Universal Mobile Console

I was overly addicted to video games as a child. I was always excited about video games. That time, it was like I'll do anything just to be able to play video games. The very first video game I got was a Nintendo Family Computer. I always had fun playing with that thing when I was like 5 or 6 and looking back to it now, I think it's the most basic video game, ever. It used cartridges for games and some of them had more than 10 games in them. There was even this unit that contained 9,000 games but unfortunately, the original games were only like 20 or something and the rest were just repeats.

The next console I had was SEGA. I would mostly play Sonic The Hedgehog and Alladin with that computer. It was a lot better than the mediocre Family Computer. But of course, the time I had myself PlayStation, it was the best in years. Then PlayStation 2 came. I was addicted with Phantom Brave, Klonoa, Tekken, the Final Fantasy Series, and I can go on forever. Set aside PlayStation 3 which has crazy expensive discs. Not to mention that it came only when I was a person no longer extremely enthusiastic about too much video games.

I wasn't really interested in mobile consoles until I got addicted with Pokémon with the Gameboy Color some 11 years ago. Then I got a Gameboy SP which made Pokémon-gaming a lot more convenient. It was only in my elementary and high school years that I got very addicted with video games. When I stepped in college, my gaming life was drastically reduced because of lack of free, bumming time.

But what amazes me is the long-lasting gaming satisfaction the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) gives to so many people. I got myself one some 3 years ago and at that time, it was no longer entirely a new gadget release. Considering the fact that gadgets get easily surpassed by other more advanced technologically innovative stuff, I'm quite amazed that up until now, many people would still want to get hold of brand new PSPs - people of all ages and genders. However, the PSP no longer gives me the excitement it gave me before when I first had it, though.


I got myself a PSP due to its rising popularity. My impression of a mobile PlayStation 2 was right -- only that it had slightly different features (e.g. absence of R2 and L2 buttons, WiFi capability, firmware upgrade/downgrade), ultimately mobile and very digital.

The major downfall of this mobile device however, would be its external sound amplification. No offense but PSPs sound like a mediocre China phone which is about to crack. It's absolutely disappointing especially if you're obsessive-compulsive about sound quality. Perhaps Sony did not focus on this particular feature because they expect people to use the PSP with a headset. However, if you use a high quality pair of earphones (e.g. XpressMusic earphones, authentic Apple earphones), the sound is superb. It has an extended bass power in its default sound settings without sacrificing treble quality.

What's also impressive but at the same time a hassle is that it's firmware (something like versions in computer softwares) can be downgraded and upgraded. If you do not have the right firmware, you may not be able to play downloaded digital games with it.

I guess what makes the PSP friendly is that you can get the games in the internet for free, you can put other medias like music, videos and photos, surf the net through WiFi (but with a raging amount of effort), apply personalized themes and if the system gets old, Sony will always provide new firmwares. I guess Filipinos will always patronize digital piracy. :)


I wonder why Sony's not releasing something like PSP 2 or of higher end, only Phat and Slim.