  • Pablo620

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 6:55 pm PT

    Sweet, I dont know why but I love updates...oh wait, its cause they make the PS3 and PSP even more butt kicking. Sweet.

  • michelle_moraes

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 6:44 pm PT

    In-game screenshot support, hoorah!

  • ctg867

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 5:30 pm PT

    Awesome update. Props to Sony. Will be downloading both tomorrow. Wootness.

  • xbox360progamer

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 4:28 pm PT

    wow yes!! a new keyboard!! and downloads straight to your psp O.M.G!!! lol

  • KhanhAgE

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 3:40 pm PT

    In-game screenshot support? Hell yeah!

  • JBrezzy977

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    cant wait

  • gord_mose

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 2:38 pm PT

    Be nice if they released some new games too!

    Hey, love Western games and you're bummed about the Japanese-centric game reporting found on Gamespot and other sites? Check these out:

    http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_topics.php?board_id=909186401

    http://goldenagegaming.blogspot.com

    Gary

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 1:15 pm PT

    BTW I'm also getting my PSP-3000 tomarrow! It's going to be a full day of gameing, and PSP goodness after I update it with the latest firmware. I love this thing it kept me from bordom during my surgery, and last but not least has kept me from buying junk I don't need, and is the only system to even make me think of giveing up my old Atari Linx (Still works BTW)

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    GameSpot needs to keep up this was all confirmed a long time ago on the PSBlog:

    http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/14/firmware-50-demo-playstation-store-on-psp/comment-page-3/#comments

    It clearly states this update will inclued Flash Player 9 for the PS3, as well as this link here:

    http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/13/firmware-updates-ps3-v250-psp-v500/

    States that the PSP will see a brand new XMB when the update goes live.

  • Nineball2112

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 11:39 am PT

    NinjaMunkey01 posted: "And someone said it includes flash 9 support? Does this mean we can watch the videos on Gamespot on the ps3 now?????"

    Probably... I've seen it reported on more than one website that this update will include Flash 9 support. That alone makes me excited for this firmware update.

  • torontomapleafs posted Oct 14, 2008 10:08 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    torontomapleafs

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 10:08 am PT (hide)

    Lol, Xbox 360 users are going to get one hell of a update well PS3 users get basically nothing.

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 10:03 am PT

    1. GO Messanger is a UK only service and is not avalable in the US yet. They are not planing on releaseing it to the US unless there is a good ammount of demand for it. But right now most US customers who own PSPs seem to like things as is.

    2. The RF GO TV transmiter reliys on Digital Broadcasts, the US lacks any form of free roaming Digital Broadcrast. Come 2009 that will all change, this is a major plus as the US will finaly have full Digital Broadcasting thus the RF GO TV addon will soon come to the US. Just wait......... This is a major reason why we are swtiching over to all Digitial in 2009 so we can have the same stuff the Japanese, and UK have had for years.

    3. Whineing about the lack of UK support for the PSP should be done on the UK PS boards not here they can't know your complaints if your complaining on the US boards, or on US sites!

    3. This is great news for the PSP as it means we will finaly branch out as a online platform.

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 8:10 am PT

    cool. Having screenshots in game will be good for making screensavers for the ps3 and showing your friends pics of you doing something really well in a game.

    And someone said it includes flash 9 support? Does this mean we can watch the videos on Gamespot on the ps3 now?????

  • football_legend posted Oct 14, 2008 7:59 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    football_legend

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 7:59 am PT (hide)

    PS2 update sounds good.

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 7:54 am PT

    why cant the united states get go messenger, go cam and go tv,
    why cant europe get psn on the psp, flash 9 and in-game screenshots?
    why do japan get everything?
    this is stupid.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 7:18 am PT

    ha...that's pretty cool

  • Nineball2112

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 6:41 am PT

    Hey, I haven't had time to read all of the posts, so I don't know if this has been mentioned yet:

    This update also adds Flash 9 Support!

    That is GREAT! There are many sites that I couldn't used through the browser that I can now! Hulu.com should be available to watch some of those old shows that you can't find anywhere else.

    This is a VERY cool update!!

  • DemonBlood10568

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 5:53 am PT

    Huh?? i dont think im reading this right PSN on psp?? anyone??

  • DemonBlood10568

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 5:51 am PT

    the PS3 will now have the ability to take in-game screenshots....sweetness

  • player_leo

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 4:55 am PT

    I guess they are preparing for the untimely demise of the UMD.

  • leonheart_z

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 3:17 am PT

    grand..QWERTY

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 12:47 am PT

    Goddamn it, I was so happy seeing the text "in-game screenshot", but turns out its the same as the other features.

  • Chaos_Bladez

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 10:36 pm PT

    Yay!
    I hope it's soon.

  • SethSOMT

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 9:13 pm PT

    I need to see some dates.

  • Francision69

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 9:07 pm PT

    Cool, now I wonder when this will come out...

  • aet

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 7:53 pm PT

    When the heck are they gonna bring Go!Messenger to the U.S.?

  • GAMECAMILLER Site moderator

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 7:26 pm PT

    I hope we get the update soon...

  • SonicTheMonkey

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 7:24 pm PT

    Nice. It's cool to see how much the market is advancing in just this small increment of time--not just for PSP, but for all games. Ah, technology.

  • Toro_Nev

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 7:20 pm PT

    seems like a cool update. great news for psp owners. =P

  • rockwii13

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:58 pm PT

    Cool! Now I can download the PSP demos directly to my PSP!

  • xbox360progamer

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:58 pm PT

    wow thats great

  • crimped

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:50 pm PT

    very kool, PSN on my PSP. as for the headset, the price isn't to bad but there are cheaper ones on amazon, buyer beware! read the customer reviews.

  • rf1751

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:31 pm PT

    Why not add a screengrabber for the PS3?

  • trastamad03

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:21 pm PT

    Thats wondiferous

  • chapnzaba

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:07 pm PT

    Awesome can't wait for the PSP update

  • _LiquidFlame_

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:01 pm PT

    This should be good!

  • EPaul

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:51 pm PT

    Awesome news now that im getting the PSP 3000 this week

  • ocdog45

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:48 pm PT

    looking forward to this update.

  • Arcanum

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:44 pm PT

    The camera in MGS4 was Awesome! Screen shots in other games, cool. I want the update now, and support for screen shots yesterday.

  • sparkypants

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:43 pm PT

    Im not a mic person, but everything else sounds pretty cool. PSN on my PSP seems pretty damn sweet

  • darkride66

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:38 pm PT

    chiggins28 said "i agree that they have to include mikes with ps3's if they ever expect it to catch on."
    UgH! Dear god, no. That was one of the problems I had as a long time XBL users, every idiot and his dog has a microphone. At least having to buy a separate mic acts as a sort of basic IQ test: You have to have $20 and have the metal wherewithal to go down to the store and buy a mic. Right there that rules out 90% of the racist, homophobic 12 year olds that ruin XBL. While there are certainly a fair amount of idiots on each network I think the epidemic of parents who just hand their children microphones and say "Ok, go play nice now, y'hear" that hurts XBL simply doesn't seem to exist on the PSN. Just my personal observation.

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