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Some UK PSP launch pics...

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The PSP has finally launched in Europe. With stock spread thin across the UK on day one, most of the initial allocation has now been snapped up, and retailers claim you'll be hard pressed to get hold of one until Sony ships the next batch in a few weeks' time. But, as is so often the case with the launch of new console hardware, there were a few units kept aside for those determined enough to spend most of the day camped outside high street stores. In London, HMV's midnight opening drew a crowd of around 300 people. At the front of the queue were Londoners Paul Arneil, and John and Louise Brock.

Paul Arneil - first in line for a European PSP.
Eurogamer: How long have you been waiting here?

Paul Arneil: A very long time. I started queuing here at midday, and the launch is at midnight, so I've been here about 11 hours.

Eurogamer: Didn't you consider buying one on import?

Paul Arneil: I did. I've got a couple of friends that bought them from the States. Personally, I want my machine from the UK. If there's a problem with it it's a lot easier to get it sorted out, and I want to prop up our economy, so I'm quite happy to buy the UK version.

Eurogamer: How do you feel about having to wait so long for it to come out over here?

Paul Arneil: It's quite annoying, actually. I'm not sure why the UK and Europe is always last to get stuff. They must have a very good reason, but I don't know what it is.

Eurogamer: Have you got a DS?

Paul Arneil: No, I avoided buying a DS, mainly because I knew the PSP was coming out, and I looked at the two of them and said, ‘Well which one do I want? I'm not going to buy both.' The DS has a massive back catalogue, but I don't like the look of the machine itself. I don't want to spend all my gaming time twiddling with my thumb and finger on a screen. It's a nice idea, but to me it's a bit of a gimmick. I don't think they're going to bring out quality games that utilise it in a major way. I want a larger, more impressive screen, which I get with the PSP. Games look more impressive on the PSP.

It's hard to decide which console to go for, but the PSP looks like such a fantastic machine. It's up there with iPod in terms of desirability. And that's why I'm prepared to wait 12 hours and then probably collapse when I buy my PSP.

John and Louise wait patiently.
Eurogamer: How long have you two been here?

John Brock: I've been here since 12 noon, 12 hours.

Louise Brock: Since 2 o'clock.

Eurogamer: Why?

John Brock: The UK always has to wait last for everything. Japan gets everything first, then America gets it, and then we get it last six or 12 months later. It's just the point of having to get it now; I just want to get it. I could have bought one online, but if you get dead pixels or something, then you can't go back to them and get a refund.

Eurogamer: Are you that bothered about the possibility of dead pixels?

John Brock: Yes. I don't want it. I want it perfect. I don't want to have to wait so long for a product and then have it faulty.

Eurogamer: Have you bought a DS?

John Brock: No I haven't, I avoided buying it because I knew the PSP was hot on its heels. I mean, it's a lot better to look at.

Eurogamer: What do you think of the price point?

John Brock: I think it's ridiculous, and I think the deal HMV's offering is ridiculous as well, but I'm going to buy it because I want it! I haven't queued up for 12 hours for no reason!

Paul finally gets his hands on the PSP.
Eurogamer: What games are you going to get for it?

John Brock: I'm going to get Ridge Racers and Wipeout Pure, because they look amazing. I was going to get Metal Gear Ac1d, but I've got a friend who's got one, and it's crap. Every time you do three moves you've got to use cards to do it. That's not Metal Gear Solid.

Eurogamer: Do you think £180's a lot of money for it?

Louise Brock: I think it's a hell of a lot of money. I mean, it does a lot of other stuff that you wouldn't normally get on a handheld, but at the same time it's pretty bad.

Eurogamer: What made you queue up for 10 hours for this?

Louise Brock: He did, my brother! I wanted to keep him company.

Eurogamer: Don't you think this is all a bit odd?

Louise Brock: It's a bit mad, but everyone's got to have a hobby.
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Some of those responses from people queuing were completely retarded.
They basically all chose PSP over DS because it looks nicer and has better graphics. k
 
Eurogamer: Have you got a DS?

Paul Arneil: No, I avoided buying a DS, mainly because I knew the PSP was coming out, and I looked at the two of them and said, ‘Well which one do I want? I'm not going to buy both.' The DS has a massive back catalogue, but I don't like the look of the machine itself. I don't want to spend all my gaming time twiddling with my thumb and finger on a screen. It's a nice idea, but to me it's a bit of a gimmick. I don't think they're going to bring out quality games that utilise it in a major way. I want a larger, more impressive screen, which I get with the PSP. Games look more impressive on the PSP.
Click to expand...

Eurogamer: Have you bought a DS?

John Brock: No I haven't, I avoided buying it because I knew the PSP was hot on its heels. I mean, it's a lot better to look at.
Click to expand...

*Sigh*

Well, at least they're happy. I was ridiculously excited when I got my PSP too. They do sound like a pair of 'tards though.
 
HomerSimpson-Man said:
It's all the stuff we have already heard long before. The greatest appeal of the PSP is the tech behind it all and the unconvential design of the DS just doesn't reach some people.
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I know, I know...I'm just messing around.
 
HomerSimpson-Man said:
It's all the stuff we have already heard long before. The greatest appeal of the PSP is the tech behind it all and the unconvential design of the DS just doesn't reach some people.
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well this wow effect will thin out pretty quickly and we'll be left with some annoyed psp owners who are missing 300€ (about) from there bank accounts.

Thats if the games don't start coming, however I have my doubts that the GTA and PES will work how expected.

They are not hand held games and the majority (not all) of PS followers don't play that much, they are occasional players while at home... this means it is much more intelligent buying PES and GTA for Ps2.
 
+Aliken+ said:
well this wow effect will thin out pretty quickly and we'll be left with some annoyed psp owners who are missing 300€ (about) from there bank accounts.

Thats if the games don't start coming, however I have my doubts that the GTA and PES will work how expected.

They are not hand held games and the majority (not all) of PS followers don't play that much, they are occasional players while at home... this means it is much more intelligent buying PES and GTA for Ps2.
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Well at least they are buffered with a packed launch games, what we in the U.S. had to wait for initially, they get it nearly all at once for their long wait for PSP.

As for PES and GTA, I wouldn't claim anything yet but using such highly popular huge franchises games to push for PSP sounds like a positive and smart thing.

With GTA it's acutally the only new GTA we get this year and besides GTA is a pretty good pickup and play game. Just load it up and cruise around, listening to radio/tunes, cause all kinds of havok just for the heck of it, give the PSP version some type of quicksave and you're good to go.
 
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The guys are like "OMG OMG PSP LOL GIVE ME ONE" and the girls are like "My god I can't believe I'm queueing outside a store in the middle of the night for a fucking game. Can we go home please?"
 
John Brock: I'm going to get Ridge Racers and Wipeout Pure, because they look amazing. I was going to get Metal Gear Ac1d, but I've got a friend who's got one, and it's crap. Every time you do three moves you've got to use cards to do it. That's not Metal Gear Solid.
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No fucking shit Sherlock. You're a sharp one :lol
 
I'd just like to say something in the hope that SCEE are reading.

YOU GUYZ WERE SO RIGHT!!! LOOK HOW MUCH DAMAGE IMPORT PSPS DID TO THE EUROPEAN LAUNCH!!!1111! NOBODY PREORDERED BECAUSE THEY BOUGHT THEM MONTHS AGO AND THE EUROPEAN LAUNCH IS A TOTAL DISASTER111!!!!!11

Fuckers.
 
I was going to get Metal Gear Ac1d, but I've got a friend who's got one, and it's crap. Every time you do three moves you've got to use cards to do it. That's not Metal Gear Solid.
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:(
 
Aurora said:
Some of those responses from people queuing were completely retarded.
They basically all chose PSP over DS because it looks nicer and has better graphics. k
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Maybe its a polite way of saying i just dont care about DS. Its one of the main reasons why i didnt buy one.
 
Prine said:
Whats wrong? I think its pretty much spot on

Jesus im surprised with the answers, im pretty much nodding my head as i read them.
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I loved MGA. I'm not even a big fan of strategy games (though I've enjoyed my fair share), but MGA kept me hooked. It was a perfect mix of MGS gameplay with a strategy game. There were some flaws, of course, but I was able to overlook them.
 
dark10x said:
I loved MGA. I'm not even a big fan of strategy games (though I've enjoyed my fair share), but MGA kept me hooked. It was a perfect mix of MGS gameplay with a strategy game. There were some flaws, of course, but I was able to overlook them.
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how was the story? I coulndt really get over the card thing
 
Quite a few shops have signs up this afternoon 'out of stock'.

But you can still get one from less obvious places like PC World and Tot Court Road vendors like MicroAnvika.

<SNOB> Personally I'd rather get a ceramic white one cheaper from overseas. </SNOBFACTOR>
 
Aurora said:
Some of those responses from people queuing were completely retarded.
They basically all chose PSP over DS because it looks nicer and has better graphics. k
Click to expand...

Looks worse and crap graphics for the win!

C'mon man, there is nothing wrong with that. Some people care to play in this generation. You need to accept that as your personal savior.
 
Prine said:
how was the story? I coulndt really get over the card thing
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Totally twisted. :)

If you disliked MGS2's story for that reason, however, you probably would not have enjoyed it.
 
MGA needed more polish, definitely. Hopefully part 2 will fix some of the (minor) flaws of the first game.
 
Man, either there was a very low inital shipment or it really is that popular.
I noticed that the two places opening at midnight on wednesday both had huge ques; I'd say one was about 100-ish and GAME had about 50 or so. And that's in a small town.
 
Ive yet to play MGA because Ive still not decided on buying a PSP and my friends that do own a PSP have not got MGA. MGS is the game that has kept my interest in PSP. The gameplay looks really interesting. Ive never been a fan of strategy games but this one appeals to me for some strange reason, probably because its a Metal Gear game. Apart from gameplay, how is the game? I really want to know what the story is like. I loved MGS2's story so will I also like this?
 
The story was pretty good, I thought. It is presented more like an RPG, however, so don't expect full blown cutscenes. Lots of text with character pics as well a 2D artwork at times. I didn't mind it, but if you didn't expect it, there might be disappointment.

It really does play out like an MGS title, but as a strategy game. It looks decent as well and the soundtrack is pretty damn good (the alert music is especially good).

There are a few issues with it, of course (mostly related to the way the deck works), but it was still very addicting. Also, the story takes a little time to get rolling, but once it starts to move, you'll be hitting crazy ass twists left and right.
 
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