What should I be looking out for when buying a new PSP on the net?

Puteq

Hi, this should be a simple one for you guys I reckon but it is something I just dont know - I am going to buy a PSP on the net, maybe ebay or somewhere like that if I get one reasonably priced. What should I be looking out for - like as far as I know games work on any PSP (i.e. there are no regions like there is with movies), am I correct? and whats all this talk of different firmware versions??? and obviously I would want a PSP with an english interface, but I see Japanese version PSPs for sale on ebay, but with an English interface and I am wondering whats the story, is there something else about it that I should avoid or what???

sorry for what I know is an open question but I kind of dont know what I am doing but I dont want to stroll into a bricks and mortar shop and pay extra just because of a little bit of ignorance...

Thanks

d_mc_a

You should try to get a version 1.5 psp, with a 1 gig card. You could go Japanese or American, there really no problems with regions. I have a japanese version 1.5 psp, with a 1 gig card and audio docking station plus GTA and Wipeout. Load of "software" too. Its all still boxed and im trying to sell it for 300 for the lot. There's nothing wrong with it, i just never use it. If ur interested, PM me, I'm living in the Limerick Region, so im not a million miles away.

patch

Your main reason (at least mine) would be that newer psp's are a newer firmware than 2.0
You can 'downgrade' this to a 1.5
With a 1.5 you can load iso's of games you already own.
You could load iso's you don't own which you might have downloaded easily enough, but this would be totally illegal so don't do it.

If you don't want to load iso's or play homebrew( snes etc.) it seems the prices are dropping in gamestop for the gigapack which would work out cheaper than ebay I'd imagine.

Google maxconsole for more info on the above points.

Puteq

Cool thanks for the info guys. One thing though cos I have done a bit of reading on boards about firmwares etc; am i right in saying that you can upgrade - but also downgrade - firmwares? wouldnt that mean that it doesnt matter what is the firmware of the PSP you buy, cos you can just move to whatever firmware you like??? or is there some reason why you cannot downgrade, or cannot move firmwares too often etc (I am aware of upgrading firmware on other devices and how there is a theoretical risk of frying system board during the process so it would be something you wouldnt want to do very often...)

I would like to be able to play around a bit with my PSP, not sure if i would be getting the max out of it like you guys but I would like the freedom to do a bit of messing with it so I would not like to be too restricted...

weemcd

Puteq wrote:

Cool thanks for the info guys. One thing though cos I have done a bit of reading on boards about firmwares etc; am i right in saying that you can upgrade - but also downgrade - firmwares? wouldnt that mean that it doesnt matter what is the firmware of the PSP you buy, cos you can just move to whatever firmware you like??? or is there some reason why you cannot downgrade, or cannot move firmwares too often etc (I am aware of upgrading firmware on other devices and how there is a theoretical risk of frying system board during the process so it would be something you wouldnt want to do very often...)

I would like to be able to play around a bit with my PSP, not sure if i would be getting the max out of it like you guys but I would like the freedom to do a bit of messing with it so I would not like to be too restricted...

If your psp is 2.00 you can downgrade, anything above that (even 2.01 as it only patched this hole.) There is a risk in changing your firmware, especially doing so without the psp plugged into the charger as you could ruin your system , weither you are updating legit using sony updates or using a downgrader. Some games require high firmwares to play (for example street fighter, mega man which both require 2.50) so this also needs to be considered in your purchase, remember if you go past 2.00 you cannot downgrade (currently, it may be possible to downgrade in future, but this is not a certainty.)

If i was you i would make sure to buy a 1.5 or 2.00 psp, play around with it and then you can decide to stay with the current firmware or upgrade/downgrade.


Quite a good link here for some firmware comparison here

patch

Sorry, I could have been clearer.
You can downgrade from 2.0, any newer firmware you can't.
After this sony put a stop to downgrading.
Your best bet is to have a look in the consoles for sale section. Keep an eye out, one will turn up.

Puteq

cool thanks for all the advice!