Opinion: A list of the top features of NGP, Sony's PSP successor formerly known as PSP2 @ Gaming Target

Written by Matt Swider on January 27, 2011

News: See the bullet points from the Tokyo-based PlayStation Meeting, then read our take on each of the features of Sony NGP.

Sony announced the successor to PSP at its PlayStation Meeting in Tokyo earlier today, codenaming the device NGP, or Next-Generation Portable. While it won't launch until sometime within the calendar year, we figured we'd give you a sneak peak at its list of impressive features:

Micro dual analog sticks

Specifically pointed out as "not nubs," having a right analog stick extended from the handheld is the most requested feature according to Kaz Hirai.

3G connectivity

Staying current with competitors like Apple is a smart move and the ability to download new games from the PlayStation Store when away from free WiFi should increase sales. Additional, being able to play online games when you're not near WiFi has been a dream for PSP1 users.

5-inch OLED screen that is 4x the resolution of the current PSP

Wow, that's a large screen. The original PSP is 4.3 inches and the PSP Go is 3.8 inches, both mazing out at 480 ╫ 272 pixels. If gamers are going to carry around a larger device, they might as well have a big screen.

New Game Media, a flash memory-based card

Sorry, UMD, but you had to go. One has to wonder what we'll do with all of these mini PSP discs? Seeing how backward compatibility on PS3 was shown the door (due to fears it was slowing down the purchase of new games) it's unlikely that a UMD transfer option will be introduced. In fact, the letters U-M-D weren't even mentioned this morning.

Cameras on both the front and rear of the device

It may not contain a 3D camera, but dual cameras are necessary to keep up with the times. Video chatting and snapping photos are the wave of the future and Augmented Reality games can't be played without that back camera. Obvious, but good move.

Front touchscreen and rear touchpad

Although gamers are weary of the future of touch, developers were showing off the front touchscreen with simple action like touch, grab, trace, push and pull. Meanwhile, the back touchpad, which is the same size as the OLED, is most interesting. Manipulating what's happening on the front of the screen by moving your fingers on the back could make way for novel gameplay via technology, something that has been Nintendo's strong suit. Sony is finally doing something that no one predicted.

GPS and location-based entertainment
- It's not so much a good idea for finding out way via Google Maps, but a great tool that game developers are starting to utilize on the iPhone. It'll be interesting to see what the world's top game companies can do with the future on a real gaming platform.
Game Franchises coming to NGP
- Hot Shots Golf
- Gravity Daze
- Killzone
- Reality Fighters
- Smart As
- Broken
- LittleBigPlanet
- Little Deviants
- WipEout
- Resistance
- Uncharted
source: PlayStation and various other liveblogs

Opinion: A list of the top features of Sony NGP

News: See the bullet points from the Tokyo-based PlayStation Meeting, then read our take on each of the features of Sony NGP.