Hrm... well, the definition of 'success' will vary from person to person. I don't think that Sony can do anything to make the PSP2 a success in everyone's eyes, short of Nintendo going broke and pulling the 3DS; some people will insist on comparing the two, and I can't see PSP2 surpassing 3DS. But there are some things I do think Sony can do to remain relevant and be profitable:
-Add a second dual-analog stick, and a second L and R buttons. This helps in giving the system a more full, fleshed out control scheme. Developers for Sony systems are already quite familiar with this setup, and it allows for more games to be cross-platformed to it. But...
-The games. There should be some notable differences between a home console version and a portable version. Too many games that fall into this category make the portable version a "dumbed-down" version, and this is a mistake. Make it a different game, sort of akin to the upcoming MGS game or the recently released Birth By Sleep. The controls being identical makes it easy to move from the PS2/3 systems to the next game on the portable. Other games should be made with portability in mind, games that can be played in short bursts, to help accomdate the traveler.
-Backwards compatibility with PSP1 AND PS2 games. This may be the tough part, especially for owners of physical copies. But I do see the popularity of the PS2 being something that shouldn't simply be discarded and forgotten about. Making access to those games digitally for the PSP2 (and PS3) could spur on additional sales, and keep the games fresh in the minds of others. Regarding the PSP1, this really is a no-brainer that it needs to be done somehow. The PSP2 could (though, because of battery consumption, ideally will not) have a UMD drive. But anything bought digitally for the PSP1 should easily transfer over. And, for Sony, if they don't like resale of used games, offer a deal: trade in the physical PS2 DVD or PSP UMD, and get a free download of that title to your PSN account. It would remove the used title from circulation, and, convienently, prevent this copy from reentering the used market.
-Cartridge-based games. Go ahead and make a modified memory stick format (not compatible with old memstick readers) for the games. And make the same slot capable of reading a normal memory stick also, for downloaded games. But the code which can be run from one of these sticks will need to be controlled strictly, for...
-Tougher than the PS3 to crack/pirate. This is why I don't support an external drive for the old games- too easy to get more code to run on the unit. But a system that is tough to crack will help spur more game sales. The number of people who use their PSP to emulate SNES games is, frankly, kinda sad. These people also aren't buying games, which puts some of the smaller developers off from the system. Make it an environment where people want to (and actually, have to) buy games.
-Not too much power, at a much better price in comparison. The PSP2, like it or not, will be compared to the 3DS. So it will need to be marketed favorably to it. Here we are, 6 years after the release of the first DS, and the cheapest new PSP still costs more than when the DS first launched. Whether the 3DS costs $200 or $250, I think Sony should try to target a sub-200 price. Maybe $180 or so could work. Nintendo has the features bulletpoint, don't give them the price one also. Needless to say, this means you can't make the PSP2 a superhouse for power. A bit more power (not a lot) over the PSP1, with some more RAM and maybe (if affordable) a bigger screen will help. Regardless, though, the screen must be bigger than the 3D screen on the 3DS.
-Keep the firmware appearance/function similar to the PSP1. This helps make it easier for owners to upgrade and adapt to the new system, without giving up any features. Keep the music, video, comics, mic (from PSP-3000), etc. Add a few more things to blur with the PS3, like trophy support. Maybe even something new like an option to auto-connect to an IM program/Skype/etc upon Wi-Fi connection. But don't add too much. Those wanting 3G/4G, while it would be nice, the pricing of it (the network connection) is just not practical. If, and ONLY if, Sony could negotiate a good deal with a provider, a 3G/4G connection might be a nice thing to add for PSNPlus subscribers- help drive the PSNPlus value for portable system owners. (With most Plus values being PS3 items, it doesn't push any reason to sign up for the PSP line as is right now.)
-More local-player ad-hoc. There are a fair number of games that do this for the DS, including, recently, Dragon Quest 9. The ability of people to be able to do this without needing the internet is surprisingly useful. If you've been to a large gathering of people, try getting into a Pictochat room. They may all be full, and that's just for one thing! Imagine, being able to share locally, maybe even just one or two maps for a MAG PSP with others who don't own the game, for a huge local ad-hoc game. It pulls people together, both online and off, creating a sense of popularity, a "must have" if you will, seeing all these others around playing.
I'm sure there are other little things that are escaping my mind too. But there are also some things I think Sony should explicitly NOT do. Such as:
-Don't cave in on the 3D/touch-screen/dual-screen stuff. Sure, I like them, but unless Sony can come up with something vastly different to do with them, I fear that the number of PSP2/3DS crossovers could be high, and at that point, the features of the 3DS, coupled with Nintendo's exclusives, puts the PSP2 in a bad position, unable to get enough games to stand out.
-Don't mandate PS3 connectivity. Sure, it can be optional, even to use a PSP2 as a PS3 controller. But if for any reason this is required, the PSP2 would be relegated to being a PS3 accessory, rather than a stand-alone system. Fortunately, I don't see Sony doing this. (Note that this does not apply in reverse; but the success of the GC/GBA connections may also mean that a PS3 game using the screens of a PSP2 probably won't go anywhere either...)
-Don't get sequelitis/portitis. Games for the PSP2 need to showcase the system, not be a quick port/sequel to cash in. The PSP1 fell victim to a fair bit of this.
-Don't make it download-only. Sure, there are benefits to a closed system, but the number of "hardcore" gamers who are still attached to their physical media is large. Yes, carrying around 30 UMD games is annoying, hence my suggestion for a memstick format above- smaller physical games increase portability. But the most portable solution isolates too large a chunk of the market, relegating it to the same criticizm as the PSP Go. And on this, don't market it as the successor to the Go, at all. The PSP line, fine. Don't bring up the Go.
-Lastly, don't assume anything. If you do, you've lost. (Remember: to assume only makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'.) People aren't going to buy it because it's thrown out there. People aren't going to buy it just because it has the Sony name. It needs to be kept in peoples' minds. Market it, promote it (but be careful about hyping it), tell people about it. Probably the best thing to remember is that a majority of people won't know what it is. Make them know. Some people still don't even know what Playstation is, as a brand! (Needless to say, that applies to nobody here.) Act as though you are starting from scratch. And then, Sony may have a chance...
