Do PSP games on PS3 cause a threat?
by Steven Bailey 
{ Jan 14th 2007 at 7:30PM }
Sony seems to be having a bit of a problem. They have a portable system that is a success, but not by any means their main product. Then they have a new console that desperately needs games any way it can get them. Obviously they need to compete on the high end next gen game front, but they also need to compete against the Virtual Console and Xbox Live Arcade. Without the backlog of games like Nintendo or the head start of Microsoft, they seem to be turning to a questionable source for their downloadable games; the PSP.
The obvious issue with PSP games going to PS3 is that it begins to negate the reasons for a consumer to own both. Sure, right now it's a Gripshift and a Tekken, but what happens if the trend just continues? Sure, this would strengthen the PlayStation Network, but at the cost of PSP exclusives. This is just not acceptable when the PSP still has a long way to go to establish itself.
If Sony does insist on continuing to take games from the PSP library to the PS3, than it needs to change how it does so. Microsoft announced Live Anywhere quite some time ago, but we're still waiting for the day when we can play Xbox Live Arcade games on the go. Part of the reason is that Microsoft doesn't yet have a portable gaming system, but Sony does. Why not have it so if I download Gripshift on the PS3 I can download it to my PSP as well free as charge. For games that require progress, it would be great if I was able to share saves between my PSP and PS3. Maybe this is part of Sony's eventual plans anyway, but until I can buy Tekken on my PSP and continue it on my PS3 or vice-versa, it seems like a missed opportunity.
It could just be that this is a temporary solution and as more developers jump on board the PlayStation Network, Sony will stop relying on PSP games as downloadable content. Even if this is the case though, it still seems like a dangerous road for Sony to travel. It could just be that I'm overreacting though. What do fellow PSP owners think of this development?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Taylor @ Jan 14th 2007 7:45PM
I don't think that would really be a bad thing. The PSP is a failing product, with a weak library of games. It would be alright if it must be sacrificed to aid the PS3.
meh.. @ Jan 14th 2007 8:20PM
Well if the PSP were actually dead than I guess it would be ok. But that's the thing: it's not dead. The PSP has had a slow and quiet year but had multiple of good, albeit some unoriginal, games come out for the system. The PSP also has a long list of exclusive titles planned to be released this year such as:
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War
- A new Ready @ Dawn Game
- A new mystery game yet to be revealed (may be the same as the R@D game)
- Silent Hill: Origins
- Possibly A new MGS title
- Gran Turismo (or maybe not)
- Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
- Monster Hunter Portable 2nd
- Cash Guns Chaos
- Elder Scrolls Travels: Oblivion
- Burnout Dominator
- Full Auto 2: Battlelines
- After Burner: Black Falcon
- Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars
- Hot PXL
- Jeanne D'Arc
- LocoRoco 2
- The Warriors
- Valhalla Knights
- A possible new WipeOut Game
(Yup I did my Homework!)
PSP Underrated Should be #1 @ Jan 14th 2007 9:29PM
Yes you did your homework and thank you. It's idiotic dumbass posts such as the first one that are infuriating. I might add another title that I am looking forward to.
Test Drive Unlimited, that appears to be shaping up to be a real awsome edition. Thet put most ALL of the content that is found on the Xbox360, let's see the piece o crap crap ds do that! Geeez I bet they couldn't even do a top down version of this game on Nintendoz DS
It's going to be a great year for the PSP, people are starting to realize the power of the PSP.
RoboChocobo @ Jan 14th 2007 9:46PM
It seems foolish. One would expect this compatibility out the door with PSP games on the PS3. I personally feel that the PSP lost serious momentum after the DS counter attack in Nov/Dec of 05, and Sony Japan has been spinning in circles on what to do with it. This may very well be just another case of the PS3 being their only goal at the end of the day.
If Sony buffered the Arcade with the numerous good quality PSP games, then that could very well outplay the live Arcade, so long as they allowed for cross functionality in-between the consoles. Otherwise I fear that unless the PSP has a turn around year, what with nothing big on the DS horizon except Zelda, that Sony will pull a tradition "smiling and saying it's all right, while slowly withdrawing support." Who knows, the PS3 very well may give new life to the machine.
The Clunge @ Jan 16th 2007 10:56PM
The trouble is, the EE+GS chip the PS3 uses for PS1/2 games doesn't like Tekken 5 (and didn't even in the later slimline PS2s) so this is a nice way to let PS3 owners get a working version, complete with the PSP tweaks and extras. Gripshift was undeservedly overlooked, so if including that too builds revenue for a sequel, that's good too. I'd be upset if a lot of games I'd paid full price for the PSP versions of started showing up as cheaper downloadables, though. I know downloads cut out manufacturing and distirbution costs, so they cost less, but most PSP games cost more than PS2 ones already, having 1080p versions available for a third of the price on PS3 would be a bit much.
Extinction @ Jan 14th 2007 10:06PM
"Without the backlog of games like Nintendo "
Um, PS1 has more games than all systems VC has combined
Extinction @ Jan 14th 2007 10:06PM
Why are all articles on this site anti PSP?
Noshino @ Jan 15th 2007 8:51AM
I'm still awaiting for Devil May Cry....main reason why I bought my psp....
I'm on Sony's side, but they need to seriously get to work some more, extra working hours dammit! D:
alienclay @ Jan 14th 2007 10:27PM
i don't mind too much if i can get more for my money than just buying the exact same thing twice.
i would like to see more interoperablity between the consoles. cash guns chaos has the right idea with multiplayer so lets see it elsewhere (on better games).
as long as the download price is low, the psp game comes out WELL in advance of the ps3 version, and i can swap my games saves, i wouldn't mind too much and wouldn't see it as competition. i could see it as a nice upgrade sometimes.
for instance, if i could buy wipeout pure xl on my psp for $40, 3-4 months later, buy the ps3 download for $10 , swap saves and get high def at home, as well as play multiplayer with the psp as screen number two, maybe get two exclusive tracks on both versions so i don't get the shaft with the ps3 getting more later on.
than i'm all for it.
(while i'm on the ball, i'm sure psp game ported dosent use all of even one cell apu (psp uses 2 risc at 333mz, one cell apu is 3.2 ghz and there are 6 available for game use) what about accelerated gameshareing, where the ps3 can also up the graphics of the psp player as well somehow? is that possible? would it require the usb cable or does the wifi have the bandwidth alone? i know remote play is a little laggy for a game like wipeout but what about a poker game. what? a downloadable poker game compatable with playstation network that can also let you use your psp for play? hummm....what you say? getting a little off topic? oh sorry.)
Skye @ Jan 14th 2007 10:55PM
Sony at this point needs all the help they can get. Game developers I've talked too already are pissed off from Sony's actions on not moving dev kits for the PS3 out early enough (or at all). For PS3 owners (current or otherwise) this would be a bonus or an incentive to get a PSP or vice versa!
The PSP line up right now is not bad, but the DS has them beat on price point, that honestly Sony can't match given the PSP's hardware. Too many poor people just refuse to drop Metos for Lumines II. In regards to Microsoft their lack of a portable game console gives Sony a bit of an edge, but above all they need more games both on PS3 and PSP. That is all.
Sponge @ Jan 14th 2007 11:05PM
@ Extinction
1. Yes but how many PS1 games are the AAA games that stand the test of time as well as Nintendo's games?
2. How is trying to save the PSP from being discontinued or useless "anti PSP"?
Strike Man @ Jan 14th 2007 11:46PM
@Extinction "'Without the backlog of games like Nintendo'
Um, PS1 has more games than all systems VC has combined"
For what it's worth, MobyGames lists 1,234 PS1 titles for the US.
Assuming Nintendo's Virtual Console doesn't branch out their system sources (ie Game Boy, Master System, Sega CD, etc.) at a later point in time, their total would be in the ballpark of 1957 possible titles (764 NES, 707 SNES, 270 N64, 644 Genesis, and 108 TG16), at least according to the same source used above.
*shrug*
adorna @ Jan 15th 2007 5:10AM
well, it really would make more sense if the interactivity beween PS3 and PSP would really work .. like shared savegames or even sharing that Blueray idea of haing a (slightly more pricy) PS3 game include the PSP version .. I think that would make people seriously consider buying both systems..
Didn't they promise lots of interactivity between the systems? well .. probably later -- lots and lots later..
tj @ Jan 15th 2007 8:37AM
I think everyone is getting this thing confuse with psp3 and ps3. LMAO
Alien @ Jan 15th 2007 12:28PM
Uhm , this are only 2 games , I wont think this will matter especially that Gripshift came a year or more later , and it has way less value :?