Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming market for more than a decade. Now, Sony has given them their first real competition in years with their PlayStation Portable. The PSP is not just a gaming device; it also plays music and movies, making it a versatile multimedia performer.

But first and foremost, it plays games, and it plays them well. The 4.3-inch TFT widescreen displays high-resolution graphics that are nearly on par with the PS2's. The graphics on PSP games are the best we?ve ever seen for a handheld device, including Nintendo?s new DS.

The layout of the PSP is similar to a PlayStation controller, with controls built around that large screen. The left side features a D-pad, while the right side contains the standard shape-based buttons that Sony gamers are familiar with. The PSP feels comfortable even after long gaming sessions.

The 1.8GB Universal Media Disks that the PSP?s games ship on mean that there is plenty of room for developers to pack in content. Unfortunately, movies sold are also on these proprietary UMDs, meaning if you want a movie for your home DVD player and for your PSP, you?ll end up buying two copies.

The PSP does support Sony?s Memory Stick Duo, so you?ll be able to play audio and video files that you bring over from your PC. The built-in stereo speakers deliver good sound for such a small device, and there?s a headphone jack, so you can game in private.

The PSP?s 802.11b wireless connectivity lets up to 16 gamers hook up on a local wireless network or to the Internet for multiplayer gaming. Many of the 24 games available at launch feature multiplayer gaming of some kind, so the PSP is a great platform for gaming against buddies and strangers.

Game prices start out at about $40--pretty high for a mobile platform--but you do get PS2-quality games.

Battery life ranges from about four to six hours depending on the activity (playing wireless games is the fastest drainer). You can turn off various functions of the device to save on battery life, and you can also purchase extra battery packs for longer playtime on the road.

Overall, Sony?s PSP is a well-designed gaming unit that might finally chip away at Nintendo?s place in the handheld world.

Pro: Comfortable design, beautiful graphics, wireless.
Con: Pricey games, proprietary UMD media for movies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Sony Computer Entertainment America
919 East Hillsdale Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
650-655-8000
http://www.sony.com

Ratings:
Overall Value: 7
Performance: 9
Ease of Use: 8
Documentation: 7