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How to Save the PSP
Yesterday after I wrote my biased pro-PSP propaganda fluff piece Shaun L pointed out in the comments that he did not think that Sony current strategy of selling the PSP was right on track. I totally agree and think there are some serious steps that Sony could take to put the PSP back on it's rightful path to greatness. They are as follows.
1. Pull all UMD movies from the shelves. NOW. These are a waste of precious retail shelf space. I can't tell you how many times I have checked the PSP section a non-dedicated game retailer like Target and the shelf space was almost half crap movies. I know that UMD movie sales have not been exactly stellar but it is time to change course and save the precious retail space for a wider selection of games. If I wanted to watch a movie on a PSP I would rip a DVD to MP4 and watch it off a Memory Stick. I WANT MORE GAMES ON THE SHELVES AND LESS CRAP MOVIES!
2. Add more games to the Greatest Hits collections right now. People like $20-$25 games and there is a perception that just because a game is portable it should be cheaper than the console games. I would keep the cost of new games at $40-ish but the time that it takes for a game to enter Greatest Hits status should be reduced.
3. More colors of PSP. Look how well it has worked out for Nintendo with the DS Lite. There are three colors. I have seen an imported white PSP and I know there is a Pink PSP out there somewhere in the world but I don't see them here.
4. Bundle emulated PSOne games on UMD disks. Could you imagine how well a collection of Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX would sell like fried gold.
5. Encourage developers to take risk on stranger software. Don't give the casual weird wacky gamer crown to Nintendo without a fight. Don't be an Anti 2D-graphics fascist.
6. Ship more copies of the $200 "Core" PSP bundle and put a bug $199 sticker on the box but include a 32-meg memory card so folks can save their freaking games.
Yesterday I broke out the CD folder containing my PSOne collection, stuck in my old school memory cards and had a blast playing Parappa the Rapper, Metal Slug X and I am very tempted to start over a game of Castlevania : Symphony of the Night. I think that the PSP can reach it's potential but it is going to have to have some minor course changes first.
Jake at October 24, 2006 
Games
Comments
Well, Sony (in the USA actually) is an Anti-2d games fascist.
They just have to get Sakura Taisen 1+2 and Tales of Phantasia Full Voice translated, and I'll be forced to get a PSP.
Posted by: leb at October 24, 2006 11:33 AM
I know Sony USA is bunch of Anti-2d Fascists
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/archives/bbq_sony_made_me_do_it.php
I just want them to knock it off.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.8bitjoystick.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 24, 2006 11:47 AM
PSone bundle UMD's would do wonders for the system. It would bring me back.
Posted by: Shawn L at October 24, 2006 2:36 PM
I remember when I keep on bringing up on my forums that Sony are a bunch of anti-2D fascists someone points out that:
A) 2D doesn't sell very well anymore.
B) Ken Kutaragi has a "vision" for PS3/PSP/PSwhatever.
I'm still miffed about Sony USA's decision on Soul Hackers. But, at least we got more SMT games this gen than last.
Posted by: Llydis at October 25, 2006 9:09 AM
Well Sony USA has been particularly nasty to SNK and Capcom when they want to release 2d games on the Playstation and PS2 in the US. SVC Chaos, NeoGeo Battle Coliseum, Samurai Spirits V, King of Fighters NeoWave, KOF XI and many more are all great SNK games that Sony did not approve to sell in the US. Back in the day Capcom had to threaten to stop publishing Resident Evil 2 on the PSOne because Sony did not want them to sell the MegaMan X games on the PS. I am glad to see that SNK is being embraced by Nintendo on the DS and the Wii. It also looks like Sony is not being an Anti-2d Bitch on the PSP.
Thank god the PSP and DS can play imported games so if SNK releases a KOF game on PSP and Sony USA decides to be a bitch about it I can allways import it.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at October 25, 2006 9:21 AM
I think the re-release of Megaman on the PSP by Capcom, the recent new DS Mario game and the Viewtiful Joe games show that 2D isn't dead- it just needs to a new imagination. I'm surprised photo-realism hasn't been included yet.
Sony hold so much capital in 3D just because the PS1 was one of the first consoles to provide full use of 3D graphics- the Saturn was a lacklustre attempt on Sega's part.
Posted by: james @ hohocognitive at October 25, 2006 10:19 AM
MegaMan Powered Up for PSP is not a re-release but a new game or at least a new interpretation of a classic game. It is really good.
Oh now don't you be dissing the Saturn now.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at October 25, 2006 12:03 PM
I was excited to get a PSP, in particular to play the Vice City game that was coming out for it. Also, Lumines looked neat.
Then I saw the price of the games. $40? Are you -kidding?- No, not ever. That soured me to the PSP like nothing else.
Also: No friends with a PSP.
I went and got a DS just recently and I'm loving it to death. Best of all, the games are $30 or less and I have friends who're on it. Best portable purchase ever.
What could the PSP do to get me to buy it? Reduce the cost of games to $30 or less, like the DS.
Posted by: Eric at October 25, 2006 8:52 PM
To defend the $40 price tag some PSP games are just as good as PS2 games. Vice City Stories, Liberty City Stories and Tekken Dark Resurrection are all worth the $40 price.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at October 26, 2006 9:31 AM
2D has a new champion! With an old game...
Posted by: james @ hohocognitive at October 27, 2006 6:49 AM
