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Sony previews NGP's key features

On the eve of E3, several videos posted to the PlayStation blog showcase how the upcoming portable-gaming device will work when it launches later this year.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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Don Reisinger
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Sony's NGP has been given video time.
Sony's NGP has been given video time. Sony Computer Entertainment

Sony has posted several videos to its U.S. PlayStation blog, showcasing the company's upcoming portable-gaming device, the Next Generation Portable.

The NGP, unveiled earlier this year, comes with dual thumbsticks and a 5-inch OLED touch display. Sony says that the graphical capabilities of the NGP will be substantially greater than those of its predecessor, the PlayStation Portable. To help add some more flavor to the platform, Sony has added a touch surface on the back of the device as well.

In the videos posted to the PlayStation blog, people are seen playing several titles that will be available for the portable, including Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Wipeout (a working title), and a unique music platform called Sound Shapes. Sony was quick to point out that in each video, viewers are seeing only a real-size development unit of the NGP. Sony said that the final build will boast "PlayStation-quality fit and finish."

"What you'll eventually be able to pick up in a store will look a heck of a lot better," the company's social media manager, Jeff Rubenstein, posted to the game blog yesterday.

What gamers can see is still rather impressive. The videos showcased outstanding graphics in many of the titles, most notably Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and effectively showed how the physical buttons on the portable work in tandem with the device's touch screen and touch surface on the back to improve game play.

In one example, users were able to direct Drake from Uncharted across an obstacle by sliding their finger on the display. Sound Shapes allowed users to choose instruments with the touch screen to create the game's music. Players controlled the game's on-screen character with the physical buttons.

For Wipeout, Sony was quick to tout its cross-platform integration. PlayStation 3 gamers racing online with Wipeout HD Fury will be able to compete against up to seven NGP users playing Wipeout on the portable.

All those games, and others, will be shown off at the E3 gaming expo next week.

So far, Sony has yet to reveal pricing for the NGP, which is expected to become available later this year. However, the company has promised "much more on NGP" at E3.