psp which version?

gentlepurr

i'm looking at buying psp for my son for xmas, but i'm getting blinded with science. can someone tell me whats the difference between version 1.5 and 2.0? can you play shop brought games from uk on 1.5 version? is 1.5 the japanese version?

any help greatfully appreciated, i'm a non game playing mum!

thanx!

Chippy_Minton

It looks like 1.5 was the American/Japanese version, since they had the m/c earlier than us. The version number refers to the firmware within the PSP and AFAIK you can play UK shop games on a 1.5 PSP. In any case if you buy a PSP from a UK shop it will be able to play UK games whatever the firmware version is.

Version 2.00 added an internet browser, a new screen mode and video options. The latest version is 2.50, and you can upgrade any PSP to this version - see http://www.yourpsp.com/psp/psp.html#section=support_basics_detail&id=system_software_overview&locale=en_gb

scheming_gypsy

the 2.50 version can't played cracked games either apparently or be rolled back to version 2 firmware. Version 2 can't play cracked games / videos etc but can be rolled back to 1.5.
Not that you want to play them (;)) but it's also one of the differences.

gentlepurr

scheming_gypsy wrote:

the 2.50 version can't played cracked games either apparently or be rolled back to version 2 firmware. Version 2 can't play cracked games / videos etc but can be rolled back to 1.5.
Not that you want to play them (;)) but it's also one of the differences.

thanks for the info about cracked games, so it seems depending on which psp, you either go for one that will only play over the counter games, or one that will play cracked games and homebrew (whatever that is!) but there isn't one that will do both?

matty_c608

Japanese imports will play the UMD movies from the UK! Same region!

Silent_Bob_3

Most PSPs now will be version 2.0 firmware. I wouldn't buy any above this at present as they can't be downgraded. Ask in store what version firmware is installed and if possible get them to show you (all PSPs AFAIK come with some charge in the battery).

The purpose of downgrading (to v1.50) is to run home-brew software - including emulators and other tools. I currently have a Megdrive emulator and a NES emulator on mine with lots of games that are available in the public domain i.e. Sonic games.

Additionally you can (using a utility) copy your bought UMD game to the memory stick (1gb recommended) where it runs much faster than from the UMD and uses less battery power. I've done this with Virtua Tennis. However this is how the "copied" games have become freely available. Virtua Tennis requires 1.52 firmware - there's a utility that tricks the PSP into thinking it's got this firmware (all the way up to v2.0) allowing these games to be played.

However new games e.g. GTA require a proper upgrade to run a bought disc and v1.50 firmware doesnt have the video player files required to play the cut scenes. But you can downgrade after you get bored of it.

Basically if you want to run anything from the memory stick other than coverted films/music dont buy a PSP with firmware higher than 2.0.