Found a PSP at a yard sale... is it worth it?

[Segataritensoftii]

It costs $100 and comes with one game: Lumines. I didn't check to see if it had a memory stick in it. So, am I getting a good deal, or should I pass? The reason I want this is because my most current system is a GBA. But it's probably not such a good choice anyway since a used DS can be picked up for a cheaper price.

 

Edit: Just found out it has a 512MB stick. I'll swing by the sale later to see if it has any decent homebrew.

Edited July 7, 2007 by Segataritensoftii

[tantone56]

A new one is only 80 bucks more. Treat yourself and go for the new one.

[Segataritensoftii]

A new one is only 80 bucks more. Treat yourself and go for the new one.

That's the problem. I'm on a really tight budget (about $120), and I want to take my parents and brother to go see Ratatouille on my birthday. Perhaps a used DS might be a wiser investment, seeing as it won't burn as much of a hole in my wallet and it's better supported by developers. Edited July 7, 2007 by Segataritensoftii

[shadow460]

It costs $100 and comes with one game: Lumines. I didn't check to see if it had a memory stick in it. So, am I getting a good deal, or should I pass? The reason I want this is because my most current system is a GBA. But it's probably not such a good choice anyway since a used DS can be picked up for a cheaper price.

 

Edit: Just found out it has a 512MB stick. I'll swing by the sale later to see if it has any decent homebrew.

 

Emphasis is mine, and yes, it is worth the $100 with Lumines and the PSP. Good score on the 512MB stick...that is worth another $15 or so. Did you check the battery? It may have a 2200 mAh Stamina Pack, which I think is worth about $15 more than the standard one (see below). How about a charger? If it doesn't have one, no sweat. You can get a compatible power pack easily.

 

Chances are that the Lumines is not yet patched. If it's not the Greatest Hits version, then it's almost certainly unpatched. You can use the Lumines to set up an OE firmware, which will allow the use of homebrew, and you can use the Stamina Pack (if it's got one) to provide the extra power the system will need if you increase the clock speed to its normal value.

 

If all I had was $120 to spare until payday, I'd grab it right up for $100 of that.

 

When you buy, you might check what motherboard revision it has. Not that it matters now, but it's probably good to know.

 

For what it's worth, I've got perhaps $230 in just the core components of my PSP. That's a TA-082 board unit, a 1GB San Disk stick, a 2GB Sony stick, a Stamina Pack, a charger, and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. I used GTA to install 3.40 OE A firmware, and I'm running the clock speed at 333 where it's supposed to be. I think it's worth the $230 I put into it.

[Segataritensoftii]

How about a charger? If it doesn't have one, no sweat. You can get a compatible power pack easily.

When I last saw it, it came with a car adapter.

 

Chances are that the Lumines is not yet patched. If it's not the Greatest Hits version, then it's almost certainly unpatched. You can use the Lumines to set up an OE firmware, which will allow the use of homebrew, and you can use the Stamina Pack (if it's got one) to provide the extra power the system will need if you increase the clock speed to its normal value.

 

When you buy, you might check what motherboard revision it has. Not that it matters now, but it's probably good to know.

Well, when I last checked all the pictures on the unit were made in 2005, so I'm pretty sure the Lumines disc may be from 2005 as well. Edited July 7, 2007 by Segataritensoftii

[Segataritensoftii]

I finally got it! I now have a current game system instead of just that decrepit old GBA. It probably won't last me long, but at least It will hold me over until I can get a better paying job.

[n8littlefield]

Did you pay $100? Chances are at a yard sale you could have offered 80 cash and taken it home! Congrats though - it's a very nice piece of hardware indeed. Hopefully mini-E3 next week will give you plenty of future reasons to sink money into it

[shadow460]

When you can, try to get an AC power pack you can plug into the wall. Most thrift stores have them in droves, and you should be able to find one there that will work. The output is 5VDC, and 2 amps (2,000 mA).

That'll let you run off the wall power while you're at home, and save the battery for on the go. I use wall power when I can, as it's really no more difficult than plugging a joystick into the Atari.