Batman Begins PSP Pak
Score: 70% Developer: Mad Catz Device Type: Multi
Function: The Batman Begins PSP Pak contains several items that will please Batman fans and make for a more interesting gaming experience, whatever game you happen to be playing. The first accessory in the pack is a case that could either be called soft or hard, depending on what viewing angle you happen to have. The case wraps around and makes the PSP look like an Eskimo Pie, hard on top and bottom and soft on the sides. Yes, there's a cool Batman icon on it. Also included is a screen protector with a squeegee included for application, and a skin goes onto the PSP to give you that Batman Begins theme. Both the skin and screen protector could be removed, but the intention of the protector is to stay on and prevent any nasty scratches or dust motes from cluttering up your gaming space. Finally, a case for two UMDs is included, to hold games or movies. All of the accessories really show off the Batman Begins design work, so fans of the movie will be immediately psyched.
Performance: The skin is neat, and definitely jazzes up the black-on-black style of the PSP. For those who like the flat look, skinning the PSP may not be desireable, but I enjoy looking at The Bat, even if I'm just playing the front nine on Hot Shots Golf. Both the skin and the protector can easily be removed, and won't gum up the PSP, in case you do decide to make a change or go without them for a while. The UMD case is pretty straightforward, with a clamshell design that snaps but doesn't lock shut. I'm probably more of a UMD wallet or soft-case guy than a hard-case guy, but I like having more compact UMD storage, so any case is a good one in my book. Overall, the Batman Begins PSP Pak is a good value at $20 and definitely will be a must-have for diehard Batman Begins fans. The wraparound system case is especially durable and well made, probably worth more than half the price in its own right.
Features: ?Batsuit? look and feel Fits like a glove Removable screen protector Screen Protector is easy to apply, no sticky residue Game case holds 2 UMDs Features Batman Begins? collectable artwork
Drawbacks & Problems:: I struggled most with the case, which is really intended to be the jewel of the whole Batman Begins PSP Pak, I think. The case screws into the top of the PSP, which answers the question of what those little holes are for... But, the downside of screwing into the top of the PSP is that you have to remove the case every time you want to change a UMD movie or game. Maybe this seems like a small thing, but I really didn't like having to remove the whole case each time I wanted to change a disk. Seems to me that the whole point of having a case 'attached' to the PSP is that you shouldn't have to remove it to change games, but Sony has to share in the blame for placing those accessory attachment points. The bottom line is that unless you are really committed to your Batman Begins case, there's no real advantage to using it over what came with the PSP, and you may get tire of all the screwing and unscrewing. Or if you'll never own more than one UMD at the same time, forget everything I just said... :) When I unwrapped my Batman Begins PSP Pak and applied the screen protector, I found that there was an annoying crease in the protector that wouldn't go away. No amount of squeegeeing would remove the little bugger, so the choice was either to use the protector with the line running down my screen or give up on it. Without this flaw, which was hopefully just a result of the protector being squashed in the packaging at some point, I could see the value in this accessory. A scratch in the screen would be a disaster, and since the protector isn't glass, you don't have to exercise the same care in cleaning it.
-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock
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