Posted Oct 4th 2008 3:00PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q. I heard that
Mega Man 9 isn't playable on the PSP. Why would it not be?
A. Mega Man 9 was developed for PS3, Wii, and XBLA. I'm not sure that there are technical limitations in the game, I believe it's just a matter of which platforms they felt would benefit most. I would love to see
Mega Man on the PSP, but that's up to the developers. Considering PSP's ability to play downloadable games, this seems like a no-brainer.
Q. Do you think SCEI will release a "PSP-4000" model? If so, what do hope they will change?
A. With the PSP-3000 just around the corner, I'd like to think we have some time before another model. With that said, I would like to see some internal flash memory.
Q. With the PSP 3000 launching next month, do you think many retail outlets will clearance out their stocks of the PSP 2000s?
A. We might see a few sales here and there, but they'll likely be online, or on an individual basis. Sony hasn't announced any plans to discount them before the PSP-3000 launch.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 42
Posted Sep 28th 2008 8:12PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q. Can the PSP-2000 be upgraded through firmware to display games over composite just like PSP-3000, or is that not possible?
A. The PSP-2000 only supports gaming through progressive scan, which requires component or D-terminal cables. The PSP-3000 model does support 480i, but this functionality is limited to the model, not the software.
Q. Can I ask whether or not you think that the PSP will finally support WPA2 encryption protocol in any near Firmware updated? It just annoys me how I cant connect to the WiFi at work due to the protocol not being supported! Although I do work in IT and could downgrade the security on the AP, but thats not really a good solution.
A. Several friends of mine have asked that same question, wondering why Sony hasn't included WPA2 support. I'm unaware of any hardware restriction; I just don't think it's one of Sony's priorities right now.
Q. I was wondering if there is any way to listen to music on your PSP while playing games?
A. Aside from a few select titles (GTA: LCS, NBA Live 07), playing music during gameplay is not currently possible. In fact, Sony has just recently added this functionality to the PS3, so it may be more of a hardware restriction.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 41
Posted Sep 21st 2008 1:40AM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q. Hi, I was wondering if it is possible to buy the white PSP-3000 from Japan and have it still work in English. The reason I am asking is because in North America there will only be 2 colors: black and silver, and when I get the new PSP-3000 I want mine to stand out and be one of the only people with a totally different color PSP than anyone else.
A. While Sony does suggest installing the corresponding firmware with the same region the unit was purchased in, any firmware update can be installed on an imported PSP. Region locking shouldn't be an issue, when it comes to gaming, although some features are locked to certain regions (i.g. Skype, Go!Messenger, etc.).
Q. I heard a keyboard would be coming to the PSP sometime next year. Any chance a firmware update would bring some form of a chatroom feature?
A. It's definitely a possibility, but we won't hear anything about that until we get closer to the keyboard release.
Q. I'd like to ask if you need a "MagicGate" Memory Stick to be able to use it on the PSP? I ask this because Memory Sticks are pretty expensive for bigger sizes and I found a Memory Stick adapter for microSD cards (which are cheaper than MSPD cards) and I would like to know if they would work on my PSP. They don't have the MagicGate logo on them, so that's why I would like to know. Also, do you think it will decrease the read/write speed of the PSP?
A. A MagicGate Memory Stick is not required (though recommended) for the PSP, but adapters will vary. Do some research on the brand you're considering, and see if anyone has had trouble/success with the product. One note: downloads from the PS Store will not work on a Memory Stick without MagicGate protection.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 40
Posted Sep 14th 2008 12:00AM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q. I found a comparison photo on GameSpot and I'm wondering if you know what the background image on both screens is from? Is it from a PSP game? It looks a bit like Little Big Planet to me...
A. You're correct! The background image is indeed from
LittleBigPlanet, which is coming to the Playstation 3 in October.
Q. Will the new Logitech PlayGear Pocket Slim work with the 3000 Series?
A. While the
Logitech PlayGear Pocket Slim doesn't officially support the soon-to-be-released PSP-3000, based on it's physical size, we're assuming it will fit just the same.
Q. Does the PSP have a wireless internet connection?
A. Of course! The PSP has Wi-Fi (802.11b) connectivity, which allows you to surf the internet, play online, or even download content to your PSP's memory stick.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 39
Posted Sep 6th 2008 10:50PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q. I work for a well-known store and everybody wants to know, what is the new PSP like? Does it play the same games? Does it have it's own memory card or a built-in one?
A. The PSP Brite (
PSP-3000) will be very similar in physical appearance and size, with some notable differences including a brighter, glare-resistant LCD screen, and a built-in microphone. It will still play your UMD games, and depending on the pack you purchase, may come with a 1GB or 4GB memory stick.
Q. Will the PSP-3000 have support for Dualshock 3 controllers?
A. Sony has not released any information regarding Dualshock compatibility with the PSP-3000, however we did discover
this patent a while back, so it's certainly a [future] possibility.
Q. Hey, I have a PSP-2000 and I don't have a HDTV. I was wondering if I could buy a Component AV cable and have it work for a normal TV until I get an HD one? I know it can't show games but does it still have the right plug-ins for a normal TV?
A. As long as your TV supports the proper inputs (in this case, component), you shouldn't have trouble with
video output. Chances are, if you don't have a HDTV, you don't have component inputs.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 38
Posted Aug 31st 2008 12:00PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: Do you know if, when connected to a standard definition TV (like an old Trinitron, to keep it in the family), will games still show up within a black letterbox frame? You know, on all four sides, not just top and bottom. I think standard def TV is 640x480, so that would mean the PSP's 480x272 resolution wouldn't fill it up, but a guy can dream can't he?
A: Unfortunately, you will see those letterbox bars when playing through a TV that does not support the local resolution. There are
some video settings you can play around with on your PSP, but generally the black bars will be present. Sorry!
Q: Is there a way to download items from the PLAYSTATION Store over again?
A: Once you've logged into the PC PLAYSTATION Store, you should see a link in the top-right corner that will allow you to "View downloads." From there you'll have access to any content you've already downloaded, and can therefore re-download anything lost.
Q: How can I quickly turn off the PSPs screen, without shutting the whole thing off?
A: While you can simply flick the power button up to put your unit to sleep, I believe you're looking to keep the handheld running, which can best be done by holding down the video button. It's the same button you'd use to adjust your brightness, near the "start" and "select" buttons. Additionally, holding down the music button will mute your PSP.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 37
Posted Aug 23rd 2008 10:15PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: Have you heard anything about
No Gravity lately? I heard August for Europe. Any news for a U.S. release? On his website its clear that he plans a release date for the United states eventually.
A: Yes, according to
the developer's site, the release is planned for "Summer 2008," which translates to an August release, pending some sort of delay. There's currently no date set for the United States.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 36
Posted Aug 16th 2008 7:05PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: I'm thinking about getting a PS3 and I heard that you can put a PS1 disc in the PS3, then use Remote Play to play the PS1 game on your PSP. Is this true?
A: It sure is! Once you've paired your PSP and PS3, any PSone disc inserted into the PS3 can be played remotely on the handheld. This functionality was introduced with firmware 2.10 (PS3) and firmware 3.80 (PSP).
Q: Any updates on the keyboard? I think this will be an awesome addition as long as the add is clean and acts as a screen cover when closed.
A: We haven't heard much since the announcement back at CES, but we're confident Sony will release the peripheral sometime next year. As far as the design? Your guess is as good as mine.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 35
Posted Aug 12th 2008 2:00PM by Justin Eaton
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
It took some time off, but fear not,
Ask PSP Fanboy is here to stay. Got a question about Remote Play functionality? Looking to setup Skype so you can chat with your friends over Wi-Fi? Or perhaps you're split between two titles as your next gaming purchase? Look no further, as
Ask PSP Fanboy aims to be your one-stop source for Playstation Portable answers.
Throughout each week we'll be collecting your questions, and each weekend a new volume of
Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to
justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy." The first batch of responses will be posted next weekend. We look forward to reading your questions!
Posted Dec 15th 2007 8:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every few weekends, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to
andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: How do you change control schemes for downloaded PS1 games?
A: You can switch between a number of control options for PS1 games. For example, you may want to use the analog nub to move the character, instead of the D-Pad. You may want the shoulder buttons to be assigned differently. To switch these options, press Home during a PS1 game, and you'll see options for controls. You can change these settings on the fly -- convenient!
Q: When will the PSP GPS be released for the United States?
A: Next year. My guess? Summer of 2008.
Q: What happened to
Godzilla on the PSP? Will we ever see it on our console?
A: Atari has quietly canceled production of the game. Looks like you'll have to go to the Wii to get your
Godzilla fix.
Q: What original games are available on the PLAYSTATION Store?
A: There are currently two:
Beats and
Syphon Filter: Combat Ops. More original games will be available next year.
Posted Nov 24th 2007 11:30AM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every few weekends, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to
andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: Will there be a keyboard for the PSP?
A: Not officially. However, older systems that are homebrew-ready have a
workaround solution. A USB keyboard officially supported by Sony would be great, but unlikely.
Q: Why haven't the demos from the PLAYSTATION Store been uploaded to PSP Fanboy?
A: Unfortunately, the demos are DRM protected, so they can't be shared from system to system. Hopefully, this will be remedied in the future.
Q: Is there a US release of
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core yet?
A: No. Unfortunately, there is no planned release. We're going to have to be a bit more patient for this one.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 33
Posted Nov 10th 2007 12:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every few weekends, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to
andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: When is
Wipeout Pulse coming out?
A: From Paul Murphy, SCEA: "We have not made any official announcements with regards to a launch date
for
Wipeout Pulse." Ouch! We want it to come out soon -- hopefully in tandem with the upcoming PSN release,
Wipeout HD?
Q: How do I install demos?
A: Good question. We made a quick write-up for people like you. Check it out
here.
Q: I am interested in
Portable Ops Plus. Do I need the first
Portable Ops to play this?
A; Yes. The new game coming out is just an expansion pack and will require the original game to play.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 32
Posted Oct 20th 2007 4:30PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every few weekends, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to
andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: What is the story with GPS and the camera for US consumers? Will it ever be available retail for US?
A: The GPS and camera will be available in the US ...
next year. If you can't wait, you can always import the
GPS and
camera. While the camera will work fine with the downloadable
Go!Edit software, the GPS will require you to have a
homebrew enabled system. Supposedly, the US version of the GPS device will be enhanced in some way. We don't know when these PSP peripherals are going to make it to the US, but if we had to guess, it would be during Spring, before people get ready for their summer plans.
Q: Are there any protective cases specifically for the PSP Slim?
A: Hard cases for the PSP Slim have been hard to come by, especially because Sony hasn't made an official one. If you're using a
soft pouch, like the one included with the PSP at launch, those will work just fine.
Mad Catz seems to have a case for the Slim -- but we haven't tried it out yet.
Play-Asia also has a fantastic list of products made specifically for the redesigned system, and cases and pouches are on the list.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 31
Posted Oct 13th 2007 9:30AM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every few weekends, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to
andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: Do the component cable ONLY work on HDTVs? Or can you use a SDTV as well? And what is the difference between the two cables?
A: We get this question on a nearly daily basis. Component cables will only work on EDTV/HDTV sets with component inputs. You can NOT use a SDTV. The main difference between the two is that the component cables will allow you to play games on your TV.
If you do not have a HDTV, you will not be able to play PSP games on your TV. Hope that clears things up!
Q: Is there any way to access the PlayStation Store for downloading PSP from PS1 ports without using a PS3? If there is how does it work? And if not do you think that they will have it any time soon?
A: A PSP version of the Store is already in the works, and is available right now in Japan. We won't see it until next year, I'd assume. However, the Store will not only include PS1 games, it will also include brand new games that were made specifically for the PSP.
Q: Is the PSP-2000 just as capable of running custom firmwares as the original?
A: It depends. The first batch of PSP-2000 systems can be exploited using
Pandora's Battery. However, recent reports suggest that any new systems, such as the
Star Wars PSP, are not vulnerable to the exploit. You'll have to experiment
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 30
Posted Aug 25th 2007 9:30AM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Ask PSP Fanboy
Ask PSP Fanboy is back with an all new edition. Every weekend, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to
andrew @ joystiq.com with the subject "
Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q: Why doesn't PSP Fanboy make a mobile friendly version of their website/blog/news for consumption on the PSP?
A: We actually do have a mobile version of the site (one of the first Joystiq sites to have one, actually!). Simply visit m.pspfanboy.com from your PSP browser.
Q: Why are so many RSS feeds no longer working?
A: Many RSS feeds are starting to use high resolution video, 640x480, that the PSP currently doesn't support. Hopefully, Sony will further remove the restrictions on video playback, because we know PSP is capable of handling video of resolutions up to 720x480.
Q: With pre-orders for the new PSP Slim being high, do you see more (and/or better) PSP-exclusive games coming out in the future?
A: If the PSP redesign takes off as much as the DS Lite did, then yes, we'll see more exclusives hit the system. However, the DS Lite was a significant change compared to the original -- one that's easily noticeable at first glance. The PSP redesign is a lot more subtle.
Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 29
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