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The PSP is the Legitimate Heir of the PS2
I had an epiphany last night while playing my PSP ( that is a major scoring Scrabble word for "I realized something").
I don't consider the PlayStation 3 the legitimate heir to the PlayStation 2 and PSOne legacy but rather that distinction should be placed on the PlayStation Portable.
I think the ultimate success of a game system is in how accessible it is to a regular consumer. It has to be popular with regular people not just hard core gamers that will camp out for a system launch and end up spending thousands of dollars a year on games.
When Sony released the PlayStation at $300 things were a bit pricey but when the price fell to the $200 point combined with really good software they turned their first videogame system into the dominant platform for videogames worldwide. The PS2 was a hit when it first came out at $300 because consumers could realize that they were getting a good deal since they were getting a major upgrade in graphic hardware, full backwards compatibility and for a lot of folks the PS2 was the first DVD player. When the PS2 price hit $200 it was hard to find a person that plays videogames that did not have a PS2. Then the PS2 price hit $150 and is now $130 new and an average $100 used. The PS2 and PSOne looks good on just about every existing standard TV set that just about every gamer and potential game consumer already had on hand. Since there is inexpensive accessible hardware and hundreds of good games relatively cheap for the PS2 the system has been a mass market and hit and is world wide assessable to casual gamers. The PS2 and PSOne has joined the NES/Famicom and the Atari 2600 as one of the most massively accessible videogames systems.
The PlayStation 3 is going to start at $500 and $600 for the recent future. It is not just a simple one time hardware cost. In order to get the most out of a PS3 you will need to invest in a HDTV and those start around $500 for a decent set that is going to last you and get your money's worth. Sony is now asking a gamer who probably paid $200 for a PS2 and played it on a $150 TV to spend around $1200 on a PS3 and a HDTV. I know a lot of gamers and consumers already have an HDTV but it will be years before people stop making, buying and using standard TVs. I understand that the PS3 has some serious graphics hardware that can deliver incredible graphics on in high resolution but if you look at the $600 NeoGeo home system as a reference just having the better graphics is not necessarily a guarantee of total market success and accessibility to the average casual game consumer. I have a hard time seeing the PlayStation 3 and HDTV become as cheap and assessable to gamers and casual videogame consumers in the first and most crucial half of it's market lifespan.
However Sony does have a videogame system on the market that has a relativity accessible $200/250 entry in the marketplace and games ranging from $20 to $40 new on average. I have a feeling that having a second game system on the market that could deliver accessible relatively inexpensive games gave Sony the cajones to make a $600 game system that needs a HDTV. The only thing you really need to upgrade and enhance your PSP game playing experience is to get a decent set of headphones, a lunchbox, and a comfy place to sit. The PSP graphic system is hands down the most powerful handheld and can deliver great PS2 level graphics 3d graphics. Sony might want to make a hardware revision and make an updated PSP with a smaller form factor, faster UMD drive, better battery life and a more scratch resistant screen. This could extend the market life of the PSP and re-invigorate the system. Just look at how it has worked out for Nintendo. You don't need a TV or a HDTV to enjoy a PSP and handheld games systems can be accessible to casual gamers that don't want to be tied down to a single home location. I see good things for the PSP and have no doubt that Sony is working on a next generation PSP. I think that parents looking at a videogame system for their kids and potential gamers might find the PSP much lower price point easier to handle than the massive duckets you need for a PS3.
Ultimately I believe the PSP has a much greater chance of becoming a universally accessible mass gaming platform than the monstrosity that is the PS3. Of course I am a bit biased because I did help write a freaking book about the PSP.
Jake at October 23, 2006 
Games
Comments
I agree that the PSP has potential, but it doesn't live up to it for me at the current moment. I have a PSP myself, but it's ina box under my bed because I am not finding any games that hold my interest for more than a week, and most of them were just a few days. GTA was the longest, but that got old real fast. However I'm looking forward to the PS1 game emulator they will release with the PS3. I think that will help push the PSP into the spotlight.
Posted by: Shawn L at October 23, 2006 7:08 PM
