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Sony has unveiled its PSP successor. Provisionally known as the NGP (Next Generation Portable), the new unit well and truly bucks the trend towards simplified control schemes. In addition to the input options offered by its predecessor, the NGP boats a five inch touch sensitive display, a second thumbstick, a multi-touch pad on the rear of the unit, two cameras and three internal motion sensing devices.

While the much maligned PSP Go relied entirely on downloadable content, the new system will accommodate physical media in the form of proprietary flash cards. That’s not to suggest that Sony has abandoned the digital frontier entirely, far from it. The 3G and Wi-fi compatible device will offer PSN trophy support. Better yet, the newly announced PlayStation Suite will provide a range of downloadable games for the NPG as well as Android powered mobile devices.

A number of new games have already been teased. Anticipate new instalments of Sony exclusive franchises Killzone, LittleBigPlanet and Uncharted.  The latter game in particular demonstrates the system’s significantly enhanced graphical capabilities. Original titles in the works include fantasy themed action platformer Gravity Daze and rolling ball puzzler Little Deviants. The NGP is also backwards compatible in terms of downloadable PSP games, so you won’t be scratching around for something to play on launch day.

Sony is yet to announce a release date or price for the NPG.

CORRECTION: Edited to clarify that backwards compatibility relates to downloadable PSP games. (29.01.11)