Hopefully the PSP2 will look this Gorgeous. - Image Via notcliche.com

It’s inevitable that the PSP will have a successor, and it goes without saying that it will be a powerful device (by some reports the chipset within will be between the power of the original Xbox and the 360). But a handheld needs more that just power to be successful. Also for today’s world the PSP brand needs to evolve to compete with not just the DS, but the iPhone that corners the market with music and keeping in touch; and is moving head first into the games industry.

So, what can Sony do to get everyone to buy their product while keeping gamers happy? This Top Ten list tries to answer that.

1. Touch Screen

iPhone with the glorious touch screen and accelerometer - image via Wikipedia

This is a proven concept, the DS started it, and then the iPhone followed. If the PSP2 had a touch screen like that of the iPhone it could become an effective music player and real competition to the iPhone. Also with this and the next bit of tech on the list, every game made for the App store would be easily ported. Using the internet browser wouldn’t be needlessly slow either (like it is on today’s PSP).

2. Accelerometer

Motion controls are here to stay, it also has some uses with applications, for instance internet browsing on the iPhone uses it, along with many games and Apps on the Apps Store. In this way, Sony is playing catch up; they need to make it easier for those developers that have made those thousands of Apps for Apple’s device available to another device. Make it so! And port Flower to the PSP2 as well, playing that in an actual field would be great.

3. Download Only games

This is the way the world is moving. But they need a proper price structure to keep it competitive. Like that of Valve’s great steam service, they need give great deals and allow games to be gifted to friends and family. If the Playstation Store had a 75% sale (like those amazing Steam deals) I would buy way more games. And oddly enough, after a game goes back to the same p

rice, people keep buying it because of the extra buzz it’s created (according to Steam). It almost doesn’t seem possible, but this information could revolutionize selling games.

A second Analog stick would be a breeze. Image Via wikipedia

4. Dual analog sticks

It wouldn’t take that much to add this in, and so many control issues would be solved, Camera control is so important and not all developers are good enough to make smart camera angles (Like the God of War Series for instance). Also would make porting games easy right?….

5. Emulators

This is a no-brainer, PSOne games need to be playable but due to the extra power this handheld will have (and dual analog sticks), they could add PS2 games, and Dreamcast games. If they were offered at a minimum of price (a few dollars more expensive than the PSOne Classics being offered now for instance), they would

A Vision of the future, PS2 games on PSN - Image via Kotaku

be a HUGE success. It’s a matter of time before they become available on PSN for the PS3 they would be foolish to leave this ability out of the PSP’s descendant. Also some classic Genesis and Neo Geo games would also be nice bite-sized games for a few dollars.

6. Backwards compatibility

This is another no brainer, they need to have the whole PSP library playable from day one with full connect ability with the old PSP. So that those on the new handheld can still play games like Gran Tourismo and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite with those who haven’t yet upgraded.

7. Massive Hard Drive

Image via Wikipedia

Because you’ll have a download only device and much bigger games available (like PS2 games that can be up to 7 gigs each!) , you’ll need a big hard drive to carry those around on. 80 gigabytes should do it to start. All those music and movies would have a place to go as well. Keeping the slot for memory upgrades like the micro SD cards is also a must, and keeps the hand held future proof.

8. 3G and 4G connections

Now this is a big one. Here where I live (Canada) 3G is expensive and not as fast  as cable modems. But while travelling to Russia of all places I learned of this magical 4G network, that worked everywhere, was as fast as a cable modem and the most interesting thing, only 20 dollars a month for unlimited downloads!  Perhaps you’re thinking, why would this be important? The answer is Skype. If you bring the Skype software along from the psp-3000 and pspgo models you’d have essentially a PSP phone without having to pay AT&T or Verizon Wireless or Bell their expensive fees. Also having a continuous internet connection (not just relying on wi-fi hotspots) opens up the MMO market to handhelds.

These networks work really well and it’s only a matter of time before they become the norm (wireless N as well of course).

9. Camera

The PS3 Eye - Image by Carlos Allevato via Flickr

The PSP camera is an interesting idea, but if there is a built in camera the games built for it would have a much bigger audience. The PSP camera isn’t even released where I live. Being able to take half-decent pictures would be a plus as well, seeing as if you’d have a huge hard drive, and a great wireless connection you could send your pictures to friends easier than ever.

10. Wireless TV connection

Who likes wires? New Televisions coming out now can receive wireless signals from blue tooth devices. If the PSP2 had this ability, after playing your game or movie on the bus, you could throw it up on your TV from the comfort of your couch without threading a component cable. This would make the PSP2 a portable PSone, PS2, and Dreamcast, I don’t know about you but that would be a dream in this gamer’s head.

If Sony adds these to the PSP2 it could replace all the devices you carry around with you leaving your pockets free and easy. Anything that you think should be added? Or anything I forgot? Leave your comments below.

PSOneClassics.com