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[hateradio]

*sigh* You don't get it, do you?

They're pulling out the UMD drive.

They're adding 16 MB of memory, which is probably costing them less per unit than the UMD drive did.

They're cutting down the size of the screen.

And they're charging you more for the final product.

You mean internal 16GB flash memory, not 16MB

 

[Jonnyram]

Apparently the PSP Go does not read Memory Stick Pro Duo--Sony is launching a new Memory Stick Micro (M2), about the same physical size as micro SD. 4GB and 8GB sticks will be released on 1 November in Japan, the same as PSP Go launches, but you can get 1GB sticks now for mobile phones (about 2300 yen).

 

[Tellaerin]

they added more margin for retail partners since this unit doesn't need game sales in the store.

that's how you get Gamestop to sell a DD-only device.

don't like it? buy the 3000 and carry around a wallet full of discs

I've got a 3000 already, thanks. Moving forward, I'll be able to download whatever DD titles I want from the PS Store, just like Go! owners. Unlike Go! owners, I can also snag older games I'm interested in on UMD, and not have to worry about when (or if) they'll get them up on the store. And I only need one UMD at a time, plus whatever I've got on a memory stick. I'm hardly complaining for myself; I'm just a little shocked at how easily some people can be roped into drinking the Kool-Aid.

 

[rainking187]

will the higher price point mean cheaper games (as they're all DD)?

LOL, no. Just take a look at the PSP games they've got on the PSN now, pretty much all of them cost more than a sealed physical copy. They'll most likely price the DD versions at the same price as the retail versions.

 

[avatar299]

Jeebus, the PSP 3000 is still out there. Nobody is forcing you to buy the PSPGo.

So Sony doesn't want me to buy the PSP Go?

 

[NomarTyme]

I've got a 3000 already, thanks. Moving forward, I'll be able to download whatever DD titles I want from the PS Store, just like Go! owners. Unlike Go! owners, I can also snag older games I'm interested in on UMD, and not have to worry about when (or if) they'll get them up on the store. And I only need one UMD at a time, plus whatever I've got on a memory stick. I'm hardly complaining for myself; I'm just a little shocked at how easily some people can be roped into drinking the Kool-Aid.

There is no kool aid.... The PSP is too big for me to carry around with me. PSPGo is perfect for me.

So Sony doesn't want me to buy the PSP Go?

? Buy whatever you want.

 

[Tellaerin]

You mean internal 16GB flash memory, not 16MB

My bad. That is what I meant. I'll go back and edit.

 

[soldat7]

Sony really should have waited until they could put out a device with touch and some accelerometers. They just don't get it.

 

[RuGalz]

After trying it out today, definitely getting one in the near future, since I still have the original PSP1000. The inputs are improved and even with less width, some how I feel a bit less cramping in my hands. My only fear was lack of wireless-G and nobody in the booth was able to confirm if it's still B or G. If it's still B I think I will wait a little to see if they are doing something about it. Otherwise it's almost day 1 for me. There wasn't noticeable ghosting while playing GT Mobile, the reduction of weight compared to PSP1000 and no freaking UMD drive ftw. I just wish they would use micro sd instead of pushing their M2 format; maybe there will be adapters.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Tried this out at E3 today with Gran Turismo, LBP, and Motorstorm. Wow, it feels so much better than the 3000/2000 etc. It feels a lot more natural in your hands aside from the weight loss. The d-pad is nice and clicky, plus the analog nub does not feel out of place. They've really improved the feel of the portable and I want to jack one from the booth tomorrow. :lol

I liked the placement of the nub more than the pics lead me to believe, but I hated how they did the analog nub. It felt too deep into the hole they put it in so my thumb kept hitting the edges of the hole. It got in the way for me and I didn't like it.

 

[NomarTyme]

After trying it out today, definitely getting one in the near future, since I still have the original PSP1000. The inputs are improved and even with less width, some how I feel a bit less cramping in my hands. My only fear was lack of wireless-G and nobody in the booth was able to confirm if it's still B or G. If it's still B I think I will wait a little to see if they are doing something about it. Otherwise it's almost day 1 for me. There wasn't noticeable ghosting while playing GT Mobile, the reduction of weight compared to PSP1000 and no freaking UMD drive ftw. I just wish they would use micro sd instead of pushing their M2 format; maybe there will be adapters.

Its wireless b.

 

[ShinoguTakeruKoeru]

Those who haven't played it will say otherwise, but you're right from what I've experienced earlier today. It feels way more solid structurally on top improved buttons, etc.

Is it worth $250... when you put it against the price point of the 3000, maybe not from a financial standpoint. Yet like I said earlier, this really is the "premium PSP" in all aspects.

How's the D-pad? I doubt it's like the 2000/3000 model, I'm having this impression in my head that the PSP go's buttons are like the DS/DSi's in that they're clicky and easily responsive in that way. False?

 

[donkey show]

I liked the placement of the nub more than the pics lead me to believe, but I hated how they did the analog nub. It felt too deep into the hole they put it in so my thumb kept hitting the edges of the hole. It got in the way for me and I didn't like it.

How wide is your thumb? I thought it fit perfectly on mine. I liked doing minute movements versus the way it's implemented on the 2000/3000.

How's the D-pad? I doubt it's like the 2000/3000 model, I'm having this impression in my head that the PSP go's buttons are like the DS/DSi's in that they're clicky and easily responsive in that way. False?

You're correct. Clicky and solid.

 

[max-pain]

Apparently the PSP Go does not read Memory Stick Pro Duo--Sony is launching a new Memory Stick Micro (M2), about the same physical size as micro SD. 4GB and 8GB sticks will be released on 1 November in Japan, the same as PSP Go launches, but you can get 1GB sticks now for mobile phones (about 2300 yen).

Memory Stick Micro came out 3 years ago. You can buy 16GB card today if you want.

 

[Xellos]

I like the look of the Go, but for $250 I think I'll just stick with my old 1000 model.

 

[billy.sea]

The only purpose of the PSP GO in my opinion is to help sink the old PSP price.
Now I can finally sell my PSP-1000 and go for 2000 or 3000 for cheap.

 

[ShinoguTakeruKoeru]

You're correct. Clicky and solid.

Oh you!!!!

It always made more sense to me that way since there wasn't any pressure sensitivity to begin with for PSP. Damn, it keeps sounding better and better at the same rate it sounds worse and worse!! :lol

 

[NomarTyme]

The only purpose of the PSP GO in my opinion is to help sink the old PSP price.
Now I can finally sell my PSP-1000 and go for 2000 or 3000 for cheap.

How cheap? Dell has a 15% off coupon, plus free shipping. 65G7RQ11J?M2LH

 

[Marty Chinn]

How wide is your thumb? I thought it fit perfectly on mine. I liked doing minute movements versus the way it's implemented on the 2000/3000.


You're correct. Clicky and solid.

My hands aren't that big. I'm asian and 5'7" so my thumb isn't huge or anything. I just got annoyed when it would hit the edges and it felt like I was putting my thumb into a hole.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Apparently the PSP Go does not read Memory Stick Pro Duo--Sony is launching a new Memory Stick Micro (M2), about the same physical size as micro SD. 4GB and 8GB sticks will be released on 1 November in Japan, the same as PSP Go launches, but you can get 1GB sticks now for mobile phones (about 2300 yen).

This is news to me because I just bought an 8GB Sony M2 memory card for my Cell Phone

 

[LCfiner]

I've got a 3000 already, thanks. Moving forward, I'll be able to download whatever DD titles I want from the PS Store, just like Go! owners. Unlike Go! owners, I can also snag older games I'm interested in on UMD, and not have to worry about when (or if) they'll get them up on the store. And I only need one UMD at a time, plus whatever I've got on a memory stick. I'm hardly complaining for myself; I'm just a little shocked at how easily some people can be roped into drinking the Kool-Aid.

hey, you were talking about price and I gave a justification (from Sony's POV, not mine) as to why the price is higher while components are cheaper.

of course you can keep your existing PSP. and, let's be honest, that's exactly what sony wants you to do.

as some of us tried to say again and again in the leak thread, this is not about Sony reselling a PSP to people who already bought one (or three). that POV is just Gaf navel gazing.

it's about Sony attempting to hit a new market that they haven't been able to get to before. the price is higher as it's a more desirable form factor and the retail margin needed to be bumped for the DD game distribution.

 

[max-pain]

802.11b is the only flaw in an otherwise perfect package. Go is still the definitive PSP. Shit, I have no problems with paying a premium to ditch that ridiculous UMD drive and get a superior screen.

Why the fuck do people want 802.11g? It's not necessary at all. The lack of standard USB connector (mini or micro USB) is a much bigger problem.

 

[Tobor]

Why the fuck do people want 802.11g? It's not necessary at all. The lack of standard USB connector (mini or micro USB) is a much bigger problem.

Why do people want to download as fast as possible on a device built for downloading? That's really what you want to know?

Like I said, it's a small blemish on an otherwise awesome handheld.

 

[Conflict NZ]

Pretty amazing a handheld can be more expensive than a home console at this point and in this economy.

 

[Mrbob]

From what I was told, they are looking into ways to getting your UMDs hooked up to your PSP Go. Nothing is finalized yet. As for the screen, I think it looked better than the 3000. It was kinda dark at the booth, but I thought the contrast was much better than the 3000s next to it. Ghosting wasn't much of an issue when playing Motorstorm and Gran Turismo. Didn't notice it like in the 2000s.

Here's a vid I took of me playing the PSP Go with LBP. A shitty vid, but whatever. The HD feed should come up later since I just uploaded it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuxKOl5xnWk

Wow, looks so awesome up close. So small too.

Only thing I find annoying about PSP GO is lack of wireless g support.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

No 802.11g support? Come one Sony, you can't push a more downloadable friendly device and have it at only 802.11b speeds!

It's not 2004 anymore!

 

[max-pain]

Why do people want to download as fast as possible on a device built for downloading? That's really what you want to know?

Like I said, it's a small blemish on an otherwise awesome handheld.

I think the ~5 Mbps irl download speed is fine for 90% of the users. There are bigger problems with the device...

 

[ShinoguTakeruKoeru]

No 802.11g support? Come one Sony, you can't push a more downloadable friendly device and have it at only 802.11b speeds!

It's not 2004 anymore!

No-no-no, I figured it out.

They want a comparable experience to PS3 on the PSP, so you download a PSN or PSone game, and it takes as long as the PS3 download titles!

 

[Byakuya769]

So Sony doesn't want me to buy the PSP Go?

Nope, its only for the true super psp fans who recognize the inherent value of not having to lug around those bricks called umds. I mean the GO is just awesome, so awesome

... my man.

 

[KTallguy]

Pretty amazing a handheld can be more expensive than a home console at this point and in this economy.

iPod touch, 16 gig, 300 dollars.

No-no-no, I figured it out.

They want a comparable experience to PS3 on the PSP, so you download a PSN or PSone game, and it takes as long as the PS3 download titles!

If you're in the FAMILY, like me, you download your games on the PS3 and usb that shit!

 

[BeEatNU]

Sure I do.... there's no UMD slot..... so I cant go to the store and buy a game and pop it in. Yes, I'm well aware all online, blah blah. I'm not a fan of all digital distribution. To me I can't place a value on something I cant feel in my hands. You know damn well they are going to charge full retail price for the downloadable titles.. which is a ripoff.

By them redesigning the unit, yet eliminating the media slot, they are just shooting themselves in the foot and severely limiting the market for the device.

The PSP could already do all the stuff they are doing with the GO.... so what's the point of removing the media, yet jacking the fuck out of the price? There's no justification for it.

and that's your prerogative.

Everyone was already complaining early how UMD is a dead format, when Sony removes it people complain. They are moving towards DD whether you like it or not but are you going to sit there and tell me your PSP is not hacked and have .iso's on it?

How would you price a downloadable game vs. retail? remove $5 for packaging and what not since you don't get that anymore with DD. Like I mentioned the added stuff justifies it self, buying a psp-3000 with a 16gb ms=psp go with less features (bluetooth+redesign). I personally don't really care for a medium that I can actually hold in my hands, if that was the case I would not be using MP3's or downloading games from XBL or PSN.

They are still both units for that matter of not severely limiting the market. Either way everyone see things different, I see it as a good buy. Others do not. I feel like I'm going through an PS3 price discussion lol.

My one MAIN gripe is that they didn't put wireless G. everything else I'm not trippin.

 

[ShinoguTakeruKoeru]

If you're in the FAMILY, like me, you download your games on the PS3 and usb that shit!

I do actually. ':3

I've also tried putting full, fairly large PSP games onto the memory stick via wifi just to see how that goes and it is INFURIATING.

I need specifics on how Remote Play from PS3 to PSP works so we can put to rest if the PSP's wifi tech has any hand in how smooth it works out. It pisses me off when games get touted with Remote Play support and the input delay totally kills it (Hello ReArmed).

 

[SonComet]

From what I was told, they are looking into ways to getting your UMDs hooked up to your PSP Go. Nothing is finalized yet. As for the screen, I think it looked better than the 3000. It was kinda dark at the booth, but I thought the contrast was much better than the 3000s next to it. Ghosting wasn't much of an issue when playing Motorstorm and Gran Turismo. Didn't notice it like in the 2000s.

Here's a vid I took of me playing the PSP Go with LBP. A shitty vid, but whatever. The HD feed should come up later since I just uploaded it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuxKOl5xnWk

Wow, that looks so much more comfortable to hold. I just need confirmation of a way to transfer older titles to it and then I will for sure be getting one. Hand cramps be gone!

 

[Slavik81]

What the hell? $80 more expensive? The standard unit only costs $169. That's a 50% price increase.

Sure, they added some onboard non-volitile storage, but that should be somewhat offset by the cost savings of removing the UMD drive, and certainly wouldn't ammount to $80 even if it wasn't.

I was interested, but at that price point, it would make little sense to buy one.

 

[ShinoguTakeruKoeru]

Everyone was already complaining early how UMD is a dead format, when Sony removes it people complain.

It's not like the PSP go was announced one day after PSP first launched ever. We've had 4 years between the variations and there's been quite a few games worth the physical purchase that we want to keep without having to repurchase them. I can sympathize with that thought.

 

[guggnichso]

Can you imagine the R&D costs on this thing? Sony has to make their money back somewhere, and the PS3 isn't the device doing that.

If they can only achieve this by putting an absolutely illusory price tag on that thing, they failed miserably.

 

[Tellaerin]

hey, you were talking about price and I gave a justification (from Sony's POV, not mine) as to why the price is higher while components are cheaper.

of course you can keep your existing PSP. and, let's be honest, that's exactly what sony wants you to do.

as some of us tried to say again and again in the leak thread, this is not about Sony reselling a PSP to people who already bought one (or three). that POV is just Gaf navel gazing.

it's about Sony attempting to hit a new market that they haven't been able to get to before. the price is higher as it's a more desirable form factor and the retail margin needed to be bumped for the DD game distribution.

I was actually one of the people in that thread who kept trying to tell people that the Go! wasn't aimed at existing PSP owners. My point is that this really was a golden opportunity for Sony to try to expand the base for DD, but they really blew it on the pricing, IMO. Had they priced it at $150-180, which I think they could have easily afforded to do given the components involved, I think they would have moved a lot more of them than they will at $250. (Though needing margins to be higher in order to get retailers to carry the thing when they're not going to be making money off of the software is an interesting point.)

 

[jibblypop]

wow thats expensive! Same reason i dont have a ps3!

 

[ZeoVGM]

Good to see most people see that this is a pretty pointless/ridiculously priced product.

It has no chance of doing well.

 

[GodfatherX]

why not just drop the psp 3000 to $99 where it should be to compete with the DSi, and bring in the PSP Go for $170

 

[Mutanthands]

why not just drop the psp 3000 to $99 where it should be to compete with the DSi, and bring in the PSP Go for $170

Because Sony can't afford to.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

Seeing all the hands on videos definitely makes the device look more attractive. ESPECIALLY, that white version.
Still though, I wish it did something the current model can't do. It just doesn't seem worth it.

I REALLY wish they would have ditched the slider model. Made the screen a bit smaller and put out something that closely resembles the current model but like 40% smaller.

 

[Staccat0]

I was always expecting it to be the cheaper version. I was all set to jump in...
oh well.

 

[ZeoVGM]

Because Sony can't afford to.

They can't avoid to drop the price of the PSP? They can't be doing THAT badly.

 

[NomarTyme]

They can't avoid to drop the price of the PSP? They can't be doing THAT badly.

:lol ummm yes.

 

[BeEatNU]

It's not like the PSP go was announced one day after PSP first launched ever. We've had 4 years between the variations and there's been quite a few games worth the physical purchase that we want to keep without having to repurchase them. I can sympathize with that thought.

I can understand that but people are jumping like Sony said hey you gotta rebuy your shit.

It was already mentioned they are working on a solution for it.

wow thats expensive! Same reason i dont have a ps3!

:lol see like this young fello here.

ps3 price discussion.

 

[Byakuya769]

omg, they are in it to make money.. and the ps3 is killing their revenues, so I don't fault them for the premium pricing. I fault them for not providing any true incentives to get many people to want to pay the premium for the GO

... my man.

 

[Mutanthands]

They can't avoid to drop the price of the PSP? They can't be doing THAT badly.

You haven't been paying attention.

http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ric=SNE

Edit: To be fair, alot of it has to do with the strong yen against the dollar. That makes it difficult to lower prices here without a disproportionate effect on their bottom line.

On the other hand, the games division has not been profitable for a couple of years, and I'm sure Sir Howard is screaming at Kaz to get SCE in the black. No price drop for now.

 

[Slavik81]

they added more margin for retail partners since this unit doesn't need game sales in the store.

That misses something important.

You're entirely right that retail partners would no longer stock it without a margin, because they no longer get the profits from new owners' tag-along game sales.

But those sales don't disappear. New PSP owners are still going to want to buy games. The part that changes is who gets the profits from tag-along game sales. Sony has a monopoly on that, as they are the only store that sells digital PSP games. They now get all the profit from the sales that once were the retailer's margins on the hardware.

So what the markup is really doing is increasing Sony profits (sales to retailers + tag-along game sales), while retailers retain their old profits. If Sony were willing to accept their old profits, they could sell it to retailers for less and retailers would sell it with a margin at the old price, then Sony would make it up with tag-along game sales.

 

[ShinoguTakeruKoeru]

I can understand that but people are jumping like Sony said hey you gotta rebuy your shit.

It was already mentioned they are working on a solution for it.

The only solution I can think of that would be the most secure and least exploitable to the extreme is tethering your PSN account to one PSP go and having your UMD conversions transfer only to one system once. Everything other than that is generosity unprecedented.