Joystiq and PSPFB hands-on with PSP-2000: Part 2

Posted Aug 31st 2007 6:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Reviews

Yesterday, we answered your questions about the newly redesigned PSP, codenamed PSP-2000. Today, we'll explore the load times of games on Sony's redesigned handheld. With added RAM, games are supposed to load faster than the older model. Did we see an improvement? Also, we tackle some more questions from PSP Fanboy readers.

Do games load noticeably faster?
Submitted by: Hashbrown_Hunter

This took a lot of effort to piece together. It seems that games do load faster, although not as significantly as we would hope. In the above side-by-side video of the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront, you can see that although the games were launched at the same time, the PSP-2000 (the silver one) loads slightly faster than the original. It loads the level slightly faster as well. However, going through our games collection resulted in varying results -- some games didn't change at all, while games like Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow actually took longer on PSP-2000! It appears that games with significantly long load times are the ones to benefit the most. Check out our test results here. Check out Gamespot's test results, which feature different games, here.

Is the video out cable included in any of the bundles?
Submitted by: mike

No. The video out cables must be purchased separately. See what they look like here.

What is the cost of both the PSP-2000? Does it cost the same as the current model? Are there any other special packs out there?
Submitted by: Sai
The PSP will cost $169.99, the same price as the current model. There are special bundles you can try and purchase: one includes Daxter, the other includes Star Wars Battlefront. Read more here.

How does the weight of the PSP Slim feel?
Submitted by: Makiyura
It might not look drastically different, but it certainly feels a lot better. The reduced weight is clearly noticeable and one of the system's greatest improvements.

Can you compare the size to the DS Lites? How bigger/thicker/wider is it?
Submitted by: Kahonee

The PSP-2000 is about the size of a DS Phat's bottom half. When stacked next to a DS Lite, it is marginally thinner. However, the system is still the same width as the original, making it much wider than the DS Lite.

Should I trade in my current PSP for a new one?
Submitted by: iorkara
Ah, the $169 question. I'm completely in love with the new design. However, it doesn't warrant a new purchase, unless you really want TV out. These added features are a nice bonus, but will act mostly as extra incentive for those that have yet to purchase a system.

Do the batteries from the old PSP work in the new one?
Submitted by: Jay

Yes, the old batteries will work, but they will protrude outward. You will need a new battery cover in order to use the longer-life old batteries in the new system.
=====
We're still not done yet exploring everything the new PSP can do. We have more questions to answer, and will finally tell you the truth about battery life in our next edition.

Tags: joystiqfeatures, psp, psp-2000, psplite

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-31-2007 @ 6:53PM

Hashbrown_Hunter said...

Thanks for answering my question...but the answer was slightly disappointing.

8-31-2007 @ 7:52PM

pspdemoboy52 said...

I still have one question that hasn't been answered (and probably won't in this segment) but do you think Sony will still produce updates for the old fat PSP? I really hope so cause I'm not planning on shelling out an extra $170 for video-out.

8-31-2007 @ 8:10PM

TwistedBishop said...

You mean firmware updates? Of course they'll keep updating it. You don't throw away a 25 million user install base.

8-31-2007 @ 8:12PM

Bobby said...

Andrew, how much battery life did you get with the 1800 or even 2200 mAh battery? Do you know when Sony or someone else will release a battery cover for the thicker batteries?

Even then, the right side will bulge out a bit and not the left so they'll have to even that out by putting a whole new backplate? Then it should be just as thick as the old PSP with the bulges returning but I don't care. I'm used to the old PSP and more battery life is delicious. : D

8-31-2007 @ 8:39PM

jpwest said...

The $169 question is the key one for most of us. TV out is nice, but is that really the major difference? Will future games run worse (or not at all) on the original?

8-31-2007 @ 8:46PM

TwistedBishop said...

Games will always run on the older systems. Whether games will run worse on the PSP-1000s due to being optimized for the extra RAM on the PSP-2000? Time will tell. It wouldn't make much sense to alienate a huge install base for a brand new one.

8-31-2007 @ 9:14PM

Bryan said...

kinda....no no very disappointing, but i like that fact that i hear it is much lighter and i am glad the the length has not changed. Also they would never stop updating the 1000's just because of the 2000's. it all the same all you really have is added ram no difference. im glad to see this debate is going on. i just bought my psp about 2 months ago this will determine if i should save up once again for my 2nd one.

8-31-2007 @ 9:16PM

jamma said...

"It wouldn't make much sense to alienate a huge install base for a brand new one."

You're right, but a certain fruit named company sold a certain product quite well by doing just that
:P

8-31-2007 @ 9:19PM

SKI said...

Can you try using the Pandora's battery thing and see if this thing can use homebrew (this is a deal-breaker for me).

8-31-2007 @ 11:27PM

Sam said...

Can you test the emulating 1.5 firmware with the pandora battery. I'm sure everyone would be glad to know if it works or not cause some guy in the forums said his cousin made it work and no one believes him :p Please test this out! Check it out here (The tutorial and what it is): http://forums.qj.net/f-psp-general-7/t-either-of-these-psp-models-will-do-me-just-fine-119711/page3.html

8-31-2007 @ 11:29PM

Sam said...

My bad, wrong link :D
http://forums.qj.net/showthread.php?t=119207

8-31-2007 @ 11:51PM

justin said...

Can you comment on the "fingerprintiness" of the new PSP? Have you played with the black one? It seems like it might attract crazy fingerprints like my HP laptop does. thanks!

9-01-2007 @ 5:39AM

Thumpah said...

I'm going to bet that home brew will drastically benefit from the extra RAM.

9-01-2007 @ 9:38AM

kaynyne said...

Does the new PSP run the homebrew apps?

9-01-2007 @ 11:05AM

Caprica said...

Does the extra RAM help at all when streaming videos from a PS3?

I was streaming a 720p video today and even with a great wi-fi signal and lowered quality settings it still started to stutter and freeze up after a while.

9-01-2007 @ 1:13PM

required said...

the firmware might not yet be optimized for the new hardware, I expect improvement will follow the release or before the US release.

9-01-2007 @ 6:54PM

LAZoftheTamarinds said...

I got one question. How delicate is the PSP-2000 compared to the old one? I'm not asking you to smash it just how does it feel in comparison. I always thought the old one felt pretty delicate. Does this one have harder plastic?

Thanks

9-02-2007 @ 12:24AM

breakaddict said...

One question :

Once the new psp is linked to a TV, is there any way you can connect a Playstation 2 dual shock to it or a ps1 pad, or even a sixaxis ?
That would be handfull to play ps1 games that defenitily need two analog joysticks to be fun....

9-02-2007 @ 4:41AM

fireflymr said...

My battery from my old PSP got stolen, so ill have to buy a new one: can I use the new battery's in my old PSP?

9-03-2007 @ 3:56PM

kaynyne said...

When is "Joystiq and PSPFB hands-on with PSP-2000: Part 3" coming out?

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