One hand-on with PSP Go

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 2nd 2009 at 5:30PM }

Here's the PSP Go that we got a hold of on the show floor playing Little Big Planet. Of course, the thing that kinda threw a wrench into the works is that the handheld was locked open -- which kinda defeats the whole point of showing the device. Otherwise, the device is about the size of an iPhone collapsed and there's still only one analog stick.

Tags: demo, e3-2009, psp, psp-go, sony

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

nnarum23 @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:34PM

How are the load times? I hope it's better than UMD...

required @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:37PM

you must be from the past, like 4 years ago

Saikisen @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:37PM

You know if they were going to release something that does not involve the original psp series I'd wish they added more features besides bluetooth, a slide screen, and a hdd.

Honestly I couldn't care less about the second analog nub or touchscreen but the no UMD thing is going to be a real piss off along with its price (249.99 I think)

Ezio Auditore de Firenze [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:42PM

it's not a hard drive, it's flash memory.

james @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:59PM

ya im really worried about how fast this thing is going to work

Cosmo @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:35PM

I am pissed off that it is going to use Memory Stick Micro cards, the Duos used in the PSP will not work which so many have. DAMN YOU SONY!!!!

joeybeast @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:41PM

M2 is so much cheaper though.

Cosmo @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:42PM

Are they? Still isn't good for those that already have older PSPs and wish to migrate to the Go model and lose all the memory sticks they bought for the original PSP.

I was actually hoping for Sony to put both Memory Stick and SD card support in the Go but they actually went a step backwards.....

Ezio Auditore de Firenze [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:43PM

joeybeast, i paid $100 for a 1GB M2 for my phone when 4GB pro duos were $35.

Calvin @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:48PM

They're practically the same price a Newegg, although MS Pro Duo has a better selection

They should just use SDHC and solve everyone's problems

dgknight500 @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:39PM

yes, much cheaper. I quick google search showed me a 8GB one for $30

CGamble20 @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:44PM

Well it does come with 16gb included, so at least they gave you some sort of expansion.

Katmassive @ Jun 3rd 2009 12:48AM

With that said i really have to contemplate this because i'm gonna order a mark2 duo next with 16gb at the very least i was looking forward to the go using the same memory card

mahouneko @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:15AM

Those who want to upgrade to the PSP Go might be able to rip their UMDs. I seriously doubt that Sony would kill off its existing UMD base without a way to digitally sign it to your account. Sony will most likely use the same account-to-console-lock model that Microsoft uses with the Live service, especially with regards to the PSP Go.

The details on how to rip and sign your UMD game are sorely lacking at the moment but it should include your PSP being connected to a PC and accessing it through the PlayStation Media Manager or something.

pat1202003 @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:35PM

Sony has lost there mind selling this thing for $250. But whatever...

spidoman @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:09PM

An ipod touch 16gb is 300 bucks
Other media players with this size of screen sell for 200+ most of which do not come with wifi, and none of which can play games like the PSP can.

If you don't want to spend 250 bucks on an electronics gadget that's fine, but if you do the PSP is a great choice.

mr nimblewick @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:16PM

By the time this comes out, the iPod Touch will have had it's memory boosted, and it will still have the touchscreen this doesn't. But, to each their own.

pat1202003 @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:41PM

True the PSP has some great games but wait 80% (estimate) are on UMD! Unless Sony put every single UMD game in the PS Store then it might be worth it.

CGamble20 @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:45PM

The titles that matter will be on PSN, or already are.

Kodros @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:55PM

"Unless Sony put every single UMD game in the PS Store then it might be worth it. "

They're going to be putting digital versions of current games out on PSN. As to when and which titles, dunno.

waves @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:41PM

If they would just make them playable on the PS3 I wouldn't have to buy a PSP, and I would probably spend a bunch on games.

Also, Bushido Blade HD, plz!

Mabui @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:35PM

I think I like it - though more is needed to be known.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:37PM

As if being ridiculously ugly wasn't enough, they're actually charging $250 for this? You can get 2/3 current gen consoles for that price (or less even!). Combine that with no price cut and sometimes I wonder who the hell's at the wheel of the Sony boat, if anyone.

Mychas @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:46PM

Someone capable of realizing that they need to have it at this price in order to even turn a profit?

Honestly this hand held will come with more stuff than the 360 arcade:

-16GB memory
-Wi-Fi
-Bluetooth
So considering the above things and the fact that the hardware in the PSP Go! is probably more/just as expensive as the hardware in the 360 (considering it's small size) this is a better deal than the Arcade version of the Xbox
$250 sounds reasonable.

finnith @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:50PM

Comparing a portable console to a home console hardly seems reasonable, and you're ignoring all the potential a 360 has as a home multimedia centre.

SoulBlade @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:56PM

wait did you just call the Wii current gen?

Mychas @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:01PM

And you're ignoring all the potential the PSP has a portable media center.

Really, I'm not comparing apples and oranges, I'm comparing the value of two electronic devices, and I believe the PSP Go! is reasonably priced compared to the price and value of the 360 arcade version.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:00PM

Yes, I've always called the wii current gen only because by definition it is since it's a brand new console released alongside 2 other brand new ones. Power and game wise obviously it's more last gen than current though, but that's another argument for another time.

"this is a better deal than the Arcade version of the Xbox"

No, no it's not. A psp will not do anything close to the level of a 360 graphically, or gameplay wise since it's missing a 2nd stick. The online system is also not nearly as strong as 360s. So to price this higher than a much more powerful console makes absolutely no sense at all.

If a person didn't have a psp or a 360, and could only get 1, why the hell would they choose a $250 psp over a $200 360 where they can also get 1 game to even out the price? The regular customer doesnt care about hard drives and all that garbage, they just want better results.

Mychas @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:03PM

Ok fine, I'll take back what I said about the PSP being a better value than the 360, but I still think it is reasonably priced.

required @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:04PM

Skype, DLNA, Remote Play, RSS, Internet Browsing (w/flash http://www.psponme.com/list_psp.asp), Movies (store), Internet Radio, Music (visualizers, sense, store, etc), Videos, Photos (comics http://nyc2123.com/), TiVo ToGo, Location Free TV, so on and so forth.

WREturns @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:31PM

SoulBlade,
I thought the exact same thing.

Reuben @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:16PM

I will admit, I was hoping that this would cost $200. Instead it's $50 more, and really, that's not a big deal. The original PSP launched at this price and this arguably has more to offer.

burgerbat @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:51AM

Finally, some sense from t-mac. I can't believe it.

Deck @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:37PM

Absolutely stupid in my book.

Not replacing the old PSP? Not good. How are you going to gather support for this when the other is still around and you can't even get support for that?

No second analog stick? Really? Major fail.

$250? Really? Don't think so at all.

required @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:42PM

I'm going to refrain from critiquing it's price point until we see its entire feature set and tech specs.

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:42PM

Replace old psp

Replace UMD

UMD buyers get upset

Original PSP buyers or potential ones get upset at being forced to choose more expensive model

Ends in travesty

Sony has new games to promote, the last thing they want to do is turn the original PSP owners off now by stopping UMD purchase.

Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:42PM

GOD DAMMIT STOP WITH THE SECOND STICK ALREADY.

SECOND STICK == NEW GAMES INCOMPATIBLE WITH PREVIOUS PSPS. IT'S NOT A PSP2.

"Not replacing the old PSP? Not good. How are you going to gather support for this when the other is still around and you can't even get support for that?"

DSi. And "can't even get support"? You've seen the press conference and how much EMPHASIS they decided to put on the PSP this year, right?

*checks Deck's profile*

"Joystiq Playstation 3 Comments
Joystiq Xbox 550 Comments"
Yeah, I think I know where you are coming from now.

"$250? Really? Don't think so at all."
Yeah. That's a lot they are asking for... But 16GB built-in memory is still costy. I don't think it should be $250 costy though. :/

joeybeast @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:43PM

Can't they at least put the fucking stick in the middle so I can use either thumb?

the d-pad for walking and aiming with the right thumb.

Stupid design decision.

Ezio Auditore de Firenze [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:46PM

archon, that's not true. sony could easily force the developers to have 2 control sets, 1 for dual analog, 1 for single. you heard the announcement that from now on, all releases are required to have digital and UMD releases, so they could easily make the devs make alternate control schemes.

finnith @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:46PM

I'm just asking a question, with no intention at all. Can't the games be made so that there are two control methods? One for the PSP 1-300 and one for the PSP Go?

Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:48PM

They are not really in a position to force anybody to do anything on a platform as delicate as the PSP though (ie. piracy). That's why they are dropping the devkit prices etc. by 80%. To ENCOURAGE companies to make games. And limiting them is not the right way to do it.

Deck @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:50PM

Ok Archon, I never post on Joystiq Playstation, big deal? I own a PSP and have for awhile now. I want a dual stick. I don't care if it makes previous games not compatible.

My overall point was that it should have been a PSP2 instead of this PSP GO! thing.

At least we can agree on the price issue of it True though that internal flash storage is still pricey.

Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:55PM

Sure, I would be happy with a backwards compatible PSP2 but I will be as happy with a PSP Go... If I can afford it.

Also, PLEASE make my old UMD games digitalizable. Is that even a word?
If that feature is not present = no sale. Also, I love owning physical items so, maybe a UMD with a code for digital version inside the box? Or just the box with a code inside? I am not a huge fan of buying 100% virtual goods.

Hedgeson @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:17PM

Read somewhere that there will be digitizing booths in places like GameStop and maybe Walmart.

This PSP Go is about the size of my old Palm Lifedrive, which I love dearly. If only this had a touchscreen...

Jak Logan @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:17PM

@ archon: Why couldn't developers just, you know, IGNORE the second stick? Why would the addition of a second analog stick suddenly make previously released games "incompatible"?

Was Final Fantasy VII and less compatible after Sony released the Dual Shock controller for the original Playstation?

I don't understand why Sony would want all these PSOne games to be sold on the PSN for play on the PSP, when it has one less stick and two less shoulder buttons than any of the PS controllers in the past have had. If it is a mini Playstation, why does it have a different controller?

Jak Logan @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:29PM

@ archon (again): Sorry, I got "New games" confused with "Previously released games". So yeah, it would be an extra step to make each developer to have a different control scheme, but they have to face the facts that a lot of people still want that extra stick.

I absolutely agree with you that Sony should release software to convert UMDs into a digital format to transfer to the Go. It's just like music CDs. People still buy them, but still want to rip them onto their download-only iPods etc. I'm sure they can find a way to do something to combat piracy on that front - like signing each game rip to the user's PSP or something (and yes I'm aware that that kind of restrictive drm in itself is a pain in the ass)