PSP Malfunction

[Swonker]

Around 4,800 Japanese PSPs were returned to Sony because their owners stated there were problems with the square button. In a recent interview, Ken Kutaragi, president of Sony Computer Entertainment, stated that the PSP's square button was less responsive than the others, and that they weren't going to do a thing about it.

Full Story Here (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/24/news_6116985.html)

[Invader_Spooch]

Old news.

This has been around for at least 2-3 weeks, and it isn't a surprise.

Ah well. That's what warranties are for.

[Deadman]

well its a good thing i dident bye a psp....of course i dident even want one

[Bryangst]

It isn't even out here in the States yet..

[Bird Boy]

I just want to make a note that if anyone brings up the PSP's price point or any other negative thing about it and states it in a Fanboyish attitude, I'm deleting the posts. I'm tired of reading them in every damn PSP thread.

-BB

[Tak Mazé]

Didn't they give a reason why these particular units differed? Or is it just a flaw in a specific production line?

[Matt Hazuda]

Didn't they give a reason why these particular units differed? Or is it just a flaw in a specific production line?It's a special feature so the games won't always be as easy for you? "Will the button work not? You'll never know when you play the PSP. Now wthl our special edition 2 hour battery. Only $79.99. Give your hands something else to play with when you're bored. The PSP doesn't leave a sticky mess either."

[MrBananagrabber]

I can't believe the tone of the Sony rep. That's no way to talk to people who are concerned about a flaw in your system. Whether Sony says it is or not, one of the main buttons not working is incredibly important. You don't consciously release a flawed product and then get all pissy because people realized it. They had better issue one hell of an apology.

I wasn't going to get any of the new systems before a price drop to begin with, but wow, after this development I'll just save the cash.

[Batman's Biggest Fan]

But if I were Sony, I'd issue an apology for that statement. But they're seriously not going to do a thing about it? That's real loyalty to your customer there Sony. :eek:

[Dogbert]

Those remarks were out of line. No question about it.

[Vivace]

They were out of line i agree but if you look at the malfunctioning PSPs it is a fairly good perecentage (considering what happend to the PS2 of course) .6 percentage, that's it. Though i guess that should make a smaller screen version you know for the players that like their buttons to work.

I am neutral in the whole Handheld wars one reason is that nintendo already stated that DS isn't even ment to challenege the PSP that's the Game Boy Revolution's job. Another reason I remain neutral is that both systems are made from great companies who have earned the respect of plenty of gamers. I think the PSP will challenge the DS and do a good job. Though I have no clue who will end up on top.

[Bryangst]

Where's the need for an apology? Because of the way the PSP was designed? We've never expected an apology from Sony on anything in the past, so why start now? Hell, we've never expected an apology from any other company for the way something was designed.

The comments may have seemed a bit rude, but umm Sony is not some kiddy company that is supposed to make everybody happy. To be honest, I'm kind of happy at the way the situation was handled.

[William C. Maune]

The comments may have seemed a bit rude, but umm Sony is not some kiddy company that is supposed to make everybody happy. To be honest, I'm kind of happy at the way the situation was handled.

Any company should work toward making their customers happy. Not doing so is bad for business. I'm quite surprised Sony would include a less reliable square system in their final design. Something like that isn't necessary a problem that can just be fixed by taking the system back since the square button is going to be inherently less response due to the design of the system itself.

[Strollymonster]

Any company should work toward making their customers happy. Not doing so is bad for business. I'm quite surprised Sony would include a less reliable square system in their final design. Something like that isn't necessary a problem that can just be fixed by taking the system back since the square button is going to be inherently less response due to the design of the system itself.
Since my PS2 just quit on me today, I was already in a bad mood against Sony...but this is just another nail in the coffin (for me, anyways) of the PSP.

The question I have is...will this same issue be in the US version?

[Bryangst]

Any company should work toward making their customers happy. Not doing so is bad for business. I'm quite surprised Sony would include a less reliable square system in their final design. Something like that isn't necessary a problem that can just be fixed by taking the system back since the square button is going to be inherently less response due to the design of the system itself. I agree. A company should work to make their customers happy. There's no way every customer will be happy through a single product, though. Just like you, I'm surprised that the square button would be less reliable, but it's not enough to make me go on complaining about the product as a whole. The way I see it, it just means I'll need to press the square button just a bit more than the others.


The question I have is...will this same issue be in the US version? They did say that they will not be doing anything about the design, so I can imagine some of the US release PSP's will have this problem.

[Dogbert]

They were out of line i agree but if you look at the malfunctioning PSPs it is a fairly good perecentage (considering what happend to the PS2 of course) .6 percentage, that's it.Keep in mind that this is not a problem that happens right out of the box. Judging from the reports, I'd say that after a while, the square button doesn't work as well and can become sticky. These are only the units that have been returned to Sony, how many others have been returned to stores, how many people are just living with the problem, and how many more will have the problem at some point in their future? That 0.6% is just the tip of the iceberg.


The question I have is...will this same issue be in the US version?Imagine a Sony rep saying the following with a thick (but fake) Italian accent: "would a renowned architect change his design just to please a few people."

[Artimus Gigan]

Here's a bigger question...how many games actualy make use of the square button?

X is the most used button in the US

[Dogbert]

Here's a bigger question...how many games actualy make use of the square button? X is the most used button in the USI have no clue which are used on the PSP, but I know square is the second most used button on the Playstation controllers.

[Bryangst]

I've actually always used the square button a lot less than the others. Always been X and Circle the most. And I'm sure most games will allow you to customize control settings, so you could take most button use away from the square.

[Simpler Simon]

Offering additional testimony praising the handheld, Kutaragi said, "I believe we made the most beautiful thing in the world. Nobody would criticize a renowned architect's blueprint that the position of a gate is wrong. It's the same as that."
They would if the gate tends to jam and people can't get through it.

Thats one of the most arrogant statements I've ever heard.

[Master Moron]

I have no clue which are used on the PSP, but I know square is the second most used button on the Playstation controllers.

I agree with Shadow Crawler, x and circle seem to be the most used, square seems to be rarely used in most games. x is usually the run or jump button, and circle is usually the attack button. Hmmm...trying to think of what games use square button, well, on grand theft auto you use square to jump, I think on Metal Gear Solid you use it to shoot, on Tony Hawk you use it to perform tricks...hmmm...I don't think it does anything on most role playing games does it? Oh, isn't square the brake for most driving games?

Still, I do think it rather ridiculous that a button is defective. I mean, I absolutely hate it when controllers stop working...I can't imagine how frustrated I'd be if a handheld's buttons stopped working. You know, couldn't they just move the square button closer to the circle button?

[Artimus Gigan]

I agree with Shadow Crawler, x and circle seem to be the most used, square seems to be rarely used in most games. x is usually the run or jump button, and circle is usually the attack button. Hmmm...trying to think of what games use square button, well, on grand theft auto you use square to jump, I think on Metal Gear Solid you use it to shoot, on Tony Hawk you use it to perform tricks...hmmm...I don't think it does anything on most role playing games does it? Oh, isn't square the brake for most driving games?

Still, I do think it rather ridiculous that a button is defective. I mean, I absolutely hate it when controllers stop working...I can't imagine how frustrated I'd be if a handheld's buttons stopped working. You know, couldn't they just move the square button closer to the circle button?Circle is breaking in driving...as for RPG's I don't think aside from button combos for limit breaks, square has no use.

[Youko Recca]

Why should we have to go out of our way to enjoy the system if it's their fault? True, this isn't all that serious, but how could something like this slip by and them maybe knowing and yet still not trying to fix it? And I appreciate the pompous reaction as much as I do getting yelled at by my football coach. And the yelling is actually for a good reason.

[Artimus Gigan]

It could be a marketing stratagy...Angry guy yells at people about malfunction and out of curiosity they buy the system to see if it's really all that bad...


I mean that's why Nintendo had Iwata for awhile, right?

[Bryangst]

Circle is breaking in driving...as for RPG's I don't think aside from button combos for limit breaks, square has no use. Even at that, there aren't quite as many RPGs that make use of button combo systems.


It could be a marketing stratagy...Angry guy yells at people about malfunction and out of curiosity they buy the system to see if it's really all that bad... That is one big thing I am going to be looking for when I buy a PSP. Gonna see if it was really worth it to waste time complaining so much about faults that very few of the units have had.

[Invader_Spooch]

That is one big thing I am going to be looking for when I buy a PSP. Gonna see if it was really worth it to waste time complaining so much about faults that very few of the units have had.
But it's easier for fanboys to take any negative press and turn it into exhaggerated fodder for the slanderous handheld wars (on both sides).

[Bryangst]

I suppose. This is also why I hate fanboys. =/

[Ninja Murasaki]

I know how it feels to have a broken Playstation button. The X button on my original Playstation, non dual shock controler for PS1 is less responsive. All the other buttons react fine even with the lightest push, but the X will do nothing unless you press it hard enough or hold it down hard enough. In Driver, there is the option to accelerate with the O button, but it feels akward to press it for that purpose, so without the X working in top order, I can't just solve the problem with a different controller configeration. This problem just started a few months ago, and since this system and controller are so old, it's not too suprising. The button either broke because it is the most used or just from getting damaged while not being used. I could get a new controller and upgrade to a dual shock and play that Ape Escape demo I have, but I don't really want to spend the money on that, when I could just buy a PS2 and play all my games on it plus new PS2 ones. But with the PS3 soon to come I might just as well get that. But not untill my PS1 breaks and my parents buy it for me and I get it for free. If the PS3 isn't backwards compatible then I'd just have to get a PS2. Basicly I'm not going to give up my PS1 untill it breaks and I just hope the PS3 is compatible with PS1 and PS2 so I can really open up many gaming opertunities. So it looks like I'll just live with the X button for a while, tho it will be anoying. Hopefully not game stopping. I worry about playing Crash Bandicoot and falling in a pit because a ran and jumped but the jump didn't register. Another thing is I would be very cautious of the PS3, and wait untill it can be proven there are no errors with the hardware. This will all be in the future, probably 2 years, so nothing is gonna happen for a while. I'll just wait it out, but maybe I'll just buy the controller because it probably won't break untill the PS5! I might be worth it if it were under 10 dollars. I still have some games if haven't even played yet for it and the rumbling and analog controls would be nice. Plus, it's compatible with the PS2 if I'm not mistaken, so that would be my second controler right there if I get one. Maybe it will be compatible with the PS3 too. That would be excelent. Lets hope they don't chance the controler now.

Well, I'm happy with my PS1 that I've owned since I was a kid. I wouldn't like to have a bad button problem right when I got a new system. Oh well, it's not the biggest problem, but just another problem malfunction Sony will be responsible for.

[Conan-san]

And people ask if PSP is seriously going to be a contender.

I see a graveyard, a open place inbetween "Linx" and "GameGear"

And that's not the Nintendo Fanatic talkin' ether.

[RAINMAN]

But it's easier for fanboys to take any negative press and turn it into exhaggerated fodder for the slanderous handheld wars (on both sides).


Then that why a company should not say or do anything negative( espiclay toward the custmers)that can be used againts them. Supposed you went to a food store to buy something and one of products turn out to be out of date. So you try to return it and they refuse to take it back? Would you go back to that rude store in the future?

[Conan-san]

Then that why a company should not say or do anything negative( espiclay toward the custmers)that can be used againts them. Supposed you went to a food store to buy something and one of products turn out to be out of date. So you try to return it and they refuse to take it back? Would you go back to that rude store in the future? Yeah, but your local asda or walmart ain't exactly sony now, ain't it?

[Bryangst]

Then that why a company should not say or do anything negative( espiclay toward the custmers)that can be used againts them. Supposed you went to a food store to buy something and one of products turn out to be out of date. So you try to return it and they refuse to take it back? Would you go back to that rude store in the future? That is not such a great example. Grocery stores do a good job to make sure the products that go onto their shelves aren't out of date, or atleast the stores near me do. And yes, I would continue to go back. Why? Because one bad product out of many of the same kind really is not anything horrible. Not to mention, food costs a lot less... so you can just buy the same product again. Which is what I do. =/

[Invader_Spooch]

The PSP will have a warranty.

If something on it messes up (knock on wood), they WILL fix it for you, for little or nothing (nothing if it is within the 3 month warranty period).

Outside of the disc read error (which only occured in some of the older model PS2s, and they will fix for free), Sony doesn't really have that bad of a track record.