PSP Gets Flash, Camera, PSone Games

In addition to yesterday's bombshell PS3 news, Sony also revealed some of the new goodies in store for the PSP. Full details inside.

Overshadowed by the news of the PlayStation 3's delay, Sony also revealed on Wednesday that it would continue to grow the PSP's repertoire. The latest additions to the portable include a camera and a global positioning receiver, which the company expects will soon be used for new kinds of games - a GPS-enabled version of Hot Shots Golf and an EyeToy game are already in development.

Like Nintendo, Sony is also getting into the downloadable content business by releasing a PSone emulator for the PSP, which combined with downloadable content through the new PlayStation HUB network means you'll soon be able to play through classics of yesteryear on the go.

No specific games have been mentioned, but the prospect of hits like Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid turning up on the PSP should get just about anyone excited.

Coming to the PSP?

The PSP's non-game functions are going to expand too, with the first updates being to the handheld's browser, which will be able to use Flash content and use RSS Channel, for playing and storing audio and video streams. You'll be able to get at these new features by updating your PSP's firmware.

And if the new stuff still isn't enough to get you excited about the platform, Sony has a price drop coming too.

The new base PSP model, available from 22 March, comes in at €199/$199 (around £140), though the lower price is at the expense of the carrying pouch, headphones and memory card. Sony is also officially introducing the white variant as a standard option, though this is limited to Japan for now.

While the PSP is trailing the DS in Japan, it has made massive inroads into Nintendo's dominance of portable gaming. Sony's latest figures put global sales at 15 million units since the PSP's debut in Japan in December 2004.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games