Handheld Console Value Pack (Includes Memory Stick, Battery Pack, Headphones, Demo Disc and More) (PSP)

Game Graphics 10/10:

The Graphics are simply superb, easily as good as PS2. Risge racers is absolutely beuiful and even with 5 cars and an aeroplane on screen the frame rate is extremely high and speed never drops. The backgrounds and levels are amazingly detailed.

Game Controls 9/10:

The buttons are ultra responsive and really easy on the fingers. Lumines, for example, requires precise movements and the PSP D-pad doesn't dissopoint. The analogue stick is slightly low down and I often opt for the d-pad but it feels smooth and precise.

Load times 9/10:

I really haven't noticed any excessive load times. Lumines loads in seconds and Ridge racers takes only a little linger (about 30 seconds initially and 5-10 seconds to load a race). Vampire Chronicles takes about the same as Ridge racers which seems weird as it's a "less complex" game.

Movie Play back 10/10:

I downloaded some software from http://talkpsp.co.uk which converted a 68mb avi music video to 20mb mp4 file which played on the psp amazingy well. The fast forward/rewind work great and pressing triangle displays a list of selectable commands such as stop, pause, etc. and yo can also zoom in to fill the screen or make it wide screen.

MP3 playback 8.5/10:

The sounds quality is excellent and the songs are very easy to find and play. The psp is slightly large to use a portable mp3 player but it's a great feature for Plane, train or bus trips.

Overall build quality 10/10:

The system is very well built and sturdy and the screen is HUGE. I have no problems that some other PSP owners have such as deap pixels etc but apparently less than 1% of PSP's are affected. The only preoblem is it's so gorgeous you might be too scared to take it out the house :) .

So, for all the functions of the PSP, amazing power, great controls and excellent line up of games including Wipeout, Ridge racers, Lumines and twisted Metal; there really isn't any reason not to buy a PSP whether you're a casual or hardcore gamer.

The Pro's

1. The 3d graphics are excellent for a hand held. I have yet to see a DS game come close, in comparison they look cartoonish

2. The extra features are brilliant. MP3's, movies from both UMD and memory stick. These are coming too for the DS with a new add on but it's a little too late. Plus it's SD only, so you'll have to break copyright law to view movies

3. The games are more adult and different. The DS seems to be stuck in the same rut you had with the colour and advance. The touch screen ones are fun for about 10 minutes, then constantly making yourself look like an idiot gets a little stale.

4. The controls are better, the touch screen DS is cool but it's virtually useless as a controller. It's too hard to hold the unit, press the buttons AND use the touch screen. The PSP's analogue stick is far more useful

5. Wireless Internet browser. With the UK units you get version 2 firmware on the demo disk. This includes a wonderful, easy to use web browser. It is a little fiddly with wide web pages but I've read email and posted forum comments. I've even used a commercial hot spot at a train station to get broadband style Internet access!
Again, This is being worked on for the DS but is a little late. The wireless has a little hardware switch to save battery. This is done in software on the DS and makes you re-start the system when you enable/disable, a real pain.

6. The thing looks beautiful. The DS is OK but looks like an early game and watch, the PSP is definitely more adult and a little more snazzy. It's also easier to hold as you don't have the awkward weight of the fold up screen

7. The screen is HUGE, well lit and very colourful. The DS's 2 screen are nice but are underpowered. I always have trouble seeing the image under strong or spotlights.

The Cons

1. Because of the CD like UMD's, it takes a lot of power and reduces the play time, a portable charger or spare battery (easily swappable) is a really good purchase. The DS kills in this with its great battery life.
2. Movies and MP3's off the memory card are cool but the bundled 32mb card is only useful for save games and larger sticks get expensive. It also comes with no conversion software or USB cable. However, the cables generic so they're cheap and you probably already have one. A quick Google finds some freeware video conversion apps.
3. The bundled accessories are very nice, especially the inclusion of the very iPod looking white remote and headphones but they have a really cheap feel about them and, I'm sorry... White headphones with a black unit... The few that came with the DS felt a little more professional.
4. Data input. The PSP uses a mobile (cell) phone type key layout and is frustrating to use. The DS wins hands down thanks to the touch screen (just a shame there's no web or email that would really make this shine.)

Overall, the PSP kills the DS in most respects. I don't expect that to hold too long as Nintendo will come back and level the field.

I would however warn people that this is a GAMES console, not a media machine. If you are not a gamer, there are far cheaper methods than the PSP. Memory Sticks are still overly expensive compared to their rivals and UMD movies can cost more than standard DVD's. If you want mobile movies, go for a small portable DVD player, you can use normal disks home and on the go. IF you want an MP3 player, go for an iPod. If you want a portable multimedia system go for a Archos AV device

4 Stars cause I'm loving it!