The PSOne Emulator for the PSP will get its games from the PS3. Instead of building a network specifically for the PSP, or trying to connect the PSP to Sony’s Connect service, gamers can log into the PlayStation Store using their PS3, find their favorite PS1 games there, buy and download them, and then enjoy it on your PSP. PSOne emulation will also be supported on the PS3 sometime in the future.
IGN speculates that that the PlayStation Store will also be integrated into the PSP in a future PSP firmware update. But for now though, the PS3 is integral for digital distribution. A number of PS1 gamers are already listed on the PlayStation Store. There is no promise though if the titles will be available for the PSP during launch. PSOne games will retail for approximately $15, although no exact details are available.
The PS3 to PSP connectivity doesn’t stop there. A demonstration by Sony during Gamer’s Day suggests that the PS3 will be able to send media to the PSP via Wi Fi, similar to the technology used in the Location Free player. The feature, known as “Remote Play”, showed a trailer of Casino Royale being transmitted from the PS3 to the PSP. The exact details have not been released but this is certainly something to look forward to.
UPDATE:
Speaking to SCE Marketing Vice President Peter Dille, GameDaily BIZ was able to confirm that a “PSP downloads site” was up and running to distribute PSP games without the use of PS3, although this stops short of confirming that the full PlayStation Store will be on PSP as soon as the next PSP update releases.
UPDATE 2:
Phil Harrison from the PS3 conference said that “PS1 downloads will initially be for play only on the PSP, but will later work on the PS3 when the emulation software is available.” You can, however, play these games on both the PSP and the PS3, and they will actually be playable by 2007. All the other titles from the previous consoles will be playable on the PS3, obviously. He also said, “They are as exactly as they were.” Put bluntly, the PS3 won’t offer any visual enhancements to the games. Additionally, you can download your PS1 games up to five PS3s, regardless of whether it’s on someone else’s PS3, but you should use your own account.