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It’s definitely in development, but what do we actually know about Sony’s overhauled handheld?
It won’t have UMD
Does it come as much of a surprise? Sony loves new formats, but in the digital age, the UMD was always going to go the way of the minidisc. PSPgo showed us how a cartridge-less Sony handheld would work, but at least with PSP2 there won’t be a massive backlash from all the gamers that already own UMDs. Various reports also mention the inclusion memory stick compatibility, while one source mentions that Sony hasn’t yet decided how games will be stored.
Developers have got it
EA's Patrick Soderlund recently confirmed that the publisher’s internal studios have had exposure to the new tech, but that they weren’t allowed to talk about it just yet. Other reports have suggested that numerous developers have had a chance to get to grips with the device, with Mortal Kombat studio NetherRealm claiming they had “a PSP2 in the house” back in September. If launch titles aren’t already in development, we’ll be very surprised.
Expect the PSP2 to retain elements of the PSPgo
It has a touch screen on the back
Multiple sources have been cited in numerous reports confirming the inclusion of a rear-mounted trackpad-style interface. The gaming implications of the pad aren’t entirely clear - reports from an alleged behind-closed-doors showing at this year’s TGS suggest that Sony didn’t provide many details on the trackpad and is leaving functionality up to the discretion of game developers. We can’t imagine how it’d work – your fingers tend to hold a handheld – but Sony has a history of innovation, so we’re prepared to have our minds blown.
It’s got twin analogue sticks
Controllers these days are pretty standardised in terms of layout - with the PSP lacking that extra analogue nubbin, it sounds like Sony is planning to take the PSP2’s controls to the next level by replicating what are arguably the most important things on a DualShock pad – the twin analogue sticks. While the controls in numerous genres will benefit, we can’t help thinking that twin sticks will put first and third-person shooters right at the top of the PSP2’s agenda.
It’ll have an HD Screen
Although Sony has yet to finalise the PSP2’s design, many reports have mentioned that it’ll have a screen larger than its predecessor by about an inch. While this comes as good news, even better is that Sony has reportedley touted the display as HD, which suggests that PSP2 could feature a higher resolution much like the iPhone 4’s retina display which packs 960x640 pixels compared to the 320x480 resolution of the iPhone 3GS.
It’s specs will surpass the Xbox 360
Reports have hinted at the sort of technology PSP2 will be packing, with some speculating it could be as capable as a current-gen console. While the PSP2’s alleged 1GB of internal RAM is certainly impressive (Xbox 360 has 512GB of RAM while the current PSP features 64MB), we still don’t know anything about its CPU or GPU - but with 3DS setting new visual standards for the handheld market, Sony won’t want to be left behind. Just generating images at HD resolutions will be impressive.
when in come out in march!
I think I am gonna get 1
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