The PlayStation Portable is a very fun handheld, and I’m not even a big handheld fan. The games have graphics like the PS2, and it has a control stick, which isn’t seen often in handhelds. It plays UMD’s rather than cartridges, which are tiny discs that stay in a protective case, so you don’t have to worry so much about your discs getting dirty or scratched, which is nice. ( Just remember to buy a memory stick duo for saving.) The screen is also a decent size.
One problem is the rechargable battery doesn’t last super long. It gets to 1 bar of power left in about 3 hours and 45 minutes. It can last at least 4 hours, but be careful not to play too long. If the power indicator flashes, it means the charge is low, but it gives you very little warning. You barely have enough time to reach a save point, so I always charge it before it ever gets that low.
The PSP takes a little over 2 hours to charge. In case you’re wondering if it can be used while it’s charging ( the manual doesn’t address this) , I heard that you can, but some people say you should be careful the battery doesn’t get too hot. I’ve never tried it, so I don’t know. I wish the manual would’ve told me.
The PSP can also play movies, but you must buy the little UMD versions of the movie, and it’s supposed to be able to go on the Internet. Mine had trouble with the Internet. After a short time, it would say the RAM is low and not go on any more sites. I don’t know if it’s just mine or the PSP just has trouble because it’s the older version. If going on the Internet is important to you, you may want to see which version of the PSP is best.
Overall, the PSP is a good handheld with good graphics and many fun games. The battery life is my main issue.