PSP Go: The CNET review
(Credit:
Sony)
On the surface, Sony's PSP Go doesn't really look like anything radically new for the PSP franchise. Yes, it's more compact than the three earlier generations of the portable gaming and multimedia handheld device. And yes, it features such additions as 16GB of internal storage, Bluetooth, slide-out controls, and a smaller, more pocketable overall design. But the real change here is the fact that the Go is the first dedicated handheld gaming system to go completely digital and move away from cartridges or optical discs.
So, now that the PSP Go is finally here, what's the grade? The answer, so far, is "I" for "incomplete." That's because Sony won't be unveiling the full range of the PSP's downloadable software offerings until October 1 (which is when the PSP Go officially hits store shelves). On that day, Sony is pledging to expand the PlayStation store to include more than 225 games, 2,300 movies, and 13,300 TV episodes for the PSP (they'll work on the Go and all older PSP models as well). The digital versions are critical to the Go, since it lacks a UMD drive. Additionally, the Store relaunch should be our first peek at PSP Minis, the "snackable" game downloads that are cheaper and aimed at more casual users (much like many of the games now available on the iPod Touch and iPhone).
Among the key games coming October 1 (according to Sony) are the new and highly anticipated PSP exclusives Gran Turismo and MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. Other notable PSP favorites include Monster Hunter: Freedom Unite, Tetris, Soulcaliber: Broken Destiny, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe, Daxter, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, Madden NFL 10, Beaterator, God of War: Chains of Olympus, Star Wars: Battlefront II, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas, and Fieldrunners.
In the meantime, though, we've spent about a week with the PSP Go hardware, so we can share our initial thoughts on how it compares to earlier PSPs--not to mention the DSi and the iPod Touch. Check out our initial impressions now, and then come back later this week for an update once we've gotten a chance to see the updated, PSP Go-friendly PlayStation Store.
On Sale Now: $234.99 - $250.00
View the latest prices for Sony PSP Go (black)
Before covering games and gear for CNET Reviews, Jeff Bakalar dabbled in film and video production. An avid writer, reader, and gamer, Jeff is also an obsessive New Jersey Devils hockey fan. Catch him live every day as the co-host of CNET's infamous podcast, The 404. 
Since old games won't work with it, I think of the PSP Go as a completely new model rather than a revision to the original PSP. The main difference between this and what usually happens in the game industry is that the older models have forwards compatibility. There's really no reason for current PSP owners to buy this. In fact, I think they need to drop the price on it or they're not going to sell very many. The market they seem to be targeting is: hard core mobile gamers, that occasionally play casual games, don't like Nintendo, and don't have an existing library of PSP games.
There are solutions to digitize vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, VHS tapes, and DVDs. It isn't that difficult or costly to convert them. I'm not sure about 8-track, but who really ever bought those? Sony has a reputation of being unreasonable whenever they move to the a new format have always had its customers looking to third parties to move the data. If Sony wants the PSP Go to be a success, it needs to provide a way to transfer games. Or at least not sue who ever does it, which you know Sony will do.
I agree with them, I wouldn't buy a machine that cannot take any media at all. I'm not interested in getting an account and using a credit card to purchase games. I prefer to go to a store and buy physical media.
How they choose to dot that is up to them, but to completely eliminate it isn't such a good idea imho.
If they wanted to introduce a new media card you could store software in and you could purchase the software though a kiosk at your local Walmart so you can continue to fill your media cards off-line, I could get along with that. Then the physical media people would have what they like, and the downloaders would also have what they like. I don't see the point of cutting your prospective pool of customers in half.
But when you shell out $150 or so for a touch/iphone which can easily get lost or damage and take all the games with it...
App stores have potential if they remember what you bought and let you trade it to someone else, or redownload if you lose your phone. However if I lose my PSP, I lose only what I put in the case.
1) Smaller form factor.
2) Large internal memory
3) Bluetooth
That's it. It costs a fortune, and doesn't address most of what's wrong with the PSP (no second analog stick, fiddly controls). Hopeless.
Look, if you want to downlaod your games, that's fine. Why force the same thing on everyone who might buy your product? There will be lots of people who won't purchase this device specifically because it has no media based software. The question becomes, if Sony had of built-in a slot or method for adding more software to the memory cards by purchasing the software at a local store, would that cost more than Sony will make from the people who would purchase the device based on that feature?
Really, all they need are some kiosks that can copy to the memory expansion cards. These kiosks could accept credit cards or debit cards or even cash if they wanted. You could select the software from a list, it would be copied to your card and you would reinstall the card in your PSP. It seems so simple and obvious to me I just can't see it not being worth the cost.
Also, downloadable"bite sized" games usually suck anyway. That's why that's what you get on an iPod, it's not a gaming machine. Why Sony is trying to down-grade the PSP to the level of an iPod is pretty hard to understand.
Sony does not expect current PSP owners to replace their existing PSP's with a Go; that is why 90% of the upcoming game library will coexists on both UMD and as digital download.
The Go is for people new to the world of PSP and does not have a library of UMD games, and movies as well as those that are casual gamers and only buy a few games a year.
So where's the advantage?
Seems to me, this is a awful risk for consumers, if the PSP Go doesn't sell well and digital distribution doesn't take off as Sony expect, will Sony mothball the whole thing? If that happens what happens to the PSP Go?
Umm the main benefit would be not having to carry and bunch of disks. Alot of people shy away from ahndhelds for that very reason.
Of course, since it will play PSP games there is no risk to consumers. Even if Sony stops producing it, the playstation store will always have PSP downloads available.
This device is exclusively for people who only want to download their software. The stupid thing is, Sony could have made it the best of both worlds by having software available on memory cards or something. They could have gotten everyone to like the device instead of just people who like downloading software. Talk about built in restriction on how many people will buy it. Maybe this is one of the reasons why Sony has been having financial problems.
Nintendo DS Lite $129.00
PSP (Core) $169.00
PSPGo HOW MUCH!?
Never mind the built in stereo Bluetooth, 16GB memory, PS3 integration, high quality multi format video playback, multi format audio playback, built in Skype, built in internet radio player, built in web browser.
If you have 20 UMD games and movies, im sure you have a psp that plays em. When you feel like rolling back to your old games and movies, pull out your old psp at the same time. If it were not for the form, i would be more then happy to go to the Go (sorry but my controls under my screen like that seems too gameboy for me)
And for those of you that claim being current owners and don't yet have a reason why to "upgrate to the go" I applaud you. There actually isn't any reason to do this as the psp >2000 have most af the features that the go is going to broadcast. Indeed guys, psp go isn't for everybody, or more directly, "not for current psp owners". This device is to lure would be iPod touch owners or casual gamers that are not 100% in to gaming and like to listen to music and videos all the time in a device they can pretty much take anywhere "sorry psp <3000. While I do agree that launch price is way to high and can not really be jutified. Even how some of you guys digg it claiming 169.99 plus a 99.99 16gb memory stick gives you a 250 psp go is simply flat out wrong. Psp go dumped the optical drive which is more expensive than a 16 internal ssd. And furthermore a 16 memory stick is not 99.99, is arround 50 bucks on amazon, eBay or tiguer direct. I'm predicting a price cut before xmass here in the US to a more appealing 199 and that's when I'll get my go. For now, iPhone all the way...... Can't wait to play grand turismo!!! But not paying 250+tax
Yeah you do sound reaaaalllllly stupid.
This is exactly what i mean.
People should have a requirement at least clearing kinder garden before they can post in a web site.
"Sony is offering a new tech that I have the OPTION to buy because it will not directly affect me even if I do own a previous version of the PSP because UMDs are not being discontinued and I can still buy all the games I want!" .
Sight>>.........
I stated at least 3 times that this product (psp go) is not directed to current psp owners.
From your post (stupid post) i can infer that you apparently have a psp (which ever incarnation) doesn't matter.
So here you are posting asking me what do.......; what do i suggest for current owners "If I do own a previous version of the PSP because UMDs are not being discontinued and I can still buy all the games I want!" ...." after i said "psp go isn't for current psp owners"
Im starting to think you didn't even read my post because of the arising questions regarding your education and ability to read and infer that come in to play make you look really silly.
I dont have an argument, just an opinion from what i see the market is, and what type of niche market sony wants to fill with psp go.
If you have some free time, watch the key note when it was introduced, that way, you don't have to be looking like an idiot around the web. thanks nonetheless for your reply is very relevant to how i started my post, backing it up to the fullest.....
1. Sony wanted to stop people from pirating games on their system. On a 2000 or 3000 you can do a little soft modding and rip/download games and play them from the mem card. "Required" firmware updates tried to keep you from doing this but as fast as the new firmwares came out there was a patch to let the system back and pirating. Download means you have to download from Sony with the Sony software which places the new patches etc. This is probably seen by Sony as a way to stop umd rips, it will fail and will be hacked same as every other version.
2. Sony wants you to buy all your games again and will do such by not making a way to put umd data on the memory of the go(bet ya they even made sure the go files are of a different format.). Hackers will will do what hackers do till a Google search will provide you with the files and instructions and subvert all of Sony's well laid plans.
3. 16 gigs, assuming the game sizes are close to the other games gives you space for about 8 good games(good meaning something like god of war at about 2 gigs). Though I could see with updated hardware games might get bigger soon after the release of the go so lets say 8 is and optimistic number. remember this is ignoring any want for video(bout 2 gig for most umd sized movies) music(I have 15 gigs of mp3s) 16 sounds good till you realize to use it completely you will be picking and choosing your games movies and music and pictures. This will mean you will be good friends with data loading software which will update every time you want a different set of games movies etc(most likely locking you out of any third party or hacked content).
4. Next up the psp 2 that has to be loaded at your local Sony store having no user based data support. Hackers still get through this Google and Youtube have instructions an files to subvert even this effort.
in conclusion Sony will keep hating on us treating us all like Hackers and thieves bent on bringing them down. more and more sony fans will buy less and less games and content not wanting to put up with the hassle and restrictions sony places on their paid customers. Sony ends up pushing everyone to stealing content mostly for the convince of not dealing with the aforementioned hassle
Sony just hates you.
[CNET editor's note: Personal attack deleted.]
2. If Sony wants you to buy all their games again, why are they still selling the 3000? Is the PSP-Go the only option for current PSP owners who need to purchase a replacement unit? I thought not.
3. For PS3 owners, you can save all your PSP downloaded games on your PS3 and copy them to the PSP as needed. This process DOES NOT check the PSP's firmware. I don't know if Sony's software for Windows does the same, but certainly for PS3 owners you're incorrect here. Also,for non-copy protected video, you don't even need the PSP software to add them.
4. So, you have the specs. for the PSP2 already? Way to spread the FUD.
In conclusion, I have to wonder if the poster has even downloaded anything onto the PSP from the Playstation Store. Its surprisingly easy, and if you need to re-download anything, you are not locked out of your original purchase. If you change PSP's, you can authorize your new PSP and download everything onto that one.
nice. There are just some people out west that still live in the wild.
thanks for that jab in the face, he really deserved it.
I also agree that $250 is too much. Even with the add-ons, removal of the UMD drive should have saved money.
They should have offered a version without the built-in memory, or kept the built-in very low to keep the price down. Even though it maybe a better buy, with the built-in memory, I could always add more memory as I can afford it. And I can always swap songs/movies/games with my PC as needed.
I would buy it, if it was below $200 (without memory). $30 more is not too much to ask over the current PSP.
I cant stop laughing, @ u.
I will buy one but not till the sony store is well up dated (like the apple) and they sort out the crap battery life. Dont get it, no moving parts and same life as the 3000! Honest Idont think they thought too hard or hard enough about the "go".
I guess they reduced the fat on the battery to make it smaller?
its ok thought, gives me more time to do my classes.
maybe someone gave the sales a GO.
I guessing what 90% flop might of been?
- by dragon1264 October 6, 2009 8:08 PM PDT
- I just don't understand all these negative reviews. It's clearly an alternative to UMD but they just won't stop criticizing. I don't hear these complaints to iPods for lack of additional memory slot or proprietary USB cable or for having non removable battery. How many did when iPhone came out at $499 for 16gb? They didn't invent smartphone, just revolutionized it. If you like the product and can afford it then go get one. If not, stop whining. Nobody is forcing anybody. Some keep comparing the pricepoint to PS3, for $50 more. Okay, get one and try to put it in your pocket. I have 3 PSPs, a bunch of iPods and a couple of PS3. Neither Sony nor Apple forced me to buy it. I simply like those products, and so is PSG Go.
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- by lil-yankee October 11, 2009 11:02 PM PDT
- you must have kids and a huge house.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (63 Comments)If your answer is no to neither of my prepositions, you sir are a lair.
So just stick to the plan.