PSPgo

By Tom Bramwell Published 18 August, 2009

We have an extended go go.

It was the worst kept secret since, I dunno, hands. It was a secret so poorly kept that, having already kept it poorly enough that everyone knew about it anyway, Sony even managed to announce it by accident, on video, a few days before E3. It was a secret so poorly kept that Sony America boss Jack Tretton joked he was surprised anyone turned up. But now we actually have a PSPgo in the office, it turns out the shy old girl was keeping a few of her own secrets.

But before we get onto that, let's remind each other what we're on about. The PSPgo launches on 1st October for £224.99 / €249.99, although you can trim that down by shopping around. It's fundamentally the same system as the PSP-3000 in software terms, notwithstanding a few nips and tucks in the firmware, but instead of UMD games it feasts exclusively on downloads, stored either on the internal 16GB flash disk or Memory Stick.

Externally, however, it's a radical shake-up, as you can see in today's Eurogamer TV Show. Whereas the two iterations of the Slim & Lite concentrated on reducing bulk through internal miniaturisation, the PSPgo adds to that with a slide-screen design that shields the d-pad, analogue nub, start/select and face buttons from view when closed, and a smaller, 3.8-inch LCD screen. With the UMD drive removed, the whole thing is considerably smaller even than the PSP-3000 - losing about half a centimetre each in width and height and a whopping five or so across its length. Next to the original PSP, it is as ants appear to man.

Despite the reduction in size and weight, the PSPgo also packs in some new functionality. Bluetooth support means that you can sync it up to a headset, which will be handy for SOCOM fans, but it also means that you can make it talk to a PS3 controller - either Sixaxis or DualShock 3. This means that, with a component cable making use of the surviving external display support, games like WipEout Pulse and Ridge Racer 2 - or indeed anything else - can be played as though on a home console. For those of you who fancy taking advantage of the PlayStation Store's growing volume of PSone games, that's an interesting prospect.

'PSPgo' Screenshot 1

The onboard speakers sound a bit more powerful, but they're still pretty tinny.

Not that it's unpleasant to play games natively. The compact design means that the analogue nub has had to be positioned closer to the centre next to start/select, inside the d-pad and face buttons, which are in more comfortable positions. The nub itself is smaller, and I'm finding it easier to grip than the old one, while the now-microswitched d-pad and face buttons (you know, clicky) are likeable enough alternatives to the squidgy originals. Shoulders are fine, and the original external controls - the PS, volume, brightness and music buttons, and power and Wi-Fi locks - can all be found distributed around the exterior, along with all sorts of LEDs.

As with all handhelds, however, there are some quirks to consider. For instance, there's no raw USB port anywhere on the exterior any more. Not mini-USB, not micro-USB. There's no slot for your existing PSP component cable either. Instead there's a presumably-all-purpose new port for the PSPgo's power connector, which is about the same thickness as the iPhone/iPod charging cable, about three quarters the width, and terminates in a male USB connector. This can either go into your PC or PS3 for file transfers and charging, or into a regular-looking AC adapter. Expect some replacement cables to arrive on the market around launch, then, and probably a dock.

This makes for some peculiar contortions to get at some of the new functionality. Sony appears to have missed a trick with the PS3 pad support, for example, which would have been great for PSP owners who didn't own a PS3 but wanted to use the pad and an external display. Sadly that's not really an option, because a PS3 is required as an intermediary to sync the PSPgo to a Sixaxis or DualShock 3. The process is relatively painless, but seems less than optimal, especially as you have to retake the PSPgo's Bluetooth vows if it talks to a PS3 in the meantime.

Plus, you might as well chuck out your Memory Stick Pro Duo, because PSPgo uses the new Memory Stick Micro, or M2, sometimes seen in mobile phones. All very well if you've got one, but you might not. I didn't. On the plus side, games can be stored on the PSPgo hard disk or the M2, by the looks of it, potentially doubling your capacity when using the currently-maximum 16GB option. Transfer speeds over USB to the hard disk and M2 are comparable - about 90 seconds for a 700MB file.

One other notable change is that the battery can no longer be removed. As for how long it lasts, I've not had the PSPgo long enough to run any decent tests (and it has to go home today - boo!), but despite bouncing around some of the onboard demos and sampling various media for several hours, it's still going strong with two bars left. I'd love to be more precise, but for some reason the battery information option has disappeared from the system menu in the new 5.71 firmware included on our unit.

Thanks to the device's previous guardians, I've also had to stare in a mixture of lust and sadness at the installed copies of Gran Turismo PSP, LittleBigPlanet, Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier and MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, none of which can be coaxed into working. Apparently this is down to a firmware issue, although the error message mentions that the wrong PSN account is in use - a reminder that with the PSPgo now reliant upon downloadable content you'll need to be the authorised user.

'PSPgo' Screenshot 2

Good news, strap fans! There's still a hole to put a strap through. Awesome.

So, all things considered, would I buy one? The answer's much the same as it was with the PSP-3000, really: It's a nicer device, despite the reduced screen and oddly-positioned analogue nub, and providing Sony can come up with an adequate way to transition my old UMD favourites like Lumines and Puzzle Quest to the Store without forcing me to fork out more cash, I'll be content enough with the new world order.

What's putting me off, however, is the price, and the irritating decision to "upgrade" Memory Stick compatibility and render my old component cable obsolete. With that said, as a new entry point to Sony's oft-maligned handheld business, this is a handsome update, even if Apple will probably continue sleeping soundly.

PSPgo launches in Europe on 1st October for £224.99 / €249.99 SRP. Check out the latest Eurogamer TV Show for a walkthrough of the device.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (68) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Adman #1 3 years ago

    Would love to have one, but the price is unjustifiable.

    I see play.com have it for 225 quid, right next to a PSP-3k bundled with Monster Hunter for 135 quid. I don't think enough people can justify paying the extra 90 to make the console a success at release.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/09 @ 08:18

  • Lynchman #2 3 years ago

    that pic reminds me... How come we never saw an EG Patapon 2 review....?

  • Rodster #3 3 years ago

    There is nothing about the PSPGo that attracts me to it and i'm talking about the hardware and it's features. I still have a PSP Phat and i'm still happy with it. The price is also a huge negative for the Go as well. This unit should have been around the same price point as the Nintendo DSi.

  • Whizzo #4 3 years ago

    As much as I'd like to have a new toy that pricing is just bizarre.

  • DUFFMAN5 #5 3 years ago

    I have one on pre order (£180 price) but can't decide if I want it or not. I could buy the Beatles Rock band or put the money towards a ps3!
    I do like the look and sound of Assassins Creed and Resi on the psp go though, decisions decisions

  • EmiliasHorse #6 3 years ago

    I have two PSP's, I can download FFVII to the PS3 then copy to both PSP's....Are you telling me the PSPgo will prevent this?

  • bad09 #7 3 years ago

    I posted on the EGTV, I do want one but I'll have to give up so much giving up CF and will pay through the nose to do it. So it's a pass until DA and a cheaper price work their magic.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #8 3 years ago

    I was all set to get one of these but the lack of proper external ports, the replacement of Pro Duo memory with M2 and a non removable battery make it a no go for me, at least in the short term.

    With the price being so high and the feature set being cut to shreds, its a bit of a dodo to be honest.

    Oh and the complete silence (until perhaps this afternoon) about how to use your existing UMD games on the PSPGo is just bizarre.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #9 3 years ago

    @disc - Great question. I would assume it would act as a USB host and let you mount the internal storage as another mass storage device. But looking at the other disappointments on this machine, that assumption may be proved incorrect.

  • Auzsiescooter #10 3 years ago

    Personally I believe this will be a comercial failure, which is dissapointing as I would like to see Sony do well, as they havnt had much success latley

    My reason for this is mainly price, who wants to by a handheld that costs more than a console?
    Also with it unlikley that people will be able will be to transfer their existing psp games it looks even less atracrive.
    My final reason is that this is going to be selling along side the psp 3000 which is half the price with all games coming to both systems, it's baffling

    Anyway that's just my opinion

  • DUFFMAN5 #11 3 years ago

    Do we have any idea how long after release Sony will still be putting games out via Download and UMD. If UMD is going to be supported for a while after I may just opt for a psplite

  • JohnnyWashnGo #12 3 years ago

    Sonys Media Go software doesn't work very well with Linux or Unix does it?

    Would make it hard for me to use at home... I suppose the PS3 could be used as well in that case.

  • lucky_jim #13 3 years ago

    This actually sounds like a pretty good piece of kit, especially if Sony stick to their promise of pricing downloadable games in a similar bracket to the iPhone's (something which I'll only believe when I see it!). It's a shame they've had to balls it up with such a ridiculous price for the hardware, I can't help but feel this machine is doomed already: which is a real pity.

  • Colin8703 #14 3 years ago

    I like the kit but if I cannot transfer all of my 20 or so UMD games to it then there will be no upgrade as far as I'm concerned.

    Obviously the prcie helps even less.

  • Auzsiescooter #15 3 years ago

    @ duffman
    Sony said at e3 that they will continue to support both systems, I assume that means indeffinatley, but only time will tell

  • raion #16 3 years ago

    I guess that's just for bragging rights then.
    I'm better than you because my psp is more expensive and smaller than... wait. wasn't it the other way around?

  • Beek4257 #17 3 years ago

    It's a nice enough piece kit, but then again so is my PSP lite (which is only about a 1,5 years old). Sony are going to have to market the crap out of this to make me feel the need to own one, especially at that price point.
    (BTW: GBP=Euro. Eh?)

  • septimus #18 3 years ago

    Expensive, but so is an Apple iPod Touch 16GB, and that seems to be doing pretty well.

    I can't justify it, though I would love to own a PSPGo and GT, but otherwise it offers nothing over my iPhone 3GS.

  • Nephirion #19 3 years ago

    Heres what the marketing survey would have said:

    a) I would never pay more than £150 for a handheld
    b) I already own a PSP
    c) I have less money due to the global recession

    £225? Really Sony, good luck with that

  • SYS64738 #20 3 years ago

    "My reason for this is mainly price, who wants to by a handheld that costs more than a console?"

    Those who don't want a non-portable console that also requires a TV.

    I must say my inner voice of reason tries to urge me not to touch the Go, as my S&L does its job very well indeed. However I'm a sucker for new gadgets and could use the Go for proper mobile gaming (seems that it really fits into a small pocket now) and keep the S&L for couch gaming and playing my rather large UMD collection, as I don't believe that many of my (partly imported games) will ever see the light of day on PSN (euro). So I'm likely to get this in October - despite all the (many many) silly and unnecessary niggles.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/09 @ 09:39

  • RexRunti #21 3 years ago

    I can't see Game, HMV et al playing ball with the marketing hype on this. They'd probably make as much profit on a PSP 3000 with a couple of games but won't see the customer again for any new games just perhaps a one time visit for extra cables.

  • waynenot #22 3 years ago

    Hope the boxes are treated with a dust- repelling compound for Europe. Arrogant, silly pricing (again).

  • Retroid #23 3 years ago

    At £125 this would been a good deal. At the RRP Sony are wanting it's doomed to competition from UMD-equipped PSPs and the second-hand market as there's nothing to stop older models from accessing the download store and people just adding their own storage which, IIRC, you can't do on this model.

  • photoboy #24 3 years ago

    Looks quite nice, once the firmware gets hacked and the price becomes realistic I'll buy one.

  • Retroid #25 3 years ago

    Besides, I've beem enjoying Fuse (Spectrum emulator) and VICE (Commodore C64 emulator) on my PSP lately, and I somehow doubt they'll be a way to run those on the Go for the time being at least.

  • #26 3 years ago

    IMO I wouldnt buy one of these if they were £100. The reason being is my phat psp has custom firmware. This out weighs every single benefit that the pspgo has no matter what the price.

    If it was hackable and £150 I would consider it but why would I upgrade when I already have a PSP that can do so much more?

  • DonnieDarko333 #27 3 years ago

    The price is ridiculous! Surely they'll announce a price drop today!

  • Toothball #28 3 years ago

    I'll probably still get one. I'm lamenting the loss of some of the features like regular USB port, and also the state of the Euro store. That's a more general concern though.

  • hana_fubuki #29 3 years ago

    Retailers seem to be very aware of just how ludicrous the price is. At least some of them will come up with special offers.

    Here in France (where the PSPgo costs a ridiculous €250 - still not as ridiculous as your £250), every preorder on Amazon.fr comes with a download voucher for Gran Turismo PSP.
    For those who were planning on getting GT, it does make the system somewhat more attractive, effectively shaving €40 off the price.

    As for GAME, their French website is currently running a survey of sorts about the PSPgo, asking people to weigh in on the new portable.
    I did take time to write down my concerns (price, mystery "UMD replacement program", loss of access to the used market, etc.), and concluded that I wouldn't be buying the system. I'm hoping that if enough people voice negative opinions, GAME too will do something to sweeten the deal.

    I could still be persuaded to purchase the Go, but certainly not at 250 with no bundled games (not when I have a perfectly-functioning PSP-2000).

    I'll be crazy for a second here and hope that Sony will stun us all by announcing a new 200€/$ price point for the PSPgo at their GamesCom presser.
    (Hey, I did say "crazy".)

  • schnide #30 3 years ago

    Sony Fuck Up Potentially Good Product Shocker!

  • JohnnyWashnGo #31 3 years ago

    Sony snatches defeat from the jaws of victory - news at ten ;)

  • Fodder #32 3 years ago

    Have they put in a scaler on the TV output this time? Playing with PS3 pads would be nice, but not if you can only play the games in a small window in the middle of the screen.

    Though I still won't get one until the vague "we'll do something to let you play your UMDs" thing is made more clear, given that all the downloadable games are playable on my existing PSP and PSN versions of retail games can be up to three times the price of the disk version.

  • Meho #33 3 years ago

    I already wrote about it at length when the thing was announced (here, if anyone cares: http://tap-repeated ly.com/?p=3052 ): Sony continues not knowing who they are trying to target with their products and what their products are supposed to do. PSPgo is great on paper, but in reality it sounds as it's coming bundled with many problems... On top of that, Sony have proven over the past several years they are not able to properly manage one product, now they feel they can manage two similar but essentially different ones? I'll believe it when I see it.

    I won't be buying one for now, not the least because my existing collection of UMDs and the CFW I use on my phat beat any advantage PSPgo might have in the size/ weight department.

  • Darren #34 3 years ago

    Ouch! That £250 price point hurts.

    Although the PSPGo is a lovely-looking handheld, I fail to see any justification for it being more than £150 tops. People are still complaining the PS3 is expensive at ASDA's £250 so what are they going to say about a handheld costing as much? :?

  • Goffee #35 3 years ago

    Just got an X360 and will keep my PSP 1000J thanks! no silly media-breaking upgrade required and lots of new games to get...

  • Jamieb87 #36 3 years ago

    No thank you, think I'll stick to my iPhone. I've got a 360 for any 'proper gaming' I might want to do and I find that the only games I wanna play on the move are all relatively simple and short lived so I could never justify £250 on a handheld. You can get any of the main consoles for that price. Also I can't help feeling that some people may feel a little cheated if they get a go and then ps phone comes out 6 months later.

  • electrolite #37 3 years ago

    Two.
    Hundred.
    And.
    Fifty.
    Pounds.


    (blinks)


    Why not just include a free dose of swine flu to make it even less attractive?!

  • RESIDENT_nEVILe #38 3 years ago

    Cheaper to produce = Twice as expensive

    Yeah, I think not Sony. Nice try though.

  • miiiguel #39 3 years ago

    I want a PSP to replace my phat, though I will definetly give Sony sometime to think this over. I mean the 3000 was released, what... 4 months ago?

  • hana_fubuki #40 3 years ago

    @ electrolite - Because swine flu is too easy to catch. They need something more... exclusive.
    Anthrax? A small pox comeback?

  • squeakyg #41 3 years ago

    "MotorStorm: Arctic Edge"? Uh-oh!

  • PrivateJoker #42 3 years ago

    There will be loads of people like me upgrading from the PSP Phat and also 1st time buyers. Yes it's expensive but it will still sell shit loads.

  • Spooke #43 3 years ago

    The Nintendo route of 'do one thing really well' only works if people want what that thing that it does really well.

    Personally I would have made it smaller and wrapped it up with Walkman and made an iPod type games, music and video device, that would have sold, this won't, in my opinion.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/09 @ 12:45

  • Spooke #44 3 years ago

    yeah but you can't compare it to an iPod touch, it needs a far smaller form factor, this is still very much a games machine at heart.

  • Spooke #45 3 years ago

    to put it another way, if you wanted a music a video device that did some other stuff too, you wouldn't even consider this. You'd automatically go for an iPod or the new Zune HD.

  • GamesConnoisseur #46 3 years ago

    Outlay is far more than PS3 I would say! PSPGo new memory, cables and probably couple of must have umd games repurchased if cannot get those to work!

    YOU would be better off getting PS3 or Elite than PSPgoin term of value for money!

    I got 2 PSPs n traded in first one (fat) for 3000 and I would have considered PSPgo if there was a lot more to it, but sadly doesn't see anything to JUSTIFY the steep investment!

    Only for those with more money than sense!

  • Sonic_D #47 3 years ago

    HA Ha ha ha ha ah hah, £250 for a handheld that is essentially an older handheld in new packaging. This is crazy even when compared with Sony's usual pricing farces.

  • WinterSnowblind #48 3 years ago

    I've been looking to get a PSP, but I think it's all already been said.

    £250/225 whatever, is totally ridiculous. That's more expensive than a Wii or 360, which are frikken consoles. I only payed £200 for my PS3, I am not going to pay that much for a PSP.

    I'm not against the idea of download only games.. And Sony aren't the only ones guilty of this, as Games on Demand shows, but why should I pay £25-30 to download a game, when most stores are selling them for £17 brand new, in box? I think I'll be getting a 3000.

  • bad09 #49 3 years ago

    donnie080208 PSP REQUIRES wireless connection not ACTS as one. As far as I know no WiFi, no PSP internet.

    Oh and dude please don't tell me you are still paying for the silly movie UMDs, you can convert your own DVDs you know.
    Edited by 2 at 18/08/09 @ 13:43

  • zarglu #50 3 years ago

    At this price point, I'd rather get an iPod.
    Especially considering the games will be overpriced as the current price PSP titles go on PSN.

  • bad09 #51 3 years ago

    @ donnie080208

    No hacking invlolved at all. All you need is your PC and a DVD-PSP converter - some of those are even free!

    EDIT - I don't think the PS3 can act in that way TBH - but then I've never tried it myself
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/09 @ 13:51

  • electrolite #52 3 years ago

    For £250 you could get an Ipod Touch AND a used DS Lite or PSP 1/2000. It's ridiculous.

    @donnie 080208

    No PSP can't act as a wi-fi connection, and no you don't need a hack to be able to watch DVD's you convert yourself

  • Burkey123 #53 3 years ago

    WAY too expensive.

  • brombeer #54 3 years ago

    Finally we all agree! No name calling; fanboyism or whatever. It really is a beautiful day today. It IS way too expensive, Sony. Even if I have a phat waiting to be replaced (the drive is buggered) and the money to spend, I won't buy this one, thank you.

  • drumbaby #55 3 years ago

    I'll definitely get one...eventually.

  • kuzanagi #56 3 years ago

    @donnie080208

    Yes, if you have a PS3 then you can use that as a connection point for your PSP irrespective of whether the PS3 is connected by WiFi or by Network cable. It's in the Connection Settings on your PSP.

  • beep #57 3 years ago

    Does the PSPgo screen suffer the same infamous (nitpicking?) interlacing issues that the PSP3000 screen has?

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #58 3 years ago

    "Expensive, but so is an Apple iPod Touch 16GB, and that seems to be doing pretty well."

    The iPod Touch 16GB has an RRP almost £40 lower (£215) than the PSPGo, and can be bought brand new for £195 (or for £5 if you're clever). It has an existing library of thousands of games, many of which are superb and cost 59p. It's much smaller and lighter, has a touch screen interface, and is a brilliant media player. Sony's completely dribbling-mental pricing of the PSPGo is going to sell a shitload of iPod Touches and iPhones.

    Not unrelatedly, isn't it weird how the games industry's genius brainwave for coping with a recession is to crank the price of everything up? £55 games, 360 price hikes, XBLA price hikes, extortionate plastic-toy bundles and now a half-crippled remake of a dying machine accompanied by a DOUBLING of the price for exactly the same hardware standards (more if you factor in the need to replace all the bits). No wonder Nintendo and Apple are struggling to breathe under piles of money.
    Edited by 1 at 18/08/09 @ 17:50

  • Mono_X #59 3 years ago

    The PSP GO is always going to be more expensive than a standard PSP.

    When a retailer sells you any kind of console they make very little profit. Most of their profit comes from selling you games over the consoles lifespan.

    Since with the PSP GO, the retailer doesn't get to sell you any games, they have to make all that profit from just the console.

    So either Sony has to lower their margin and swallow the extra cost, or it's passed on to the consumer. Take a guess what happened.

    I imagine that this will be the case for all future consoles that only support direct distribution.

  • Caspar_Esq. #60 3 years ago

    This generations SEGA CD? It certainly has that smell about it doesn't it? Expensive piece of kit that nobody is too fussed about...

  • Everblue #61 3 years ago

    When you say "LAUNCHES IN EUROPE"....

    Do you mean *ALL* of Europe, or just the minority of countries which have a PlayStation Store?

    I would love a reply from SCEE about this one!

  • Ryze #62 3 years ago

    I reckon I'll be spending £80 or less on a second hand PSP Slim to keep legal for PSN downloads.

    That's the most I'll be spending until the PSP gets a right-analogue, touchscreen, motion controls and analogue L+R buttons.

    This PSPgo is the PSP that should have come along in 2007 with the PS3. Except with a right-analogue.

    The goalposts have moved with the iPhone 3GS - so I can shop for one of those, and wait 3 years for Sony to catch up... then the Xboy will appear and make them look daft again with its new fangled functionality and 3G / Wi-Max Xbox live mobile gubbins.

    Hopefully.

    /waits

    /shops for cheap trade-in PSP Slims

    /shops for iPhone 3GS

    /expects bitterness and hate, as the truth hurts
    Edited by 1 at 19/08/09 @ 00:51

  • InternetRed #63 3 years ago

    It's rather a lot of cash for as people have said, an updated model. I am starting to get more into my PSP again (amusingly through Phantasy Star and Innocent Life!), but the price is high, and also i'd have to carry around two PSPs, one for the UMD games, which although there might be some kind of redemption policy, will involve sending in your original game for the privalige to download it (which means bang goes my collecting.)

    I think I'll get that last PSP that came out, (I've got the first release model), and then wait for the PSPGo to either come down in price, or to have some 'must have' apps that only that machine can use.

    The sad thing is, I'm getting an iPod Touch in Sept (on holiday), just so I can play the apps and games. If the PSPGo had a touch screen when closed, and had more focus on apps/small games, I'd have spent the money on that instead.

  • MaxiSleep #64 3 years ago

    I really cant believe that sony are going with this (extortionate) pricing in current economic circumstances. They seam determined to give apple the win here.

    They really are a useless bunch of tossers at times.

  • theiceman #65 3 years ago

    PSPGOin goin gone....

  • Wildsleven #66 3 years ago

    cool, prolly gonna pick one up!, really want a new psp as i was stupid enough to get mine stolen lol!

  • ScottyXTUK #67 3 years ago

    Only an idiot would buy one of these at that ludicrous price. I'd like one but no way am I paying that much.

    I'll wait until the price drops or just get a PSP3000.

  • ondines_curse #68 2 years ago

    Can someone please explain how the PSPgo differs from my PSP fat with a 16gb memory card?