PSP2 'as powerful as the PS3'?

Source: British trade site MCV.

What we heard: Yesterday, dual reports out of the UK indicated that Sony may use a January 27 media briefing in Tokyo to unveil the PSP2. Today, the source of one of those reports expounded on the announcement with more reported details about the device--and how Sony is marketing it to developers.

According to MCV, Sony is touting the PSP2 as being "as powerful as the PlayStation 3" to British developers. The company is reportedly trying to position the handheld as a higher-end alternative to Nintendo's upcoming 3DS, complete with an HD screen and dual thumbsticks.

To reflect the PSP2's upscale status, Sony is also apparently requesting that developers create games as in-depth as PS3 titles so they can be differentiated from more casual offerings on the iPhone and Android systems. The company hopes that months of hype about handheld HD gaming--supplemented by E3 and GDC appearances--will entice developers to support the device prior to a Q4 launch.

MCV also reported that the handheld will also have a "brick" form factor similar to the PSP-3000, not the PSP Go-like sliding chassis spotted in reportedly leaked photos of the dev kit. The handheld will also have a physical media component so retailers can participate in its business, although it was unclear if it will be the UMD format used by current PSPs.

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

Bogus or not bogus?: Likely not bogus that Sony is touting the handheld as a portable PS3. The company took a similar tack when promoting the original PSP as a portable PlayStation 2, talking about how much of the handheld's innards were miniaturized versions of the then-new slimline PS2. As for the other details…well, January 27 isn't that far off now, is it?