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PSP2 gains touch-sensitive controls?

Sony's unannounced handheld will reportedly feature a tactile pad on its reverse side to interact with games; dimensions similar to that of the PSP-3000.

Source: UK gaming news site Eurogamer.

What we heard: In March, Nintendo fired the first shot in the next-generation handheld wars, announcing its glasses-free depth-of-field gaming machine, the 3DS. The natural assumption has been that Sony will respond with a PSP successor of its own, one that does more than simply upgrade certain components of its current system, and rumors have for some time now swirled as to what the Japanese electronics giant will be bringing to the table.

The latest of these comes from UK gaming news site Eurogamer, which claims to have been given the scoop on a handful of new details regarding the unannounced system. Citing a trio of separate development sources, Eurogamer claims the PSP2 will be approximately the same size as the PSP-3000, which was released in October 2008. Further, the PSP2 will reportedly have a touch-sensitive area on its back that can be used to control games.

The PSP's days are numbered…probably.

The PSP's days are numbered…probably.

Additional details on how the PSP2's alleged touch pad would interface with games was not revealed. However, Eurogamer's sources note that Sony is demonstrating a variety of first-party games on the unit to various publishers and developers as part of Gamescom this week. These sources were also unclear on a release date for the system, with one noting that it could arrive by late 2011 and another saying the PSP2 is still a couple of years off.

Word of a touch-sensitive back is the latest hearsay to emerge about Sony's speculated device. In July 2009, reports indicated that the PSP2 would include a quad-core graphics processor that eclipsed that of the original Xbox. Other reports have said that the device will maintain the PSP's UMD standard, as opposed to going all-digital a la the PSP Go.

The official story: Sony had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Too early to say. With Sony not even acknowledging that the PSP2 is in development, firming up details on what the device may or may not contain is next to impossible. Further, the electronics giant has the option of tweaking, revising, and overhauling the device, making any supposed features in the here and now potentially moot tomorrow.

343 Comments

  • GodOfSyn

    Posted Jan 12, 2011 10:47 am GMT

    It's going to destroy the 3DS to be honest, quad core graphics processor, is going to create amazing games, I mean remember the early shaders they had on the original Halo for the xbox?! If the quad core graphics is true, this is going to be the most amazing powerful handheld on the market, and I'm sure they will release 3D versions of after release.

  • FireboltDS

    Posted Jan 3, 2011 10:16 pm GMT

    This thing is not going to last agaisnt the 3DS

  • Sulaymanqazi2

    Posted Dec 23, 2010 8:42 pm GMT

    i cant wait for the system. thats all!

  • oKiRe

    Posted Oct 12, 2010 12:18 am GMT

    bigger than psp go? no thanks sony.

  • gabrielkipp77

    Posted Sep 29, 2010 3:36 am GMT

    wouldn't like the touch sensitive controls

  • MamaLuigiBarrel

    Posted Sep 14, 2010 7:47 pm GMT

    Hmm, to early for me to have an opinion.

  • z50macdaddy

    Posted Sep 10, 2010 6:34 pm GMT

    first it was motion control then its touch screen, good job Sony, wat r u going to rip off next?

  • mario-nin-freak

    Posted Sep 9, 2010 2:34 pm GMT

    strange, on the back? sounds interesting.

  • yearof3000

    Posted Sep 1, 2010 9:57 am GMT

    It sounds like Sony is after the itouch then Nintendo

  • ShaunyChaos

    Posted Aug 29, 2010 2:54 am GMT

    All I wanted was 2 analog sticks to make the exp. more natural.....touch control on the back???? NO....Thats not 2 analog sticks!!!!

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Aug 28, 2010 5:16 pm GMT

    CRAP... that was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer than I wanted it to be.

    Really sorry... lol

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Aug 28, 2010 5:15 pm GMT

    If we go any farther into what "gimmicks" specifically means, then we'll be diving into a semantics argument, which I don't want. But I'll just say this; "gimmicks" have little to no relevance on the way you play the game. It's like the NES's R.O.B. But motion control has made a substantial difference to how games are played, and therefor, I feel that it innovated how people play games. If they were just "gimmicks", Wii and DS would have died out within the first two years. Thing is, they're still going strong. Because people still like them, and the still have fun with them. IDK about you, but that shows significance, imo.

    But you may be right about the 3D; afterall, it IS just visual, and it doesn't really affect the way games are played. The only reason I said it would achieve a great feat is because everyone at E3 was lauding it as the best thing ever. lol.

    Let's continue this arguing no more. If something needs to be exactly the same as its always been, without any alterations to the method of interface for you to consider it good, then suit yourself. Meanwhile, I'll be enjoying the new and immersive ideas that Nintendo (or anyone) provides to gaming.

    Yeah, yeah, the moment you've all been waiting for, lol... I'm done here.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Aug 28, 2010 5:15 pm GMT

    @GryffinDarkBred,

    Jittery? Innacuurate? Funny; I've played through the entirety of a DS Zelda (which is mostly touch controlled) without any problems that stand out whatsoever. And every swing of the Wiimote I made in Sports and Sports Resort was correctly demonstrated on screen. Either you're exaggerating, or you got defected hardware.

    @Kou-Nuarsaka

    Um, controls greatly effect the way you play a game, so when something new is created in terms of control method, I don't see how it's not a gameplay innovation. It makes a real difference; games like Wii Sports Resort would be horribly different if it was all button-controlled instead of motion. Every time I have large groups of people over, they're all crowding around the Wii because it's more simply more fun to play when you're simulating the actions on screen than pushing buttons. When you're playing a tennis game, for example, what's more fun; simulating the actions of being on the court and swinging like a racket, or pushing a button? Also, the motion doesn't "only work in one spot" like you claim. I understand what you mean about it not effecting the world inside the game, but how you control and play the game is just as important. Even if motion control doesn't add any significant amount of fun to you, it still doesn't take away from it; it's simply another way to play. Also, are you saying that you NEVER thought that there would be a new way to control games?

  • Kou-Nurasaka

    Posted Aug 27, 2010 8:37 pm GMT

    @Brilliant_R:

    Gimmicks. I've been a gamer for well over 17 of my 20 years, and I have never thought, "Yow know, this really useful and responsive controller would be so much better if I replaced it with a cheap motion control item that only works if I stand in one spot and move my arms to simulate the entire gaming experiance." I love video games, and flashy new ways to control a game isn't an excuse for new and innovating gameplay. Its a gamplay gimmick, because it does not open up new ways to explore and interact with the dynamics of the game world, only new ways to control it. And your DS argument is also flawed, as the DS's only "new" feature is that it is in 3D. Likewise, the old "new" models only added cameras and lights. They did not open up new ways to control the game. 3D only enhances the visual aspect of the game.

  • jariaya1

    Posted Aug 27, 2010 5:04 pm GMT

    i dont think that the psp2 is giong to be all that great there not saying what is really for sure and so far they havn't made anything really all they did was make it slimmer use skype and then have a mic ok thats nothing great sony really needs to make this new and better

  • LitterBoxHero

    Posted Aug 27, 2010 7:05 am GMT

    I don't really care what extra features it has, it needs good games. I'm not going to buy one only to get one game worth buying a year like with the original.

  • GryffinDarkBred

    Posted Aug 26, 2010 11:57 pm GMT

    @Brilliant_R: Touch and motion control systems at current are just that, gimmicks. Are they applied constructively in most games? No. Touch controls are too inaccurate and require good calibration to be accurate, and motion based controlls are jittery and inaccurate, I doubt mainstream games will ever get away from the control pad, which has changed little over 20 years, and for good reason. It works, it's accurate, and does every genre of game except RTS.

  • JVII

    Posted Aug 26, 2010 10:38 pm GMT

    A better question would be if it will have good games, unlike the first.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Aug 26, 2010 5:49 pm GMT

    @Snookies12,

    You were right about the first four you listed (DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL), but 3DS really doesn't count as one of those as it's not just some revision like the others; it's a full successor.

  • Snookies12

    Posted Aug 26, 2010 11:01 am GMT

    @sizzlingdviper

    Really...? You're asking why sony changes the psp so much...?

    Nintendo. DS, DS lite, DSi, DSi XL, 3DS....... lol! I had an original DS, up until a few months ago, when it finally died. I'll admit, it does make you feel like you got ripped, when you buy a brand new handheld, and 2 months later a new one is released, but that's just how the handheld market is... I'll just stick with the psp 3000 thanks.

  • Hachibei

    Posted Aug 25, 2010 9:17 pm GMT

    Big surprise, maybe the PSP 3 will have 3D capabilities as well.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Aug 25, 2010 3:46 pm GMT

    @Kou-Nurasaka,

    It kinda surprises me that when brand new innovative ways to immerse people into the actual fun of games are introduced into the industry, they're simply overlooked by some as "gimmicks". Believe me; mere "gimmicks" can't impact an industry and reel in an entirely new demographic as much as motion and touch did. And I have a feeling 3D will acheive a similar feat.

    I personally think that just buttons aren't gonna be enough to ensure long-lasting fun in gaming. That's why these innovations are necessary, welcomed, and successful in the long run.

  • Ultramarinus

    Posted Aug 25, 2010 10:03 am GMT

    The features they need to preserve: UMD, changeable battery, PSP-3000 control setup, big screen

    The features they need to add: Touch-pad or screen, the extra buttons and stick from PS3, optional 3D without glasses a la DS, larger UMD that's at least 4,5GB

    If they can present all these, they can blow away anything that is and will be on the market over the next years.

  • Kou-Nurasaka

    Posted Aug 25, 2010 8:22 am GMT

    It's nice to see that Nintendo has swayed the masses with an overrated gimmick in touch screen and now 3-D. Wasn't it nice when the games were fun rather than all about graphics and silly motion controls? My Wii only sees the light of day when I want to play SSBB, and then, I use the Gamecube controller. My DS exists only for Dragon Quest 9 and the upcoming Golden Sun. I will not buy a PS Move (much as I love Sony), Wii, Wii 2, 3DS. The only motion control game I am even considering buying is LoZ: Skyward Sword, and even then, only because it is Zelda.

  • junaid6030

    Posted Aug 25, 2010 2:13 am GMT

    I suppose the touch pad which is "at the back" will probably act as L2 R2 bottons like the ps3 controller, hopefully pressure sensitive or something. But still no 2nd thumb stick, atleast its getting the new cpu.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 9:50 pm GMT

    What?! If it's on the back of the system, how are you gonna see it? How are you gonna keep from accidentally touching it and screwing up your game? Either I'm misunderstanding this, or Sony's gotta do more work. They gotta actually innovate their hardware for once.

  • yugiohfan99

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 9:23 pm GMT

    Nice, they're copying the DS. Good thing the 3DS will slaughter the PSP.

  • amaan4ever

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 4:35 pm GMT

    just give us 2 analog sticks then i might consider buying it.Or else get ready to get ur a$$ whoped by 3DS

  • hallgren

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 4:26 pm GMT

    The whole rumor was bogus, http://www.3xg.co.uk/2010/08/24/rumour-mill/, for some reason they decided to play a game with the media, they might find it funny but it pissed me off a little cause I wasted some time researching it today, oh well, maybe TGS will have a cool announcement anyway!

  • canx12

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 4:02 pm GMT

    so basicaly they are copyng the ds??

  • Magic_Panda92

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 2:55 pm GMT

    IMO..sony rob ideas but advance on them...just like Bill Gates did and made his millions..it happens everywhere.

  • babbagan00sh

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 12:35 pm GMT

    want to know how to find out what Sony will do next with its gaming systems? well, just look at what Nintendo already has and there is your answer

  • Oozyrat

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 9:32 am GMT

    @jcsadone HAHA! Yeah first the Move now this. Sony is the saddest company in history. Copy MS for a change.
    @Oni_Taedo -Dude, seriously, your my hero XD. Finally someone with the exact same mindset as me has spoken. We should boycott XD

    Give up on handhelds Sony. Anyone with a mind would see this is a sad attempt to try to get some of Nintendo's fans just like the Move. The DS won the handheld market, accept it. I'm not trying to be a fanboy or anything (I like my 360 and Wii the exact same) but come on....really?

  • hallgren

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 8:00 am GMT

    Was reading anarticle today that stated Kaz was going to make an announcement about the psp2 today, we will see how accurate that is!!!

  • jcsadone

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 7:36 am GMT

    And let me guess... PSP3 will have 3D screen! Woooooow *_*

  • Oni_Taedo

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 6:36 am GMT

    Wow Sony, real good work with the DSP2 and the PSWii.
    Quite original, really. Like, did you guys stay up all week with a few dozen pots of coffee coming up with this stuff? Nah, you guys are great. It's not like any other console in recent memory has had a touch screen, and like hell Nintendo would EVER make a console with motion controls, that's just crazy talk, but seriously, good job.

  • XenoNative

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 9:00 pm GMT

    i've wanted a psp for the looongest, so hopefully this will push me to finally get one. i jus hope it turns out to be great cause sony is having a tough time with the handheld and i would hate to buy something that isnt thought thru completely, like the pspGO.

  • hotdiddykong

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 4:01 pm GMT

    @Colonel-Snake
    Okay ill admit Nintendo has like one series for a gener but they do a pretty awesone job on them, their full of nostalgia which people love, and yes Sony does have allot.
    Otherwise yes we both respect our opinions, were mature and not kids who'll fight

  • Colonel-Snake

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 3:44 pm GMT

    @HotDiddykong

    I knew about the power glove a long time ago. Almost all genre since when ? The main 3 franchises they use is Zelda Mario and Metroid hardly anything creative about them. I never said nothing about not respecting the games they create. However people get tired eventually of the same stuff and want something new. I can easily put a list of what Sony has done this generation and what nintendo done and tell you who is easily pushing boundaries and being more innovating this generation. Thats there main 3 flagship titles. Honestly Mario will always be cool but I grew out of him a long time ago. I can say that Sony has a bigger variety of titles then Nintendo. I never said Sony innovating motion controls I just said that out of the 3 main companies they were first to showcase it. I respect nintendo for what they have done to gaming same as I respect you're opinion.

  • Greelax

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 2:20 pm GMT

    @brad12d3 Guess I missed that part. Now i feel mean and ignorant :l

  • hotdiddykong

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 1:12 pm GMT

    That would be cool but im positive that %95 would want a second analog

    @Colonel-Snake
    People will respect your point if you respect that this is how nintendo is, they stick with what they got and make them better and they suceed (they make no new gener?they have almost all geners! talk the opposite way my friend *cough*shooters*cough*)
    Sony did innovate with motion controls but the point is that they didnt start it. The first known motion device was the Power glove(nintendo) but most people dont look that much in the past
    But we can both agree that they both need to be creative for the handhelds to suceed well

  • brad12d3

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 12:38 pm GMT

    @Greelax Ummm evan321456 said what he said because the article specifically mentions that the "PSP2 would include a quad-core graphics processor that eclipsed that of the original Xbox." I am amazed how you turned his comment into a system wars debate. BTW yes the PS2 was wildly more successful overall than the Xbox. It also was not dropped like the Xbox was. However, the Xbox did have cleaner graphics. Which is why the article mentions the processor eclipsing the Xbox and not the PS2. It basically stating that it surpasses last console gen technology which is pretty cool for a handheld. If they give it a second analogue stick then they should have a winner.

  • wisebandit

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 11:21 am GMT

    A secound and please bigger analog.

  • Aentikraist

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 10:23 am GMT

    SECOND ANALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG SECOND ANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG is that really hard to do?? i mean why not reduce its size as the nintendo gamecube controller did with its second analog i mean if they think its gonna take more space within the other buttns then do the 2nd analog a bit smaller but still INCLUDE THE SECOND ANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALOG""""""""""

  • JaxxRaxor

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 8:55 am GMT

    I agree that dual analogs could help it compete in some way with the 3DS. It's not ever going to come close to equal, but maybe the PSP2 can maintain sales against the 3DS in a similar ratio to how the PSP is selling compared to the DS systems now. I'm afraid that with no dual analog any PSP sucessor is going to go like the Game Gear and die fast.

  • iSAIGONi

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 7:16 am GMT

    i bet you guys that theyre gonna disappoint again with a single analog stick lol

  • master00d

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 6:55 am GMT

    id like to see a 2 analog ,
    a retina display (for the xbox graphics) a accelerometer wold be nice just for the racing game ,
    a front touch screen for the web browser (this would make the life easier ) and a integrated camera would be nice

  • dimis_

    Posted Aug 23, 2010 2:24 am GMT

    Good luck playing God of War with a touchscreen. I tried to play Star Wars TFU on the Iphone, i quit it within 2 minutes. Only turn-based, board and strategy games work with touchscreens. I never bothered again with games on Iphone.

  • ElevenHandMan

    Posted Aug 22, 2010 9:57 pm GMT

    @ Count_Conrad

    BRILLIANCE!

  • syanide486

    Posted Aug 22, 2010 8:18 pm GMT

    2 analog sticks. ps2 game functionality = something to start off with.

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