Home>>PSP-Go

Title:	PSP-Go
Platform:	PSP
Availability:	Most games retailers around £199.99
Rating:	Avoid  ·  Try  ·  Buy

Synopsis


The latest revision of the PSP features Wi-Fi, bluetooth and a tremendous range of games. Can this new version offer any new tricks or compete against stiff competition from both Apple and Nintendo? How does it compare to its elder brothers the PSP1000 (PSP Fat), PSP2000 (PSP Slim and Lite) & PSP3000 (PSP Brite).

First Impressions

The PSP-Go represents a striking departure from the typical universal media disc (UMD) based hand-held. Whilst looking very desirable, questions remain over the lack of UMD support.

Sonys attempt to gate crash the Ipod party, looks a little late in the day. The success of the Ipod and its digital media has made for an interesting dilema and has caused some consternation amougst game retailers feeling excluded from what is becoming a very cut throat market. Placing the PSP-Go in your hand, the device looks and feels like a decent piece of kit. From the snazzy slide out design to the chrome effect shoulder buttons at the top of the unit, this is a desirable device. From a purely asthestic point of view the PSP-Go is a winner, it looks so much better than its siblings. However looks are only a part of the tale as your gaze wanders around the device, the PSP devotee may notice Sony have changed some of the interfaces, making existing accessories incompatible with the Go.

The Device
The natural comparison between the PSP-3000 and PSP-Go would have you holding each device along side each other at which point you would be struck by difference in size between the two devices (and for that matter the slim & lite). On sliding open the case to expose the internal controllers, you can imagine envious eyes gazing on in admiration - yes this is some sexy kit!

Sony have obviously been taking a leaf out of Apples book and gone for style in a big way. In addition to the style update, Sony has also included bluetooth functionality into this device, which opens up a number of avenues in terms of device compatiblity. As would seem to be the Sony mantra at the moment - what one hand giveth, the other taketh away and we now see standard usb socket replaced with a proprietary usb socket - ho hum. Given all that does it hit the spot with the software? Well its PSP, so it remains typically understated. Does it do video/Music & Photos fantastically well, of course it does, but you may need to use a PC application such as Media-Go to convert some of your media into the correct format first. But PSP has always done this, wheres the innovation I hear you cry. Well at the moment its a purely physical update, some software menu updates have been made, but these apply across the PSP range and bring the look and feel between PSP and PS3 more into line with each other.

Using PSN
Ok so there is no UMD to pop into my new PSP, so how do I load up my software? The PSP-Go supports electronic downloads from the PSN - think of it as Sonys version of the App Store for Ipod generation.

Hmm at this point I know a lot of people will be saying no thank you, as this removes the 2nd hand market, something that has flourished as games have become more expensive. Also there is the issue of not having the physical media to store, re-sell, return, this has in no way incentivised folks to upgrade as there simply isnt an upgrade path for existing PSP owners. What do you do with all the UMDs in your possession - at the moment the answer seems to be nothing. If you need to access the PSN store it is done exactly the same way as on the other varieties of PSPs, that is via the menu system. From here you can download a game, comic, tv show or a movie and it is very simple and currently accessible without subscription. If you have a PS3 you will no doubt be very familiar with all of this already.

Downloads from the PSN are stored on your internal media currently specified as 16Gb, the PSP-Go also has an additional memory slot to allow for expansion should you need it. Again this differs from previous revisions of PSPs and is now a M2 Memory card slot.

The launch titles for the PSP-Go certainly make for exciting headlines as they represent some great gameplay. Stand out titles are almost certainly the release of Little Big Planet and Gran Turismo 5. Both titles represent excellent quality and show the processing power of the device. In addition the newly slated minis provide a less taxing introduction into gaming, providing Sony with a casual games marketplace to rival the app store of Apple. With prices slowly dropping for these devices, it may be a while before we see sub £150 prices, but dont be surprised to see these machines dotted around as they are a very desirable piece of kit.

Technical Specifications
Screen 3.8 inches
16Gb internal memory
160 grammes
M2 memory card
Bluetooth