Sony Playstation Portable Review

My kids have been playing with their new PSP for several weeks now -- at home, in the car, at the airport, on vacation -- so as a participant of Sony's PSP Summer Family Fun program I think it's time I did a review of the PSP and shared with everyone what we think of this device. I think we've only just begun to scratch the surface -- we haven't even gotten into multiplayer games, WiFi connectivity, TiVoToGO and other cool features. But so far, we like what we see!

The Basics
The Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld entertainment device that you can download all kinds of content to, to enjoy wherever and whenever you want. Here are some of the things you can do with a PSP:

* Watch movies (you download the movies from the PlayStation Store; you can rent or own the movies).
* Access internet radio stations over a WiFi connection.
* Listen to music that you download from your computer or the PS3.
* Store and view photos, create slideshows from them and share them over a WiFi connnection.
* Store and view home digital videos.
* Watch your Tivo'd shows.
* Stream and watch live TV with Location Free TV.
* Play videogames.


The Bongga
My kids are loving the PSP! They're having so much fun playing the games we received -- Tetris, Rock Band, and more. I've already bought them Shaun White's snowboarding game for the PSP and they're eager to collect more!

Here's what I love about the PSP:

* The display is huuuuuge -- it's like the big-screen tv of portable videogames.

* The graphics are clear and crisp, no pixelation whatsoever.

* You can do so many things on it -- play music, play games, store photos, . It's sure to keep kids occupied during all those times

* You can download a significant amount of content from the web and from your computer directly onto the PSP, versus having to buy a physical product that you plug into the PSP.


The Blah
Here's what I would improve:

* The available games for the PSP are for older teenage boys. I wish they had more puzzle games or games with an educational slant, as well as more games geared for girls.

* I wish the game cartridges were compatible with the PS3.

* I find the game controls way too complicated and confusing. Buttons with x'es and o's, buttons with triangles and squares, more buttons on the sides and corners.... and some buttons differ in function with every game! Give me a touchscreen already!


The Bottom Line
The Playstation Portable by Sony more than just a videogame console! It's truly a one-stop, on-the-go entertainment system that will keep your kids amused for hours while you're out and about this summer.


Do you have a PSP? Do you want one? Do you have any feedback about the PSP to share? Any comment you leave here counts as an extra entry into my $50 PlayStation Network gift card giveaway!



Disclosure: I am participating in Sony's PSP Summer Family Fun blogger program; I received a "Summer Fun" kit which included a Sony Playstation Portable (PSP-3000) , an assortment of content (games and movies) for the PSP, as well as a journal and videocamera to capture our summer adventures. I have not been paid or required to review the product or give my opinions. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.