Would you recommend buying a PSP? (advice please)

Pro's? Cons? I am a newbie when it comes to portable gaming and was wondering if most are happy with their investment. I see the price came down on these and I am strongly considering one but I have no idea what the major differences are. The list of games looks pretty good.

Thanks for the help.

I would so recomend buying a psp it is totally wicked i would also reccomend buying  monster hunter freedom game and killzone dont buy white psp thow i think they look **** so get black and those screen protecters i wouls try to use any ways hope i was help Jak1161 8) 

Thanks guys, this is the type of stuff I was hoping to hear! :) This thing might be more fun then I would have imagined.

Does it have an optional A/C adaptor? You can also play this thing online!??!

Also curious about how natural the control pad feels when playing a game like SOCOM. Can you aim well with it? Im sure it is probalby OK for games that require simple movements, but not sure about precision control with shooters.

The A/C adaptor comes with the PSP...and you can play a decent number of games online.  Some games you can only play with people in the same room as you (Ad-Hoc), while others you can play online with anyone, anywhere (infrastructure).  Games like Killzone, Socom 1 and 2, Syphon Filter, Medal of Honor, Ratchet and Clank, etc can all be played online.  The aiming is also very easy and decently precise.  I actually prefer the aiming in FPS on the PSP over the PS2, as with the PSP you aim with x, circle, triangle, and o...and I just adjust the sensitivity to what I feel is right, and tap the buttons to aim until the crosshairs are where I need them to be...with a little practice, this works great.  With the PS2, I always overshoot what I am aiming at...so PSP actually works better for me.  Overall though, its the best purchase I've ever made...and I'll own the thing until the day I die (and if it breaks...I'll buy another one...and if they stop selling them one day and mine breaks....I would search and search until I find another one)!TheCheat23k

Thanks! Very informative. I think Sony owes you commission because I probably will buy one soon. I also have a PS2 and I can relate to the references. I almost bought one today when I decided to browse by the electronic section. ;) Very nice overview - thanks again.

Pros:

-Wide screen (takes up 90%.. give or take)

-MEMORY STICK: plays MUSIC-VIDEOS-MOVIES-GAMES-DOWNLOADED DEMOS-stores PICTURES

-UMD..games, movies, music

-INTERNET(free)it would be great if you have your own wireless router.. you can surf, now found out that you can add an INSTANT MESSENGER.. chat it up with your friends

-EXTERNAL SPEAKERS. play your games with or without headphones. great sound either way. 

-ACCESSORIES.. when you first buy your psp.. either buy a STARTER kit or atleast buy a screen protector and a good shield. you can also replace the ANALOG STICK + replace the battery if its bad. there's also many other accessories.. i dont know them all, you could check them out on ebgames.com

-psp is still being updated via FIRMWARE/download 

Cons:

-kind of BULKY -suggestion:wear jeans that have tight pockets(not big pockets that go halfway to your knee), or carry it in a pouch made for the psp that hooks to your hip, but that's even bulkier.

-low sound.. when playing music.. for most songs it is low.. the sound.. sometimes it depends on the music.. but compared to the ipod.. the psp sound is really low.

-screen scratches easily.. well i wouldnt know because i use a screen protector and a shield for the face plate. but the shield shows how many scratches my screen would have if i didnt have it.

-i really cant think of anything else that is bad. 

HAVE FUN!

so you expect someone to say NOT to buy a PSP in a PSP Forum?.... obviously everyone will say yes.

 The only CON i can see here is the the variation of battery life depending on which game you're playing.... and that's probably a really minor issue for me.

hmmm I have both the PSP and the DS and I like them both, but I definately like the PSP better.   I'm an older gamer and in my opinion the PSP caters to my interests a bit more.   Games like SOCOM, Syphon Filter, Metal Gear Portable Ops, Final Fantasies, Wipeout Pure.   Though PSP has some more kid oriented games like Ratchet and Clank, Daxter and Loco Roco. 

Think about what console games you like.  Do you like games for the PS2 more or Nintendo like games for the Gamecube and Wii?

If you like the more adult PS2 games, go with the PSP.  If you like more casual/kids/fun Nintendo like games, go with the DS.

Non games related features:   PSP can play videos, mp3s and downloadable demos.   It has built in Wifi (an awesome feature IMO), and the abililty to store your files with memory sticks.   The screen is superior on the PSP to DS (though the new DS lite has improved alot).  PSP also has a built in web browser which is a nice addition too.   You can customize the look and backgrounds for your PSP too, cant do that so much with the DS.  Non game features the PSP wins hands down!

Ya, I guess I should have mentioned the cons above as well...but too be honest, there aren't many of them.

Worst thing about the PSP is the battery life, but lasting about 6 hours or so is actually quite impressive for how small the battery is and how much the PSP is really doing.  Sometimes you'll get more time, sometimes less.  The battery life has never bothered me personally, but Nintendo does win in that department.

Even though the PSP has a huge screen though, and therefore can break easier than a smaller screen obviously...it is still pretty stable, and I am not afraid to drop the thing at all ;).

The standby mode is awesome though...allowing you to just shut off a game at any point and starting it up hours later if you want at that same exact spot where it was shut off, with nothing lost :)  There is usually no load time when it is started back up as well.

Last annoyance if any is the loading times of course (much longer than the DS), but what do you expect using disks and loading up bigger textures/etc.  I'm sure the loading times annoy some people, but I am completely fine with them.  Game makers have been getting better though, and many games don't take as long too load.

Overall though, don't go buy the system because we tell you you should...buy it because you did the research and because it is what you really want.  I'd rather see someone buy a DS and enjoy that than someone buy a PSP and be disapointed with their purchase.  Asking questions like this will allow you to get a better grasp of what the PSP can really do though :) 

so you expect someone to say NOT to buy a PSP in a PSP Forum?.... obviously everyone will say yes.

 The only CON i can see here is the the variation of battery life depending on which game you're playing.... and that's probably a really minor issue for me.

gokuofheaven

Well I'm not going to ask about a PSP in the DS forums and just because someone owns one doesn't mean they like everything about it. ;)

Thank you all once again for the very comprehensive information starting my research. (I have to re-read as there is so much info there!) I think the PSP is for me after reading this and checking out the games and features vs other units.

I will definitely get the starter pack with the memory stick and screen protector. The only thing I have to look into is the wireless connection situation as I do not have wireless at home or at work. This little treat might end up being a bit more expensive than I thought, but if I quit smoking it will be a nice reward.

Thanks and Cheers!

I love my PSP even though I haven't played much with it lately.  I love to play killzone with others via my wireless router.  I love My Katamari but wish that there was another one even though I could play it forever (OCD).

It is so great to be able to take it with me with movies and my sisters bf gave me some mp4s of my fav sci fi show to be able to put on it with the memory stick.  I just wish you could cram more on there. Is great to take whatever !!!! you want vids pics whatever and go.

Makes flying go by so much faster.

I would highly recommend to buy it.

Now, if someone would tell me what PC to get next!