My PSP is positioned next to my bed for easy access for when I need a burst of gaming in the middle of the night. Problem is I havent had that need for a month or so since I was trying out Final Fantasy Tactics.

For someone like me handheld systems only ever came into play, for the most part, when I am commuting. But ever since I got into listening to podcasts I just havent been that bothered about gaming on the go.

With me going wireless recently I found myself wanting to testdrive the PSP online. So I looked through the 5 - 10 games than I own for the system and only Wipeout Pure (a launch title) was online enabled. I quicky rammed the UMD in and after chosing the wrong option (multiplayer instead of online ... D'oh!) and waiting in that wrong lobby for someone to join for twenty minutes I then proceeded to the correct lobby and waited twenty minutes for someone to join.

The problem was that no one plays that game anymore as the new version, Wipeout Pulse, had just been released. After burning another £20 on Pulse I got home and spent the next hour trying to connect online. Sony really made a piss poor job of helping new members connect to their survice. I eventually found the right link and I was up and running in minutes.

The online options were adeqaute for a handheld device and I joined a few lobbies and enjoyed some nail biting lag free sessions. I did encountered some issues trying to connect to the Playstation Network but generally once I was on I stayed on. The game comes packed with different race types, tracks, vehicles, the ability to design your own skins, upload your own photos from within a race and a kick ass soundtrack featuring the likes of The Aphex Twins. The graphics real make your eyes pop and suck you into the world of Wipeout. All in all a great game for anyone looking for a bit of racing action, online or offline, on their PSP.

Taking my "old" dusty PSP online definatley helped breath some much needed fresh air into my handheld gaming habits. . 

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