Comments on: PSP Go: What we know so far

Some details, photos, and video of the PSP Go have slipped out ahead of Sony's E3 press conference. Here's what we know so far.

[jhnsok]

im really disappointed i hope they go with the sony erricsson design or this<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/new%20psp" target="_blank"><img src="http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/halodisturbed/pspbig.jpg" border="0" alt="new psp Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>

[jhnsok]

follow the link to see the design that i like http://media.photobucket.com/image/new%20psp/mavsfan4lyf/3106_4fee6817a1ceee4ade6f46fe0f24fb.jpg?o=35

[d--keller]

Hmmm a PSP with even more awkward controls and a library that DOESN'T include all the existing PSP games? FAIL... FAIL.... EPIC FAIL

[ibeetle]

So it is a failure for Sony but a brilliant idea who's time has come from such a forward thinking companies like Nintendo, and Microsoft who have done the exact same thing. No GBA slot on the DSi for example. Microsoft dropping support for music with one type of DRM for another; leaving purchasers left with either loosing their music or reburying it with the newer type of DRM.

With over 50 games currently available for download on the PSP online store (and more added every week) that can be played via memory stick on the PSP. Sony has done a far better job of supporting downloadable legacy games than Nintendo has for the DSi.

[BCF1968]

As of right now ther are 39 UMD games that are downloadable at PSP store. I'm sure that library will increase greatly after E3. By the way I'm lucky to find 39 PSP games at the local wal-mart. People act as if all 300+ PSP games that ever game out are somehow easily available when MOST aren't.

[JRKhoury]

The PSP's older control scheme was fartoo wide as I found (and yes I do have big hands). I wouldn't call the PSP Go a fail at all. Give the Library some time and it will grow just the the PSOne store grew for the PS3. The new Library will also mean that we can access those harder to find games. I am optimistic for this device though I think a 32GB version would be a wise move by Sony.

[twhite06]

I would have loved to been a fly on the wall in the development meeting for this product and seen how they could justify introducing a new device without a second analog stick. That should have been the VERY FIRST thing they tried to implement with the new hardware. Failure to listen to the criticism of the PSP 1-3000 from gamers and not adding an analog stick is going to lead to the failure of this device. If Microsoft is listening, you can secure the #2 slot in the hand held gaming business with a half-way decent device that allows you to play a shooter without developing carpel-tunnel syndrome.

[manualfunky]

dont you get it..? they're not going to add the 2nd thumbstick to this thing, ever! it doesnt need it because it is intended for pick up and play games, not first person shooters etc.

[tae27]

People want a 2nd thumb stick.... AND want their UMD games converted AND future PSP games compatible with their current PSPs....

am I the only one who see the incompatibility???

This isnt the PSP2.... more like PSP 4000

[BCF1968]

It's neither idiot. Which part of this are you people not getting? There is no compatibility issue. You can play Gameboy Advance games on a DS but not on a DSi. Where's the outrage? And no you don't get to convert your UMD games for free nor should you be expected to. 2nd thimb stick? why? No current game uses it so it's useless. Hell I don't use the 2nd thumbstick on PS2/PS3

[JRKhoury]

TPAM doesn't play FPSes I take it. While I agree that a 2nd thumbstick would be useless in this PSP, it is the make or break control scheme for most console based shooters. Perhaps the future iterations of the PSP will find a solution to this dilemma, but right now it isn't needed.

[manualfunky]

get onto bit torrent and downlaod the games from there. problem solved

[PBarrette]

My concern is audio quality. What has kept me from getting a PSP is that everything I read says the audio quality is poor to middling at best. I'd like to use it as an MP3 player as well as game device and video player. But if the audio isn't so good, I won't buy it. So I am hoping it's got really good audio. Mu gut says it'll be the same as the 3000.

Though I have to say, I can get a 2000 on sale for $119, so I may get a 2000 to use for games and video,

[manualfunky]

someone that uses mp3 to listen to music whining about audio quality... priceless

[BCF1968]

what a bunch of idiots here. All those whining abut their precious UMD collections. HELLO? This is NOT a replacement for the PSP. Just like the DSi is not a replacement for the DS. It's amazing that somehow people get this when it comes to Nintendo but when Sony does it the haters come out in droves with their incorrect and idiotic statements.

[appleIStheNewSony]

this is NOT a PSP2. it does not replaces the current PSP which is the 3000. It's more an enhancement. though the lack of a second analog stick is a complete disregard to the fans. i hope it does has a touch screen, because by then it will give the iPod touch a run for its money, or kill the Zune HD's party lol.

[knowles2]

that because they are not aiming for the fans, who just happens to already there hardware anyway. They are aiming for new customer.

Personally I do not think they done enough to attract anyone to the device.

[idkuser101]

If it has a touchscreen which I doubt it then the sliding part isn't necessary. The design is good but not staying true to PSP line.

[mamyint]

$199 and this crazy idea might just work...

[J_Rocwell]

Its great that so many people think this is going to suck, however there is only one problem... NO ONE HAS EVEN TOUCHED IT YET!!!! Not a single person on this page has held the PSP Go. So how the hell does anyone know how it feels. I have my doubts, however to knock it out of the gate is a little harsh. However its all good.

[lil-yankee]

thats exactly what i think, sometimes people...............

[akvasu]

This looks pretty stupid. If this is the new PSP then its the end of the PSP era !!
Whats the point of moving out of UMD after so many years?

With the looks and the crazy keys and the incompatibility, Sony has alienated old and new customers -

Way to go Sony....

[manualfunky]

how are new customers alienated? and its not the new psp, its a different product line altogether.

[knowles2]

the point is that the technology have move to being able to download games while on the move.

And I suspect that there will be zero compatibility issues with this.

[DarkHawke]

I guess I shouldn't be but so surprised that Sony's kind of wiffed it again, but this thing feels almost Apple-like in its near-missedness. Okay, FINALLY lost the UMD and gave it a good chunk of flash memory. 16 gig is a little light in this day and age, but you do have the memory stick slot (guess it would be too much to ask for a micro SD slot, huh?), so that virtually balances. A shame the screen isn't larger, but again, you can understand the balance they're trying to strike between functionality and portability. But still no second analog stick? ***? Looks like there was more than enough space. And this doesn't replace the regular PSP? Why fork your development path and your developers this way? Though I suppose even so, the age of downloadable games for portable players is here, so whatever the company line is, the third-party houses will slowly but surely drop their use of UMD.

I guess the real swing-and-a-miss here is that while the DSi is a nice evolutionary step that expands the usefulness of the platform, this is more or less just a concession towards greater portability and that's it. Sony's a full hardware refresh back from Nintendo, as this PSPGo is roughly equivalent to the DS Lite, though you notice that the big N has only made their screens LARGER with successive hardware updates, not smaller.

As someone in the market for a new portable computer/media player/gaming unit, so far it's 0 for 2. Unless Microsoft is being unusually successful in keeping a product launch secret, the Zune HD is all they're going to be trotting out this year, and while nice in and of itself, it's hardly an iTouch killer, let alone a threat to the iPhone. The PSPGo is interesting, but I see nothing sufficiently compelling here. Only the potential of the Pre now stands between me and an inevitable iPhone purchase, once the 3.0 hardware is released.

[manualfunky]

hmmm nintendo made the ridiculously tiny screens on the first ds larger... are you wanting a 7inch psp screen or something?

[knowles2]

Agree with 16 gig, but I would not be surprise if they release a range of sizes over time.
This being the entry level device.

[play7]

Because its all soildstate OMG price might be very afforable. Its not bad! Released in Japan in less then 6 weeks.....Say toned

[manualfunky]

by exercising daily

[manualfunky]

why would it have a 2nd joystick when its intended for quick pick up and play games rather than things like God of War?

[terminalblue]

lol...they made god of war for the psp.

[frodo8723]

no thanks sony. I imagine retailers will be pissed that there is no software to sell.

[knowles2]

hey but they happy because they can sell the software and cut out the retailers, the warehouse firms, the hauliers and every other middle man and keep all the profits themselves.

[tipoo_]

I wonder if there will be any exclusive PSP Go! games, or if this will just be another incremental down/upgrade?

[eric92park]

I bet they put massive security system on it unlike other psps

[eric92park]

And Also people who say 2nd analog is useless, its useful in fps games, psp currently has horrible controlling in fps games and no one really cares if you don't want it, its better to have extra controls rather than being short of controls.

[krosafcheg]

looks like crap, and lulz at all you, bunch of f a g g o t s!

[tipoo_]

How intelligent.

[Thad Boyd]

"There is no UMD (Universal Media Disc) drive on the PSP Go. While that no doubt allows for the smaller size (and, we hope, the potential for better battery life), it also means there's no way to play existing PSP software you might own on the PSP Go."

How does it mean that?

It means there's no way to play DISCS you own; it doesn't mean there's no workaround to transfer the data to the system's internal memory.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Sony tries to force existing customers to re-buy any games they want to play on the new machine, but you're suggesting that's a certainty, and I don't think it is.