Next PSP Could Use Cartridges

Kris Erickson • Mar 3, 2009 • Comments (17)

Acclaim developer David Perry and Sony Europe boss John Koller have been having a bit of a public showdown over the new iteration of the PSP. Perry surprised the gaming community last week when he issued a short message over twitter claiming that he knew the PSP 2 was coming and that it had no UMD drive to speak of. Then, later in the week Sony spokesman John Koller went on record saying that Sony remains "committed to the UMD format".

Many gamers and journalists have wondered what might replace UMD if Perry is correct and Sony really is going to phase out the clunky optical storage media. We won’t be sad to see them go, honestly – slow load times and a drain on battery life made the optical disk format more of a drag than an asset. But how will those without high-speed internet connections or access to Wifi purchase games, if Sony removes the UMD packaging from shelves?

Well, one answer to the storage question is already in front of us – Sony could copy Nintendo. With the rapidly declining price of solid-state memory like SD cards, and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo, why not just slap games on a specially designed cartridge? Load times would be instantaneous, battery drain would be minimized, and consumers would still be able to pick up titles in the shops. If you are worried about price, don’t be. A 2 GB memory card can currently be had for around $6. By the time the PSP 2 ships in 2010 or 2011, we expect the price of solid-state memory cards to be even lower.

We rather quite like this fake prototype of the PSP 2.

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Comments

vgchf

- March 3, 2009 5:27 PM

This fake psp is crappy!!!!!1

moebiustrip

- March 3, 2009 9:19 PM

I think it's more likely they'll sell games on pre-loaded memory sticks. Either that or PSN. Selling them on memory sticks keep retailers happy because they'll have something on the shelves. But all this PSP-2 talk is a marketing ploy anyway. Do you think developers would risk a backlash from Sony when they talk about rumors in the press, unless it is Sony who gave them the green light in the first place? They want to divert some attention away from the imminent release of the DSi on Apr 5th.

hardikhrs

- March 4, 2009 9:31 AM

Digital downloads + Memory Stick games would be the ideal setup for Sony...a similar approach is already seen on the PS3 albeit with BluRay games. I, personally, wouldn't want a 100% online distribution model since it would mean needing a PC AND internet connection AND credit card to get a new game.

calivn royster

- March 4, 2009 12:26 PM

this needs to be the new psp its the best looking thing since the iphone.just think.you can slide the controls in the back when you want to watch a movie. But please put like a 2or 5mega pixel camera on back

LDuB

- March 4, 2009 7:47 PM

Mempory sticks are easy to lose n I like tha screen size on that fake PSP

love psp

- March 5, 2009 9:49 PM

they should keep UMD but dich the outside case

john paul tabios

- March 6, 2009 7:40 AM

love sony psp2

babacar

- March 24, 2009 5:17 PM

THIS PSP DONT LOOK GOOD SONY

Stanley

- March 25, 2009 2:16 PM

wow...Nintendo had cartridges...Atari had Cartridges... sega broke away from cartridges (but it suck'd) SONY was the first company to really break away from Carts and LIVE... now..history is repeating itself??

Concerned SONY customer

- March 26, 2009 10:27 PM

This Prototype does look good to the eye;I like the screen size,thinner body and idea of pre-loaded memory sticks but this isn't really what we need right now, I know Sony is a Business but it seems like they're smothering target Customers with the "next best thing",Whatever that is, If anything Sony should be coming up with new additions and/or features for the PS3, it's sort of getting tiring, really, The profit wouldn't be as successful as making Additions to Hardware we have now, In case anyone hasn't noticed, The "Nintendo Wii" Made Massive Profit yet it got old really quick,

James

- March 27, 2009 4:31 PM

Cartidges have alway been better in the gaming world, as they are faster to run and very durable..that said, they cost more to make! This would mean prices would go up for Sony..I might be one of the few who really likes the UMD, one may reason is it's resale ability...with a Memory stick, collectors wont like it and you risk viruses from downloading.

Anonymous

- April 2, 2009 11:28 AM

Why on earth are the analog sticks above the D-pad and the x, square, triangle and o buttons???? ughh ffs sony

Contusion

- April 7, 2009 6:05 AM

I wonder if David Perry saw a Sony Mylo? Here's Sony's Mylo details: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665301420

titiati kingsley

- April 10, 2009 8:29 AM

i need a psp 2.

Mike O

- April 25, 2009 4:32 PM

People,c'mon, "We rather like this FAKE prototype of the PSP 2."

Black Magic

- August 20, 2009 8:13 AM

Thay should wait to come out with PSP2 and focus on the PSP Go, and come no 'carts' what is this 1996 (0.0)

PSP World

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