Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter recently lashed out at the PSP2, calling it ‘dead on arrival’ in the wake of low-priced software offerings for Apple’s bustling iPod Touch platform. He’s since clarified those statements to trade site IndustryGamers, saying that PSP2 could perform well if it’s priced right and boasts a competitive feature set. However, he pointed to Sony’s handling of the […]

Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter has climbed back up on his soap box again with some loaded commentary on the future and viability of the handheld market. In a Gametrailers ‘Pach Attack’ segment, he labels the PSP2 as ‘dead on arrival.’ Further, he feels Apple’s growing dominance with the iPod Touch will continue to gnaw at Nintendo’s marketshare, pointing to lower […]

The chaps over at VG247 have obtained snapshots of what is purportedly an early PSP2 devkit. The photo, as shown above, is horrendously grainy. Still, it gives a first glimpse at the PSPgo-like form factor and confirms earlier rumors that the handheld boasts dual analog sticks, something PSP owners have been yearning for half a decade now. Also depicted is […]

Sony execs dropped a sizable nugget regarding plans for the portable space in an earnings call today, revealing that the company will announce details on a new PSP product “when the timing is right.” This statement was made in reference to investor inquiries over Sony’s strategy going forward for the PSP platform, which saw a decline of 50 percent in […]

More details on Sony’s next-generation PSP successor — the PSP2 — are trickling out. Citing sources that met with Sony during the Tokyo Game Show, Kotaku reports that the PSP2 will nix the oft-criticized UMD format with optional Memory Stick storage, much like the PSPgo before it. If that’s the case, Sony’s plans to distribute games via retail channels remain unknown. […]

While Sony remains tight-lipped on its next-generation portable plans, trade site Develop has it on good authority that PSP2 dev kits have been sent to “numerous” development studios – both third-party and in-house. Reportedly, Sony is gearing up to make a “big impact” at launch, one supplemented with a wide array of launch titles. Earlier this month, Mortal Kombat’s executive producer […]

Outspoken Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter is completely “baffled” by Sony’s handling of the PSP and feels its successor should “emulate” the 3DS tech-wise. “I’m completely baffled by Sony’s PSP strategy.  They owned the portable entertainment market with the Walkman, and sat back and watched as Nintendo dominated games and Apple dominated music,” explained Pachter in an interview with trade site […]

Much like the PSPgo before it, the PSP2 is quickly shaping up to be one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets. Despite the fact that it’s still not officially announced, Mortal Kombat’s executive producer Shaun Himmerick dished out praise in a recent interview with trade site IndustryGamers. He sounds quite delighted with it, to say the least. Here’s a snip:

Releasing the PSPgo marked Sony’s first stab at a digital-only handheld. Suffice to say, reactions were mixed — and to add insult to injury, its initial release was marred by a lack of content on the PlayStation Store. Growing pains aside, how has the UMD-less handheld held up sales-wise since its October debut last year? Pretty well, at least in […]

Talk amongst inner dev circles is that Sony’s next-generation PSP will feature touch-sensitive controls not built into the screen itself. Instead, a “touch activated area” is situated on the unit’s rear, according to sources close to Eurogamer.

Japanese wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo has let it slip that it has been discussing with various “videogame makers” to bring 3G connectivity to their next-generation handheld platforms. Both the Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable introduced WiFi connectivity to the handheld gaming market when they launched. With the emergence of smartphones and constant connectivity it is only fitting that we see […]

Shuhei Yoshida, head of Sony Worldwide Studios (WWS), told Develop Magazine that they are bringing Worldwide Studios into hardware development. WWS serves as Sony’s own network of game developers who will now help in the development of hardware, primarily new unannounced hardware. This move of cooperation between the hardware and software developers was one of the first moves taken by […]

According to a Japanese retailer, Geo, the Nintendo 3DS will launch this year alongside the unannounced PSP-4000. The Nintendo 3DS launch of this year in Japan isn’t very shocking since Nintendo has already confirmed a similar launch schedule. However, the mention of a new PSP system, the PSP-4000 has caught our attention. The retailer also has it scheduled to come […]

Always outspoken Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter has chimed in on what he feels is a suitable price point for Sony’s next generation handheld. While Patcher is reserving final judgment until the device is announced, he reckons that the PSP2, regardless of its eventual feature set or capabilities, must be priced at $199 or less in order to have […]

With Nintendo’s recent 3DS announcement, a question looming on many minds is if Sony will respond by introducing new hardware of their own. Like, say, a PSP2. The oft-rumored PSP successor still remains nothing more than a figment of the imagination. Two pieces of evidence have surfaced recently that suggest otherwise, however.

While we still don’t know for sure if the next PSP, whatever Sony decides to officially name it – PSP2 or PSP-4000, will ship without a UMD drive, folks are already beginning to get excited. Folks like Ready At Dawn, the team behind God of War: Chains of Olympus. Speaking in a recent interview with Edge, company CEO Didier Malenfant […]

Rumors surrounding the next generation of PSP hardware are sticking around. In a recent Twitter update, industry veteran and Earthworm Jim creator Dave Perry hinted that Sony is planning to remove the UMD drive in what he calls PSP2. To quote: I hear Sony FINALLY has the PSP 2. And thank goodness, they’ve removed the stupid battery-sucking UMD disc drive. […]

According to a job listing posted on the Sony Computer Entertainment website, Sony’s Japanese division is search of candidates to survey “new game hardware.” A full time position beginning in March, the Tokyo-based job entails giving input for yet to be released hardware for PS3, PS2, PSP and associated peripherals. Pay is 1,000 yen (around $10.50 US) per hour and […]

There may be no “official” plans for a PSP2 according to SCEE prez David Reeves, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking about it. A recent survey sent out to select registered PSP owners members reveals Sony’s intentions to significantly update the next generation of PSP hardware. A wide range of questions are being asked, gauging interest in touch screen […]

Speaking to UK-based industry site MCV, SCEE president David Reeves assured that Sony has “no plans” for a PSP2. Earlier reports suggested that the company had signed a deal with Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR tech, but Reeves says nothing of the sort. No, there are currently no plans for a PSP2. I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one […]