[PSP-N1000] PSP Go Review

[TrackZero]

PSP Go Review

Platform: PSP
Manufacturer: Sony Computer Entertainment (http://www.scei.co.jp/)
MSRP: $249.99 (Black (http://www.amazon.com/PSP-Go-Black-Sony/dp/B002BSC55M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1254718302&sr=8-1)/White (http://www.amazon.com/PSP-Go-White-Sony/dp/B002CZ756I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1254718302&sr=8-2))
Editor: Andrew 'TrackZero' Hodder

What's Hot: Far more lightweight/portable unit; M2 memory sticks require less voltage; no more UMD swapping; Bluetooth 3.0 support

What's Not: Existing library of UMD titles do not work with the unit; non-replaceable battery; The priceThe PSP Go came out last week on October 1st, I've spent a few days playing around and it's about time to give my thoughts. It's a difficult product to judge on its merits because it varies for each person based on their circumstances. So let's just start off with the hard facts. The PSP Go doesn't stray too far from your standard model PSP-3000 with regards to hardware capabilities. It's still the same core processor and memory, WiFi is 802.11b as well, you'll also see about the same battery life when all is said and done.

Now for what's new. Obviously there's a complete form-factor change. With the screen size shrinking by half an inch (though with the same pixel count), a slide-out compact design and better grips on the back. The auxiliary functions have moved around as well, with the audio/video buttons moved to the top of the unit, the "home" button moved to the left of the main screen (far easier to find), and start/select combo now being more discernible in the mix with the main controls.

Upgraded hardware capabilities include Bluetooth 3.0 support. Potentially this could add a variety of new functionality to the device. Chief among them (provided you have the additional peripheral hardware) is having your PSP plugged into a dock linked to your TV and controlling it via a Dualshock 3 controller when at home, while still allowing you to simply grab the PSP from the dock and hit the road at a moments notice. Sony has also swapped out the old peripheral connectivity ports to a unified plug which can output audio, video, USB mode and additional device support from a single spot. While this does offer some advantages for new customers, previous PSP owners probably won't appreciate finding their pile of expensive cables useless.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3983094706_a44e519c1e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/colonyofgamers/3983094706/sizes/l/)

The PSP Go also includes 16GB of internal flash memory storage. Honestly, this is a great amount of space out of the box. I have 6 games loaded on mine right now, a few albums, a number of videos and so forth, and I'm left with 11GB still free. You will not need to add an additional memory card for some time to come. Which was a good move by Sony, since the Go switches the memory card format from the Pro Duo to the M2. Meaning you'll need to be buying a new card for that Go when you do upgrade. At the time of this writing, 16GB M2 cards are available for the cost of approximately 70 USD (or higher). But, given the time before that will be necessary, those cards should be very affordable once they're needed. The M2 sticks also have the upside that they operate on half the voltage requirements of the old Pro Duo cards.

Any space constraint worries though can also be partially put aside from the included Media Go software for your PC. This allows you to manage all the data on the PSP Go (and/or your older PSP models, iPod/iPhone), backing up games/music/video to your computers drive instead. I was worried at first, as I've never had good experiences with hardware manufacturers software support (i.e. they usually crash, a lot), but in this case after a few days I've found Media Go stable and quite nice to play around in. It also made it easy to copy over my downloaded games off my PSP-2000 and move them on to the Go.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/3983096166_6000e270df.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/colonyofgamers/3983096166/sizes/l/)

For the usability of the PSP Go, I can soundly say in my experience it's been great. All downloadable games come with digitized manuals (hit triangle when over a game to see the menu to view it), games can be downloaded via WiFi or through the Media Go software, and from an interface design standpoint the PSP XMB works beautifully. The PSN marketplace has a great amount of PSP titles now available for purchase at quite reasonable titles as well (though the PSP minis are definitely overpriced). Also the PSP Go comes with a lite copy of Rock Band Unplugged, giving you 5 songs and the full "game" so you can download more DLC from the market.

With the new adjusted hardware controls, I finally find my left hand doesn't cramp up when using the analog nub (though some people report the opposite, your mileage may vary). I've also noticed that I can now play the PSP for hours without my arms getting tired, which I found with older models. The units new size puts it on par with the iPhone, while the weight is actually slightly less than one. I've already found myself carrying the Go around far more than my older PSP model simply due to this improved portability. The only very-minor complaint I have with the new hardware is the slide-up screen, you need to use both hands to do it properly, unless you want to chance dropping the system on the ground.

The largest change to the PSP Go hardware is inarguably the removal of the UMD drive. It's a blessing and a curse, all depending on where you're coming from. Sony has hinted at possible UMD trade in programs, or free game download solutions, but at this time all their plans are still up in the air. This is the cause of the largest split of opinion on the unit. For existing PSP customers, you'll likely curse the unit for no longer working with your existing UMD library. However, for new customers coming in, this saves a lot of hassle. No more carrying around a bunch of game cases or worrying about a mechanical problem breaking the drive on you. Granted, some users will point out that they use custom firmware on their older models of PSP to put the games directly on their memory cards. Which is a fair enough point, though most average consumers are not aware of that option.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3982335217_681e6e6b58.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/colonyofgamers/3982335217/sizes/l/)

Ultimately the PSP Go is an improved hardware design for the platform. For anyone coming into the PSP platform fresh, the only consideration here is the price point. 249.99 USD is a lot to ask for a new customer to take the plunge (though it should be noted, strangely, the price is also 249.99 CAD up here). That aside, the launch of the Go has added a wealth of downloadable titles to the PSN for new and existing customers on older units, which is something everyone should be happy about.

If you're already a PSP owner, it really depends on you. Do you have a large UMD library? Will you keep your existing unit to play those games? Have you been mostly playing downloadable titles anyways? Is there extra cash in your pocket you're looking to spend for some of the new features? Do you have a hacked PSP, pirate your games and just want to complain about a new platform you can't steal on yet? It's quite likely if you already own a PSP, you don't need/want a Go or perhaps you're waiting for down the road when the price falls. In the end it all comes down to what you want. But keep in mind, new customers shouldn't be pushed away from the platform when Sony has finally gotten the PSP to where it probably should have been years ago. More customers means more games made for the system.

Drew says, ”Don't own a PSP? The Go may be exactly what you're looking for. Already own a PSP? Maybe yes, maybe no, make your own judgment call.”

*Note - There is no CoG "score" for this review. As the PSP Go can be judged from far too many perspectives to give a reasonable grade.

[Mike Kelehan]

The best kept secret of the PSP Go is that you can sync it to a Dual Shock 3. Combine that with the component video out, and you're playing Dracula X, Dissidia, and any number of other PSP exclusives comfortably on your big TV. That pushed the system from a "no way no how" to a "hmm..." in my book.

Of course, if they released a cable to connect an external controller to the existing PSP through USB, we'd be done here.

[Shadowstorm]

Ars Technica trashed this (http://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2009/10/psp-go-review-sony-is-charging-you-much-more-for-much-less.ars) big time. To me, it doesn't sound like a good product for consumers.

[Gorvi]

The best kept secret of the PSP Go is that you can sync it to a Dual Shock 3. Combine that with the component video out, and you're playing Dracula X, Dissidia, and any number of other PSP exclusives comfortably on your big TV. That pushed the system from a "no way no how" to a "hmm..." in my book.

Of course, if they released a cable to connect an external controller to the existing PSP through USB, we'd be done here.
Ya know, I never thought of it that way. That does sound kinda neat. Not nearly enough to get me to pick up the system, but still kinda neat.

[JayVe]

Ars Technica trashed this (http://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2009/10/psp-go-review-sony-is-charging-you-much-more-for-much-less.ars) big time. To me, it doesn't sound like a good product for consumers.

It is a VERY good product for Sony. It gets people to re-buy all their games and accessories and prevents piracy (for now). If only this was the original PSP, and games could be sold at retail on ROM Memory Sticks...

The price is all wrong on the Go, and there is little/no incentive to get people to trade-up.

Nice hardware, poor implementation. I'm totally shocked that Sony would go through with the Go at all. It is like they are the only ones that can't see that the Go is gonna flop.

Edit: Ouch. Ars technica really did tear into the PSP Go.

For a product that is tethered to digital downloads, the process of getting to the content is oddly annoying. There is still no background downloading, which means that once you begin to download a game, you can't do anything else until it is finished. While your mileage may vary, I've often found that downloading files from Sony on both the PSP and PS3 can be a slow affair; a 1GB file can sometimes take an hour or more to pull down. For instant gratification junkies, that's no fun... especially when you can't play another game to pass the time.


Even worse, if you lose your signal or get disconnected, your progress is not saved. It took me a few tries to download the entirety of Gran Turismo on the PSP— for some reason, the hardware lost the connection to my wireless router, and each time I had to begin from scratch. That's incredibly annoying, especially when the wireless technology inside the system is somewhat stale.

For some reason, Sony went with the positively ancient 802.11b, which is the same as previous models. For $250, that couldn't have been bumped up to 802.11g? Or even -n? The entire point of the PSP Go hinges on the wireless, digital aspect of the hardware, so why is that hardware so outdated? Why is downloading a game made to be as annoying as possible?They also mention something I noticed... that downloads on the PS3 are SLOW! When it came time to get a cross-platform demo, I always chose to download it on my 360 since it was faster at downloading than the PS3 (plus, no need to do a separate 'install' process when the download is complete.

[Cactaur]

I can't imagine even the most hardcore fanboy wanting to rebuy titles he already has...

On another note, if you already bought a dl copy for a non-Go psp like Patapon, can it be synced to a Go?

[pheriannath]

I can't imagine even the most hardcore fanboy wanting to rebuy titles he already has...

On another note, if you already bought a dl copy for a non-Go psp like Patapon, can it be synced to a Go?

Anything that exists in your PSN downloads list can be grabbed on a Go, or transferred to one via your PS3.

You can send any of your downloads to up to 3 PSPs, regardless of model. Makes multiplayer a little easier.

[Shadowstorm]

It is a VERY good product for Sony. It gets people to re-buy all their games and accessories and prevents piracy (for now).

A win for Sony, a major, major loss for consumers. Reading the Ars review really convinces me to avoid this product. It also seems to me that there's no real reason for gamers to upgrade from this product's predecessor and that Sony doesn't really have consumers in mind when this was on the drawing board.

Hell, for $50 less, you're able to buy a 3000 that comes with a 4 GB Pro Duo card, a game, and a movie. Furthermore, this product makes all your other UMD games completely irrelevant, as Sony has no system in place to download games from PSN that you already own on this product's predecessor.

Here the review states, "Sony may have promised everyone a program which would allow you to trade in your old UMDs for credit or download tokens or some such, but now that we're at launch, the company has admitted that their plan to help those of us with large UMD collection... never really existed. If you buy a PSP Go, your UMDs are worthless; there is nothing to be done with them."


The PSP 3000 simply works with the cables you have. The hardware has a mini-USB port on the top of the system so you can move files or hook up accessories, and you can connect your PSP to your PS3 using any USB cable. In fact, one USB cable attached to your PS3 will let you both charge your controllers and connect to your PSP to move content.

That was a good thing, so of course it was time to get rid of it.

The PSP Go now uses a proprietary plug, which means no more generic USB cables. Your old chargers won't work either. In fact, the charging solution is rather tedious: you plug the cable into the PSP, and then into a block of plastic, and then you plug the power cable into the other side of the plastic, and then plug that into the wall.Sounds like a product that does not have consumers in mind to me.

It's hard to pin down who exactly this system is for. People with unlimited gaming budgets? The Go is more expensive than the current PSP offerings, and it gives you fewer options about where you can get your games. Since Sony has stated publicly that the company is going to stick with MSRP (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/sony-to-maintain-pricing-parity-for-downloadable-psp-games/) for all of its releases, the digital versions of games may be the same price as their retail counterparts, but more likely will be more expensive in many circumstances.

You can't shop around for the best deal with your games, you'll never be able to sell a game, and the system is completely locked down when downloading a purchase. The controls are more cramped, and Sony has made sure you can only buy their cables. The wireless standard hasn't been upgraded, and the system is significantly more expensive than any of its competitors. When you close the system you see a big, beautiful screen you can't do anything with.

I'll be avoiding this.

[J Arcane]

By and large I agree with the Ars review in almost every way (and was even surprised that they found more flaws with it I didn't even consider.) It's a pointless product, that benefits no one but Sony, the ultimate sucker's bet. It's no PS3 Slim, that's for sure.

I can't say that I'm surprised the CoG review came out the way it did though, the UMD hate around here always has been pointlessly thick.

[Shadowstorm]

And why the hell is it 802.11b wi-fi? They couldn't bump that up to 802.11g? The 802.11b network standard was released in 1999.

Sony isn't giving people any reason to buy this.

[JayVe]

Here the review states, "Sony may have promised everyone a program which would allow you to trade in your old UMDs for credit or download tokens or some such, but now that we're at launch, the company has admitted that their plan to help those of us with large UMD collection... never really existed. If you buy a PSP Go, your UMDs are worthless; there is nothing to be done with them."

What? Broken promises?

If you are a true Sony follower, you'll simply say, "Things change. They may have promised it to you at one point, but things changed in between. Not Sony's fault."

[J Arcane]

Kotaku does a price check on the top 10 rated PSP games. (http://kotaku.com/5374014/psp-game-price-check-playstation-store-vs-used-umd) Of the top ten, only 5 were even available on PSN, and only one of them (Disgaea) was cheaper than used alternatives elsewhere on the web.

[Gorvi]

Saying they're looking into a UMD transfer program is far from a promise that it's going to happen.

And DD for traditionally retail games is always going to be a loss for everyone on consoles.

[jpublic]

How about the fact that two of the games I know at least 3 people bought a PSP for AREN'T ON PSN? FF7: Crisis Core and Dissidia aren't on PSN.

[JayVe]

Saying they're looking into a UMD transfer program is far from a promise that it's going to happen.

Again, it isn't ME that looked at what Sony was saying and saw 'promises'. The quote is from Ars Technica.

Perhaps YOU are clever enough to see when Sony is 'looking into something' vs 'promising it'. But apparently a lot of people can't. That has to do with setting expectations. Maybe you should write to the author of Ars Technica and explain to him what Sony was really trying to say. Then, you can go around to other blogs and really clarify to everyone who is writing reviews to help reset their expectations.

Ars technica isn't the only one that expected some form of trade-up program. Heck, even other countries got more of an incentive to trade-up than we did in the states.

The PSP Go is a screw-over for customers.

[TrackZero]

Sounds like a product that does not have consumers in mind to me.


Actually the Ars review is full of angst, misinformation or a lack of thought out logic. Some of their points are valid, others are not. I won't go point by point over them, as I already stated what needs to be said in the review, and frankly, Ars is the technogod for many of you guys, it's not worth giving myself a headache. But in this case, don't take everything they say as being correct.

[Stmfuller]

as someone who doesn't have a psp...this item looks VERY NICE in my book.

[LiquidRain]

If only this was the original PSP, and games could be sold at retail on ROM Memory Sticks...
This is the direction Sony should have taken the Go and the PSP.

Step 1: Introduce Go and a full PSN game store
Step 2: Introduce new read-only M2 format games to replace UMD, start phasing out UMD
Step 3: Introduce PSP-4000 with new M2 game compatibility (the Go already has an M2 slot, and this wouldn't be any more confusing than the fact that the DSi has two flash card slots :) )
Step 4: Introduce PSP-1/2/3000 USB adapter for M2 game compatibility (so you'd have a MicroSD sized thing sitting on top of your PSP where the USB adapter is, big whoop)

Guess what! Everyone wins! Admittedly I'm not privy to the inside scoop on how much a UMD costs to produce, but 1-2GB flash is dirt cheap these days, I can't imagine that much of a price squeeze.

Taking out any pie-in-the-sky dreaming - the biggest enemy of the Go is the price and the lack of a physical media option. I like digital distribution, hell, you only need to take a look at my Steam games list to see that, and the numerous XBLA titles I have.

What Sony is facing here is the classic backlash of removing an option consumers had. Steam? I can still go to a store and buy Left 4 Dead or Arkham Asylum. XBLA? Well, ok, you don't have a choice there; the difference between that and the Go is you never did in the first place. (and XBLA does not contain full price games) Removing that option is what Sony's done now, and I think that's a big mistake, and it's certainly a deal killer for me.

Following a deal killer like that, you're going to get a lot of spite towards the system. People won't be forgiving, and they'll be itching to jab the system for any of its other shortfalls or quirks.

[BabyJesus]

Yeah this is a crap product all the way around. No reason for anyone to upgrade and little reason other than size for any new people to buy.

PSP 3000 can do all of the stuff the Go can plus its cheaper, uses cheaper mem cards and has a slightly larger screen. Plus it still allows you to get super cheap UMD games instead of paying top dollar for downloadables and if dowloadables are cheaper you can get that copy instead. The only thing its missing is the game "pause" function that lets you go back to the GUI and start where you left off. But there is no tech reason I can see that they could not add that to the older PSP's.

[Gorvi]

Again, it isn't ME that looked at what Sony was saying and saw 'promises'. The quote is from Ars Technica.

Perhaps YOU are clever enough to see when Sony is 'looking into something' vs 'promising it'. But apparently a lot of people can't. That has to do with setting expectations. Maybe you should write to the author of Ars Technica and explain to him what Sony was really trying to say. Then, you can go around to other blogs and really clarify to everyone who is writing reviews to help reset their expectations.

Ars technica isn't the only one that expected some form of trade-up program. Heck, even other countries got more of an incentive to trade-up than we did in the states.

The PSP Go is a screw-over for customers.
So now Sony is at fault because people can't properly understand what's said? As far as how they're not doing the trade up here but are elsewhere, you do understand that there are these pesky things called laws and contracts that can vary wildly by region, right?

The PSP Go is a bad choice for current PSP owners with an existing library who want to replace their current model, it's not a bad choice for fans of DD who are looking to get a PSP who aren't interested in buying UMDs. It's not a screw over for consumers.

[Shadowstorm]

Actually the Ars review is full of angst, misinformation or a lack of thought out logic. Some of their points are valid, others are not. I won't go point by point over them, as I already stated what needs to be said in the review, and frankly, Ars is the technogod for many of you guys, it's not worth giving myself a headache. But in this case, don't take everything they say as being correct.

You're attacking Ars, not the product. When I look at the PSP Go, I see a company, through this product, overcharges needlessly for games, has no system in place to download currently owned games from the platform's predecessor, no removable battery, a wireless network standard that was released over a decade ago, incredibly overpriced, tinier screen, proprietary cables instead of going with a standard (USB) that even its older counterpart uses, makes all of the games that you own on UMD irrelevant, doesn't even support background downloading, cramped controls, and the games that are being sold for it are being sold at the same price as its retail counterparts, which displays greed.

In short: I see a great amount of fail with this product. I'll pass and recommend to people I know to do the same.

Edit: and not only that, when you buy this product, whether knowingly or not, you are locking yourself into Sony's greedy pricing structure.

[JayVe]

So now Sony is at fault because people can't properly understand what's said? As far as how they're not doing the trade up here but are elsewhere, you do understand that there are these pesky things called laws and contracts that can vary wildly by region, right?

Again, not my problem. You are preaching to the choir here on CoG. Go tell the folks that are writing the negative reviews. Go tell them that they misunderstood Sony's intentions. maybe you can help reset their expectations since you are one of the few that can really see the TRUTH of Sony's corporate statements.

Maybe, since you have such clairvoyance when it comes to Sony's corporate rumblings, you could work for Sony to help get the REAL message out to journalists that continually have mis-set expectations. It would really help prevent such negative reviews from appearing.

[Gorvi]

Again, not my problem. You are preaching to the choir here on CoG. Go tell the folks that are writing the negative reviews. Go tell them that they misunderstood Sony's intentions. maybe you can help reset their expectations since you are one of the few that can really see the TRUTH of Sony's corporate statements.

Maybe, since you have such clairvoyance when it comes to Sony's corporate rumblings, you could work for Sony to help get the REAL message out to journalists that continually have mis-set expectations. It would really help prevent such negative reviews from appearing.
Who needs clairvoyance? "We're looking into it" is not a definitive statement. The negative review by Ars is mostly warranted, they just went a bit overboard.

[Goronmon]

You're attacking Ars, not the product.Well, there was the implication that Ars has the "correct" review and that Track's is "incorrect".

[Doctor Setebos]

Who needs clairvoyance? "We're looking into it" is not a definitive statement.I don't really have a horse in this race, but if it was me, and I was on the fence about trading up from a PSP to the new PSP Go, and I heard that Sony was "hammering out the details (http://kotaku.com/5367207/sony-nixes-plans-for-umd-conversion-program-for-pspgo)" on a UMD exchange incentive program, and I decided to pull the trigger based on that info, and then found out afterwards that they decided to nix the program altogether .... I'd be kinda pissed. But that's just me.

[Mike Kelehan]

I don't really have a horse in this race, but if it was me, and I was on the fence about trading up from a PSP to the new PSP Go, and I heard that Sony was "hammering out the details (http://kotaku.com/5367207/sony-nixes-plans-for-umd-conversion-program-for-pspgo)" on a UMD exchange incentive program, and I decided to pull the trigger based on that info, and then found out afterwards that they decided to nix the program altogether .... I'd be kinda pissed. But that's just me.

...which is why they announced that there would be no trade-up program just before the system's launch.

[Yeti2005]

You can think of the premium price on PSP Go as a tax for stupid people :D

[Kelegacy]

Sony should just have released a program for legit ripping of UMDs to memory stick. It would still get me to buy UMDs (and retail stores would be happy and benefit) but being able to install it to memory would benefit me.

DD on consoles is still a bad option for the wallet. If you're an agoraphobic, its a good option, but otherwise prices are the same or typically cheaper in stores (and you can resell). I hope someday DD prices become more competitive, but I will never believe it. There is just no incentive to lower prices even if retail stores croaked today. If you buy a shitty game via DD, you're screwed. If you buy it with physical media, you can sell it or trade it away. I like that.

[Talanvor]

Can't you get a cheap microSD -> M2 converter? I know you could get ones for the Memory Stick Duos, seems like it'd be a lot cheaper to go that route.

[OldJadedGamer]

And why the hell is it 802.11b wi-fi? They couldn't bump that up to 802.11g? The 802.11b network standard was released in 1999.

Sony isn't giving people any reason to buy this.

This is what is super annoying about the entire rant on "everyone system has wifi now, even the DS and PSP............ blah, blah, blah" but what is always left out is that it's 802.11b and not G. b is worthless and slow.

[RandoM51]

What is with the Go vendetta on forums? People seem to be going out of their way to talk about how terrible it is, people who have never even used one in the first place.

If the features don't match the price from your point of view, acknowledge and move on. All the angst-riddled posts in the world are not going to a) stop people from buying a Go or b) get Sony to produce the wonder handheld that does everything short of blow jobs and breakfast in bed that you want, or c) get them to sell you all the features you want at half what it costs them to include them.

They're targeting the people who want every shiny new toy that comes out. That market exists, there are people on this forum who prove that market exists just about every day of the week. :) Meanwhile, everybody else can still buy a PSP.

You can think of the premium price on PSP Go as a tax for stupid people :D
Yeah, it should be on a shelf at Gamestop along with Live subscriptions.

[Kelegacy]

This is what is super annoying about the entire rant on "everyone system has wifi now, even the DS and PSP............ blah, blah, blah" but what is always left out is that it's 802.11b and not G. b is worthless and slow.

Well, it's a bulletpoint I guess. I think the wifi on the PSP is "ugh" but I still get to surf the net while on the pooper. Works well enough I guess. The only system that doesn't have it is the 360. For online gaming, a super slow wi-fi option is not going to fly. But I sure hope the next Xbox has built-in Wi-Fi instead of charging us $100 for a wifi adapter. I think it should have been standard this gen (would have saved me some hassle), but whatever.

[total]

This is what is super annoying about the entire rant on "everyone system has wifi now, even the DS and PSP............ blah, blah, blah" but what is always left out is that it's 802.11b and not G. b is worthless and slow.

For what exactly? I keep hearing this repeated about the Go and I don't really see what the big deal is. 802.11b is still 11Mbs theoretical and has decent range. It isn't like you are going to saturate that line with Sony's shitty speeds anyway.

[total]

For online gaming, a super slow wi-fi option is not going to fly.

Unless you have a very weak signal, 802.11b should work just fine for online gaming. I've used it in the past with little issue for all sorts of online gaming.

[Sl1pstream]

I picked this up. I did not like the size and shape of the original, so I didn't really buy a lot of games for that one.

The difference is that they were giving away copies of GT Mobile with the system (well, download codes anyway) over here and they're also letting us download 3 free titles (there's a list with about 17 titles we get to choose from) if we register both the new one and the original PSP on the same PSN account.

So I did get 4 free games.

[mightbe]

For what exactly? I keep hearing this repeated about the Go and I don't really see what the big deal is. 802.11b is still 11Mbs theoretical and has decent range. It isn't like you are going to saturate that line with Sony's shitty speeds anyway.

Right. And it doesn't add any latency compared to n/g.

[LiquidRain]

802.11b is grasping at straws.

As I said in my earlier post, I simply think it's backlash for removing the option of physical media, and everyone's targeting it simply because of that. Why people are getting worked up about it this much is beyond me.

[mightbe]

After picking it up at pax, the Go was uncomfortable to put my fingers on the shoulder buttons and nub but a very nice form factor. This pretty much made it a "no purchase" for me.

The silly part is the premium price and lack of a secondary game market. I wouldn't buy a PC for 50$ more that I found uncomfortable to use and only had Steam as the venue to buy my games while also rendering all of my old purchases unplayable.

But I could see the person that finds the hardware comfortable and really likes to carry their psp in their pocket, this is could be the product for them.

It just seems so silly of Sony to target what I perceive to be a niche market. Unless they're hoping that the money they nab from direct PSN purchases offsets what might be a narrow hardware adoption rate.

[mightbe]

I guess I should also say that I really like track's review. I think it's a good rundown of the system and points out some of the highlights of the new platform.

I also like ars review because they are brutal and bitter about the platform.

It's a beautiful bouquet.

[mightbe]

One last post before I leave this thread for a bit:

It's worth noting that many of the new PSN downloads will not work on pre 6.1 firmware. You can jimmy the version.txt of your CFW 5.5 to start the game, but it'll error out shortly thereafter.

I spent about three hours messing with it and changing the settings and consulting various forums just to give up and throw on OFW 6.1 to get direct psp access to the PSN store.

Also, if you just picked up a Go or PSP, NIS games (with the annoying exception of Disgaea 2) are 50% for a limited time.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

The PSP Go isn't aimed at people who already have a PSP. It's looking for a new market. I don't think Sony anticipates it being a huge seller, it's a toe in the water on all counts. This is the future and they're feeling it out. There have been reports that the high price point is to give retailers a higher profit on selling the thing, so it would be interesting to see how many this has to sell for Sony to feel that it was a success.

[mightbe]

The PSP Go isn't aimed at people who already have a PSP. It's looking for a new market. I don't think Sony anticipates it being a huge seller, it's a toe in the water on all counts. This is the future and they're feeling it out. There have been reports that the high price point is to give retailers a higher profit on selling the thing, so it would be interesting to see how many this has to sell for Sony to feel that it was a success.

Yeah. I'm looking forward to the sales numbers/sony spin as this really is an innovative product in that regard.

Serious kudos to them for trying it out.

[Zecon]

And here I did not think there was any way I could want another PSP.
After seeing this I'm really looking to get one before Sony stops making them.

[JayVe]

Unless you have a very weak signal, 802.11b should work just fine for online gaming. I've used it in the past with little issue for all sorts of online gaming.

Yep. The B for gaming is fine... What stinks is the B for downloading full PSP games. Without a physical copy to insert into the system, the ability to quickly download a new game is paramount. Downloading small games over B isn't even an issue. The real problem is when your game is a big, full-blown retail title... the kind of experience you can't get on a DS or iPhone. Then you are asking people to download a ton of stuff over a tiny straw.

Using the Go needs to be easy. Any hurdles between people and the entertainment get in the way. If Sony wants digital distribution to work well, they will remove as many annoyances as possible.

[mightbe]

There's no internet bottleneck with b. It's 11mbps. Unless you're using something crazy like FiOS, I don't think b is what's holding you back.

[OldJadedGamer]

What is with the Go vendetta on forums? People seem to be going out of their way to talk about how terrible it is, people who have never even used one in the first place.

But you have to wonder why there is so much negativity around it. Why many articles and reviews from mainstream sources aren't positive about it at all. I used the PSPGo 4 months ago and played the entire Little Big Planet demo on it and knew then it wasn't going to take off. I don't love the Go or hate it. To me, it's like the GB Micro. While neat and I can see some diehards liking it, I know the system is on borrowed time. I don't think retailers will care to have it taking up shelf space much longer after this holiday season.

They're targeting the people who want every shiny new toy that comes out. That market exists, there are people on this forum who prove that market exists just about every day of the week. :) Meanwhile, everybody else can still buy a PSP.

I'm one of these people. I bought a slim PS3 an hour after it was announced yet I don't use it anymore than I did with the phat unit I had. I was going to buy the Go but when I saw it, played with it, and realized that it was gimped, I backed up and decided that it wasn't worth it.

[Gorvi]

Yep. The B for gaming is fine... What stinks is the B for downloading full PSP games. Without a physical copy to insert into the system, the ability to quickly download a new game is paramount. Downloading small games over B isn't even an issue. The real problem is when your game is a big, full-blown retail title... the kind of experience you can't get on a DS or iPhone. Then you are asking people to download a ton of stuff over a tiny straw.

Using the Go needs to be easy. Any hurdles between people and the entertainment get in the way. If Sony wants digital distribution to work well, they will remove as many annoyances as possible.
Then you can use one of the other options to download a game: download it on your PS3 or PC then transfer it over. The only time you'd need to download on the unit itself is if you're at a WiFi hotspot.

[Xydarc]

If you're already a PSP owner, it really depends on you. Do you have a large UMD library? Will you keep your existing unit to play those games? Have you been mostly playing downloadable titles anyways? Is there extra cash in your pocket you're looking to spend for some of the new features? Do you have a hacked PSP, pirate your games and just want to complain about a new platform you can't steal on yet? It's quite likely if you already own a PSP, you don't need/want a Go or perhaps you're waiting for down the road when the price falls. In the end it all comes down to what you want. But keep in mind, new customers shouldn't be pushed away from the platform when Sony has finally gotten the PSP to where it probably should have been years ago. More customers means more games made for the system.

Drew says, ”Don't own a PSP? The Go may be exactly what you're looking for. Already own a PSP? Maybe yes, maybe no, make your own judgment call.”
Wow, an amazing bit of ignorance, in bold, from your review. I have a PSP-1000 that runs custom firmware. I do not pirate games. I use it to play my legitimately purchased PSOne games off of the memory stick. Thus, any complaints I may have are not due to the lack of the ability to "steal on" but due to the decisions Sony made with the device. So far, the Ars Technica review is the most accurate. If you own a PSP-1000, 2000, or 3000, there is no good reason to pick up a Go.

[OldJadedGamer]

Then you can use one of the other options to download a game: download it on your PS3 or PC then transfer it over. The only time you'd need to download on the unit itself is if you're at a WiFi hotspot.

Don't forget that the PSPGo has no Macintosh or Linux support. Sony has chosen Microsoft as their exclusive software provider. So if you are smart enough to not run windows or don't own a PS3 then yes... you are stuck with getting your games directly from the PSPGo only.

[Gorvi]

Don't forget that the PSPGo has no Macintosh or Linux support. Sony has chosen Microsoft as their exclusive software provider. So if you are smart enough to not run windows or don't own a PS3 then yes... you are stuck with getting your games directly from the PSPGo only.
How many people do you think that actually applies to? I'm sure it's that way for some, but most people have a PC, even if they don't have a PS3.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Don't forget that the PSPGo has no Macintosh or Linux support. Sony has chosen Microsoft as their exclusive software provider. So if you are smart enough to not run windows or don't own a PS3 then yes... you are stuck with getting your games directly from the PSPGo only.

Apparently that is a small portion of people.

85% of Mac owners also have Windows too (http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/10/05/85-of-mac-owners-have-windows-too/).

I really don't care either way I just read that and this post like 2 minutes part. :p

[Wilkz07]

should never buy a launch system. it will be improved. look how much the psp3000 improved over the 1000.

plus the little sunken nub blows.. and its in the middle. if i want an analog stick in the middle i'll play n64

[Shadowstorm]

Wow, an amazing bit of ignorance, in bold, from your review. I have a PSP-1000 that runs custom firmware. I do not pirate games. I use it to play my legitimately purchased PSOne games off of the memory stick. Thus, any complaints I may have are not due to the lack of the ability to "steal on" but due to the decisions Sony made with the device. So far, the Ars Technica review is the most accurate. If you own a PSP-1000, 2000, or 3000, there is no good reason to pick up a Go.

Haha, wow. I'm glad you picked that bit up.

[MagGnome]

The best kept secret of the PSP Go is that you can sync it to a Dual Shock 3. Combine that with the component video out, and you're playing Dracula X, Dissidia, and any number of other PSP exclusives comfortably on your big TV. That pushed the system from a "no way no how" to a "hmm..." in my book.

Of course, if they released a cable to connect an external controller to the existing PSP through USB, we'd be done here.

That does make the PSP Go really tempting. I rarely take my DS with me anywhere, so if I got a PSP I'd love to hook it up to my TV when I'm at home.

Still, I'll probably go with a 3000 if and when I get one, simply because it's cheaper and gives me more options for obtaining games.

[JayVe]

should never buy a launch system. it will be improved. look how much the psp3000 improved over the 1000.

plus the little sunken nub blows.. and its in the middle. if i want an analog stick in the middle i'll play n64

You think the little sunken nub is gonna change in the PSP Go 3000?

[JayVe]

Then you can use one of the other options to download a game: download it on your PS3 or PC then transfer it over. The only time you'd need to download on the unit itself is if you're at a WiFi hotspot.

Absolutely true. The PSP Go offers a plethora of ways to get games on the device. The ability to copy files to your own memory stick from a PS3 or PC is great and isn't an option on a platform like the iPhone where there are no slots for memory cards. Yet having a large number of options does not mean they are simple for everyone to use. Downloading and managing files aren't things everyone likes doing, and many see it as a hassle. Options are great. Optimized solutions are even better. Like I said, it would behoove Sony to work very hard on making the experience pleasant for as many people as possible.

[TrackZero]

Wow, an amazing bit of ignorance, in bold, from your review. I have a PSP-1000 that runs custom firmware. I do not pirate games.

Then I wasn't talking about you chief. ;) If you read earlier in the review, I noted people who pay for games and just use the custom firmware to keep from using UMDs by putting images on their memory card. Reading is fun!

[TrackZero]

Haha, wow. I'm glad you picked that bit up.

That's because you're clueless and wanting to hate (see my reply to him, above), I hope your day was made by this thread.

Edit: And you have no excuse, you've had all day reading this thread to notice that comment was out of context and have read the article. If you use something like that to jab at me again, YMMV.

[Gorvi]

Absolutely true. The PSP Go offers a plethora of ways to get games on the device. The ability to copy files to your own memory stick from a PS3 or PC is great and isn't an option on a platform like the iPhone where there are no slots for memory cards. Yet having a large number of options does not mean they are simple for everyone to use. Downloading and managing files aren't things everyone likes doing, and many see it as a hassle. Options are great. Optimized solutions are even better. Like I said, it would behoove Sony to work very hard on making the experience pleasant for as many people as possible.
People use iTunes all the time, it's really not much different from that from what I've seen. The PSP Go probably can't handle background downloading and doing much else at the same time, so I'm not quite sure what more they could really do to make it easier.

[Psykoboy2]

I do not pirate games.

I don't think he was including you there. It wasn't people with hacked psp's, people who pirate games, etc...

I think he meant people with hacked psp's who pirate games.

EDIT: Nevermind...Track came in and cleared it up anyway.

[Morratut]

I won't be buying this. The Ars review is just proof to me that it is a naff platform.

[total]

Then you are asking people to download a ton of stuff over a tiny straw.

Not really. If you can find a Sony server that can saturate a theoretical 11Mps (so more like 5 megs real world) I will buy you a Go. I can understand the frustration with the device, but this is a lame argument that holds absolutely zero water. There is absolutely no reason that this device needs to be 802.11g. 802.11g tops out between 20 and 30Mps real world if I remember properly. The only time you would notice speed difficulties due to the network would be from wireless data transmission from another PC on your network, which the Go can't do anyway. Shit call me when you can find a Sony server that will spit out data faster than 3Mps.

[JayVe]

The only time you would notice speed difficulties due to the network would be from wireless data transmission from another PC on your network, which the Go can't do anyway. Shit call me when you can find a Sony server that will spit out data faster than 3Mps.

True dat. The connection is only as slow as its slowest point. :cool:

[Yeti2005]

I've given Sony a hard time about the ridiculous price on the PSP Go but they're really trapped between a rock and a hard place. Sony can't alienate retailers so they need to keep the cost of the machine artificially high. The also can't match retailer's game prices for the same reason.

I'm hoping at some point Sony can say "f*ck you" to the retailers and price the machine and games at a reasonable level.

[Yeti2005]

Not really. If you can find a Sony server that can saturate a theoretical 11Mps (so more like 5 megs real world) I will buy you a Go. I can understand the frustration with the device, but this is a lame argument that holds absolutely zero water. There is absolutely no reason that this device needs to be 802.11g. 802.11g tops out between 20 and 30Mps real world if I remember properly. The only time you would notice speed difficulties due to the network would be from wireless data transmission from another PC on your network, which the Go can't do anyway. Shit call me when you can find a Sony server that will spit out data faster than 3Mps.

Does G and N have a greater range than B? Honestly I don't know since I've been on a B network at home forever. Like you said, no one is maxing out the bandwidth of B but I could see people interested in a greater wireless range if G and N are better. Even then the wireless adapter isn't the elephant in the room when it comes to the PSP Go, it's the price of the machine and the games.

[Gorvi]

I've given Sony a hard time about the ridiculous price on the PSP Go but they're really trapped between a rock and a hard place. Sony can't alienate retailers so they need to keep the cost of the machine artificially high. The also can't match retailer's game prices for the same reason.

I'm hoping at some point Sony can say "f*ck you" to the retailers and price the machine and games at a reasonable level.
And that's what makes DD on consoles such a tough proposition. PCs can do it because desktop PCs normally sell for a significant markup anyway (which is good for the retailer), and people are buying them for reasons other than gaming more often than not, gaming is just another feature for many PC users. Consoles depend on those retailers, and normaly aren't sold at a markup (they're usually break even for retailers if I remember correctly), so the market is very different.

[MagGnome]

Gorvi is spot on. The console market and the PC gaming market are two very different things. I don't really see DD taking off on the consoles as quickly as it has on the PC.

In fact, we should all keep in mind that while DD on the PC has been very successful, retail sales still make up the majority of the market. Still, I don't see DD become as pervasive on the consoles as quickly as it has on the PC.

[Urizen]

Didn't read the whole thread but I am mystified by the decision to not give this particular review a COG score. Doesn't every review boil down to the opinion of one person or a small team of editors? Don't they always hand out number scores?

I see no reason why this should be different. The same questions apply that would apply to software in many ways. How is this iteration tangibly different from a predecessor? What is the value proposition? What are the new features? What are the hurdles and setbacks for new adopters or upgraders?

As always, value judgments arise. They just need to be valid and informed. Saying this product could mean a lot of different things to different people is a vague and intellectually weak assessment. Surely, no one is going to use it as a blow dryer or a shovel. There are two groups of people for this review to consider: those who already own a PSP, and those who do not. That is all.

When RE4 was released for the PS2, it got the same treatment as it did when it was first released for the GC. Reviewers didn't shy away from giving it a score because it would have to yield to one of an infinite number of perspectives. They divided the world into two: those who have played RE4 on GC, and those who have not - and then proceeded without pussy-footing.

Likewise when RE4 saw released on the PC.

And again when the definitive version came out on Wii.

EDIT: For the record, I hate number reviews, but dismissing the system on a whim for convenience is a greater offense.

[total]

Does G and N have a greater range than B? Honestly I don't know since I've been on a B network at home forever. Like you said, no one is maxing out the bandwidth of B but I could see people interested in a greater wireless range if G and N are better. Even then the wireless adapter isn't the elephant in the room when it comes to the PSP Go, it's the price of the machine and the games.

Both N and G have better range but that is due to the requirement for more antennas. In theory you could extend a B network (or any network really) with the right hardware. N is still in draft form (or was recently finalized...one of the two) so that really isn't an option and G is going to drive up the price of the unit with very little benefit.

I just don't get the, "OMG it's B and that is so fucking last year." That is like listing the faults of the 360 and being pissed because the d-pad is terrible and not that the system breaks itself every 6-12 months.

[JayVe]

If the B/G/N thing isn't much of an issue, why is Microsoft releasing an N adapter for the 360?

[Gorvi]

If the B/G/N thing isn't much of an issue, why is Microsoft releasing an N adapter for the 360?
To sell another $100 add-on for people who think they need faster wireless speeds?

[total]

If the B/G/N thing isn't much of an issue, why is Microsoft releasing an N adapter for the 360?

I will quote myself from the Method Man thread...

Cash rules everything around me,
CREAM!
Get the money, dolla dolla bill ya'll.

Since when does MS not like moneys? And for a very few people who are out of range of b/g they will might get a little signal for N. At least enough of a signal for them to purchase things on Live.

[LiquidRain]

G will not extend range. The only reason you might /think/ it extends range is because of all the wifi device sellers increasing power or adding multiple antennas, or advertising range/speed boosters on their wireless routers, etc. etc.

The only way you'll get increased range out of wifi is boosting the signal. Which consumes more power. Which'll suck down your battery that much faster.

Didn't read the whole thread but I am mystified by the decision to not give this particular review a COG score. Doesn't every review boil down to the opinion of one person or a small team of editors? Don't they always hand out number scores?
I sincerely hope I'm walking into a trap here.

I see no reason why this should be different. The same questions apply that would apply to software in many ways. How is this iteration tangibly different from a predecessor? What is the value proposition? What are the new features? What are the hurdles and setbacks for new adopters or upgraders?
I don't see how any of this translates to a simple number value on a system that is 5x the price of a game. Buying a system is a far more complicated decision than simply a number. You forgot MANY aspects to a game system here - most notably, are the games available for that system the kind of games you want to play? What system do your friends have? Etc.

EDIT: For the record, I hate number reviews, but dismissing the system on a whim for convenience is a greater offense.
It's not convenience. As I said, a system review is a lot more complicated, with a lot more factors, involving a lot more money than simply a game. I have never once seen a system reviewed with a number attached to it, there's simply too many factors.

[axion]

I think he meant dismissing the numbered review system, not the PSP system, that's how I read it.

[TrackZero]

If the B/G/N thing isn't much of an issue, why is Microsoft releasing an N adapter for the 360?

Ugh, now THAT is an excellent question. FrogGodHero and I talked about this a few weeks back for like 45 min on XBL. I can't remember his conclusions, but he had a list of the reasons why they're doing it, none of which us as gamers care about. You should hit him up.

[Jackel]

Ugh, now THAT is an excellent question. FrogGodHero and I talked about this a few weeks back for like 45 min on XBL. I can't remember his conclusions, but he had a list of the reasons why they're doing it, none of which us as gamers care about. You should hit him up.

1 main reason: A profit - folks will buy it.

[TrackZero]

As always, value judgments arise. They just need to be valid and informed. Saying this product could mean a lot of different things to different people is a vague and intellectually weak assessment.

No, it's pretty dead on in this case. There's far too many variables as it's not a new console we're looking at. It's a remix of an existing one. All decisions for it are circumstantial, so I was left with the choice of how to score it. Do I score based on a new user? An exsiting one? If an existing one, which kind? Which was already addressed in the review and a score wouldn't serve a single person who read this with any value, whatsoever.

[EternalGamer]

The whole idea of judging hardware revision in terms of what it offers for people who already have the current hardware seems totally backwards for me. If there is an audience there, it is a very small one and not the target audience. Crazy consumer people. If you already have a console that plays a particular library of games, you don't need a new one even if it is now in Jamaican Jive Lolipop flavor with a bonus fresh floral scent. Nice to see Track focus primarily on non-PSP owners in his review. All these discussions about whether or not it is good for current PSP owners are a bit absurd.

[JayVe]

I would rather they launched the PSP Go as a PSP2. They could have added a second analog nub, and erased any misconceptions about backwards compatibility with UMD. Plus, people wouldn't mind paying more for a new platform... at least, not as much as paying more to what many consider to be a gimped version of the current system. People would be falling over each other to upgrade to a new platform instead of an aborted one.

I've said it on many occasions: the Go is a great piece of hardware, poorly launched into chum-baited waters. With a little more effort and common-sense, it could be huge. Instead, it will flop.

[Gorvi]

I would rather they launched the PSP Go as a PSP2. They could have added a second analog nub, and erased any misconceptions about backwards compatibility with UMD and PRICE! People would be falling over each other to upgrade to a new platform instead of an aborted one.

I've said it on many occasions: the Go is a great piece of hardware, poorly launched into chum-baited waters. With a little more effort and common-sense, it could be huge. Instead, it will flop.
Except there's no need for a PSP2 right now. Remember, the Go is an option, the 3000 still exists out there and is the only version of the system being put in the software bundles, so it's not like it's being pushed aside. The Go also isn't alienating people who don't want to get a new system, as every single piece of software put out for ther Go will work on every other PSP system, be it 1000, 2000, or 3000.

[JayVe]

Except there's no need for a PSP2 right now.There isn't a NEED for any of these. There isn't a NEED for a PSP Go. What is your point? There are PS3 and a PS2 being sold at the retailer right now. They are both options.

[Gorvi]

There isn't a NEED for any of these. There isn't a NEED for a PSP Go. What is your point? There are PS3 and a PS2 being sold at the retailer right now. They are both options.
Now you're just being obtuse, did you really think the word "need" was supposed to be taken literally? There's no need for any gaming hardware, we could still be back on the NES for what we need.

To put it more plainly, there's no reason yet to make a PSP2, at least not significant enough reason to actually put out a new console.

[Kelegacy]

Well, there was no need for a DSi either, but it happened It's just another version of the same machine IMO. The DSi is gimped as well, since you can't play all the DS games on it because it removes the GBA slot. And having backwards compatibility with GBA games was awesome, but they took it away.

Should have just saved the DSi stuff for the DS2. See, we can make the same arguments here as we did with the PSP Go. Both are unnecessary systems as far as I'm concerned.

[Doctor Setebos]

There isn't a NEED for any of these. There isn't a NEED for a PSP Go. What is your point? There are PS3 and a PS2 being sold at the retailer right now. They are both options.Companies (especially electronics manufacturers) hardly operate under the guise of "need". Sony sees an opportunity to make money. Period. You need to stop trying to read personal purpose or value in a situation that is driven entirely by corporate profit potential.

[JayVe]

Well, there was no need for a DSi either, but it happened It's just another version of the same machine IMO. The DSi is gimped as well, since you can't play all the DS games on it because it removes the GBA slot. And having backwards compatibility with GBA games was awesome, but they took it away.

Should have just saved the DSi stuff for the DS2. See, we can make the same arguments here as we did with the PSP Go. Both are unnecessary systems as far as I'm concerned.

You are right about all the DSi comments. They did remove the ability to play GBA games, and that sucks. I remember hearing all about it all over these very forums, about how big a mistake it is to do so. Does that make it any less true when someone else does it?

Now, the DSi didn't remove the DS cartridge slot, rendering all your current games obsolete, just the few that used the legacy Slot 2. Imagine the outcry if the DSi didn't have a DS cart slot, and you could only get games through digital download.

Companies (especially electronics manufacturers) hardly operate under the guise of "need". Sony sees an opportunity to make money. Period. You need to stop trying to read personal purpose or value in a situation that is driven entirely by corporate profit potential.
I'm a little confused as to what you are trying to say. Gorvi was the one saying there wasn't a 'need' for a PSP 2. I, on the other hand, think that if the PSP Go was changed a little, it could have been marketed as a PSP 2 and would have more customers interested in purchasing said system. More customers interested in the system is a good thing for Sony. Instead, people compare the $250 PSP Go to the current PSP and don't see a reason to upgrade. A PSP 2 with a second analog nub (an addition the whole world is screaming for) with the promise of new games that use it would go a long way to help convince people to make the jump.

Moving people to the PSP Go is a good thing for Sony. The current distaste for the system is not good for Sony. With a bit more effort and common sense, the PSP Go could have turned into a killer system. It is a huge shame to see some poor decision making turn it into a sideline system like the GBA Micro.

The point is, there are a lot of options to make the PSP Go a roaring success. Sony could have gone with a kiosk system, a mail-in rebate program for old games, a cheaper price, games on ROM carts, introduced the PSP as a PSP 2... the list of inventive solutions goes on and on. Instead, Sony seems to want the Go to fail.

Sony is showing that they can make a competitively-priced effort with the launch of the PS3 Slim. Why is the PSP group going in the opposite direction?

Edit: I hope Sony is as successful (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/nintendo-sells-2-2-million-dsis-says-walmart-is-biggest-custome/) with their 'gimped' new handheld as Nintendo is with its new 'gimped' handheld.

[ElektroDragon]

The idea behind what Sony is doing in moving away from UMD and going the download route is a very good one, for a number of reasons. The foremost for me is that whatever game I buy on PSN can be put on both my PSP and my wife's, and played simultaneously! Awesome for portable multiplayer games! It's really like two games for the price of one! However, they blew it with the hardware! The Go is way too expensive (it should have cost LESS than the PSP 3000, since that model is way more flexible). They also reduced the screen size... which is a crime against all that is good.

I'd like to see the Go at $149 with a flip top system like the DS, or at least, have the screen slide UNDER the control area, so my screen gets protection.

[Ravenlock]

Haven't read the whole thread so maybe somebody already linked it, but Bill Harris has some interesting things to say (as he often does) about the Go over here (http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2009/10/console-handheld-post-of-week-curious.html). His "trojan horse" PSP 3000-seller idea is pretty far out there, but I think he's probably onto something in saying they're trying to compete with the iPhone.

He's also right, though, in saying that as it stands right now there's almost nothing to recommend the system at its current price to anyone who's even heard of the previous PSP models.

[J Arcane]

Not really. If you can find a Sony server that can saturate a theoretical 11Mps (so more like 5 megs real world) I will buy you a Go. I can understand the frustration with the device, but this is a lame argument that holds absolutely zero water. There is absolutely no reason that this device needs to be 802.11g. 802.11g tops out between 20 and 30Mps real world if I remember properly. The only time you would notice speed difficulties due to the network would be from wireless data transmission from another PC on your network, which the Go can't do anyway. Shit call me when you can find a Sony server that will spit out data faster than 3Mps.
Hi. I get a 20Mbps connection at home, and this in a podunk trailer park in central Oregon (thank you Qwest!). Before that we were on cable at 16Mbps.

I pretty routinely max out that pipe on my PC, and while the PS3 is generally non-informative as to throughput rates, I download 1-2GB demos regularly within a span of about 20 minutes or so.

Meanwhile, my PSP-1000 takes as much as half that just to download an 87MB Dissidia demo over wireless despite the router being about 20 feet from me in the same room.

Can I have a PSP Go?

[JayVe]

Haven't read the whole thread so maybe somebody already linked it, but Bill Harris has some interesting things to say (as he often does) about the Go over here (http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2009/10/console-handheld-post-of-week-curious.html). His "trojan horse" PSP 3000-seller idea is pretty far out there, but I think he's probably onto something in saying they're trying to compete with the iPhone.

He's also right, though, in saying that as it stands right now there's almost nothing to recommend the system at its current price to anyone who's even heard of the previous PSP models.

I've read this quote from Sony before...

If you bring out a new product, people aspire to that but they might not buy it, they might buy the PSP 3000 instead. Especially if they're part of a family - dad might buy the PSPgo but the kids might get PSP 3000s. I think that works quite well for us.That is quite a stretch though. The PSP 3000 has already been around for a while. Introducing a new product manufacturing line to sell your previous model is more than a little crazy. There are huge costs involved that essentially become 'throw-away' on a doomed electronic device. The same money could have been much better spent investing in, supporting and advancing the current model without having to create and slay a sacrificial console.

Sure, they COULD have made the Go as a reason to buy the 3000, but that is like car makers announcing that their 2011 models are gonna blow chunks, in order to get people to run out and pick up the 2010 models. It works, in the realm of conspiracy theories.

In order for 'aspirational' sales to work, people need to want the product. The general consensus is that the PSP Go isn't worth owning. That does not instill customers with confidence for long-term investments into new, untested platforms. Many may even see the debacle as an excuse to turn AWAY from the product line until the dust clears, kind of how people shied away from Sega as it lost focus and introduced numerous platforms such as the 32X and Sega-CD.

The whole 'aspirational' approach is bunk. Introducing the PS3 didn't cause PS2 sales to skyrocket while people 'aspired' to pick up a $600 console. What jumped PS3 sales is a price drop.

[Ravenlock]

Well like I said, I find it to be a questionable theory at best. I think their desire to compete with the iPhone is much more apparent and makes much more sense. The only problem with that is, they don't even come close to competing with the iPhone. ;)

[KidCactus]

Shit call me when you can find a Sony server that will spit out data faster than 3Mps.
I always get at least 15-20 Mbit when downloading from the Playstation Store, on the computer or PS3, both wired.

But downloading with the PSP over WiFi (802.11b) is significantly slower for me than downloading with the PS3 over WiFi (802.11g); I get about twice the speed on the PS3 compared to the PSP.

[JayVe]

Well like I said, I find it to be a questionable theory at best. I think their desire to compete with the iPhone is much more apparent and makes much more sense. The only problem with that is, they don't even come close to competing with the iPhone. ;)

Naturally, they consider the iPhone competition. Nintendo sees the iPhone as competition as well. Sony has been taking on the iPod in all its forms the moment they announced that the PSP would be the walkman of the 21st century.

Back in 2003 Sony's Ken Kutaragi, "the father of the Play Station", made a bold prediction. Announcing Sony's plans to enter the portable gaming market, he claimed the PlayStation Portable (PSP) would become "the Walkman for the 21st Century".

To suggest that Sony's console would not only make an impact on the market, but also match the success of the 1980s cultural icon that was the Walkman seemed to argue a self-confidence bordering on arrogance.

Sony chose to fight a war on multiple fronts... against Apple in the multimedia department, and Nintendo in the gaming department. Sun Tzu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Tzu) would be dismayed at the approach.

[Shadowstorm]

I'm not sure how the PSP Go is supposed to compete with the iPhone. One is primarily a phone, one is not.

[JayVe]

I'm not sure how the PSP Go is supposed to compete with the iPhone. One is primarily a phone, one is not.

They all compete for the end-user's pocket, attention, and dollars. They also compete for developer effort. If developers are making games for another platform (http://www.intomobile.com/2009/05/22/capcom-to-bring-more-iphone-games-this-year.html) instead of yours, you can bet it is seen as competition.

[total]

Meanwhile, my PSP-1000 takes as much as half that just to download an 87MB Dissidia demo over wireless despite the router being about 20 feet from me in the same room.

Can I have a PSP Go?

You sure can, you can have anything you want. However if you're trying to convince me that the PSP having a 802.11b adapter is the reason you have sub 1Mps download speeds you are out of luck. My guess is that it is a combination of a router issue and Sony's poor pipe performance. I can tell you that when I had my PSP and downloaded Jeanne D'Arc I didn't have an issue speedwise (at least as to what I've come to expect from Sony). If you'd like, I can set my router to b only mode and tell you what my laptop tops out at over it.

[Shadowstorm]

They all compete for the end-user's pocket, attention, and dollars. They also compete for developer effort. If developers are making games for another platform (http://www.intomobile.com/2009/05/22/capcom-to-bring-more-iphone-games-this-year.html) instead of yours, you can bet it is seen as competition.

Good point.

[total]

I always get at least 15-20 Mbit when downloading from the Playstation Store, on the computer or PS3, both wired.

But downloading with the PSP over WiFi (802.11b) is significantly slower for me than downloading with the PS3 over WiFi (802.11g); I get about twice the speed on the PS3 compared to the PSP.

Then you and Arcane are some of the few who actually get decent data rates from Sony. I've never gotten anywhere near 15Mps from Sony...and most everyone I've talked to is in the same boat.

[JayVe]

Then you and Arcane are some of the few who actually get decent data rates from Sony. I've never gotten anywhere near 15Mps from Sony...and most everyone I've talked to is in the same boat.

So, Sony can package the PSP Go with an older network technology because their server infrastructure isn't up to snuff? ;)

[KidCactus]

Then you and Arcane are some of the few who actually get decent data rates from Sony. I've never gotten anywhere near 15Mps from Sony...and most everyone I've talked to is in the same boat.
I'd say everyone I know get this kind of speed over here, both from our EU store and the US store.

[Gorvi]

Then you and Arcane are some of the few who actually get decent data rates from Sony. I've never gotten anywhere near 15Mps from Sony...and most everyone I've talked to is in the same boat.
I rarely have a problem with downloads, though it does happen from time to time. Typically I can get a 1 GB demo in about 15 minutes, though I've had times where that same amount of data takes twice as long. It's been rare, though, and I'm downloading via a wireless connection. My PS3 and 360 download at pretty much the same speeds.

[total]

So, Sony can package the PSP Go with an older network technology because their server infrastructure isn't up to snuff? ;)

I'm just saying that I don't see it as a huge ordeal. There are plenty of things to complain about with the Go. This is the last one I'd go for.

I'd say everyone I know get this kind of speed over here, both from our EU store and the US store.

Well son of a bitch.

I rarely have a problem with downloads, though it does happen from time to time. Typically I can get a 1 GB demo in about 15 minutes, though I've had times where that same amount of data takes twice as long. It's been rare, though, and I'm downloading via a wireless connection. My PS3 and 360 download at pretty much the same speeds.

You know what, fuck you all and your good download speeds. How do I change servers? I went and played MvsC2 for a while, ate some dinner and contemplated baking a cake in the time it took me to download Warhawk. And I'm on wired.

[J Arcane]

Sounds like the one with a hardware problem is you. ;)

I can give you that maybe my router's at fault, though I find it odd that you'll give everything from wireless G to the internet pipe itself the benefit of the doubt re: real world vs. theoretical speeds. You quote numbers suggesting real G speeds only hit 20-30 Mbps, but what happens if your B's being limited by the same factors? That 11mbps max could only wind up bein 5 or 6 Mbps, and that's in the range of most cheaper-than-dirt DSL lines these days.

Besides, the criteria was we get a free Go if we demonstrate being able to fill a pipe with Sony's servers, and if I can hit my internet cap on the PS3 on wired and wireless both (used to run it on G from across the house), surely I've qualified, right? Surely it's not the server slowing down my PSP if the same servers give my faster hardware as much as my internet can give it?

I'll take any console as long as I don't have to pay for it. ;)

[KidCactus]

That 11mbps max could only wind up bein 5 or 6 Mbps, and that's in the range of most cheaper-than-dirt DSL lines these days.
I get roughly about 4 Mbit with my PSP.

[total]

I get roughly about 4 Mbit with my PSP.

Which I said earlier would be the real world approximation. Around 5 I think were the words I used.

And you guys are haxxing the Sony servers. I don't pay out leet PSPs for haxxers.

[Philonious]

I bought one, it IS more portable but the small size will take getting used to. I do have a PSP-2000 (which replaced my PSP-1000) and it is running custom firmware so that I can run games off of the memory stick, a fact that make a portable system several times more portable. I just hope that they come around to allowing us the ability to covert physical media to digital media.

If people don't like it, they don't have to buy it. The 3000 is still available and will play downloadable games and UMDs. I'm not sure why people are so uptight over this.

[Yeti2005]

To put it more plainly, there's no reason yet to make a PSP2, at least not significant enough reason to actually put out a new console.

Ah but could you imagine a PSP with dual sticks? I'd buy that in a heartbeat. You're right though there's no real need for a sequel...yet.

[Gorvi]

Ah but could you imagine a PSP with dual sticks? I'd buy that in a heartbeat. You're right though there's no real need for a sequel...yet.
Oh, that'll be great when they do it, there just isn't a reason to put out a new system yet, as you said. I could put together quite a list detailing what I'd want for the next PSP (and DS).

[Ravenlock]

If people don't like it, they don't have to buy it. The 3000 is still available and will play downloadable games and UMDs. I'm not sure why people are so uptight over this.

I'm not uptight about it, but to talk as though its success or failure doesn't in some way impact everybody seems pretty naive to me. If Sony manages to release hardware that costs them less to make, has less functionality, is more resistant to piracy, gives the user no game re-sale rights, AND costs the user MORE, and they succeed with that, you can bet it'll influence what every hardware manufacturer does going forward. I want to see digital delivery succeed in the long run, but not like this.

And from a standpoint of principle, it's just a raw deal for the consumer in pretty much every way, and another seemingly arrogant move from a company that's been defining themselves by that attitude for several years. You get less functionality and more restrictions for 50% more money. I would advise a friend not to buy it unless and until every PSP-2000 / -3000 is gone from the shelves, so why wouldn't I espouse the same sentiment in a community of people I think well of?

[Sl1pstream]

Worst DRM ever.

So I downloaded my 3 rewards games yesterday. I downloaded them through my PS3, since that's wired and might be faster than the wireless PSP. After copying them to my Go, it told me that the copyright is invalid. So now I have 3 PSP titles on my PS3, tied to my PS3. I e-mailed Sony, but judging by the info I found, it doesn't really seem like they're all that eager to help.

[Gorvi]

Worst DRM ever.

So I downloaded my 3 rewards games yesterday. I downloaded them through my PS3, since that's wired and might be faster than the wireless PSP. After copying them to my Go, it told me that the copyright is invalid. So now I have 3 PSP titles on my PS3, tied to my PS3. I e-mailed Sony, but judging by the info I found, it doesn't really seem like they're all that eager to help.
Have you signed into the PSN with the same PSN ID with both? I think you need to "register" your PSP with your PS3, it's been a while since I transferred anything purchased that way.

[JayVe]

Worst DRM ever.

So I downloaded my 3 rewards games yesterday. I downloaded them through my PS3, since that's wired and might be faster than the wireless PSP. After copying them to my Go, it told me that the copyright is invalid. So now I have 3 PSP titles on my PS3, tied to my PS3. I e-mailed Sony, but judging by the info I found, it doesn't really seem like they're all that eager to help.

People use iTunes all the time, it's really not much different from that from what I've seen. The PSP Go probably can't handle background downloading and doing much else at the same time, so I'm not quite sure what more they could really do to make it easier.
I think these two posts point to a conflict.

[MagGnome]

That 11mbps max could only wind up bein 5 or 6 Mbps, and that's in the range of most cheaper-than-dirt DSL lines these days.

I wish that were true. I'm paying $30/month for 1.5 Mbps DSL. I only wish it were 5 or 6.

[TrackZero]

Worst DRM ever.

So I downloaded my 3 rewards games yesterday. I downloaded them through my PS3, since that's wired and might be faster than the wireless PSP. After copying them to my Go, it told me that the copyright is invalid. So now I have 3 PSP titles on my PS3, tied to my PS3. I e-mailed Sony, but judging by the info I found, it doesn't really seem like they're all that eager to help.

There's an "activate system" option somewhere in your PSP settings (as well as deactivate) which is tied to your PSN account. Just make sure that's activated.

[Gorvi]

I think these two posts point to a conflict.
It may very well be not following the instructions, you may want to find out what's really going on before jumping on it.

[Sl1pstream]

Have you signed into the PSN with the same PSN ID with both? I think you need to "register" your PSP with your PS3, it's been a while since I transferred anything purchased that way.

GT Mobile, which I also got for free worked. The PS1 games I download a while back also work and so does Tetris. The only games that don't work are the ones I got through the rewards thing. Apparently there's no way to download them through the PS3 to copy them to your system later.

It would've been awesome if the mail I got actually said that the only way to get them was if you downloaded them through the PSP itself.

I'm trying the activation option now. I'll edit my post.

Edit: Nope, still nothing

"The copyright protection information is invalid.
(8010850E)"

[KidCactus]

Edit: Nope, still nothing

"The copyright protection information is invalid.
(8010850E)"
You're not alone:

http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=59&thread.id=44590&view=by_date_ascending&page=2

[Sl1pstream]

I read that before.

So yeah, worst DRM ever. I can understand putting in something to make sure it only works on one system. The least they could've done was making sure it worked on the correct system.

[JayVe]

Sony could learn from this guy...

-5zdn79PNPA

[mightbe]

Then you and Arcane are some of the few who actually get decent data rates from Sony. I've never gotten anywhere near 15Mps from Sony...and most everyone I've talked to is in the same boat.

Yeah, I get about 220kbps to the Sony Store. Downloading Patapon 2 and PJMDlx took forever.

[mightbe]

GT Mobile, which I also got for free worked. The PS1 games I download a while back also work and so does Tetris. The only games that don't work are the ones I got through the rewards thing. Apparently there's no way to download them through the PS3 to copy them to your system later.

It would've been awesome if the mail I got actually said that the only way to get them was if you downloaded them through the PSP itself.

I'm trying the activation option now. I'll edit my post.

Edit: Nope, still nothing

"The copyright protection information is invalid.
(8010850E)"

Slippy, I got that same error when I first copied the games to my memory stick.

When I connected it to my computer via USB using the MediaGo app from the sony website and transferred the games that way, it told me my PSP was tied to a different account and would I like to tie it to this account instead. I clicked yes and it worked after that.

[Sl1pstream]

MediaGo won't even download the games again. I know my PSP is tied to the right account because all of my PS1 and PSP titles work (Patapon 2/Monster Hunter Freedom Unite/Gran Turismo), the only 3 titles that don't work are the Rewards titles.

MediaGo says that they only work on one system, so it won't even let me download them to my Go, since they got downloaded through my PS3 the first time. My PS3 lets me copy them over to my PSP, but they don't work. I can't redownload them on my PS3 because it tells me to use MediaGo. It's a DRM issue and Sony seems to be too lazy to fix it.

Which is bullshit.

I'm off tomorrow, so I'm going to call them. They still haven't answered the e-mail I sent them earlier this week.

[TrackZero]

I'd call them Wim. I'm pretty sure those downloads were some kind of one-time only thing and they didn't realize the glitch with the PS3 would happen, they're probably working to fix it.

[JayVe]

MediaGo won't even download the games again. I know my PSP is tied to the right account because all of my PS1 and PSP titles work (Patapon 2/Monster Hunter Freedom Unite/Gran Turismo), the only 3 titles that don't work are the Rewards titles.

MediaGo says that they only work on one system, so it won't even let me download them to my Go, since they got downloaded through my PS3 the first time. My PS3 lets me copy them over to my PSP, but they don't work. I can't redownload them on my PS3 because it tells me to use MediaGo. It's a DRM issue and Sony seems to be too lazy to fix it.

Which is bullshit.

I'm off tomorrow, so I'm going to call them. They still haven't answered the e-mail I sent them earlier this week.
Sounds like you aren't alone... (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/psa-dont-download-your-psp-go-rewards-games-to-your-ps3/)

What's worse: "upgrading" to a PSP Go knowing you won't get any kind of reward for (effectively) giving up access to your UMD collection, or thinking you'll get some bonus games and then having them snatched away at the last second, Charlie Brown-style?

Ask these PlayStation forum users, who discovered that a kink in the DRM for the free European rewards program games meant that downloading the games to a PS3 before copying them to a Go invalidated the licenses. In short, if you download your free games to a PS3 first, you will have not free games, but free large, useless files.

Sony is aware of the issue, advising new users to download their freebies directly to the PSP so they can play them at some point. If you've already made the "mistake" of redeeming your codes on the PS3? "We're still coming up with a solution for those who have redeemed the voucher and are now receiving the error message," forum moderator moshii says, "and we'll update you as soon as we have a solution for you."

Kind of makes you nostalgic for when the only method of transfer for games was from the box to the system via the "your hand" protocol, right?

The ''Good' news is, since the problem is getting some publicity, you are more likely to have a real solution.

[Sl1pstream]

I just called them. They heard about the problem before and they seem to be working on a solution.

He seemed relieved that I didn't yell at him. :p

[Adam Blue]

With Bluetooth, large internal and expandable storage, plus wifi and cell connect...I may get this after all, and use it as my primary MP3 player. Which, brings up a question. How good does it function as an MP3 player? It's just I need real buttons and Bluetooth on an MP3 player.

[Sl1pstream]

I really doubt that the battery is going to last very long if you're using bluetooth.

[Adam Blue]

I really doubt that the battery is going to last very long if you're using bluetooth.

Well, in my car I'd have it docked/charging. This would be a good way to carry phone, game handheld, MP3 player without....carrying them all. An all in one cell phone could almost do it. A few Sony Ericssons and Nokias would be close...but they are in the $600+ range.

[pseudopseudo]

Sony could learn from this guy...

-5zdn79PNPA

I came in here just to post that, you bastard. Haha.

If you can put up with the two of them (the girl annoys the piss out of me), you'll actually find that he created a better "next iteration" of the PSP than Sony did. That modded Slim is something I'd plunk down $250 for in a heartbeat.

OT: Drew, great review. I think you pretty much laid it out there perfectly.

[Adam Blue]

Well, this really isn't a PSP2. When the time comes they will add in the necessary features. I'm still curious how this works as an MP3 player. I might just mess with my 2000 and assume it's similar.

[Sl1pstream]

Do PSP games even support the second stick? It'd be kinda dumb to put a second one on there if the games don't support it. Even if it's just to show off your mad skillz.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Do PSP games even support the second stick? It'd be kinda dumb to put a second one on there if the games don't support it. Even if it's just to show off your mad skillz.

You can play it using a Dual Shock... maybe some games have a traditional controller setup as an option?

[pseudopseudo]

Do PSP games even support the second stick? It'd be kinda dumb to put a second one on there if the games don't support it. Even if it's just to show off your mad skillz.

I was curious about that too, so I looked up the schematics on a modding website - when you look at the innards, you're really just putting another set of the face buttons inside and then wiring the PSP to work with two sets. The nub is essentially just attached to a chassis where each direction corresponds to each different face button (triangle for up, cross for down, etc.).

[Shadowstorm]

PSP Go launch has become a nightmare for gamers, Sony (http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/10/psp-go-launch-has-become-a-nightmare-for-gamers-sony.ars):

Sony's DRM hurts the free-game program given to European PSP Go buyers, and a Sony exec explains why the UMD exchange program has been scrapped. The company is still insisting that it plans to take care of its loyal customers, but the PSP Go's early days have been nothing short of a disaster.

I have yet to see a single review of the PSP Go that constitutes a strong call to action. In fact, I've seen the opposite: this is the most savage response to a platform launch in recent memory.

With the DS, there was confusion about the purpose of the device - the functionality was so broad that it was difficult to discern their motive. With the PSP Go, the purpose is clear, and in review (http://gizmodo.com/5367059/pspgo-review-psp-goes-nowhere-you-havent-been) after review (http://gizmodo.com/5367059/pspgo-review-psp-goes-nowhere-you-havent-been) one sees the case built: the system is a campaign of aggression against both retailers and consumers.

Also, Jim Sterling from Dtoid posted his thoughts online (http://www.destructoid.com/diary-of-a-pspgo-upgrader-150666.phtml). Ouch.

[pseudopseudo]

Also, Jim Sterling from Dtoid posted his thoughts online (http://www.destructoid.com/diary-of-a-pspgo-upgrader-150666.phtml). Ouch.

My favorite scathing line still has to be from that original Ars article you posted:

"I absolutely love my PSP, but this new iteration of the platform is what would happen if a facepalm was turned into a piece of hardware."

I laughed too hard at that.

[Adam Blue]

Well, it's helping Sony as it's boosting sales of the 3000. I'm sure the people that know they want a PSP Go are getting it, and like most of us, have no problem getting around issues. It's quite common to have these issues.

These are funny reviews. We know technology does this shit. People were shitting on the Go since it was announced, and all it did was get carried over to the reviews...that people take seriously?

We know what the device is capable of and any info from community members is what would seal the deal in anyway. But the magnifying of these complaints are only silly and a waste of time, since this is fucking technology we're talking about here...this shit happens. Tycho brought up a good point by posting what he did. He's not agreeing or disagreeing.

This is no different than the DSi. Have a bunch of Nintendo points? can't use them here. GBA games? Nope. But it has a better UI, camera, and the option of downloading games, so it sounds great. These PSP Go complaints? Silly.

I don't have a PSP Go, and I'm still on the fence. As a non-biased gamer, I've only seen shitty reviews written on the thing. Track's made sense, as it went over the point of getting a new one, which is the minor conveniences to bring the current PSP up to date. Not a new system.

Hopefully we can move away from quoting different review sources and laughing, and maybe delve into some constructive discussion about the thing.

[Disgustipated]

Well, it's helping Sony as it's boosting sales of the 3000. I'm sure the people that know they want a PSP Go are getting it, and like most of us, have no problem getting around issues. It's quite common to have these issues.

These are funny reviews. We know technology does this shit. People were shitting on the Go since it was announced, and all it did was get carried over to the reviews...that people take seriously?

We know what the device is capable of and any info from community members is what would seal the deal in anyway. But the magnifying of these complaints are only silly and a waste of time, since this is fucking technology we're talking about here...this shit happens. Tycho brought up a good point by posting what he did. He's not agreeing or disagreeing.

This is no different than the DSi. Have a bunch of Nintendo points? can't use them here. GBA games? Nope. But it has a better UI, camera, and the option of downloading games, so it sounds great. These PSP Go complaints? Silly.

I don't have a PSP Go, and I'm still on the fence. As a non-biased gamer, I've only seen shitty reviews written on the thing. Track's made sense, as it went over the point of getting a new one, which is the minor conveniences to bring the current PSP up to date. Not a new system.

Hopefully we can move away from quoting different review sources and laughing, and maybe delve into some constructive discussion about the thing.

Good luck. The PSP Go is this generation's Virtual Boy/32X.

[Adam Blue]

Good luck. The PSP Go is this generation's Virtual Boy/32X.

That doesn't make sense since games aren't restricted to that console. Why by a slim when you can try to find a PS3 with BC?

[Ravenlock]

Hopefully we can move away from quoting different review sources and laughing, and maybe delve into some constructive discussion about the thing.

I guess I don't know what constructive discussion you want to have about it. Aside from the Bluetooth functionality and the ability to play PSP games with a real controller, I don't see what there is to talk about because everything else it can do was also done by an almost-5-years-old system on launch day. I mean, at least the DSi has DSi-Ware to differentiate itself from the DS Lite. DSi-Ware sucks, but it has the potential not to suck. The PSP Go's potential is, by definition, less than the potential of the already-existing PSP's.

I just don't see a way to view the hardware as anything other than consumer-unfriendly. It's a move towards digital distribution as the primary method of selling games, yes, but seemingly in the most hamfisted way possible. You pay more, and get less. What's there to talk about?

[Disgustipated]

That doesn't make sense since games aren't restricted to that console. Why by a slim when you can try to find a PS3 with BC?

You've got it wrong. I meant in the sense that it is a good idea horribly executed.

[Adam Blue]

You've got it wrong. I meant in the sense that it is a good idea horribly executed.

Beside the technically difficulties that have surfaced from the start (and will get ironed out), what is horribly executed? It's the same as a PSP, except all your games are obtained digitally...which is the point of it. The only thing bad would be if you don't want to have to re-buy your library....then it's not for you. Otherwise, there's nothing. Like, has anyone tried cell-connect? That feature sounds awesome. Controlling with the DS3? Bluetooth through a car stereo?

The problem with the 32X was its abandonment. There were great games in the works that got canned...mainly because of the incoming Saturn. Though, I personally like the 32X. There's a great deal of games on there that anyone with a Genesis should have...but that's another discussion.

The PSP Go already has a library of games for people that don't have a PSP or don't care to rebuy the library. Since you aren't forced to buy a UMD-less handheld, you can still play all of your old games. So in reality, there is no lose/lose here. Unless you just don't get it.

[mightbe]

Well, in my car I'd have it docked/charging. This would be a good way to carry phone, game handheld, MP3 player without....carrying them all. An all in one cell phone could almost do it. A few Sony Ericssons and Nokias would be close...but they are in the $600+ range.

My iPhone pretty much fits the bill. Gaming, audio, and more all via bluetooth or dock connection in my Sync system.

[Sl1pstream]

Ugh, still no word from Sony and the thing has been out for over 10 days.

I can see how it's taking them a while to fix stuff, but their only response has been "We're working on it". Can't they just take the DRM off of these things or upload new files that don't have the shitty DRM?

[Lutheran]

I love the PSP GO , I love it because I can carry it around in my back pocket. I love it because of the better screen and form factor, it fits perfectly in my hand. The analog nub and really the whole button setup is superior. And the ability to pause your game and do something else with it and then go back and continue is another great feature. I have played the PSP GO more in the past week or 2 then I did the Slim for the last 2 months I owned it. I know its overpriced and no UMD but I don't care about that.

[Adam Blue]

My iPhone pretty much fits the bill. Gaming, audio, and more all via bluetooth or dock connection in my Sync system.

Well, the Bluetooth is very limited, as is what can be done with the software. Even by jailbreaking the device is somewhat limited. I still keep it around for the games though....plus I love physical buttons, expandable memory.

[Sl1pstream]

So, 3 weeks later, give or take a few days, and they still haven't solved their shitty DRM problem. They haven't given an explanation either, apart from "we're working on it".

[JayVe]

So, 3 weeks later, give or take a few days, and they still haven't solved their shitty DRM problem. They haven't given an explanation either, apart from "we're working on it".

Sorry man. :(