To play PS2 on PSP, you'll need a PS3 as well.. portable, uh?
As we reported yesterday, retro PlayStation games are now available for download to the PSP through the PlayStation Network. There are currently five titles on offer with more on the way over the holiday period. The service resembles Xbox Live Arcade and Nintendo's Virtual Console, the latter of which launched last week.
The five titles will set you back $5.99 (£3.00 sterling) each and range from 150mb to 535mb in size. Each download is playable on up to five PSPs. The line-up looks like this: Cool Boarders, Crash Bandicoot, Hot Shots Golf 2, Syphon Filter, and Tekken 2.
It's not quite as straightforward as you might think, however. Titles must be downloaded through a PS3 (sorry Brits, looks like we're waiting till March) and then transferred to your PSP via memory stick. You'll also need a firmware upgrade to allow the PSP to run the emulated PS1 games.
The method of downloading the titles is likely to draw criticism from PSP and PS3 owners alike. PSP owners obviously need to own a PS3 to make use of the service (making it a regional exclusive for the US and Japan for the moment). Conversely, those who only have a PS3 won't be able to play the games. Even though the games must go through the PS3 (which is backwards compatible) they are coded only to play on the PSP.
Peter Dille, Senior Vice-President Marketing of SCEA said: "Downloadable PlayStation emulated games on the PSP is just the beginning, but it underscores our vision for leveraging the wide breadth of content that's available from the PlayStation brand, and delivers value to gamers well beyond the initial purchase of their PS3 and PSP."
Are you feeling a bit PSPeeved at the whole thing? Let us know on the forum.
The five titles will set you back $5.99 (£3.00 sterling) each and range from 150mb to 535mb in size. Each download is playable on up to five PSPs. The line-up looks like this: Cool Boarders, Crash Bandicoot, Hot Shots Golf 2, Syphon Filter, and Tekken 2.
It's not quite as straightforward as you might think, however. Titles must be downloaded through a PS3 (sorry Brits, looks like we're waiting till March) and then transferred to your PSP via memory stick. You'll also need a firmware upgrade to allow the PSP to run the emulated PS1 games.
The method of downloading the titles is likely to draw criticism from PSP and PS3 owners alike. PSP owners obviously need to own a PS3 to make use of the service (making it a regional exclusive for the US and Japan for the moment). Conversely, those who only have a PS3 won't be able to play the games. Even though the games must go through the PS3 (which is backwards compatible) they are coded only to play on the PSP.
Peter Dille, Senior Vice-President Marketing of SCEA said: "Downloadable PlayStation emulated games on the PSP is just the beginning, but it underscores our vision for leveraging the wide breadth of content that's available from the PlayStation brand, and delivers value to gamers well beyond the initial purchase of their PS3 and PSP."
Are you feeling a bit PSPeeved at the whole thing? Let us know on the forum.
Companies:
Sony
Read More Like This
Comments
mrAnthony 6 Dec 2006 12:16
1/3
my jaw just dropped. the one thing i have been waiting for, on my psp. to play final fantasy 7, has just been shot down, thanks sony, thanks a bunch.
Joji 6 Dec 2006 12:38
2/3
I think its a bit insulting to ask PSP owners to go through the PS3 to get their PS1 games. What's wrong with the Sony Connect website and a normal PC?
Since I won't be buying a PS3 for a year or ttwo there's no point in my worrying about PS1 games on PSP, as nice as that would be.
Since I won't be buying a PS3 for a year or ttwo there's no point in my worrying about PS1 games on PSP, as nice as that would be.
Coxy 7 Dec 2006 20:07
3/3
That is one of the most stupid tactics I have ever heard of, not only have they isolated the section of consumers who only have the PSP, but you also have to pay £500 for the PS3 and they still charge you for downloading the PS1 games, I mean the least they could do is offer consumers a few free downloads to make up for the large expense, or as Joji said just using the Connect website and PC, it's just another way for Sony to squeeze out a few extra PS3's into consumers homes.
There's no denying these are going to be the most expensive PS1 titles ever.
There's no denying these are going to be the most expensive PS1 titles ever.