First PSP2 Images Leaked?

VG247 have posted what they claim to be the first images of a PSP2 devkit (although it’s apparently the last version, and not the current one). Whilst the site itself says that they may not be representative of the portable’s “final form factor”, we can at least see what developers are testing their in-development projects on.

So, let’s look at the front first. Obviously, there are immediate comparisons to be made with the current PSPgo, in terms of a sliding screen that hides the front controls – but VG247 say that the most recent edition of the devkit actually looks more like a classic PSP-1000 through 3000 in that it is a big block and not a slider (apparently to combat overheating concerns). The big news is the two analog nubs (finally), which will make playing first-person shooters much more enjoyable, and help with the camera issues that have plagued many PSP titles so far.

Then we’ve got a microphone (much like the one built in to the PSP-3000), and a front-facing camera. This could mean some kind of video chat system is being planned, or of course it could just be for use in games and applications. There’s also a bit of a switch in terms of the control layout, with the analog sticks now positioned above the directional pad and face buttons unlike on the current PSPs and DualShocks, and it’ll be interesting to see what difference that makes to the ergonomics of the system.

Then on the back of the unit we can see a nice big “NOT FOR SALE” badge, just to reinforce the whole prototype thing, a rear-facing camera to go with the one on the front of the system (presumably Sony decided consumers don’t like one that spins round), the shoulder buttons, and that much-rumoured “trackpad”. It’s still unclear entirely how that’ll work, but it certainly adds something new to the whole experience of a portable gaming console. Plus, who wants to waste those precious extra fingers?

So, what we’ve got here certainly matches up with what we’ve already heard about the console from the rumours (although obviously the photos tell us nothing about the internal components of the handheld), although what’s here could entirely change by the time the system is finally announced.

Current rumours peg the PSP2 for release at the end of 2011, with power equivalent to the PS3 and Xbox 360. What do you guys make of the prototype then?

Source: VG247