Fresh PSP 2 Rumor Claims Dual Analog Sticks, Winter 2009 Release

A Pocket Gamer report citing an anonymous Sony hardware developer has a major PSP revision coming to stores as early as this winter.

According to the source, the "PSP 2" will feature a compact form and a full-sized touchscreen. The touchscreen can supposedly be used to play simple downloadable games, and will slide open to reveal dual analog stick controls and other standard buttons.

As in the case of recent similar rumors, this version of the PSP would not contain a UMD drive, instead relying entirely on digital distribution for game sales.

While Sony has denied that a PSP follow-up is in the works as recent as December of last year, reports have continued to pile up from independent sources.

SCEA director of hardware marketing John Koller has consistently emphasized the company's interest in digital distribution, while noting that no new PSP developer kits have been distributed, indicating that any upcoming revision will still be based on the existing PSP hardware.