Nintendo slams PSP in amazing two hour battery claim!
Big guns blaze as portable launch mayhem flares
This morning in Seattle, Nintendo made its most aggressive attack on Sony’s PSP project to date. Following months of staff members whispering to any member of the press that would listen, constantly sewing seeds of doubt regarding the Portable PlayStation, head of sales and marketing for the US, the infamous Reggie Fils-Amie, landed the first on-the-record blow.
“Let me tell you something,” bellowed Fils-Amie with something of a glint in his eye. “Those little women at the Tokyo Game Show with those portable consoles strapped to them… What you didn’t see is that those women were having to go recharge the batteries every two hours!”
This is the first time that anyone has gone on the record from any company to speculate about the power life of the PSP. The fact that it comes from Nintendo, a firm that traditionally ignores its competitors, is surprising to say the least.
Fils-Amie continued, “We have gone on the record to state that the Nintendo DS will have battery life comparable to the Game Boy Advance SP. Nowhere will you find any mention of the other machines power life. And you have to wonder why…”
If this news proves true, it will prove disasterous for SCE’s PR plans for the PSP. The news, if indeed it is news, will have to be closely manicured before it is presentable to a public that quite simply demands more life per-charge from its handheld devices.
As do you, we await Sony’s clarification on the issue with great interest.
In other interesting news, Fils-Amie, in what must now be seen as the second coming of the Reggie-lution, (remember, the name-taking, the ass-kicking) made several references that the PSP is being developed only in California. Which seemed rather strange to us.
Stay tuned for more on all this marvellous handbag swinging in the coming weeks.
“Let me tell you something,” bellowed Fils-Amie with something of a glint in his eye. “Those little women at the Tokyo Game Show with those portable consoles strapped to them… What you didn’t see is that those women were having to go recharge the batteries every two hours!”
This is the first time that anyone has gone on the record from any company to speculate about the power life of the PSP. The fact that it comes from Nintendo, a firm that traditionally ignores its competitors, is surprising to say the least.
Fils-Amie continued, “We have gone on the record to state that the Nintendo DS will have battery life comparable to the Game Boy Advance SP. Nowhere will you find any mention of the other machines power life. And you have to wonder why…”
If this news proves true, it will prove disasterous for SCE’s PR plans for the PSP. The news, if indeed it is news, will have to be closely manicured before it is presentable to a public that quite simply demands more life per-charge from its handheld devices.
As do you, we await Sony’s clarification on the issue with great interest.
In other interesting news, Fils-Amie, in what must now be seen as the second coming of the Reggie-lution, (remember, the name-taking, the ass-kicking) made several references that the PSP is being developed only in California. Which seemed rather strange to us.
Stay tuned for more on all this marvellous handbag swinging in the coming weeks.
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Comments
acidviper 7 Oct 2004 22:44
1/18
Burn. Good thing my girlfriend has enough energy all night long. No recharging needed.
Kaxxx 8 Oct 2004 06:43
2/18
Definetly strange for Nintendo to be so brutal out front. I suppose though that most of their revenue is through the handheld market and they really need to keep it. Can Sony afford to have these claims made against them? I dunno, but it sure makes it interesting.
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DoctorDee 8 Oct 2004 07:55
3/18
Kaxxx wrote:
Definetly strange for Nintendo to be so brutal out front.
Yeah, but the others haven't always been so circumspect. And I guess it's gloves off time, as the company is fighting for its future against Sony and Microsoft.
Kaxxx wrote:
Can Sony afford to have these claims made against them? I dunno, but it sure makes it interesting.
I think Sony can weather the claims - if they are just that. But if they turn out to be true, PSP will be doomed from the go get.
Kaxxx 8 Oct 2004 08:06
4/18
The PSP is something im not going to lose my interest in though. It is a seriously cool looking piece of kit but the battery issues are a problam and harmful to its reputation.
Its screens like these that keep me wanting one though.
Its screens like these that keep me wanting one though.
DoctorDee 8 Oct 2004 08:14
5/18
It looks sexy as a very sexy thing with a particularly good reasons for being sexy.
But what's this strange rubber stomp pad thingy?
But what's this strange rubber stomp pad thingy?
Kaxxx wrote:
Kaxxx 8 Oct 2004 09:07
6/18
My guess is that its a grip for your thumb to rest on. The PSP looks particularly slippery so it coulf be for that. Anything else would be covered by your hand.
DoctorDee 8 Oct 2004 09:10
7/18
Kaxxx wrote:
My guess is that its a grip for your thumb to rest on. The PSP looks particularly slippery so it coulf be for that. Anything else would be covered by your hand.
Yeah, could be, it's right next to the d-pad, so I guess it's to put your thumb on, and give you leverage on the control buttons without you making direction changes.
kazuya69 8 Oct 2004 10:13
8/18
That is the analogue controller.
Joji 8 Oct 2004 10:39
9/18
No doubt it's all hands on deck for this hand held battle. I feel Nintendo are now in a David and Goliath situation, they used to be on top and are now cornered by Sony and MS. They must use the hand held market to fight back from what would otherwise spell doom for them.
I still find the PSP battery life claims unbelievable, but if true I won't be buying it for a long time. I don't understand why it could be so hard for them to sort out the battery biz, because it's very easy to see from the history that battery life is a major factor in a hand helds chances.
PSP rright now is looking like the GG once did. Very nice graphically and gamewise but a suck ass short battery life. This used to hurt me really bad because as everyone knows when playing games normal time passes quickly while you are engrossed.
Perhaps a rethink is needed by Sony, because their decision to aim for PSP so high graphically might be costing them dear.
I have always used rechargeble batteries and a battery charger for all the years I've had a GB, giving me about 24 hours play on the original GB, and about 20-24 on my GBA (based on 4AA batteries). If given the option perhaps PSP should just use normal batteries, or give away 2 rechargeable ones with it, so when you charge them you never have to buy anymore unless you really need them.
Either way something has to be done if the PSP news is true, and fast.
I still find the PSP battery life claims unbelievable, but if true I won't be buying it for a long time. I don't understand why it could be so hard for them to sort out the battery biz, because it's very easy to see from the history that battery life is a major factor in a hand helds chances.
PSP rright now is looking like the GG once did. Very nice graphically and gamewise but a suck ass short battery life. This used to hurt me really bad because as everyone knows when playing games normal time passes quickly while you are engrossed.
Perhaps a rethink is needed by Sony, because their decision to aim for PSP so high graphically might be costing them dear.
I have always used rechargeble batteries and a battery charger for all the years I've had a GB, giving me about 24 hours play on the original GB, and about 20-24 on my GBA (based on 4AA batteries). If given the option perhaps PSP should just use normal batteries, or give away 2 rechargeable ones with it, so when you charge them you never have to buy anymore unless you really need them.
Either way something has to be done if the PSP news is true, and fast.
DoctorDee 8 Oct 2004 10:48
10/18
Joji wrote:
they used to be on top and are now cornered by Sony and MS.
I'm imagining a Microsoft handheld. Powered by dual P4 Xeon processors, it would be a convergence device - part console, part space heater.
It would also double as a door-stop for houses with very big doors (Windsor Castle etc), or a way for very short people to reach very high shelves.
Kaxxx 8 Oct 2004 10:50
11/18
kazuya69 wrote:
That is the analogue controller.
No way! That couldnt be an analogue control. It doesnt have enough height from the unit to move it correctly.
kazuya69 8 Oct 2004 10:53
12/18
Sorry but it is the analogue controller.
It isn't a stick, but a grippy button that slides in the direction it is moved.
Its v.clever but I;m not sure its going to be that popular because of its position.
It isn't a stick, but a grippy button that slides in the direction it is moved.
Its v.clever but I;m not sure its going to be that popular because of its position.
Kaxxx 8 Oct 2004 10:59
13/18
I cant imagine it being that clever. Personally i like the analogue stick to tilt in the direction not slide about. Plus if you are using the d-pad for a game and lean on the analogue your hand is going to slide about.
btnheazy03 8 Oct 2004 11:13
14/18
which is better:
A) a lone thumb that controls both a dpad and a piece of rubber at the same time, or ..
B) a thumb controlling a dpad and the other controlling a theoretically HUGE number of buttons? (the touchpad can be programmed to act like keyboard, for example)
A) a lone thumb that controls both a dpad and a piece of rubber at the same time, or ..
B) a thumb controlling a dpad and the other controlling a theoretically HUGE number of buttons? (the touchpad can be programmed to act like keyboard, for example)
fluffstardx 8 Oct 2004 11:46
15/18
GO FOR THE THROAT! THE THROAT!!!!
Seriously, it's nice to see Nintendo get aggressive. The worrying thing is, he's right; we've now heard from 5 sources that the current power supply life is 2 hours.
Hell, the original figures said that was for movie playback, but they were from SONY. Did you really think they'd admit they were beaten? This is the company that, after around 3 years, has finally admitted MP3 is far superior to ATRAC!
It is worrying. Terrifying, even; Sony expect you to pay $300 (£300, as all consoles come out on a $1-£1 conversion) for something not currently able to even last a long train journey. In fact, they expect LOTS of people to do it.
I think they finally found a market they can't handle.
Seriously, it's nice to see Nintendo get aggressive. The worrying thing is, he's right; we've now heard from 5 sources that the current power supply life is 2 hours.
Hell, the original figures said that was for movie playback, but they were from SONY. Did you really think they'd admit they were beaten? This is the company that, after around 3 years, has finally admitted MP3 is far superior to ATRAC!
It is worrying. Terrifying, even; Sony expect you to pay $300 (£300, as all consoles come out on a $1-£1 conversion) for something not currently able to even last a long train journey. In fact, they expect LOTS of people to do it.
I think they finally found a market they can't handle.
Newtynho 8 Oct 2004 12:37
16/18
It won't be only 2 hours for games when it's ready, people. No way.
LUPOS 8 Oct 2004 21:05
17/18
hey... i dont liek so about as much as one person can but i liek to stay informed on the goign on int he world, especially if i am goign to be runnign of at the mouth about the (which i tend to do alot). that little pad is indeed the analog "control" doesnt have to be a stick to work.. the face buttons on the ps2 and xbox are all analog, the triggers on the xbox and game cube are analog... just means it can sense a wide range of motion rather just being an on and off switch liek a d-pad. also if you read soem hands on impressions every single one i have read loves the thing. as far as a standard control it is aparently MUCH better than a regular d-pad. nintendo doesnt feel the need for such things so that people use the touch screen more... like in thos pics of ridge racer... analog controls with the stylus on an image of a steering wheel rather than an analog stick. so in conclusion, little nub =awsome, touch screen = original and maybe cool maybe not. best consol = who the hell knows.
and as a side burn... "a place to rest your thumb" are you serious? makes my head hurt.
and as a side burn... "a place to rest your thumb" are you serious? makes my head hurt.
Pandaman 8 Oct 2004 22:51
18/18
Hey, if I wanted a handheld that was only pretty and didn't really work, I'd buy a PSP!
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