Posted Nov 24, 2006 at 04:44PM by Kyle M. Listed in: Opinions & Analysis Tags: Sony
Ó

PSP Analog StickPSP is a powerful tool that has great graphics, fast 333Mhz processor, and some pretty good games to boot. If only Sony had got the button configuration right then it would be the perfect handheld. The analog stick isn't at all comfortable, causing a lot of gamers to modify their own analog stick using DIY methods just to make it a little more usable.


With that said, it is not surprising that PocketGamer's survey of gamers using portable consoles came to the conclusion that the PSP 2 should have an extra analog stick.

The vote was quite tight, but when asked what hardware upgrade they would want in PSP 2.0, 28% of voters said they'd prefer an upgrade to two analog sticks compared to a very close 27% who said they'd prefer the console to have touch screen functionality. Others voted for a built-in mobile phone (21%), a built-in camera and microphone (16%), and a clamshell case (5%).

We have already reported that the 3.0 firmware PSOne emulator for the PSP doesn't work that well because you have to use the directional buttons as L2 and R2 buttons, but if the PSP had two analog sticks this wouldn't be so much of a problem.

How about you guys, what do you prefer to see on PSP 2? Two analog sticks? A built-in mobile phone/camera/mic? A clamshell case? Any other suggestions? Don't forget to tell us in the comments!


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57 Comments


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   by NightHowler387 - 2006-11-24
 » tbh..

there should be an R1, R2, L1, L2 buttons and 2 analogue sticks. this would make the controls of games much easier to use. but thats just my personal opinion.. a cam, mic and mobile phone built in would be good too though =]


   Re: john heder (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » reply

well with all those extra buttons, would make the psp really quite thick

   Re: g (Unregistered) - 2006-11-25
 » h

i want a whole new system called psp2 withy a blu ray umd player and l2,r2 ands a second anolog

   Re: Nicko01 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-25
 » upgrades

Blu-ray UMD's, 699mhz, 2 analogs, removable faceplates so we can change the colors, built in camera.
All that would drive the price up to maybe 350 for a value pack and a little bit more for the games.
would be nice though.


Oh and don't forget, linux emu!

   Re: rofl (Unregistered) - 2006-11-25
 » na

yea i think it would fit, thers a large space for the right analog, and should be enough to add 2 more shoulder button on there without changing it much

   Re: lava sofa (Unregistered) - 2006-11-25
 » g

you have no clue what your talking about they dont have blu-ray lasers that small and if they did be ready to pay thousands of dollers
   by JohnnyBoy (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » ...

@NightHowler387

Yes, that too would be great.

Why not incorporate all three options into a "sub-model" for the people willing to pay the needed cost.

A higher capacity flash NAND would be cool.


   Re: Terranaut (Unregistered) - 2006-11-25
 » A sub model would be okay, but ....

What incentive would there be for the game producers to actually code for it?

With the "base model" being the defacto standard, who would write for the enhanced model with the extra buttons + analog stick?

With original Playstation, it was easy for the programmers to incorporate the then new analog controller released by sony, as it was only the controller that required replacing, if there are two different PSP2's in circulation, the impetus would be to support the larger selling model, which would most likely be the cheapest one.
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   by Anonymous Coward Who Really Has An Account (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » ....

Might as well make the whole thing the exact same as a PS2 controller (L2/R2, 2 analog sticks, and PROBABLY L3/R3). I bet Sony probably would've done this but thought that maybe consumers would've flamed it for being a PS2 with a screen. But look at it now, everyone wants a second analog stick.

One suggestion that probably EVERYONE would like is for it to come with built in memory, like an iPod. If a video iPod has 30-60 gigs, why not a PSP? Also, coming with a longer lasting battery would've let the PSP unleash more power! As they say, if the PSP had a longer lasting battery, the graphics can look as good or even better than the PS2!! Oh yeah one other thing, hopefully Sony can work more on games than multimedia as that's mainly what the PSP was bought for.


   Re: ... (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » ...

If you wanted to spend $400+ on a psp with that much internal space, they could easily do it. Cost is the main factor here, as an Ipod already costs $250+, so add all of the features of the psp, and you get a $200+$250 or so, meaning no one would buy the psp ;)
   by Ryan (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Stay

I think sony should stay with upating the psp ( 1 ) because i would rather not spend my money on a whole new psp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   by kratos2000 - 2006-11-24
 » poop

poop

   by G Thug (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » undouted

two analogue sticks would be most appropriate

   by kratos2000 - 2006-11-24
 » thing that is better than this

www.digyourowngrave.com go to the 3d missile game and play it. That is truly better than anything you people can say.

   by Anunakin (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Linux,

Linux for PSP
USB Host (for use a 8GB pen drive or a DVD reader, keyboards and so many thinks)

   by RSX46 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » well...

Well I would like to see an internal Hard Drive like a 20gb or something and another analog stick. Then it would be perfect (maybe a cell phone and a longer battery too).

   by JOshISPoser - 2006-11-24
 » no two analog sticks

i think that ruins the portable effect. unless they can pull it off smoothly, like Sony does pretty well, than maybe. i think it would be cool if we can send our psps into sony for psp 2. get a little work done, then get it back. i just wonder how we will get a psp 2 or if we would have to buy it as a whole new system. probably a whole new system.


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   Re: PSPOWnA (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » D

That sounds like something they would do so they can upgrade its firmware. Im sure they'll end up charging something as well.
   by JOshISPoser - 2006-11-24
 » no two analog sticks

i think that ruins the portable effect. unless they can pull it off smoothly, like Sony does pretty well, than maybe. i think it would be cool if we can send our psps into sony for psp 2. get a little work done, then get it back. i just wonder how we will get a psp 2 or if we would have to buy it as a whole new system. probably a whole new system.

   by JohnnyBoy (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Corrected Typo and additional opinion

5 options I meant.

@Anonymous Coward Who Really Has An Account

Plans/rumors for built in memory has been said.

I'd like to see the PSP 2.0 with as many functions as possible, as I'm a greedy tech pig. But of course with out losing the console's portability.

Functions such as the touch screen, dual analog sticks, flash memory, camera and microphone, mobile phone functionality could be built in without making this portable bulky. It's nearly 2007, we have the microtechnology to pull it off.

   by ILikeToTouchMyPSP (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » touch screen + dual analog

I'd love to see both touch screen and dual analog controller in PSP2. I don't think those features exclude each other.


   Re: sime_wich (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » how

how are you going to hold the pen and have 2 thumbs on the sticks? lol
   by Bob (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » If they make this...

I'm never going to buy another Sony thing again. I've only had my PSP for just over a year. I only got it a few month after English launch, and they're already considering PSP2!?

   by gamerz275 - 2006-11-24
 » well...

there is none or little official evidence that a PSP 2 will be coming out anytime soon. There are many similar surveys, but no official announcements have been made

   by MacUser (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » totally agree (/end sarcasm)

ahh, the button configuration. that would turn sony's steaming pile of bad handheld into the "perfect handheld." i agree. i also think that tacking on a touch screen would totally make it outsell the ds. oh yeah, i almost forgot: /END SARCASM

   by lChinol (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » keyboard and memory

I think the psp really needs a mini keyboard attached, plus all the mobile phone/camera/microphone and that they give it a higher memory thingy for future updates ya know:D

   by PSPhone (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » No

II dont think Sony would be stupid enough to make a Playstation with a phone because then there will be all the carriers and crap an who will get it. We dont need another NGage.

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   by . (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » .

I would definitely want two analog sticks,
and an updated flash player which runs smoothly and takes use of all buttons.

Those are the two things I want the most.

   by Korlithiel - 2006-11-24
 » My thoughts

Personally I think the PSP is great, and anything that would up the size wouldn't be appreciated. Before Sony alienates it's current user base by say adding a second analog in the next PSP I would like them to make one that just incorperates some of the peripherals inside, sine we will probably see a redesign first.
In 2-4 years I wouldn't mind a second PSP, this time with another analog but as for internal space it really isn't needed, memory sticks have been getting larger and larger in capacity and the prices have plumetted, when I first bought a 1GB ms it cost me almost $120 now I found one onsale at Best Buy for only $20, so buying a 8 or 16GB one should only cost about that when I feel like buying one next year.

Consider this, have you ever had issues seeing the screen? I have in daylight and I think a more visible screen would help. Currently I do fine with a screen protector and the backlight on max I can see it well enough to game during summer, otherwise I can't well enough to load game.

Another idea would be pressure sensitive buttons, they would make many games more enjoyable but not add to the overall size or weight of the system.

I would like a keyboard add-on for surfing the net and for taking notes, true the system isn't meant to be a laptop replacement but since many of the homebrewers already do just that why not give it to us?

   by deanspeed (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » what i think psp 2 should have

i think that it should have a Touch Screen, Dual Analog Sticks, built in camera, built in mic, and most of all this technology: http://www.lightblueoptics.com/

if it has all of this i will definitely buy one

   by Pump it up!! (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » psp on roids

Just put a screen in the middle of the ps2 controller (flatten the controller out a bit) and add a camera/mic/touch screen function and more memory im positive this can be done without it being bulky, c'mon sony give us what we want!

   by r35 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » lol

um shouldnt it just be something that doesnt affect original psp owners... eg if it has a extra analog stick then they will more than likely develop games for dual analog's and what do original psp owners do now?

keyboard addon is a great idea... but i think it should be something you can buy instead, maybe the psp 2 should just have a complete redesign to make it look really nifty... or perhaps the analog stick can be simillar to the dualshock controller just smaller to fit the psp??


   Re: Rocker931 - 2006-11-24
 » Yea but...

The analog would be a problem getting into a case like the psp comes with

   Re: psp (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » what i think

the analog sticks should be able to be pulled up and able to be pushed back down to make them kinda look like the dualshocks.that way it will be easy to fit in a case.
   by Rocker931 - 2006-11-24
 » Well...

I liked all the ideas except the case thing. The only problem is with the touch screen cuz it gets too scratched up.

   by nate (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » HDD

Problem with internal hard drives are they kill battery life unless they're a flash drive(no moving parts). Normal hard drives (think iPod) are also more prone to corruption when dropped shaken etc. If they were going to add a InternalHD it had best be a FlashHD so much better in every possible way.

   by Dude!!! (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Dude!!!

I think 2 analogue sticks, use or maybe 20 gb HD just games, music, internet and movies (downloafing movies) I don't think a phone will be a good idea. PSP is for gaming. maybe some extra small butons will be great. and please change the graphics... to make it look much better.

   by 300 (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Hmm

Homebrew support, 2 analogs, and making the console tougher so that you drop it and you don't automatically have to send it to sony.

   by Bag Of Turds (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Ah yes....no

2 Analogue Sticks? and how exactly would this benefit the psp?a lot of games only use 1 stick, hence why sony only fitted 1 in the first place, it would make more sense (and cost less money for them) to just make an extra clip-on type stick that utilizes the usb like the camera & gps do, then make games with options to go with 2 sticks or 1. I think 1 stick is more than enough, although L2 + R2 shoulder buttons would be nice. All these "surveys" are being taken too seriously, you really think sony would give up on something thats cost them millions to produce/market so quickly?

   by sime_wich (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » should have

should have: internal memory, flash or hd. and it should be thinner, have less glare in sunlight, and have a better battery ( to unlease the 333mhz processor).

   by zigoghell (Unregistered) - 2006-11-24
 » Sony pay attention!

If Sony was smart. They would read the forums on sites like this one, to get good feed back on what the psp 2 should or should not have. After all the customer is always right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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