Sony’s PSP – 5 Reasons Why You Should Own One.

It isn’t hard to see that the Nintendo DS is winning the handheld war. Those who refuse to believe only need to see the software sales, attach rate, and the critical praise that the dual screened wonder has garnished. The fight however, isn’t completely lost on Sony’s second try in the portable business (the original Playstation Portable PocketStation is not forgotten.) For those who refuse to acknowledge the PSP's existence, I present the top 5 reasons to get into the system before the holidays.

5. The New Slim Version of the PSP [PSP Lite]

The old school PSP is bulky. It is one of the reasons we here think that it did not take so fast. Only those with the most generous of pockets are able to fit the widescreen wonder in their pockets. Last September, Sony changed that by releasing their new PSP model. It boasted a smaller frame, better battery life, more faceplate colors, and a feature that we will get into later that gives this thing an actual edge.

4. 1^st Party Titles

For those of us who remember some of the original titles that came out for the PSX, it is obvious that the good folks at Sony software are good at making 1^st party titles for their systems. Series such as Syphon Filter have found new life on the system after being all but left for dead in the console world. Also, the fact a new God of War is to appear on the system should almost be a reason within itself.

3. Metal Gear Solid

If you're anything like the average gamer, the story of Metal Gear Solid is anything but solid. Between the back stabbing, muddled dialogue, and cryptic messages, you have nothing but jibba jabber* most of the time. The gameplay however, is nothing to fear. Those of you who have time to play both Metal Gear Solid Acid titles and Portable Ops will enjoy themselves thoroughly.

2. Composite Cables

If you’re like Shief, you cannot stand looking at that small screen. Even if the PSP has the widescreen capability and is clear as a bell, some of us want to play it in all of its glory on those brand new HDTV sets that set our children’s college funds back a few years. The composite cables changed all that, as they allow you to hook up that PSP to your TV and use it as a controller. Unlike other devices in the past, it is rather simple to hook up and translates extremely well on screen, almost turning your PSP into a portable console.

1. Tactical RPG’s

The number one reason to get a PSP are the awesome tactical RPG’s that are available for the system. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, Disgaea, and Jeanne D'Arc are not only critically acclaimed, all three are TGS Certified to take you out of your world and into theirs. Warning for those who dare; these games are addictive and will last you a long time, so when you're playing your 20^th round in Disgaea or grinding in Final Fantasy Tactics trying to get those final classes, don’t say you were not warned.

This system is far from dead. For any Nintendo head who shows you numbers, dare them to take up a game of Portable Ops or Disgaea and see if you cannot change a few minds. It isn’t a winner, or is it a viable threat to the empire of the Nintendo handheld. But if it continues to improve like it has over the last few months, it will be able to slice out its own piece of the Handheld pie, and avoid Game Gear/NGage/Neo Geo land.