TGS 08: PSP Plus adds DualShock 3 controller functionality

by Joystiq Staff { Oct 9th 2008 at 2:55AM }

The upcoming PSP game will utilize a newly developed technology called "PSP Plus." The feature will allow players of Resistance Retribution to connect their systems to the PS3 to enable use of PS3 wireless controllers. Using the DualShock will enable dual-analog control in the game. In addition, rumble will be supported. This potential use of connectivity was hinted at in a patent filed over a year ago.

Other games may be able to potentially utilize PSP Plus -- however, it is currently a Retribution-only tech. Stay tuned as we reveal the exciting additions connecting PS3's Resistance 2 and PSP's Resistance Retribution will bring.

Tags: dualshock, dualshock-3, psp-plus, resistance, resistance-retribution, tgs08

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Wazzim @ Oct 9th 2008 3:20AM

OMG, the TGS is GREAT

Extinction @ Oct 9th 2008 11:07AM

I know! They need to build the dual shock functionality into the firmware!

kentuckyfried @ Oct 9th 2008 5:40PM

That's pretty cool.

I hope they find a way to plug in a dualshock using a mini-usb cable to the PSP directly at some point, for portability. It's nice to be able to do it at home but it defeats the purpose of the PSP.

Kenneth Sy Su @ Oct 9th 2008 3:26AM

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!
but i don't have a ps3, they should have it compatible with the pc also (highly doubt though)

SolidOtacon @ Oct 9th 2008 3:37AM

YES !!!!
I think I'll start plaiyng PSP games again !
All PSP games should support PSP Plus.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 9th 2008 8:20AM

Well Resistance will be the one that has to prove it can work, and considering that Sony Bend specifically designed the game to the PSP (with that awesome new lock-on/aim mechanic) I am a bit skeptical of PSP Plus.

Rizal @ Oct 9th 2008 3:40AM

When it says PSP Plus, does this mean that it's hardware, with the new PSP-3000 model? Or is this software and can be patched into current titles?

Xavier @ Oct 9th 2008 5:21AM

My suspicion is that this is software since so far this only works with Resistance Retribution.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 9th 2008 8:20AM

Software for sure.

KarlW @ Oct 9th 2008 9:08AM

My guess is that a firmware update will allow the PSP to stream the game video to the PS3, which will upscale it for your TV. The PS3 controller data will also be streamed back to the PSP so you can control the game.

It's sort of like Remote Play in reverse.

daniel-kun @ Oct 9th 2008 3:44AM

Well, imagining how gaming would feel like when I need to hold the PSP AND the DualShock-controller feels very strange. Additionally, I don't have a PS3 and will never have one. Because of the same reason I haven't touched my PSP in quite some time: Lack of games. It looks like the far cheaper XBox 360 STILL has the same graphics (despite the PS3 utilizing far superior hardware) and like ten times more games. Plus, you can make backups of your original games.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 9th 2008 8:51AM

Wait for another year or two and you'll see there's a shocking difference not in graphics (since the PS3 is not meant to be THAT much graphically powerful) but infinitely smarter A.I., processes, and more because of the Cell. Once devs utilize the best of the Cell, Sony's investment will have paid off.

JK @ Oct 9th 2008 8:05PM

Don't forget the newer PSPs have video-out. Mine doesn't :(

daniel-kun @ Oct 10th 2008 1:44AM

Remember that an XBox 360 is nearly as cheap as a PSP and has video-out, too ;-)

midnightshade @ Oct 14th 2008 9:18PM

Dude get out of here, this is psp fanboy, not xbox fanboy. Don't bring that blasphemy in here. The psp is much better then the 3fixme and its a portable. Your just a troll. There are so many great games for the ps3 and psp, that no games thing for ps3 has been dead for a long time now. PS3 has more exclusives this year, and gets 90% of multiplats that xbox does. It seems like you xbots always want our games, but you never hear Sony fans wanting gears of whores, or hablo3(couldn't resist..lol..)

Anyway this is great, I can't wait to try this. I hope the psp2 has built in rumble and dual anaolg in the device, that would rock. Imagine playing your psp2 and it shaking in your hands during fights etc.. this is the closest thing to that. From what i hear the new psp3000 will let people output to tv without composite cable, so any tv will accept the signal. This combined with the psn store integration, is making the psp the portable to have. Thank god for Japan and the psps success there as if it were up to America(my country) psp would die, as no dev seems to like it, they are all getting bought off by m$haft..lol

daniel-kun @ Oct 15th 2008 3:16AM

midnightshade, I don't own a XBox 360. A friend does. And another friend owns a PS3. And I own a PSP. And if you'd ask me which console I would buy when I was about to buy a new one, it'd be the XBox. Obviously it's not portable and PSP is definitely the best portable around. But overall, I'd be willing to give up on that aspect and have more and better games instead.

aj @ Oct 9th 2008 4:17AM

If you've already got the PS3, why aren't you playing Resistance on that instead of fiddling around with the PSP?

Kspraydad @ Oct 9th 2008 6:55AM

Because you playing RR not R2?

FeaturePreacher @ Oct 9th 2008 5:12AM

Finally, Sony admits that the psp needs a second analog nub. Hopefully this means that a second nub will be seen on the psp2.

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 9th 2008 8:52AM

I think that's a given.

Jeremy @ Oct 9th 2008 5:29AM

Brilliant, Sony, marginalize gaming on the PSP even more by having people play games using the PS3.

Sony needs to push the PSP as a stand alone gaming device, not as an accessory to the PS3 or a generic mp3/video player.

And isn't this a moot point? I'm sure Resistance PSP will eventually be ported to the PS2, like Syphon Filter was...

aj @ Oct 9th 2008 7:49AM

I agree.

I also give you bonus points for using "moot" instead of "mute". Every bloody person seems to say "mute point", and oh God does that bug me.

KarlW @ Oct 9th 2008 9:15AM

I like the idea of the PSP as a PS3 accessory more. If the next PSP has:

- Faster wireless access
- Second analogue stick

Then it will make Remote Play a very powerful feature indeed. Expand RP support amongst PS3 games, and you've got your PS3 library anywhere in the world, and fully playable. This would allow developers to focus on creating games for the PS3.

Standalone games are also important, but positioning the PSP as an accessory (with a lower price) would be a better move.

McDoobie @ Oct 9th 2008 1:44PM

Wow, someone on this site that has an actual opinion besides: "Yay, Sony! Anything you do is awesome! It could be the most useless option ever, but it's awesome nonetheless!!!!"

Anyways, I agree 100%. The purpose of the PSP is for gaming on the go, not turn it on at home, turn on your PS3 and then play Resistance (or any other game that will utilize this feature) through a DS3 controller.

Kspraydad @ Oct 9th 2008 6:54AM

You will see this on a total of 5 or less games EVER. JMHO.

cozza99 @ Oct 9th 2008 7:19AM

Does this mean there's a possibility of EA Skate on the psp?

Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 9th 2008 8:59AM

Maybe, but PSP Plus is supposed to be an option not as a necessary accessory.

pissedoffbysony @ Oct 9th 2008 9:35AM

so what sony says is: the controsl would suck on the psp if you wanna play it rigth buy a ps3.
why not make it for the ps3 instead? why give the consumers a game that they know its broken on psp???
bah this is a scam

love the psp! hate the unfair bussines practices!!

Extinction @ Oct 9th 2008 11:07AM

Don't be stupid, it's not broken.

Xavier @ Oct 9th 2008 1:36PM

The reason to not make it for the ps3 is that it would be much more expensive. The game shouldn't be any more broken on the psp than games like Syphon Filter:Dark Mirror. But I do think since Sony has subtly admitted that the psp control scheme is inadequate, they should start working on the psp2, which will hopefully have a second analog stick, touch screen, and accelerometer.

Ben @ Oct 9th 2008 9:51AM

What disturbs me about this would be the fractured online community, as I imagine that DualShock 3 users would gain an incredibly large advantage over PSP players, even those hugely experienced with the Syphon Filter franchise. It's a great technology (and also decidedly ends the need for special cables should the technology become implemented in most if not (hopefully) all releases from this point, but I worry.

TM @ Oct 9th 2008 10:22AM

this confirms my suspicion that sony is giving up on the psp and turning it into a ps3 accessory. no more games, no major firmware updates and no more damn support as an independent gaming device. This will never convince me to buy a ps3 and it lowers my opinion of sony even farther

Xavier @ Oct 9th 2008 1:41PM

You must have not been paying attention to recent news. Sony is the only one staying with the psp. It seems a lot of western developers are eschewing the psp, while eastern developers are embracing it more. You forget that Sony is bringing the psp its own store where hopefully you can download more games that were once exclusive to Japan unless you imported them. Secondly, Sony is releasing a ps3 firmware that allows you to use the ps3 to expand the ad hoc connection feature of the psp to connect to people across the nation.

whateverman @ Oct 9th 2008 11:00AM

dude they should release more shooter out for the psp and have it use the psp plus functionality instead of the psp's controller!!!!

JayD-1K @ Oct 11th 2008 3:51AM

i agree,
COD4 would have been nice on the PSP. with voice chat and on-line play this could have finaly took down SOCOM FTB as the ONE shooter on the PSP.
buuuuut nope, they put it on the DS.
and for the controls, i liked how (i think it was) the medal of honor comando control scheme did it, with the squar,triacnle ect. buttons used for your movement and the analog stick was the 360 degree look. this could have realy worked.