Hasta La Gadget!

We just heard last month that Sony might already be showing off some prototype PSP2 hardware (said to be roughly similar in size to the PSP-3000), and it now looks like the next-gen handheld may have found its way into some developers’ hands as well. That’s according to Shaun Himmerick of Netherrealm Studios, at least, who responded to a question about a new Mortal Kombat possibly heading to the PSP or 3DS by saying that while they won’t be launching day one on those devices, they actually “have a PSP2 in house.” He further went on to say that the PSP2 looks “like it’s a pretty powerful machine,” and added that they don’t yet have a 3DS system but are looking to get one. No confirmation from Sony on this, as you might expect, but it certainly seems like the hardware is pretty far along — possibly even ahead or on the same track as the 3DS?

[Thanks, Aaron]

PSP2 apparently in Mortal Kombat developers’ hands, said to be a ‘pretty powerful machine’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re still perplexed by the PSP Go‘s failure. Who doesn’t want to pay more for a device that lacks the hardware to play UMD games, only compatible with downloadable versions that release days or weeks later and then cost more to boot? Sony’s Andrew House stepped up in June to put a positive spin on the situation, saying the PSP Go helped them “learn more about what the consumer wanted” — something they obviously didn’t do before shipping the thing. Now Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai is giving a similar angle in an interview with MCV, addressing concerns of both price and content availability:

…we did get a lot of feedback, both good and bad. I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue.

If nothing else the PSP Go has certainly generated a lot of consumer feedback, and encouragingly it seems like Sony is actually listening.

Sony’s PSP Go post-mortem continues, Kaz Hirai concedes ‘pricing is perhaps an issue’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Touchscreen controls are nice for some applications but, until someone invents transparent fingers, they’re a real bother for gaming. Many, including Apple, have toyed with the idea of putting the touch sensitive sections on the back of the device, and we have strong rumors coming out of Gamescom this week that this is the path Sony is taking for its next-generation PSP. Now, we’ve been hearing various rumors about this thing for just about as long as we’ve known about the first-gen PSP, but Sony is said to be quietly showing off a prototype unit about the size of a PSP-3000. While everyone agrees about the touch-sensitive portion ’round the back, it’s unknown what (if any) physical controls will go along with it. A release date for the thing is also unclear, with some saying next year and others saying it’ll be later than that. Whenever it ships we hope it’ll do the right thing and finally put the UMD format out of its misery.

Next gen PSP to have touch controls — on the wrong side? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Imagine if your Android cellphone could play PlayStation-like games. Now further imagine that in place of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, it had a slight-out game controller, complete with D-pad, buttons and an analog control-strip. What you are imagining may already exist inside Sony Ericsson’s labs, and may be coming to you as soon as October of this year.

Engadget cites a “trusted source” inside Sony Ericsson and has some surprisingly detailed specs for the machine (which is seen in Engadget’s own mockup above). The phone, which will look something like a cross between a Samsung Captivate and a PSP Go, will probably be powered by a 1-GHz Snapdragon processor, sport a wide VGA-resolution screen of around four inches and possibly include a 5-MP camera.

Sounds great, right? There will also, the rumor goes, be a dedicated section of the already fragmented Android market for the games, which will be comparable in graphics quality to PSP games. The whole lot will be running on a specially-skinned version of the upcoming Android 3 (Gingerbread).

This is pretty much a PlayStation phone, and we don’t have to say how hot that would be. If this is true, it could be the first real phone-gaming rival to the iPhone, and will likely offer a very different style of game. The iPhone’s touch-screen is great for puzzlers and strategy games, but when you want to blast through a platformer or just go out and shoot some damn zombies, hardware controls are where it’s at.

I’m uncommonly excited about this rumor, not least because it means that I could likely hack it to run emulators for old consoles and get into some retro-games on my phone.

Exclusive: Sony Ericsson to introduce Android 3.0 gaming platform and PSP Go-like smartphone [Engadget]

Mock-Up image: Engadget

See Also:

• Game Over For Sony PSP Phone?

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E3’s biggest loser? It’s Sony. They’ve been lagging behind for years overall, but to lose at hardware, their strongest suit? What a pity. More »