Sony Next Generation Portable Wrap-Up

After months of rumors and leaks, Sony has finally taken the wraps off one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry--a successor to the PSP that is currently codenamed Next Generation Portable. GameSpot was on hand at the portable's unveiling in Tokyo last night and covered the handheld's debut in depth.

The Hardware

On the outside, the device looks similar to the original PSP, but it has some key differences. The analog nub has been replaced with more pronounced analog sticks--two of them in fact--opening opportunities for more familiar control schemes. There are also two cameras on the system, one on the front and one on the back. Additionally, the screen on the front of the NGP (which uses OLED tech) is actually a touch screen similar to those found on various smartphones. There's also a touch pad on the back (think mouse pad) for more control opportunities.

For more on how the NGP looks and what's powering it, check out our hardware stories and video:

• Sony's 'Next Generation Portable' due out this holiday
• Next Generation Portable Hands-On
• Sony Next Gen Portable specs detailed
• Sony Next Generation Portable: Inside and Out (Photos)
• NGP will sell for $300-$350 - Analyst
• Next Generation Portable: Shuhei Yoshida Interview
• Sony NGP Processor Performance
• Sony Next Generation Portable: What You Need to Know
• Two NGP models in the works - Report
• PlayStation Suite to bring PS One games to Android
• Sony NGP Gut Reactions

The Games

At the NGP conference, a few developers were on hand to show their support for the system and demonstrate what it can do. Hideo Kojima showed a cutscene from Metal Gear Solid 4 that had been ported to the Next Generation Portable, and representatives from Epic were on hand to show the Unreal engine running on the system. A new Uncharted game was revealed (which is being developed under Naughty Dog's supervision), and a new Call of Duty was announced for the platform. Among the other games shown at the conference were Yakuza, Hot Shots Golf, and Little Deviants. That's just the beginning, though, because more than 80 third-party publishers have signed on to back the handheld.

• First NGP games announced
• Third-party devs listed for Sony NGP
• Uncharted NGP Hands-On
• Uncharted NGP (PSP 2) Tokyo Press Conference Demo
• Little Deviants Hands-On
• Unreal Engine Demo
• Tecmo-Koei Tech Demo
• Hot Shots Golf (working title) Tokyo Press Conference Demo
• Monster Hunter Demo
• Lost Planet 2 Unveiling
• Yakuza Unveiling
• Metal Gear Solid NGP (PSP 2) Unveiling Video