There is a new addiction among soldiers and it goes by the name of PSP (play station portable). What is this PSP I speak of you ask? It is a portable video game that allows you to win the Stanley cup, ride an ATV through a mud course, and fight the forces of evil all from the palm of your grubby little hands. Plus you can watch movies, sort through your picture collection, and listen to MP3s.
Now normally, I’m not a big video gamer. My brother was always able to kick my rear when it came to mastering the hand to eye dexterity for video games so I didn’t get into the whole gaming craz like some other folks (with the exception of a few strategy games on my PC that I dabble in now and then). I do not own a Nintendo, Xbox or Playstation gaming system because they are a) highly addictive and b) I’ve heard of relationships being torn apart by these machines (Not now honey, I’m battling the Germans on my PSP!). When I was at Ft. Benning, a few of my fellow IRR folks bought these things to help pass the time between training sessions and here lies the dilemma; do I break down and buy one? Recently we’ve lost a member of our team to the PSP. He use to hang out with us between breaks but now he delves into the high resolution screen and dukes it out with some animated foe. Like I said, they are great at passing the time away, and best of all you can play against one another (up to 4 players) without any cords! But, if you had so much spare time to waste, it could be better spent hanging out with your friends or reading a book. I could go on all day listing the pros and cons of this addictive system, but I’m still trying to find out if I want to get one for myself. Apparently, the plane ride overseas is about 12 hours long (or more). There are only so many books you can read and so many DVDs you can watch on the laptop before you go batty and need something to help pass the time. Plus, the military practically invented the whole “hurry up and wait” concept, and what better way to pass the time than by challenging your buddy to a virtual game of football?
I’m still in a struggle about this purchase, but I only have a few more weeks to think about it as I will be on a plane headed for the land of sand and the “little PX”.
4 comments:
I'm not much of a gamer either, mainly Final Fantasy and Mario on a system or card games and Zuma (thanks Aunt Bernie) on the computer, but since I got my Nintendo DS I love it. Too bad I didn't have it last year waiting for doctors. It may not be as addictive as you think, it isn't for me. Maybe guys are more addicted to it though, James can pick up my DS or play his PS2 or even get on the computer and just play for hours, he hasn't done the not now thing though, but I do have to repeat myself sometimes.
Take care. Love and miss ya.
Go for it! I have Xbox and I am by no means a "gamer". I have had it 4 years and I just bought my 6th game. My faves are: Medal of Honor: Frontline and MOH Rising Sun. I just picked up Half-Life 2 and its pretty good so far as well. I like the first person shooter type games but I hated Halo.
Just my thoughts for the day.
One more thing, the MOH games you either have to finish the level or start back at the beginning again. On Half-Life 2 you can save anywhere in the game and pick up right where you left off. That particular feature might come in handy in your situation.
It has been a long time since I have had any of the games. My last game was Nintendo 65. Okay it dates me a little, although, the boys really are enjoying it now. When I went to my sister's last year, she had the new Wii game. We did the fitness challenge and competed in bowling, baseball and golf. It was a lot of fun. We had to actually get up and move rather than sitting. The worse thing is you have one more thing to help full the twelve hour plane trip.
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