Related Sections: PSP Patches Playstation 3
Sony updates their hardware, explains Metal Gear Solid
If you've fired up your Playstation 3 or PSP lately, you've probably done some downloading. Both systems got an update this week from Sony. The PSP's 4.0 update isn't nearly as dramatic as its whole version number sounds. 4.0? Really? It feels more like a 3.9 or even a 4.03. Basically, the only new feature is the ability to do a Google search from the main menu. This bypasses the process of manually opening a browser and going to Google.com. So that's two fewer steps if you're ever out with iPhone-less friends and you need to look up, say, the GNP of Bhutan. You can also have great fun with Google's targeted ads. Looking up "Is Starbuck a Cylon?" gave me three ads for coffee, one specifically for coffee from Ceylon. Thanks, Google, for assuming I can't spell.
Meanwhile, the PS3 upgrade, with its yawn-inducing version number 2.36, is even more boring. Especially since Sony is teasing us with the promise that the very next upgrade – for real! – will add game-specific trophies and the ability to access the menu without quitting out of your game. In other words, stuff we've been doing on the Xbox 360 ever since it came out.
But the real reason to go online with your PS3 is to grab the Metal Gear Solid databank, a ridiculously meticulous encyclopedia of all the stuff that's going to confuse the heck out of you when you play Metal Gear Solid 4. Now, instead of simply scratching your head and wondering what on earth Snake is talking about, you can pause the cutscene, switch out to the menu, and—oh, wait, no you can't. Not until the next update. But if ever there was a game that needed a downloadable encyclopedia, it's Metal Gear Solid 4. Why isn't this actually in the game?
By Scott Parker at 7:57 PM ON 06/20/08
If that's even related to Season 4 of BSG, I will gather an angry mob of DVD watchers and will march upon your blog!
Good day sir!
By Niclas at 9:09 PM ON 06/20/08
Tom, you bloody yankee; I see you, like Sony, guiltlessly overlook us poor European, once again bereft of the pretty perks of PlaySation as with said MGS4 database. Sob.
Eurogamer advizes getting the database from the US store as a feasible solution: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/352/f/4735/s/14841b1/story01.htm
By Tom Chick at 9:42 PM ON 06/20/08
Scott, the question isn't season-specific so much as one of the great mysteries of BSG, along with 'Is Roslin a Cylon?', 'Is Adama a Cylon?', and 'Is Baltar a Cylon?' I trust you'll be just as confused as the rest of us once you've gotten through Season Four. :)
Niclas, what's Europe? Is that in Canada or something? You guys have videogames up there?
By edwardmoser at 2:49 PM ON 06/21/08
how do download games an my psp?
By nomad at 4:20 PM ON 06/21/08
sony has been doing nothing for the north american customers with psp compaired to japan. even eu has been dissed. junk updates,no camera or gps in north america. never fixed the internet,then give us goohle that runs out of memory which sony never fixed. this has been going on for 2 years now. not a word of what they are going to do for us here in north america or eu. cfw is sounding better. sony is really shooting thems selves in the foot. a bunch of other things needs to be done on the psp to fix and make better,which in turn would make sales better. learn how to manage,hire and fire workers,ad's....ect. crummy and old games that everybody has on the play station store for the psp. alot of people complainig on the ps forums. sony should listen to the customers here in the west. wise up sony or you will lose your shirt.
By uDoVooDooHooDoo at 6:15 AM ON 06/22/08
I'm still waiting for PS3's HOME to come out, im sick of waiting actually, when are they releasing PS3 HOME... :( anyways.
By Niclas at 11:27 AM ON 06/23/08
Uncork the champagne; the database is coming to Euroland!
By Scott Parker at 4:10 PM ON 06/23/08
Tom: You make a good point regarding BSG. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a soon-to-be-disappointed mob to deal with.
Perhaps I'll instead get them nice and riled up about the lack of a proper BSG game (lovely fan mods aside).
By pandaman602001 at 2:02 PM ON 10/27/08
The psp has come out with upgrade 5.00. Thats the new one
pandaman602001:
The psp has come out with upgrade 5.00. Thats the new one...More »