G-pinions

So Sony has finally announced the price point for the PSP and, guess what, it isn't ridiculously expensive. For only 185 Japanese dollars (I think they call them Buddha Bucks) you can get your very own sleek and shiny portable PS2. How do I feel about this most shocking of good deals? I'm pissed.

I don't think Sony has brought anything of worth to the video game industry. Oh, you can point to Grand Theft Auto and Metal Gear Solid all you want, but Sony had nothing to do with them. They have brought no innovations and underpowered hardware for two consecutive generations. They have come out on top by securing exclusive deals with soulless companies like EA and shelling out a ridiculous amount of marketing dollars to squash Sega before the Dreamcast even had a chance.

If Sony can weasel their way into the handheld world by releasing a do everything system for only a little extra cash than Nintendo's machine, this could spell the end for portable gaming. The PSP is little more than an underpowered PS2 that can play a proprietary form of movies. It does not innovate. There is no reason for anyone to purchase this system if they already own a PS2.

Granted, I am not big on the Nintendo DS right now. But at least Nintendo is trying. I don't think they have the games to justify the innovations on the DS yet, but at least Nintendo has created a portable that will actually push portable entertainment forward. Sony, as expected, is merely releasing what everyone expected and, unfortunately, will make a ton of money because the average consumer is so brainwashed by Sony's "We're cool" marketing.