When the PSP was first shown at E3 2004, I don’t think there was one person that didn’t think Sony’s new marvel would be a huge success. A small footprint, PlayStation 2 quality graphics, a rich feature set and a beautiful widescreen display. It was beyond sexy. During the same E3, Nintendo debuted their Nintendo DS prototype which looked like a clunky mess next to Sony’s beautiful PSP. I personally thought PSP would stomp all over the Nintendo DS, but we all know how that turned out, don’t we?
While Sony has released a number of new models improving on the screen, battery life, size and weight of the PSP, the company is planning on releasing their most radical PSP design this Fall –PSP go The smallest and lightest version of the PSP, PSP go forgoes the UMD drive for downloadable games but adds 16GB of internal storage, Bluetooth support, and more.
But, does anyone care? I sure as hell don’t.
Let me back up for a moment. I used to be a big advocate of the PSP. If I compared how much time I've spent with the PSP versus the Nintendo DS, I've probably spent more time with PSP. I imported a PSP shortly after the Japanese launch due to extreme excitement for the system. I used to travel extensively back then, and there wasn’t a flight that I was on that was completely dominated by Lumines and gobs of television shows I ripped to a memory stick. Not only that, but you could easily hack the PSP and do plenty of nifty (and not really legal) things with the PSP. I loved the system.
Sony did quite a few things really well with the PSP. The PSP was extremely versatile. There were constant updates for firmware, and even though it was mainly to skirt pirates and hacks, it brought numerous improvements -- RSS, Skype and Remote Play to watch media that’s stored on a PS3. Plus, the PSP already has downloadable PS1 and PSP games. Some pretty innovative stuff.
Now, I have a huge UMD library and gigs of memory sticks lying around. I have a ton of PSP accessories, and have actually upgraded my PSP to the latest version. Personally, I don’t see myself champing at the bit for a new version of the PSP. It's smaller and lighter, but all the crap I already have – minus the headphones – won’t work with the PSP go. Sony still hasn’t revealed if or how current UMD games will be transferable to the PSP go. Plus, PSP go utilizes Memory Stick Micro as it’s secondary storage format. Super. Sony’s been known for their ridiculous proprietary formats before – Mini Disc, Memory Stick, UMDs – but now it’s like they made the whole PSP go platform proprietary. Nice work, jerks.
If I were Sony, I would have released an all-new PSP -- or the PSP 2.0 that everyone wants. Beef up the processing, throw an OLED screen at it. Make it smaller and lighter like the PSP go, but backwards compatible with UMDs and PSP accessories. There’s a reason Nintendo does backwards compatibility – it makes people happy and extends game libraries. Oh, and for the love of God, add a freakin’ second analog stick. Give us a touchscreen, too, so iPhone ports can be possible.
Sony is really milking the lifespan of the PSP, but a portable’s lifespan isn’t really as long as a full fledged console. People want the newest and slickest tech in their pockets. Whether it’s the Nintendo DSi, or the many iterations of the iPod or iPhone, people will pony up for it. And as iPhone sales prove, it doesn’t matter how much people have to shell out – they’ll pay a premium to have the latest tech.
If Sony believes that the PSP’s lifespan will be ten years, as they did with the PlayStation or PlayStation 2, they’re going to completely fail in the portable space. Sony’s been getting their asses beat by Nintendo already, and now Apple is gaining serious ground with the iPhone and iPod Touch. Unless Sony goes back to the drawing board and seriously rethinks their portable strategy quickly, they might as well call it quits after their first portable effort is finished.
Word.
B
Comments
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PSpepper
Most PSP owners won't get this because they will still make UMD's. So the PSP GO will be for DS owners or people who don't have a PSP. But I was never able to get online to work, so I highly doubt I will get this model. I mean I still have the very first PSP, and it's treating me fine.
FreshCut_T70
I was disappointed when I heard that the PSP Go! didn't have a 2nd analog stick and lacked a UMD drive but as long as they continue to make games in the UMD format then i'm okay with it since i'll be sticking with my 2000 series. The PSP 2 better have a second analog stick or i'm out....for good. I'm tired of Sony's boneheaded moves. The DS had a lot of potential but the rack at Gamestop has been as bad as the Wii's, nothing but Happy Birthday games and Cooking Mama and crap like Carnival games, Come on Sony, I can't handle anymore virtual pet crap from Nintendo, you're my only portable savior right now....Iphone is a joke.
djspinal
I agree. What was wrong with the pro duo format anyway. they r kickin it to the side way too soon i think.
tobz1000
In that second-to-last paragraph: it sounds like you're saying Sony should make entirely new consoles more frequently and focus less on incremental upgrades, using the examples of Nintendo's and Apple's success with...incremental upgrades?
And that paragraph above that is just an unrealistic fanboy list of wants. They'd never be able to make that happen now. If you want the PSP 2 to do all that, it'll take them a couple more years.
ronaldo99
@ EKG: "It absolutely drives me nuts when I try to think of any logical reason why Sony would ignore their fans screams and cries for years when they Begged for a second stick. Sony has had TWO chances now to redeem themselves in this respect, both the PSP Slim and the PSP Go, and they fales both times. "
i couldnt agree with you more! do they not read these things and make adjustments to their business plan??
to everyone saying that PSP is not a good system and has no good games i have to disagree. final fantasy crisis core, god of war, lumines, loco roco, mega man maverick hunter x, patapon, echocrome etc. these are all amazing games and with the likes of god of war, gta, and final fantasy, its a way to bring hardcore gamers to the handhelds. the others, such as lumines or patapon are unique games that are beginning to add new dynamics to the way we look at handheld gaming.
yes the whole UMD thing was stupid, but i think they've come out with some great games (multiple game-of-the-year contenders) and they will continue to do so...
rayken15
I buy a handheld for the games. And Nintendo has more quality games for the DS. So, I never really wanted a PSP. Though, there like 3 games I really want to play on the PSP. But I'm not buying a new handheld for them.
Smartguy81
If Sony can't sell their PSP for the same price as the DS or DSi then it won't sell well. I personally think the DS is a better portable gaming system. Initially though the PSP got the nod on paper...however consumers do not like paying such a premium when a cheaper alternative is available.
imdave
If I did get the PSP Go I'd probably keep my PSP 1000, the ability to rip my old PS1 games to my cfw PSP is a feature I'd miss. I haven't bought a PSP game in a long time (doesnt mean I pirate) but if they ever release Gran Turismo PSP I will buy that. I think my PSP is on the latest custom firmware, although DA hasn't released one in a while.
DanteSeven
I think Sony should probably release a PSP 2 within the next year-and-a-half. I like the PSP but I have a PSP-2000, and I see no reason to upgrade.
They really do need to add some of the things Berghammer mentioned. At least a second analog stick, a touch screen and possibly nicer graphics would make great upgrades.
comm22
the two analog thing is driving me crazy. the only way that would work is if future games come out with a 1 stick optionalog side a 2 stick opption, i agree that the psp should've come out with 2 in the begining, but having 2 vwould just make everyone mad over having to upgrade to two sticcks or how more expensive games would be as the budget would have to be raised. i rest my case
07howard
The psp go is GOING TO BE A GOOD THING ppl, not bad, GOOD
Poho
PSP GO is just trying to target new customers. If I didn't have a psp slim already I would probably get the GO. As it is, the reason I went from Fat to slim is because my fat broke. Now unless my slim breaks, I probably will skip on the 3000 or the GO. Sure, built in microphone cool, I already have another brightness with it hacked. Sliding, cool, but kinda unimportant feature. That and I'd loose the freedom of a hacked one, so they have to make me really want a new psp. PSP 2 needs dual sticks, a good screen, and support for both media forms. Don't worry about digital games so much as downloadable music/movies
squarewannabe
I would get a PSPGo! but I'm not going to drop 250 for it when I have a perfectly working PSP 2000 [sold my 1000 version to a good friend for an upgrade]. Not to mention I own 13 games for it [12 on UMD]
Make a price drop, and let me put my games on a memory stick and then we'll talk. Also, it wouldnt hurt to make a 32GB memory stick pro duo :]
XwingVmanX
I am still rocking a PSP 1000 lol. It is slightly broken (can't connect to the internet) and I have about 3 games I own. I heard rumors about this psp around the time 2000 came out so i held back from buying a newer version. So for me this might as well be the psp 2.0 lol
klyonawesome
I have to play with it first. price i understand. 16gb flash memory is expensive. Only thing I dont like is all this talk about a second analog stick. Touchscreen like agree with. Compete with the iPhone not the nintendo ds.
Lucifer6972
"Oh, and for the love of God, add a freakin second analog stick."
Amen!!! :) But boy, a touchscreen, THAT would be sweet! :)
But yeah, no question, Sony is trying but how hard they are, is the big question. And you're right Billy, you wonder and hope Sony will just raise that level and when you think they are, is only half a level! I know they can go that far, like for example, I read an article about how Sony might integrate with a phone but I didn't wanna comment, why?? Because I didn't wanna write what Billy wrote!!! LOL!!!! :)
People will, they will, they just gotta do their homework and they'll be fine and with a system like the PSP, I know they can go that far, I know they can, the question is, will they?? Ohh lord, let us pray!!! LOL!!! :)
Word Billy! :)
Able
Wow another person that dont list all the facts in a new story.
First off you dont need to buy a new psp go to enjoy the new downloadable content. All you need is a big enough memory stick in your old psp to play the new downloadable games. Wich BTW if you bought a older version psp and a 16gb memory stick will cost you about the same for a psp go. Sony has said they will support the umd games for the next 5 years and the umd games will be out the same times as the downloads so ppl that want umds can still get them for now, But even sony has said that some of the new games will be download only.
And as for ppl that do have umds and want to get the psp go can ether sell off the games they got and then purchase the downloads or just keep your old psp to play your old umds.
Sony is making the psp go for ppl that want to have things that are more on the go as in not having to constantly carrying many umds around and can just swap files like many do with music on a ipod.
I like sony has more then 1 choice of a psp and i like that the games i cant get at a store will be available on the PSN. And since i have a good internet connection i can download the games in less then 5 mins.
So if the customers are dealing more with downloads then a outdated form of disk media, then sony is going to try its best as a company selling goods for a profit to sell a product the customers want.
abelpc
I am sticking with my PSP 2000. No way am I wasting money on the PSP Go. The only thing I would consider is the boosted Processor speed.
SkullOne360
This whole two analog sticks bitch fest is really funny and sad at the same time. Use your brain. Raymond Padilla already settled this whole dispute. Adding two sticks for the PSP Go would alienate the PSP's target audience for the simple fact that Sony said that will continue supporting all prior series. So if a game came out that required a two control scheme, it would piss off fans that have a PSP-2000 or 3000 for the simple fact that they are getting screwed over.
Again, the biggest problem for the PSP were the games. Not enough quality games. Pure and simple. Now with all these games coming, you know the list, sales will increase and the PSPgo will sell.
Lastly, Sony is pro-choice. You are HIGHLY misinformed if you think you need a PSPgo to play all of their new incoming games. They are being released BOTH on UMD and digitally. Sony isn't pummeling in the head to go out and buy a new PSPgo because you absolutely NEED it to play their upcoming games. If you don't have a PSP then buy a PSPgo, or if you like the new features the PSPgo offers then upgrade, if not STICK with the one you have now. Wow, let's press the "that was easy" button.
I will agree on the fact that two analog sticks should have been there since the PSP first conception since it was used in all of their prior control schemes. Finally the PSPgo is NOT the PSP2. With that said, if the PSP2 comes out with one analog stick then you have a right to bitch about it since it should have all new features that Sony's fans have been asking for.
EKG
Another Excellent Article. And one that is 100% correct. Sony came out of the great strong with the PSP, and then they sat by and cuddled their new baby while allowing their first child to starve to death. And now their trying to bring it back to life, but it is too little too late. The absolute WORST mistake they have made already is not giving us a second stick. Every single last person I have talked to about this says they are not going to even thinking about buying a PSP Go because of the Lack of a Second Stick.
It absolutely drives me nuts when I try to think of any logical reason why Sony would ignore their fans screams and cries for years when they Begged for a second stick. Sony has had TWO chances now to redeem themselves in this respect, both the PSP Slim and the PSP Go, and they fales both times.
Then, they decide to make the screen smaller, and take out the UMD drive, not include a second stick, and expect us to go bananas for it?!?! For gods sake, you would think the battery would ATLEAST be improved, but according to Sony, it isnt. Well, so much for Bigger and Better.
All I am saying is the this was Sony's last chance to bring the PSP back form the dead. And they let it die, again. All they had to do was give us a Full Successor. A PSP2. With a Higher Resolution Screen, Dual Sticks, Vastly Improved Battery, and Beefier Graphics Power. That is alll they had to do to win most of us over. Instead, they went the opposite. What, in the name of God, were they thinking?
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