A PSP2 Without 3D - Is That Good Enough?

Designing a handheld game console, especially if you are Sony, is a tough call. You will have to come up with a device that challenges the dominance of Nintendo's DS and Nintendo's already legendary talent to attract consumers of all ages. True to Sony's approach, the PSP would have to be higher end than the DS. There is also new competition from the side of smartphones, devices that are now selling more than 50 million units every quarter, if we look at Android and the iPhone alone, and have the clear attention of developers.

[DeeZee]

Yes! It really doesn't need 3D, let Nintendo do what they do best, while Sony tries to give hardcore gamers the most powerful handheld ever.

[pain777pas]

No need for 3d with the specs of the NPG. If the specs weren't so robust many would complain. If Sony price this thing right, I will be in love with the NGP even while at home let alone on the go. Watch TV and play whatever.

[AndrewRyan]

I really hope they support this more then they did with the PSP! :(

[Anarki]

A psp needs 3d now because the 3ds has it..... 3d on a handheld is just wrong..

[DatNJDom81]

So when PS3 does 3D its bad, but when PSP2 (NGP) doesn't do it it's bad too. Jesus Sony just can't get a break this gen huh. Gotta love the unbiased media./s

[Imtey]

The novelty of a 3d screen might wear off after a while, but I could stare at dat 5" OLED screen all day...

[gamingdroid]

"So when PS3 does 3D its bad, but when PSP2 (NGP) doesn't do it it's bad too. Jesus Sony just can't get a break this gen huh. Gotta love the unbiased media./s "

When 3D is done on a TV, it requires people to buy a new TV (again), extra pricey glasses and wear those darn uncomfortable glasses.

Adding 3D to a handheld should require no glasses and minimal added cost (approx. $50 max).

The former, very few people can enjoy, the latter everyone that upgrades to the new handheld will.

[pain777pas]

@gamingdroid

If you listen to the Giantbomb cast this week Vinny states that the major issue with the 3d is that it is wholly unnecessary because when you use stuff like the motion control it disturbs the 3d effect. For example he stated that when you want to use the OOT slingshot because of the motion controls you naturally move the DS to make the shot. In that case you will probably have to readjust the system again to get the 3d effect. He says that the handheld is still great without 3d because of the games and possibilities with the cameras for AR stuff. I know that I for one am not getting the handheld for 3d alone but the lineup of games is promising.

[blitz0623]

So before these people said 3D will be a huge failure. Now that the PSP2 won't have it, they're saying it may not be good enough? You can never understand these journalists...

[gamingdroid]

You design the game around 3D... so you won't enable 3D at parts when you need motion control. Problem solved.

Adding 3D is not an all or nothing. It is optional for dev to use if it fits their need....

[Lord_Doggington]

@pain777pas, yes i heard that episode too. basically if you hold the 3ds at an angle that isn't quite perpendicular to your eyesight, it doesn't work. Which is really bad for people who like to casually lounge around and play, or people who like to play on airplanes.

and to those who say the 3d is optional, if I can't play in 3d on my 3ds, then why am i getting a 3ds...?

[Theonik]

@AndrewRyan
Hey! The PSP library was fine >:( RPG heaven.
~~~~
Well 3D is a totally useless addition imo. It should stick to cinema and TV. I don't really see the point of 3D on a tiny low-res screen.. Not to mention that it introduces more problems than it's worth. (devs have to decide between 3D, using the touch screen for the main interface or using the motion controls which to me is daft)
I am getting a 3DS but 3D stays off.

[rockleex]

Doesn't need it.

But I'd love to view and take 3D photos or videos on my NGP OLED screen. @_@

[ComboBreaker]

Is That Good Enough?

[phatak]

you know y nowadays alot of people like sony?? well they did b4 too but more so know compared to like other comanies is because of who they cater their gaming 2. Now with microsoft focusing on kinect and nintendo as it is focusing on 3ds, whose the only company left?? sony.
Yes nintendo gives us the odd harcore mario and zelda but what id the gamer doesnt like motion ? he doesnt have an option. But for ps3 sony is balancing hardcore with casual unlike microsfoft who it seems is just focusing on casual. Money talks and if Casual gaming is the future, then every1 will just focus on making casual games. Its like every movie being a toy story or a wall-e. Thats y sony is getting rrespect is because of their variety in games and still supporting the hardcore gamers which presumably most people on n4g fall under

[ChineseDemocracy]

To be honest, I could care less. I'm buying the PSP2/NGP regardless.

[tmt345]

I'm GLAD it isn't 3D. If it was 3D it would have terrible viewing angles which are very important in portables. Sure, you could turn it off, but then all you can think about is how much better the game could have looked if all that power being used for 3D wasn't wasted.

[StbI990]

^ Exactly, shame looking at how blind nintendo fan are letting themselves bag up on all this gimmicky bullcrap.

The best for nintendo though.

[DrRichtofen]

If it can run Uncharted and other fantastic games like it, I say Nintendo you can keep your 3D

[theIMP]

You know what I feel the same way. They can keep it off the PS3 too as far as I'm concerned. I do find it funny that a lot of the same people that hype the 3D feature of the PS3, are the same ones saying it's a gimmick now. I do understand that this is a handheld, but I still don't see why it would be a gimmick on this and not on the PS3. #d is a gimmick any way you flip it.

[Masterchef2007]

The difference with the PS3 is that 3D is optional. The quality of the game only degrades when you have it on. So you dont want 3D and want better visuals just dont use it. The same cant be said for Nintendo because they are oblegated to include 3D with every 3DS game.

[IHateYouFanboys]

Lol 3D is ENTIRELY optional on the 3DS, it's got a slider that goes from no 3D effect AT ALL to full on 3D. You could play a 3DS for years without ever seeing a single second of 3D.

Like a few others in here, I'm having a good old giggle at the regular Sony fanboys carrying on about how they don't want the "gimmicky" 3D on the psp2.......yet they love to try and say the PS3 is so great cause it does 3d (even though the 360 does it too, they just think it doesn't lol). Keep up the good work guys.

IMO 3D is not wanted/needed on tbs yet, but would be cool on a handheld as you always view it up close and you don't need glasses.

[kneon]

I find it funny that most people that rave about the 3D on the 3DS have likely never tried using a handheld device with a 3D screen. I have, it's interesting and it does give a 3D effect. But you have to stay at the correct distance and angle to the screen. Also because it doesn't fill much of your field of vision it's not that impressive.

I expect the novelty of 3D will wear off pretty quick on such devices. The first device with such a screen that I am aware is a mobile phone from 2003. There were others as well, but after the initial hype no one cared.

[TheLastGuardian]

I was hoping for the PSP2 to have 3D but I'm still buying one regardless. What I've seen of 3D gaming really impressed me. I was hoping PSP2 would have 3D so I could play games in 3D without having to buy an over expensive TV. I'm surprised the PSP2 doesn't have 3D considering how hard Sony is pushing 3D in their products. Maybe there will be a 3D version of the PSP2 later on down the line.

[StbI990]

Have you heard that both tech "Touch screen, 3D effect" can't get along very well? I mean sure, how will it be possible to grap the exact spot when the 3D effect is ditching the precision from your eyes?

That, nintendo themselves already stated it, Plus the battery this tech drive off would make the whole experience underwhelming, I fallow what sony said & went with, this tech pertain to Tvs for the while, but obviously(When the tech get sharpened enough, expect some revision),

meanwhile.

5" Oled/touch scree > 3D as a whole.

[meetajhu]

Wow 3ds has no features compared to NGP and still just 1 feature lacking(3d) PSP gets bashed by its competitor. Talk about flamebait articles. 3d is good experience but not for hardcore games like battlefield or call of duty.I think NGP surpasses in every department Sony did the right choice.

[PS3n360]

Did you read the article? The author states this is the best product sony has released since the original playstation. Try getting past the title next time.

[meetajhu]

yes i read it. But still i'm just pissed with this Sony didn't use 3d in NGP why can't people get out of it already.

[StbI990]

I believe this is the best product after the take down of ken and his stroke of bad decision which made the psp/ps3 a total fail when they launched.

The guy was a mastermind, then out of the blue almost destroyed the brand, Kaz has really stepped it up, and hoping for the NGP to be a global success (which is more likely to)

@Kon...And your point I presume is, Quality < Sales?...shame

Nintendo this handheld generation idea = recycling Last gen's + 3D "How much will this 3D buzz last?, 1, 2, 3 years? let alone 5? doubting the dual screen is any innovation by now.

Sony this handheld gen = For effectively everything in the mobiel/portable gaming market (Nothing assure that will be successful, but more effective than the nitendo's approaching).

Which idea seem way compelling?

[ComboBreaker]

I know. We need other type of articles too. You know, like...

"A 3DS Without Dual Analog Sticks - Is That Good Enough?"

[Motion]

Is it confirmed to not support 3d? I only ask this because it has an OLED display, which I assume can support a high enough refresh rate to work with sony's 3d glasses. It may not support glasses-free 3d, but I think the ability for some form of it could still be there.

[thugbob]

Sony doesn't need 3D, but it does need it for sales.

It appears to me that consumers like to flock over to the most innovative gadget. Everyone got the wii because it was the only console with motion controls. Now everyone is flocking to Kinect and 360 because it's the only console with motion control-free gaming.

Soon everyone will flock on to the 3DS. Sony might lose the handheld, market because it does not have 3D. The only way I can see Sony compete is if the PSP2 cost $200.

[visualb]

its all about the games and the marketing (that includes price =)

[iPad]

As much as I love 3D, 3D in a handheld is a fail.

No matter how you put it.

[B-Real206]

Yes it is

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

YES! who would put incomplete technology in to their hardware excluding Nintendo?

[Kon]

Funny because the 3DS will outsell the PSP2 even with an "Incomplete Technology"...

@below They probably will, the PSP2 is a huge advancement over the first

[remanutd55]

it probably will but i seriously think sony will do much better than they did with the psp and that will be good for them

[phatak]

as long as the games r the best, im happy and wouldnt give a shit bout sales

[remanutd55]

at Phatak i couldnt said it better myself man , finally im gonna get the gaming portable experience that i have always wanted !!!!! cant wait i hope Uncharted , Little Big Planet , Little Deviants , and either Killzone or Resistance will be part of the launch line up !!!!

[sickbird]

@Kon yea and Honda will sell more cars this year than Ferrari, whats your point?

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

How do you knwo that, from what I'e seen so far Nintendo has no idea where the market's heading which is just sad.

At least Sony's covering both Smartphone and hand-held gaming markets.

[TheLastGuardian]

+bub

Exactly. Nice analogy. You get what you pay for.

[digitalivan]

Nitendo has become more like Apple (read: gimmick) of handheld industries.

[Rudy_loves_Akuma]

dont need 3d lol.....its just a nice addition to gaming thats it!

[jizzyjones]

Not everyone can see 3D and it gives some people eye strain ect, so im thinking YES.

[RyuCloudStrife]

its not like nintendo is forcing you to watch 3d u know that right?

[jizzyjones]

But then its just a DS with better graphics

[Masterchef2007]

Plus the 3DS main feature is 3D. How can you justify a price of 250€ if you cant see the games in 3D? They should have a 3D and a non 3D version of the handheld.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

Why? When is focus to deliver HD Games in a 5'' OLED Display, with motion technology (similar to PS Move Technology), with touch screen and touch pad, better Online and Connectivity service linked to PSN, and incredible high performance with good battery life is more worth it.

3D Should be more fun in bigger Displays, like a TV or in a Monitor (but is required the 3D Vision Graphic Card).

When LBP comes out to NGP, can't imagine what the community will create using the tools like LBP 2 with the new tools to make use of the Touch screen, Touch pad and Motion Technology on NGP.

[remanutd55]

yes i second your opinion , i think it would have been kool to have the option but if they decided not to add it to the system right now its because they got their reasons , besides the NGP is full of features !!!!cant wait !!!!! i cant complain , i wanted a true portable experience and i seriously think im about to get it with NGP

[badkolo]

are you guys sure that it cant do 3d. whos to say, have the specs of the screen or hz's completly killed the idea or is it possible that this can do 3d with glasses and we just dont know yet.?? im asking since i dont know

[Half-Mafia]

2 things, if this screen could do 3D it would of been 1 of the main points. and 2nd its ok to wear glasses on ur TV at home but to wear 3D glasses while on the move, no1 would want to do that.

[Fresh_N_New]

The stealth hate has already started. If Sony thought it was important to have 3D on the NGP they would have integrated it. Besides wouldn't it be weird to see people walking around with 3D glasses on playing a handheld in public? i think that kind of stuff is best enjoyed indoors.

[badkolo]

I have no clue what these oleds can do, since the psp2 is so advanced i figured maybe its a possibilty that it can do 3d with glasses, if im going to look doffy with glasses on watching it on the big screen then whats the difference with looking goofy using it on the handheld and while sony hasnt mentioned it doesnt mean that it cant do it, it could be a selling point they want to leak out later on.

[sashimi]

More like is the DS with 3D enough? IMO. Both are different devices and with what the NGP is bring to the table i could care less about 3D on the go. With the NGP i am expecting not only much improved graphics but hope it will enlarge the scope of gameplay i.e. valkyria chronicles 2/3 where there will be maps and battles much bigger with more enemies like it was on the Ps3.

[Masterchef2007]

exactly. For example you cant play a game like Oblivion on the 3DS right cause of the hardware. Or how about GTA4 on the go it would suffer a lot because of the hardware of the 3DS. Or a horror game like deadspace 2 with its incredible lighting i dont see the 3DS capable of reproducing that experience. People always think that imrpoved hardware is a bad thing when in reality it gives the devs more possibilitys when developing the games.

[DiLeCtioN]

Great how am I suppose to afford this and a Macbook Pro :/ ...

[Seraphemz]

Im not really interested in the 3D WITHOUT glasses with the tech that is currently out there.

I really dont think that the psp2 is going to need 3d. Yes the DS might sell more, but the better quality is going to be with the Sony machine.

[outwar6010]

3d gives people migraines when they game on platforms like the pc, where you are less than a feet or two than to the monitor(i get sever migraines when playing at friends houses) i think it may have been a health and safety issue and i hope 3d is not the future

[blackburn5]

I agree. The concept of staring at a small screen at an angle or straight ahead just to get a 3D effect sounds annoying and eye and neck straining. I personally prefer the glasses. Everyone complains that they are cumbersome but compared to the concept of getting eye strain from staring at a certain spot for hours it's preferable. Maybe they can add holographic 3D on the next PSP. I heard that Sony are hard at work perfecting it.

[WhiteNoise]

Of course it is. I was going to buy a 3DS and from day 1 I had planned to turn 3d off for better visuals.

Blurring and ghosting does not a better picture make, this applies to home 3D as well. It's a gimmick that will send people blind.

If you don't think for one second that having your eyes focused on a blurred image at a distance and then have them rapidly try to focus on the shudders a few cm's in front of your eyes and then focus on the screen again, is going to damage your eye muscles, then you must have failed primary school P.E.

Since the announcement of the NGO, there is no way I would buy a 3DS. triple the res, bigger screen, dual touch, dual anaolgue...

It's the handheld people have been dreaming of.

[Fatal Blow]

Yes it is good enough your going to be playing the greatest games like uncharted,killzone,yakuza to many too list on your hand held console when did you think the time will come now its time

[killalot100]

I think they just couldn't get tough screen and 3d to work together right.

[sickbird]

the less 3D in my life the better.

[Half-Mafia]

i would take a 5' OLED over 3D anyday.

[outwar6010]

why didn't they go with a super amoled it would have been tons better outdoors

[Eidolon]

That is samsung's patent, and it's a gimmick, you're obviously sold on it.

[Eidolon]

I agree. My eyes will thank me too.

[outwar6010]

lol okay but i rely do love it and it does make a massive difference and battery on my galaxy s doesnt seem to be too hindered even though im a heavy user. i think the screen on this is going to be shiny as hell and unusable outdoors

[supremacy]

NGP in my opinion as it currently stands is the ultimate gaming handheld device.

Its the kind of device thats been made for the true hardcore gamer out there.

If you were to sit there and just think why it has all these features in the first place, you will realize that the main reason for all this...is you, the gamer.

This device just look at it, its a mere representation of a lot of criticism and issues being addressed. Criticism and heat Sony took for not having around the first time around. Ive said this before but...Is only right for it to get praised by the very same crow whose criticism help build it in the first place, thats all i am saying.

No umd

2 sticks

Larger screen

Trophies

Psn integration in live area

Same cool form factor as before with added quality.

2 cameras

Bluttoth

Touchscreen

Touchpad

Microphone

Wifi

3g

Better graphics

Backwards compatible with digital download versions of your psp games with enhancing features to boot.

New media with added space for save and add on content.

A memory bay for memory sticks

Same battery life as before.

The support is there with 82 studios on board thus far.

I mean...jeesh what more could you possibly want? No 3D isn't needed, if thats all i am paying to 250 for than ill pass.

This device is the ultimate gaming handheld.

[clrlite]

Funny question to ask considering most of us don't know if the 3D is actually any good. If I had to guess, I would say the visuals on the OLED will be far more impressive. Because, after the novelty of 3D wears off, what are you left with?

I think Sony, Nintendo, and all of us gamers will be the winners and the people that think whoever sells less is a loser sound ridiculous. Two cool systems are coming out and they will both sell very well, so who cares.

People really don't understand what OLED can do yet. Prepare to be surprised.

[Octo1]

3D is a fad but who knows. Maybe its a FW update away. Its could be already there and they will play the waiting to see how well 3DS do.

[x5exotic]

3D is a bad thing you know,so ur question is retarded

[PSjesus]

Wise decision from Sony,if the 3DS is a huge success get ready
for NGP2000 with 3D screen summer 2012

[littlebigmarcpsps3]

yes thats why im getting both
so i wont be whining about it

[djslapdash]

Fanboys say: Touch screen on hand helds is a gimmick

Reality: DS best selling console (yes console) ever.

Fanboys say: Pointing devices for consoles is a gimmick not hardcore.

Reality: Nintendo Wii fastest selling console.

Fanboys say: 3D is a gimmick

Reality: hoping for 3 in a row.

[Buho]

LOL @ calling the Nintendo DS a console. It's a handheld you blind sheep!

[helrazor343]

But it has that front facing camera, and I seem to recall some tech demo (I forget where) showing of some kind of 3d that used eye tracking to adjust the viewing angle on the fly, or something like that (might have been some user vid on gametrailers or something). Maybe it could fake the 3d, and add it later, who knows.

[aaronobst]

3D is a gimmick, not a revolution

[metsgaming]

While i really wish it had 3d it is good enough because of the major additions that have been wanted for a while.

Once the 3ds comes out i will see how well it works with 3d and if its really cool i may just get both !

[josh14399]

games are meant to be fun and i don't think 3d makes a game more fun. i think the touch screen and pad on the NGP enhance the fun from the previous psp. shame They made the hardware too powerful which will result in it being too expensive for most people for the first year or two.

[Lyr1c]

We get a new handheld with hundreds of new features, and because it doesn't have 3D, it's scrutinized.

We also get a new handheld who's only advancement is glasses-less 3D which causes eye strain and asks players to stop playing every 30 minutes, and no one questions it?

What is up with all the damned Sony hate lately?

They can't do anything without being bitched at, can they?

[RyuCloudStrife]

say 3D on a handheld is a Gimmick well so is HD graphics on a portable because the screen is small to display true HD 544p is not HD...

You need a bigger screen.. But I will agree it makes everything look more crisp but HD on a Portable is GIMMICK!

[Masterchef2007]

The screen isnt HD. It looks like it is cause of the small screen size. If sony were to have a true 720P screen on the NGP the gpu would have to work harder to fill more pixels which means worse graphics. Looks like they spent a lot of time engineering the NGP and it shows.

[AznGaara]

The 3D mode in the 3DS isnt even meant to be played for an extended period of time right? I mean didn't Nintendo say that would be damaging to the eyes? If so then its kinda pointless.

The NGP is a handheld god in terms of specs. It looks sexy and with two analog sticks there wont be that discomfort when it comes to button layout. It would be interesting to see how Sony intergrates the remote play. They could go all out and basically give users the ability to play Ps3 games with the NGP, with the back touch pad substituting as the L2 and R2. Imagine playing Fallout with it and the screen would show your pitboy, cool.

[drtre81]

No...it's not. Just about every new high end portable device coming to stores within the next couple years has 3d support.

[Lyr1c]

Have fun going blind my friend.

[tubers]

You can keep your auto stereoscopic 3d that increases eye strain for now.

I'd keep my OLED 5 incher multi touch screen, multi touch backpad, better graphics and a 2nd nub.. oh and a likely android app store.

[Masterchef2007]

I just view the lack of 3D doing this to sonys handheld:
1. Extends battery life
2. Makes it cheaper
3. Improves viewing angle
4. Frees up the GPU meaning better graphics

That is why i am happy that sony didnt include 3D in the device.
Also i kind of view the trackpad as being a touch of innovation inspired by what nintendo did with their past handhelds. I only hope that the track pad is usefull cause so far i have no idea what i would use it for having the controls of the NGP and the touchscreen available.

[draculax]

Of course we don t need 3D on NGP, that a good reason to get both consoles. One for 3d and the other for its incredible graphics with a perfect gameplay (2 sticks)

[CraigUK]

Lol at people saying things like 3d is a gimmick or fad that will wear off. Didnt they also say that about the DS touch screen, now sony has put 2 on it.

I'm a big fan of all the consoles but there is no need to say what nintendo are doing isn't somthing that you need, because with sony's track record, it will be implemented into something they own sooner or later.

[Veneficus]

Of course it will be good enough. Why wouldn't it be?

I haven't read through these comments yet (and probably won't), but I can already see the rabid fanboy rage transpiring. You've got the crazy Sony fanboys this site is known for claiming that 3D is nothing but a useless gimmick that is doomed to fail. Looking back in time, these miserable fanboys were saying the same thing about touch screens and motion controls; one only needs to notice Sony's incorporation of touch and motion control into their new handheld and how these fanboys are lapping them up to know how ridiculously hilarious their claims are now.

Then you've got one or two crazy Nintendo fanboys (who barely visit this site due to the rabid HD and Sony bias amongst the general readership and approved articles) claiming that a new portable without a 3D display stands no chance of being successful, despite the fact that the industry had been perfectly successful without 3D displays for decades.

Basically, there's annoying shortsightedness all around and it breaks my manly beast of a heart. >_<

[Legendary-Status]

3d or 3g lol haha..

[strickers]

It's becoming even clearer with the PSP 2 showing that many just hate Sony.Any logical person can see it's superior to the 3DS is every way.
I don't just mean graphics but control,network abilites,screen and basically everything a console on any type needs.
3D is boring.It was not needed when I played KZ3 or GT5 and it's even worse on tiny screens.
I thought everyone hated 3D anyway.Funny how things change when the badge on your console changes?
Even the software looks boring on 3DS.

[Apollyn]

The fact that the 3DS is not recommend for kids due to it being able to cause damage to eyesight, and the 3d not working unless u have super steady hands, who cares!

[Veneficus]

The "super steady hands" thing is a myth.

[Apollyn]

Ill find out in a couple days off to Birmingham to use it, Good old Nintendo training

[Veneficus]

Well, be sure to let us know.