Cousens backs rumour that PSP2 is as powerful as PS3

Codemasters boss Rod Cousens has backed up apparent Sony claims that PSP2 is as powerful as PlayStation 3.

Cousens, speaking at the 3DS launch event last week in Amsterdam, told Eurogamer that the notion that the next-gen handheld is as powerful as PS3 is "true".

Cousins said: "In portable areas you're going to have statements, which already out in the press, saying PlayStation Portable 2 is as powerful as the PlayStation 3 - which is true.

"So you're going to get mobile devices as powerful as what were considered notebooks. I just think it gets bigger."

It was reported last week that Sony has been telling publishers in the UK that PSP2 is as powerful as PlayStation 3.

PSP2 is yet to be announced. Sony Japan is to hold an event in Tokyo this week at which it is expected to show the hardware for the first time.

The meeting is to take place at 6.00am GMT on Thursday.

Nikkei reported over the weekend that the device will have built-in 3G and an OLED touchscreen.

VG247 published the first ever images of a PSP2 dev kit late last year.