So I went to the local Gamestop and picked up the silver PSP package. Why would I do that since I own an original version? I don't know, maybe I am a glutton for punishment. Or was it the promise of faster loading times, slimmer look and feel? Or maybe it's because I like the color?

Anyhow, for $200, you get a silver PSP, a Family Guy UMD (5 episodes), a 1GB memory stick, AC adapter, and the Daxter game.

Wait, where's my non-protective case? Where's my cheap headphones? Nope, you don't get those. Maybe it's the price overhead on PS3's? (I'm kidding, they are just being....cost-effective?)

This new PSP looks nice. It is lighter than its predecessor, but still not as light as a PS3 controller, so don't get carried away. The thinner profile comes from a smaller battery and housing for it. It fits a bit too loose in my Logitech case, so I will wait for a new one. I have heard about the UMD door being somewhat flimsy, but I don't think it's quite that bad. The support mechanisms are fairly solid. The silver finish makes the PSP appear less smudgy than the black version, although touching the screen will leave better fingerprints than CSI could extract. I didn't like the new memory stick door, it gets in your way when you insert a stick into the system. You have to pull it back behind the PSP in order to insert the memory stick. The door is held to the unit with very thin rubber connections that some kid could easily yank off if he/she wanted to. Gone is the IR port. I know, it will be missed.

The D-pad feels more like it's controller counterpart now, though I have yet to see how it handles the Street Fighter caliber movement. The analog nub has slighlty more play to it. The buttons are about the same, a little looser. Three of the buttons have a nice click to them. The square button still has less of a click, but no longer feels like it is sitting on a small hinge. The screen itself seems a bit brighter and has no pixel drops. I like the fact that the speakers now sit near the top of the unit, and sounds as good as the old version.

I have yet to test loading speeds, but that will be hit and miss with older PSP games. With twice the internal memory I am hoping that load times will be more bearable.

I wouldn't call it PSP 2.0, but the improvements are worth a buy.