When you play cinematic games like Manhunt 2 or Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on the PlayStation Portable 3000, released in October, you see the blood. The PSP displays movies vibrantly, allows web surfing using its internal Wi-Fi, plays music and comes with a built-in microphone so you can make Skype phone calls. Games on it are impressive.
Yet, surprisingly, there's scant pop culture buzz for the PSP.
Not everything is perfect in PSP 3000 land. While the PSP is ideal as a primary system for casual gamers, it's not powerful enough to serve as the only system for hardcore users. Still, it's a great secondary system to your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Also, the sound system still isn't quite loud enough for a noise-a-holic like me, even when you listen to the PSP on good headphones or through plug-and-play speakers.
If you got a PSP for the holidays, or if you're planning to take the PSP plunge, you won't be disappointed. As for great games from the past few years that you can delve into, try:
God of War: Chains of Olympus, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08, Patapon, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow, Spider-Man 2, Wall-E, Lumines II, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Midnight Club: LA Remix, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, The Warriors. And SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals: Fireteam Bravo.