PSP Go: E3 2009 impressions
- June 06, 2009 15:29 PM PST
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Sid goes hands-on with the PSP Go at E3 2009, and he likes it...mostly.
Let's be honest: The PSP has room for improvement. The existing PSP is a slick device, but overlarge and saddled with an aging UMD drive that adds bulk and a battery-draining disc.
Enter the PSP Go, a much smaller, sexier device that drops the UMD, adds 16 GB of flash RAM and Bluetooth, and compresses the older PSP's brick-like form factor to a narrower, sleeker size and shape. Sure, the screen is a little smaller, and Sony didn't add a second analog stick or touchscreen. It's also a touch pricey, weighing in at $249 (expect that price to drop to $199 rapidly as RAM prices fall). But taken for what it is, the PSP Go is a huge success.
PROS
-Bright, gorgeous screen. Based on the advanced LCD screen found in the PSP-3000, the PSP Go has one of the nicest handheld screens on the market, if not quite up the iPhone 3G's.
-It's much smaller. The PSP Go is 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the original PSP. It's roughly the same size and shape as a DSi, but features a slick slide screen that covers and protects the controller buttons when closed.
-It's comfortable. Despite its smaller size, the PSP Go is actually more comfortable to use than the older PSPs. The L and R shoulder buttons are oversized and squishy, given you a great grip on the device. The analog stick is logically placed (though the placement looks weird in photos, it works well), and the new directional pad is shallower and clickier but works well.
-It's got a huge amount of storage space. With a standard 16 GB of flash RAM, there's plenty of room to download full-size PSP games (UMDs max out at 1 GB, for comparison's sake). And with the Memory Stick Micro expansion slot, you could easily double that to 32GB and more. In the digital age, the PSP Go has the spacious storage it needs to thrive.
-It's got Bluetooth. Less useful for gaming, Bluetooth support is a handy addition for Skype calls and folks who use Bluetooth headphones. It's not a huge upgrade -- GPS might've been more immediately useful -- but it's hard to scoff at.
-Improving game lineup. Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker looks fabulous, and director Hideo Kojima promises it will be a "true sequel," and not a spin-off or side story. Gran Turismo looks and plays like the real thing, and LittleBigPlanet makes for an interesting mobile experiment. The announcement of Resident Evil Portable is also a promising sign.
-50 new PlayStation 1 games coming in 2009. This was a particularly exciting announcement at Sony's E3 press briefing, and it's being kicked off by the classic PS1 RPG Final Fantasy VII. Building an extensive catalog of PS1 games should be a key goal of Sony's, and this is an excellent first step.
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- Jun 06 2009 at 12:21:50:AM PST
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This is a dissapointment & a joke! none control,smaller screen,totally ugly! the most customers in europe around 88% gives it negativ response so that`s a fact sony cant argue I It`s gonna
be reality when the is show with low sales for this new modell.
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ok first, ignore the xbox tard above. there is no xbox portable, so go stick your zune up your ass and scream in envy. second, why would sony want to make $5 games? developers would have to create new departments to scale down for micro-game development, and they would be competeing with the app store. plus, some of tghese developers already make $5 games for the iphone/ipod touch (it is NOT called the itouch, you lazy morons). 3: the games that are made for download can be played on all PSPs, so why make downloadable games only for a new system (PSP2)? youd have to sell millions of new units, incur losses or minute profits, and risk damaging the already ravaged playstation brand fanbase. this unit is a perfect addition for people like me who feel like the psp so far would be a waste because I will not pay $20 to watch a movie on the go or $40 to play a watered down sequel to a classic game. I want to play the games from PS1 and PS2 that i love when i leave tghe house. If they had all the PS1 and PS2 games for download on this thing, fuck the DS, man!
so yeah, its expensive, and only 1 stick, but the concept has huge promise. SONY: PUT YOUR ENTIRE CATAOLG ON THE PS STORE AND YOULL BANK ENOUGH TO BUY NINTENDO. holla.
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hm you see with the original psp3000, all you need to do is buy yourself a 16GB memory pro duo card and problem resolved. you can still download all the psp titles coming on the psn store, and have a UMD drive. but this might not be for all. Psp3000 sure does have a bigger screen and can download games online like the go, but it's umd drive kills the battery life and takes up space. It's also bulkier and sometimes is not pocket friendly. I have to admit the psp Go! looks reaaaaal sexy. I might be persuaded to buy this on day 1, just because it's new tech. hahaha SONY RULES!
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Really Does The PSP really need a touchscreen? NO. Why? Because if the PSP gets a touchscreen that means that all the crap That The DS Has (Imagine: Babies Anyone?) Will Go To The PSP. By not having a touchscreen Developers can't exploit the PSP by making really lame excuses for casual games(Tamagotchi Anyone). Still no 2nd analog stick is a disappointment
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Now THIS is an article I can respect. It gives the pro's and con's, and doesn't insult the tech overall. Hell, the 360 and PS3 deserved articles like this when they first launched.
Anyway,
Second analog stick, second analog stick. That's all I keep hearing. Get over it. Sony said they weren't bringing it to the PSP Go!, and more than likely they had good reason to not include a second analog stick. Does the DSi have analog sticks? NO!!!!!! In fact, the PSP/PSP Go! is uping them on that department with just ONE! All 2nd analog sticks are good for are turning the visual for 1st person shooters and some other minor effects that you really don't need when you're on the go. So I say to HELL with that second analog stick. The PSP is fine without it.
Now, touch screen is another story. I honestly was looking forward to touch screen for a minute, but then it gets too close to being a spin-off of the DS/DSi and iPod Touch. If they weren't doing it before them, then why do it now?
Just like with that wand-like controller they're trying to invest in. I hate the fact they stooped that low. If they would've just invested in more games for the Playstation Eye, the things MS are developing for their new camera would've already been done. Sony is making some interesting moves, but a few of those moves are overall stupid....
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oh cr**, theres some cards that can go up to 100gb or more. soo, very nice! lol my name is' borat
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Is this Zune by microsoft for real or is it a fu..ing joke?Does anyone know about this?
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I like the way it looks when closed, but open it looks somewhat horrible. To me that is. I was hoping for something better looking.
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