Same game costs more on PSP Go than on iPhone... why?

(Credit: Gizmodo)

Wow, as if we needed more incentive to not invest in the PSP Go, a new trend has arisen during the first day of Mini availability. The same games cost more on the PSP/PSP Go than they do on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

Examples:

(Credit: Gizmodo)

Unfortunately, the system is set up to charge the consumer at maximum from the get-go. Games from the App Store start at free. PSP Minis--a new series of bite-size games--start at $5.

The fact of the matter is the iPhone gaming experience isn't all that great. Full-fledged PSP titles should cost more than tiny downloadable apps any day. But there's no good reason for gamers to pay a premium on PSP titles that are available for less on other platforms, just because they generally pay more for games.

There are multiple fingers to be pointed here. Sony, for not allowing free games, which would inspire some price competition. Sony again, for skimming who knows how much off the top of the price point. (In comparison, it's known that Apple takes 30 percent off of the iPhone App Store sales.) And the publishers, who decide to set their games at prices up to two or three times the cost of the iPhone version.

But the worst part? Not only is the content of overlapping titles generally no better than the iPhone; sometimes it's worse.

You see, PSP Minis can't have any network or online features. Nor can they support camera peripherals (a major focus of DSiWare innovation) or DLC. Kotaku just reviewed iPhone port Hero of Sparta. On the PSP it costs triple what you'll pay at the App Store. Their review? "Simplistic controls, muddled graphics, and abysmal sounds turn what was a fantastic iPhone game into a oddly disjointed PlayStation Portable experience." Kotaku's review of Tetris was much better. But you know what? Tetris costs twice as much on the PSP as it does the iPhone.

Some will say, "Well, you get what you pay for." But that's entirely our point. If you glance across the two platforms, you aren't getting what you're paying for. You're either getting less, or you're getting a lousy port or, best case scenario, you're getting basically the same thing for more.

Granted, PSP Minis are very new (they just launched Thursday). The platform is young. And kudos to Sony for making the digital leap.

But Sony's most loyal fanbase--those frequenting PSN and checking out Minis on day one--shouldn't subsidize a company's foray into the new digital era. Especially given the relatively high price of the PSP Go, at least compared with other portable devices with a lot more processing power, I think the option for free game downloads--at least for a few approved titles--would be a reasonable thank you.

I mean, even Apple, which doesn't provide the most open platforms in the world, has realized the merit of free app/game distribution. One, it's already making money off the hardware. Two, getting someone visiting iTunes will also get that someone to at least get a glimpse of what else iTunes is selling. Lure them in with a free game and they'll be more likely to purchase one later.

Stop pricing these games so high, Sony. Open up your platform, just a crack, make yourselves competitive with the App Store. Because, at the end of the day, we'd all prefer to be playing these iPhone games with full-out controllers. But right now there's quite a lot more iPhones and iPod Touches out there than PSP Gos. Don't blow your (only?) shot to win us back.

This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.

[Nakarou]

This PSP Go will probably go down as one of the most pricey portable gaming systems of the decade

[ibeetle]

Unfortunately nobody sees functions or features anymore. They do not see the 16GB built in memory. They do not see Stereo Bluetooth, or the Bluetooth data transferring capabilities (something the iPhone still does not have). <br /><br />All they see is the Nintendo tween machine with 300 Petz titles is cheaper than the PSP Go. Why? Because all it takes is just one Scribblenauts, and all that shovelware is forgiven.

[Juarezin]

On the iphone you can play local multiplayer games using bluetooth, just saying...

[Nakarou]

@ibeetle<br />I don't like the wii but why get a system that costs $250 with only 16 GBs when I can get a touch with double the memory and a whole lot of free games guaranteed for only $50 more(with a rebate if I know where to go for it)

[AJ Pants]

Til the PSP has a phone built into it and provides thousands of useful applications available for free, sales will continue to falter. <br /><br />Looks like Apple is turning yet another industry on its head. How about that.

[ibeetle]

Ummmm. It does have a phone built into it; Skype. In fact it had it before Apple did and has better Skype support and sound quality than the app for the iPhone/iPod Touch. <br /><br />Funny you said sales will continue to falter. Last two quarters showed the PSP outselling the DSi in some markets. And over all sales are up over this time last year.

[CreativeMalcolm]

So Apple's like Google, only they don't give things away haha.

[Shinobi2099]

@ibeetle <br /> <br />Are you crazy??? Of course I would rather have the iphone b/c they have free mini games! Who needs FF Dissidia? Who needs God of War: CoO? Secret agent Clank? Makes me laugh! I like free mini games. Thats why I'm getting my iphone that is so up to date it JUST got MMS recently! I want only mini games all the time! Who wants to be able to play involving games when I could play tetris on my iphone.... <br /> <br />Yeah that's what you all sound like to us... lol let's just last ibeetle... let's just laugh

[xim1970]

@ibeetle,<br />True, what you say about Skype support, but funny what you say about what will falter...you then compare PSP to DSi? I thought this was an iPhone vs PSP Go topic. BTW, I don't own either, but I know a diversion when I see one!

[solicitehere]

Ibeetle: Good Point at first, um, don't know what you're talking about later with are you crazy. You can't compare an iPhone to a PSP anything on a gaming level, not even to a Gameboy Color for that matter. <br /> <br />CreativeMalcom: Good Point <br /> <br />AJ: What indsutry has Apple ever put on their "head" other than gaming phones. Let me list some products they did not turn on their heads. <br /> <br />1. Smartphones (Apple iPhone has less than 4% of that market, figure that out guys, it's a cool phone to play games on and talk to your peeps, that's all, that's it, ask any enterprise who takes their business seriously). <br /> <br />2. Laptops, Nope, strike two, definately a price endeavor to buy a macbook as far as value goes. The only times you see companies or schools buying massive amounts of macbooks is if someone gets enough position power in the chain of command and is also a Macboy. No other real reason for businesses to go that route. OSX is a nice OS for the most part, but has a poor long term investment outlook for most companies due to security reasons and value. I here the security macboys typing now.....Stop....OSX has no proactive security goals because they are so arrogant at Apple that they can't see under their noses that eventually someone will want to target that teeny tiny market known as OSX on a wide scale. Problem with that is there is not payoff for that target, so why would someone invest in writing the code for it. iPhone has had its problems already with security and that's only with a small market share of the smartphones. (please don't compare smartphones with playphones, it won't get you anywhere). <br /> <br />3. Desktop Computers (see number 2 again and if you're a macboy, insert fist in face). <br /> <br />4. TV's, um, we won't touch that for now, seems to be a sore subject for apple fanboys. They'll defend it, but with futility. <br /> <br />5. MP3 players, well, they did innovate in this area first and did a great job, I have no complaints here. So this item shouldn't be placed in this list, but just for upsetting any Mac Fanatics, I'll leave it here because they aren't particularly good Media Players as they have a limited "Apple Environment" that doesn't really play too well with others. Zune HD is a better "media player" but not nearly as good of a mp3 player/game player (for sure). Remember what you're comparing now macboys, It's like saying your Mustang goes really fast and has a big engine, but then claiming victory in gas milage over a prius, you just can't do it, also, you might say the mustang flies better than a Delta 747 too just to throw that out there, but that's how Macboys are. It must be a territorial thing. <br /> <br />6. Desktop Media Players (well, quicktime is just as full featured as any other run of the mill player, but again, it's trapped in it's own ".mov" world). <br /> <br />Bottom line, Apple products work well enough in their own environment to get people by with what they have. Don't introduce anything "open source" or 3rd party or Main stream because they will not work with them. <br /> <br />Sorry, but back to topic. The psp is superior for playing games. We're not comparing it to a DSi because that's preference in game types, context and content. The iPhone "apps" not "games" are going to be cheaper because they aren't full length games and won't look as good as anything the psp will put out. It's like comparing an Atari 2600 to an Xbox, you just can't. Cnet needs to stop comparing these things to make Apple look good.

[bigbrotherdave]

What? LOL. Apple can't even remotely touch Nintendo GameBoy sales. They've sole something like 150 million of the things since they were introduced. They control 90% of the hand held gaming market. No ones been able to make a dent in that and neither will Apple.

[veggiedude--2008]

"Don't introduce anything "open source" or 3rd party or Main stream because they will not work with them."<br /><br />I don't understand statements like that. Please back up what you say.<br /><br />All the UNIX tools and open source programs are built-in, which is why many developers work on Macs these days.<br /><br />The DRM is gone from the iTunes store, so the music files are standard AAC format, which is an open standard. On the other hand, Windows users have a proprietary pc format for the music they buy.<br /><br />Apple's web browser is built on open source, Microsoft's is not. Many more examples, but now its your turn to validate your claim.

[CyR00k]

In fact, on top of the Skype feature which has been a default feature of the device since 2007. The next iteration of the PSP (at least what was said at the Tokyo Consumer Electronics Show) is supposed to have a cellular TX (transmit-receive) board in addition to the wifi and bluetooth in this model. Sony isn't certain how the discless PSP Go is going to fare on the market (high cost of downloads only one reason) so until the iteration after the Go (maybe longer) they will continue to support the earlier hardware and are going to continue producing and selling games on discs.

[Zerohm]

@ Solicitehere <br /> <br />The iphone market share is more like 13%. Sure blackberry is still the enterprise leader, but iphone continues to grow and consume blackberry's market share (even in enterprise markets). Apple has a very respectable position with their well known App store and its development community. Every other smartphone maker has developed strategies to either compete with or get out of the way of the iphone. So I would say they definitely shook up the smartphone market. <br /> <br />As for iphone/itouch gaming. As a gamer, I agree the systems should not be compared. But from a financial perspective, the market is getting large enough to split into 'casual' and 'elite/premium' sectors. The iphone can certainly compete with many DS titles such as pet games (Nintendogs), Tutorials, cooking games, Brain games, etc and probably will.

[kelmon]

"Ummmm. It does have a phone built into it; Skype. In fact it had it before Apple did and has better Skype support and sound quality than the app for the iPhone/iPod Touch."<br /><br />Remind me, how well does Skype work on the PSP without a WiFi network? I'm sorry but the PSP, much like the iPod Touch, is not a cellular telephone replacement.

[ibeetle]

Wow... as if we did not need more stupidity from Gizmodo... remember these are the guys that are trying to turn their site into The Onion for tech and have been banned from every major technology expo and conference. <br /><br />Where is the outrage over the fact that games on the Wii store are more expensive than their PSP counterparts?

[Shinobi2099]

ibeetle we should be best friends.

[NYTechie]

Just goes to show that bugs are the only things interested in Sony anymore...

[ApplElite]

PSP go is a game system. iPhone is a cell phone. Even if they are the same or similar games they should cost more on a game system then on a cell phone. Like getting guitar hero vs guitar hero mobile.

[ywkhgqo]

What is your logic? Its the same freaking game.

[ZetaZeta_]

Yes. You can get Tetris for Gameboy used on ebay for 99 cents, you can both Tetris and Sudoku free on dozens of web sites for free, and all of the other games for iPhone and PSP Go can probably be found on newgrounds or similar web sites, or have freeware or open source versions. <br /> <br />Why then, do people keep buying games like Tetris? <br /> <br />For one, I like playing a game with physical directional pad and buttons on the go.

[kelmon]

And the iPod Touch is...?<br /><br />I'm just saying that the PSP Go is another attack of Sony-madness. The same is largely true of the PS3, which they have only just put right. The PSP Go is a "good idea" ruined by an idiotic implementation that only serves to annoy the customer and, frankly, rip them off. In many respects, it also serves as a means of highlighting the "value" of old PSP that costs less and does more but is still damned expensive.

[giziznodo]

Wow, what a terrible article. What high school newspaper are they outsourcing to these days?

[vamman]

Is CNet owned by Apple?

[cvaldes1831]

At the end of the article, it is clearly stated that the original story came from Gizmodo, a Gawker Media site.

[Philips]

I challenge you to find *anybody* who likes the price of PSP Go - or consequences of PSP going UMD-less.

[solicitehere]

Yes, they are. My 5 year old says I want a nintendo cause my friends have it, so does cnet with apple.

[solicitehere]

Yes, they are. My 5 year old says I want a nintendo cause my friends have it, so does cnet with apple. Challenge over, I like the price (fair for sure) and I like the no UMD. I hated the UMD before so this is clever. Nice. It's no different than phasing out DVD/CD players in Netbooks, and phasing out floppy drives which dell did, but apple then copied with those stupid iMacs.

[ckh1272]

@solicitehere--There are so many problems with your statements here, I don't quite know where to begin. Let's try anyway, shall we:<br /><br />You say:"Sorry, but back to topic. The psp is superior for playing games. We're not comparing it to a DSi because that's preference in game types, context and content. The iPhone "apps" not "games" are going to be cheaper because they aren't full length games and won't look as good as anything the psp will put out. It's like comparing an Atari 2600 to an Xbox, you just can't. Cnet needs to stop comparing these things to make Apple look good."<br /><br />Answer--Perhaps you did not see the part where the games were "identical" but the PSP were more and sometimes with WORSE graphics. I know PSP has plenty of other games that the touch/iPhone can't touch and are not designed to play, but keep the facts straight.<br /><br />You say-"Yes, they are. My 5 year old says I want a nintendo cause my friends have it, so does cnet with apple. Challenge over, I like the price (fair for sure) and I like the no UMD. I hated the UMD before so this is clever. Nice. It's no different than phasing out DVD/CD players in Netbooks, and phasing out floppy drives which dell did, but apple then copied with those stupid iMacs."<br /><br />Answer--Huh?? First off, they sell external DVD/CDRW drives for netbooks because internal drives will not fit. As far as UMD, I wasn't the biggest fan either (slow load times and drive failures), but one distinct UMD advantage was the fact that you let a friend borrow your game or vice-versa (removable media is a beautiful thing sometimes). My biggest gripe overall with the PSP (I used to have one) was the lack of really good games and the lack of a second analog stick (sucked missing that on 1st person shooter games). How does that work again with the PSP Go? Oh, that's right. It doesn't because they STILL don't have the second stick that most people were wanting. Also, please provide some data to back up the Dell statement. As I recall, The iMacs were the first mainstream consumer line computers to go sans floppy drives and Windows users dismissed it real quick for lacking that drive. Funny how time changes things.<br /><br />The problem with your statements is that your bias comes off with the subtlety of a brick to the head. Just stick to the facts presented before you next time.

[the_mrwhite]

PSP fanboi's pay them no attention, they live in a vacuum and only good things are in there. Good article, I have Hero's of Sparta on my iPhone, got it free as a special introductory thing, GREAT game. <br /> <br />In my honest opinion, hand helds are dead. Ihave an iPhone, make calls, email, surf web, txt, play games, etc., etc. Why would I carry multiple devices when I can carry one that does everything? And may I might add, does freakin' well.

[lvcsslacker]

Simple reason: Because you want a game system, not a phone that does parlor tricks.

[the_mrwhite]

Parlor tricks, lol. Let us not forget. "who" has to hack their device to make skype calls again? <br /> <br />I guess native apps developed for the iPhone are just Parlor tricks, o..k... buddy. Where's that vacuum I was speaking of earlier.

[the_mrwhite]

I guess native apps developed for the iPhone specifically are considered parlor tricks to you. o...k.... buddy. You enjoy that UMDless device that has worse quality, more expensive games than the iPhone does. I lol at you. <br /> <br />Where's that vacuum I was speaking of earlier?

[ywkhgqo]

except for the making calls part.

[solicitehere]

Look at Nintendo DS's sales over that past several years. Looks to be phased out for sure, right????

[wrightdawg]

Yeah right, handhelds are dead. Why don't you check the monthly sales figures of ALL gaming machines and see what sells by far the most systems each month... Nintendo DS(i) and it's not even close. I know all Apple fb's are convinced there is no world out there but an Apple world but if you think handheld gaming machines are dead you're clueless.

[CyR00k]

I have a great reason PHONES ARE ANTIQUATED NO MATTER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. Look I can't go anywhere without having wi-fi access. Hell I can't go to church and not have wifi acces, out for coffee, out for dinner, out to a bar, out to a movie, etc etc etc. Hell I can use my PSP with Skype and not have to pay $100/mon to be told what I can and cannot do with a device I own. Phones are the things that if consumers thought about they would get rid of not game systems/PDAs. Why pay huge sums for internet access and SMS/MMS messaging when you can do those things for less (or free) on a device that no one is going to tell you how to use. As long as people are willing to keep paying these outrageously large bills for crappy service Telecoms will continue to over charge you.

[Orion Blastar]

Sony products and software have always been more expensive because Sony claims they are of a better quality. That includes the Sony App Store.<br /><br />The PSP Go cannot compare to the iPhone as it is a video game system verses a multimedia cell phone. I think the PSP Go might actually be more expensive than an iPhone and have a larger LCD screen and more buttons, etc. Sony might be trying to make up for PSP and PSP Go piracy by raising up the price of their games. I hadn't heard of iPhone app piracy yet, it could either be because the iPhone DRM works better or iPhone owners are loyal to Apple and wouldn't pirate their software.

[lvcsslacker]

I'm no fan of the PSP-go... I really think it was a stupid idea. ok, it's smaller and whatnot, fine. But taking out one of the main features of the PSP (the UMD drive) is still really freakin' stupid. What about all those games I've already bought? I can't download them yet? Well hell, that's no good for me. Can I download that import game I found in a pawnshop? Or can I get content that's only licenced for the US?<br /><br />There's a lot that I think is horribly wrong with this thing. It's a step in an interesting direction, but I don't think it's in a good direction. Not to say that they can't fix some of this stuff... I'm just saying that this piece of hardware has set set several hurdles in front of itself. Think of it trying to do a 200M hurdle race in the time it takes for a 100M sprint. That's the idea I'm trying to convey here.

[cnetpre]

Hardcore gamers use real handheld game consoles. Casual gamers use mobile phones. Hardcore gamers prefer dedicated processors powering their 3d engine, sound, and controllers. Getting interrupted by e-mails, SMS, MMS, alarms, etc., is not ideal for hardcore gaming. Fake onscreen push buttons are also not ideal compared to real tactile push button controls that have immediate and accurate response feedback. Opinions from casual gamers have no place in hardcore gaming discussions. <br /> <br />iPhone will NEVER replace dedicated handheld game consoles...wishful thinking.

[bslayerw2]

define hardcore gamer. Define real handheld. If you took your thumb out your ass and actually compared the technical specifications of the devices you'd realize that both are very capable of producing "hardcore" games. I own both and I can tell you know which one is always in my pocket. <br /><br />Real hardcore gamers spend $299 on an XBox 360 (or 2k+ on a gaming rig) not $250 of a mickey mouse pocket gaming machine to play GTA at 15 fps.

[ArsFragica]

psp go is the worst invention of this century hands down. $250 for a piece of overrated crap with stringent sharing restrictions. f*** sony and anyone who buys it is an idiot allowing Sony to rip you off. go apple.

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

even i know this article is messed.

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

if you want a focus on gaming get a PSP. want a phone get the iphone. they should be comparing this with the iPod touch. even still, iPod touch focuses on Digital media. PSP is for hardcore gamers who focus on gaming.

[kelmon]

"PSP is for hardcore gamers who focus on gaming."<br /><br />Roughly translated, the PSP is toast. I can understand why "hardcore gamers" would prefer the PSP but the sad fact of the matter is that there aren't enough of you to sustain the platform. Sony needs to get its head in the game and realise that Apple really is a threat. Nintendo, for the most part, ought still to be OK.

[Outraged_Gamer]

===I had to register here just to comment on my outrage. This article is such a lazy excuse for gaming news. I own both an iPhone and a PSP, and though gaming on the iPhone can occasionally be entertaining, the fun usually very short lasting, and forces you to go through thousands of utter crap in order to find one decent game. <br />I have yet to find a good free game, but once in a while you do stumble on GEMS like FIELDRUNNERS, which this article completely glossed over. <br /> <br />I have Fieldrunners for both the iPhone and the PSP, and the PSP one not only has almost twice as much content (yeah, I got it for the extra maps), it looks better and has awesome music to beat. One of the most addicting game I've played on both devices, and I'm happily playing it. <br /> <br />Were this article actually reasonable, it would have taken all things considered, rather than ignoring the facts and trying to prove a false point. <br />Leave writing, go back to grade school!===

[solicitehere]

I agree, this article was rediculous. They obviously posted it to get some entertainment between Apple and Sony fanboise. Bourgeiouse, uuuh, can't spell it.

[Tigerbomb1972]

This was a great article...down with sony!!! lol

[Juarezin]

The fanboys are angry! lol

[drfriday]

I've bought almost every video game system since the Atari 2600. Including the PSP which is the best hand held ever created. I will not be buying the PSP Go because of its absence of media based games.<br />One of the greatest benefits of a gaming system is the ability to trade disks, cartridges, etc. with friends.<br />It's also great fun. Sony is trading our fun in for more profit, by forcing you to buy vapor wear only through them, following Apples distribution model (Oh by the way for all you Apple fan boys...Apple is the greediest of the greedy). The PSP Go will be a complete failure. Boycott it!

[subtalvik]

"Lure them in with a free game and they'll be more likely to purchase one later. " I agree with that, in fact it's a well known marketing strategy. <br /> However the cost of these things usually ties in with a lot of economical situations, and turns out to be much more complicated than you'd think.

[gwailo247]

Cool article. I was also glad to find out that Padma is pregnant and David Letterman may have been engaged in illicit affairs with his staffers. <br /><br />You guys really can't come up with these articles on your own anymore?<br /><br />Oh, and I heard semi nude women are great for page hits. A strategically placed Macbook and two iPhones would still make it a technology related article.

[bslayerw2]

I'd just like to point out that there is a reason Sony and Apple have fanboys. They both make great products. I own a PSP and an iPhone (PS3, XBox 360, PC gamer etc etc), currently my iPhone gets way more use out of it as a gaming device, (no I don't use my PSP to make phone calls) why? <br /><br />- It's always in my pocket (because it's my phone and it actually fits in my pocket... nicely... and I have small pockets)<br />- It's REALLY easy to get games onto it... especially free ones<br />- When I do want to buy a game the barrier to entry is almost non-existent. Burning $0.99 - 3.99 on a game that I only play for a few hours doesn't feel nearly as bad as being potentially sodomized for $20 (and I have to order it online with a credit card and wait or go the a retail store... gas + time etc etc although that's changed slightly with minis). <br /><br />What I think a lot of people forget, game developers included is that it's a hand held / mobile device. Even if it was capable of rendering games equivalent to a console that's not what I want in my pocket. I want something I can play on the bus, while I'm waiting for my wife to run into the store, while I take a dump, while my dog runs around sniff other dogs ***** etc. I want games that are turn on and play and don't require a steep learning curve (if I have to sit through some ******** story I'd watch TV) and I should be able to come back to it whenever I want. <br /><br />Give me snacks, I'm not eating at Morton's steak house or something.