Pre-E3 2009: PSP Go revealed

PSP News | Confirmation comes early.

It hasn't been the best kept secret, but even so, we're a little surprised to wake up this morning to the news that the newest PSP model has been confirmed. It's especially surprising, given that Sony's E3 press conference is only a few days away. The 'slip' was made during an episode of Sony's subscription-based online service Qore, where the host, Vericona Belmont is given a tour of the PSP Go by SCEA Director of Hardware, John Koller.

The specifications of the PSP Go and information from the video are as follows:

Sliding interface that reveals the buttons underneath the top portion
3.8-inch display, but the resolution is undisclosed
43% lighter than the PSP-3000
16GB of built-in Flash storage
Bluetooth to support handset tethering and BT headsets
No UMD drive
Memory Stick Micro slot
Full PlayStation Network support, including movie and TV rentals/purchases
Integration with PlayStation 3, similar to the PSP-3000 does

While it has been speculated for some time, the lack of a UMD drive is looks like it has been finally realised. Furthemore, we're given a demostration of LittleBigPlanet Portable, as well as hints of the long fabled Gran Turismo and a new Metal Gear Solid. To add to this, Koller believes that the PSP-3000 and PSP Go will co-exist together, with the assertion that Sony views each of its products to have a "10-year lifecycle". However, he expected that developers will eventually start creating more tailored games of for the PSP Go, namely smaller and sharper experiences.

Some pictures of the new device can be seen in the media panel. While there are a lot of questions still surrounding the PSP Go, such as how retail and downloadable games will be supported, we'll bring you more on the PSP Go and other major announcements as E3 runs through out the week.

Full PSP Go video from Qore

Media

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43 Comments

Shadow Wave

2 years ago

No 2nd joystick? thats bloody stupid. EVERYONE wanted a 2nd joystick... Ahh well, guess I wont be buying this then...

rankodour

2 years ago

That's a really ugly design, I have to say!

chickenplucka

2 years ago

Shadow Wave wrote

No 2nd joystick? thats bloody stupid. EVERYONE wanted a 2nd joystick... Ahh well, guess I wont be buying this then...

I didn't. It's a handheld console for short sharp and easy gaming experiences.
A second analouge stick wouldnt be comfortable on it's compact design. I already get enough thumb cramp with the one analogue design.
Some of the best games dont even use the analogue stick, like Loco Roco and Patapon, and even the more full on games like God of War play perfectly with no need for a second controller.

A13x

2 years ago

Second control stick would vastly expand the game possibilities for the platform.

FPS titles especially would be able to take advantage of it, as without a means to control both foot movement and eye direction simultaneously, it makes things pretty hard. Not to mention camera control in many other titles or an alternative set of direction mapped actions.

They could have easily put the start and select buttons in the blank middle area out of the way, and had the bevelled area on the right available for another nub.

Mr Waffle

2 years ago

Ok, so the most vitally important piece of information has been left unmentioned... my UMD games. What about them?

Given Sony's attitude towards its customers, I can see a big fat "Hah! Thanks for the support, jackass!" on the horizon...

I've never used one of those slidy phones, so I don't know how sturdy those are, but it looks really flimsy and uncomfortable to hold... the weight of the screen is above the 'line' between your hands, so the balance (or lack thereof) means your hands will tire a lot faster...

trixSTAR

2 years ago

I was actually expectly them to integrate touch screen, so when the screen is closed its like the iphone/ipod touch (and media player), then with the screen open it was like the classic psp.

Since they don't say much about the screen it could be true, but then again the cost would be higher. I guess we will find out in a few days.

donovan515

2 years ago

This is not a new PSP hence no second analogue stick or touch screen.

It's supplementing the PSP-3000 not replacing it, so you UMDs are still always viable.

I'll probably pick one because it looks easier on the pocket as a music player and the bluetooth will definately be handy.

Vervain

2 years ago

donovan515 wrote

This is not a new PSP hence no second analogue stick or touch screen.

It's supplementing the PSP-3000 not replacing it, so you UMDs are still always viable.

To continue on what Donovan said this is basically the same situation as Nintendo with their DSi and Ds Lite sort of thing. Just with a lot more changes.

Mr Waffle

2 years ago

lol, 'supplementing'. How ridiculous. Having features you want split across two different pieces of hardware is just absurd, and extremely detrimental to the consumer. The PSP has a small market share as it is, Sony can't pull the same "look at our shiny new toy!" that Nintendo can with their loyal herd...

Macka

2 years ago

I'm disappointed. I really expected Sony to listen to what their customers has been saying for years. The PSP needs a second nub. As Alex said, it would allow for different types of games to work well on the system, most notably, the FPS genre, which most shooter fans wouldn't even consider playing only one nub.

Apart from that, I think that the screen is a touch-screen. It just looks like it would be and I think Sony would want to match their competition, with the iPhone/Touch and DS both having touch screens. I also think that this model will be far more media friendly and will support more formats of video, etc.

Vervain

2 years ago

Macka wrote

Apart from that, I think that the screen is a touch-screen. It just looks like it would be and I think Sony would want to match their competition, with the iPhone/Touch and DS both having touch screens. I also think that this model will be far more media friendly and will support more formats of video, etc.

Yeah with the huge face screen and no other buttons in sight (Other than the home button) one would indeed assume that they've got a touchscreen up in that thing so we can use it without having to flip it open.

A13x

2 years ago

Noticed that they've changed the usb connection on it away from the common Mini-B connector, and have changed it to a proprietary connection, meaning that to connect it with your PC, or PS3, or to charge it, you will need to have a special cable.

Whether it comes with it or not, it means replacing a cable will be a more expensive task as you won't be able to use just any USB cable like you could with the last 3 PSPs.

From a retail point of view, the console will be an odd one to market, as customer's won't be able to buy software for it in-store anymore, and will be limited to having a computer with an internet connection in order to put games onto it.

I guess it's not too different to the way iPods are sold, they require internet access to get iTunes, have a proprietary connector, and all pricing for media is regulated by the parent company in an online store.

Eyce

2 years ago

It would have to have a touch screen.

There's literally no point to having a slider device like that with absolutely no usable buttons when it's in its smaller state.

The Brett

2 years ago

I love it, I don't want a touch screen because then it'd basically be an iPhone, and I have one. I think it's quite unique and puts itself in a position to offer a different kind of portable gaming experience than the DS and iPhone.

EDIT: Man, EB and co are going to be pissed. There's another console gone from physical media.

Bronze

2 years ago

Awesome.

Can't wait to pick one up when it launches here later in the year.

Will have to ditch my UMDs when I get back to Australia, but... eh, I think it's worth it. I can't resist whenever a new iteration of a console is released.

I've had a DS Phat, DS Lite, and now I've got a metallic blue DSi. I bought a PSP, a PSP Slim, and holding out now for the PSP Go. Had a 360 Pro, now I've got a 360 Elite. Kinda stupid thinking about it really, there's not a hell of a lot of difference functionality-wise.

The Brett

2 years ago

Mr Waffle wrote

I wouldn't call them loyal, the new Nintendo fans are all casual gamers. They'd willingly flock to the newest cool gadget at the drop of a hat. Want to know what Nintendo's real "loyal herd" is? Have a look at Gamecube sales.

Spanca

2 years ago

Eyce wrote

It would have to have a touch screen.

There's literally no point to having a slider device like that with absolutely no usable buttons when it's in its smaller state.

Compact form for watching movies?

lapzod

2 years ago

Mr Waffle wrote

lol, 'supplementing'. How ridiculous. Having features you want split across two different pieces of hardware is just absurd, and extremely detrimental to the consumer.

Because it's not like Nintendo did the same...oh wait, they did...the DS wasn't supposed to replace the GBA...

I don't mind this PSP, it looks pretty decent, but I'd like to see what it's like in use first.

RhysDeschain

2 years ago

EB won't be too pissed off. The PSP doesn't sell as it is so I don't see too much changing

The Brett

2 years ago

RhysDeschain wrote

EB won't be too pissed off. The PSP doesn't sell as it is so I don't see too much changing

Not selling? Ok, maybe relative to the DS, but the PSP is a smash compared to most electronics products. That thing would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to EB. Possibly even billions.

Dare

2 years ago

Not sure how i feel about this Sony decision yet, especially the lack of UMD & along with that retail sales & people being aware of it etc

seems risky, i'll wait till a bit more info before i consider getting one of these

RhysDeschain

2 years ago

I work at EB. I'm telling you, the PSP doesn't sell. Even PS2 stuff sells better.

Macka

2 years ago

The placement of the analogue stick seems a little uncomfortable. Rather than on the far left like the old models, it's kinda centred now

I have mixed thoughts on this at the moment. On one hand, it isn't really that much different from the current PSP - at least not from what kind of games we can expect from it, and I can't see the support for the console to be too great. I'm not keen on ditching all of my UMD's either.

It's just so sexy though...especially in the video.

Eyce

2 years ago

Spanca wrote

Eyce wrote

It would have to have a touch screen.

There's literally no point to having a slider device like that with absolutely no usable buttons when it's in its smaller state.

Compact form for watching movies?

But then how would you pause or skip through the movie without having to flick open the controls?

Sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

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