A new console will
always bring forth accessories.
When a new console
launches, you can be sure that there will be tons of accessories available for
it. Now when a new portable console gets released, there is a landslide of items
that come out for it. On that note, Mad Catz has released a PSP Pro Pak that is
designed to help players get better use out of their precious Playstation
Portable. Is this Pro Pak worth the price of admission, or should you look
elsewhere? Read on to find out more.
The first thing that you
might ask is what is in this “PSP Pro Pak?” Well here is the answer
– Hard Carrying Case
– In-Ear Headphones
– 6 Game Cases
– 4 Screen Protectors
– USB Cable
– Car Adapter
As you can see, the PSP
Pro Pak has several nice items in it and covers many of the basic things you
need. The Hard Carrying case is pretty interesting, not only will it help
protect your precious PSP, but it also has two slots inside the case that allows
you to store two games. This case will help protect the PSP better than the soft
case that came inside the PSP Value Pack. The problem with this case, is even
though it is sturdy, it will be more difficult to carry around because it is too
big to slip into your pocket, and it doesn’t have a belt clip so you can’t put
it there either. While it isn’t a big deal, it would have been nice if the case
was made with some more portability in mind.
I am not a fan of in-ear
headphones to begin with because they really hurt my ears to wear. The ones that
come in the PSP Pro Pak are nice and have a good sound quality, but the ones
that came with the PSP value pack are just as good. One advantage that these
earphones have is that it comes with a clamshell case so they will be easier to
keep up with.
I have a confession to
make; I keep all of my game cases/boxes. Yes I have game cases from my NES all
the way up to the current generation of games. If you ask me why, I will say
that I like to keep all my games neat and have the game with the instruction
booklet. This was more of a problem when games came out in cardboard boxes, but
the current generation with DVD cases has made this a whole lot easier. The
reason I am telling you this is that I never have had the need for game cases.
The PSP game cases have a unique shape to them so they are harder to store with
the rest of my games, and a little more difficult to pack when you go on trips.
The PSP Pro Pak comes with
six color game cases. While these game cases are not as study as the ones that
the PSP games come in, they are more portable which makes it easier to take
games on the road. They will protect your games from getting scratched and it
comes in a variety of different colors.
A huge fear of mine, and
millions of other PSP owners, is getting a huge scratch on that gorgeous screen.
Well this accessory pack comes with four screen protectors that will help
prevent that. The application of them is easy to do, but you will have to watch
out to prevent getting air bubbles while putting them on. The problem is that
even though these help protect your screen, they also hamper some of the clarity
of the images that the PSP produces. So it is a double edge sword if you want to
use them.
Have you upgraded your
memory card yet? Well if you are like me I bet you haven’t gotten that 1 gig
memory card for your PSP. This causes a problem if you have a lot of game saves
on your card already. Well this Pro Pak comes with a USB cable that will allow
you to hook your PSP up to your PC and transfer data between the two. The thing
is, if you are not computer “savy” you might have a hard time figuring out how
to get this accomplished because there are no instructions or software to help
you transfer the files back and forth.
Last but certainly not
least is the car adapter. How many times have you been on the road and your PSP
battery dies on you? The one thought going though your mind when his happens
must be along these lines: “If only I had a car adapter I could play just a
little bit longer?” Well if this has happened to you, Mad Catz has your back and
included a car adapter so you can play your PSP on the road without fear of your
batteries dying on you. The adapter is nice and works like all other car
adapters out there. Plug it in your car and PSP and away you go.
Pros:
The carrying
case is really nice and adds more protection to your PSP when you are on the go.
The car adapter is something that you will enjoy immediately when you are on the
road. The USB cable is really nice as well. If you like using game cases then
the ones that comes in this package will suit you fine.
Cons:
The screen protectors are hard to put on perfectly, and when they are
on, the games aren’t as clear as they should be. The earphones are good, but the
ones that came with the PSP are just as good.
Verdict: 8.5
Many people, including myself, think that the PSP Value Pack should
have come with a car adapter and a USB cord. Mad Catz stepped up to the plate
and released the PSP Pro Pak which includes many accessories that a PSP owner
should have in their possession. For the lower price of thirty dollars this is
one accessory pack that you should get.
