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Splurged: PSP

I bought a PlayStation Portable a couple of weeks ago. This was the first serious “splurge” since we bought the laptop computer last year, so I don’t feel too bad (splurging on house stuff obviously doesn’t count, because it’s more of a necessity than a luxury).

We ended-up buying the Giga Pack from HMV: black PSP, 1GB Memory Stick, in-ear headphones with remote control, plus two games, Daxter and Loco Roco, all for just over 200 notes. I also got Wipeout Pure as well, not wanting to break with tradition (I bought the original Wipeout when I got my first PlayStation, then Wipeout Fusion when the PS2 came out).

Initial impressions of the console are positive. The design of the unit is very sleek, as you would expect from Sony. The standard navigational UI (used to change settings, launch games, etc) is simple but looks sexy, and the LCD screen is fantastic. Battery life could be better, lasting around three hours before needing a recharge, but overall it’s a great little package.

And what of the games? I’d heard good things about Loco Roco, and it doesn’t disappoint, being a very original puzzler/platformer. I can’t get Paula to stop playing it! Wipeout Pure reminds me of the 2097 version (the best), which was apparently one of the game’s design goals. I’m having a little trouble with the difficulty level, although that’s probably due to my general rustiness with the old D-pad. As for Daxter, HMV didn’t have any in-stock at the time, so that’s still on back-order.

I haven’t watched any UMD movies yet, and to be honest I don’t think I’ll bother buying any. I just don’t see the point of watching a two-hour film on that tiny screen. I’ve also yet to look into viewing photos or playing music on the machine, as I haven’t really had the time. Maybe when work on the house settles down a bit!

Taking the piss?

Just read on BBC News that Nintendo’s forthcoming games console, formerly known as Revolution, is officially going to be called Wii (pronounced “we”). Incredibly, this isn’t a wind-up.

I still own a couple of Nintendo consoles (N64 and GameCube), and Paula has a GBA, but I doubt I’ll be buying one of these when it’s released. For starters, it looks a bit naff, and the controller is just plain weird. Admittedly, Nintendo are aiming for a different demographic than either Sony or Microsoft, but it’s hard to see this unit appealing to those that have never bought a console before, especially with that name. After all, what kid in their right mind would let mum and dad buy one for the living room? Can you imagine the kind of stick they’d get from their mates?