16GB PSP Go revealed early, new PSP MGS confirmed?

[UPDATE] Pre-E3 2009: Leaked video from next month's Qore reveals SCEA's John Koller touting Mylo-style sliding screen handheld with no second thumbstick, built-in flash memory; Gran Turismo Mobile to be reannounced at E3?

Though Sony's E3 Press Conference isn't until 11:00 a.m. on June 2, one of its centerpieces appears to have been prematurely exposed. A YouTube video of what appears to be the next issue of the PlayStation-focused video magazine Qore has revealed that Sony will use its event to unveil a new PSP model, the PSP Go.

As had been widely rumored, the PSP Go will have a sliding form factor like the Mylo, Sony's ill-fated Internet communicator device. The new handheld--which does not sport a second thumbstick--is shown several times in the video, which features Qore host Veronica Belmont and John Koller, director of hardware marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America.

According to Koller, the main differences between the PSP Go and the PSP-3000 are "on-board memory, the flash memory, and 16 gigs of space. There's Bluetooth on board as well, so you can use a Bluetooth headset, and you can tether it to your cell phone as well. But ultimately, it's the portability. Since you can bring all that content with you in a smaller form factor, you've got the most immersive games to play, and now you've got a smaller unit to do it with."

Koller also said the emphasis will be on downloadable games. "Little Big Planet, Jak & Daxter, and even a new Metal Gear Solid coming--all of those games will be available. So will all the first-run movies you can rent or buy on the PlayStation Network. So you can bring so much content over with you and fill up that 16 gig of flash memory." (Emphasis added.) The new MGS PSP game was previously hinted at in a Web post by the Japanese arm of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain.

Koller also appears to reveal that the long-lost PSP Gran Turismo Mobile game--first shown off in 2004--will resurface at next week's expo. "There are games like Gran Turismo being announced at E3," said the executive.

Host Belmont then asks, "So since it's called the PSP Go, I would image it will work with Remote Play as well." Koller responds with the following blanket statement: "Integration with the PS3 is very important, and it works just like the PSP-3000. A lot of people like to be able to take their PS3 content with them on the go."

As for the PSP Go supplanting its predecessor, Koller said flatly: "It won't replace the PSP-3000. We're going to keep them both on the market." Koller did not mention a price, release date, or whether or not it would have a touch screen when closed. Sony Computer Entertainment America reps had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

[UPDATE] A second video from Qore shows the PSP Go in even greater detail and also reveals its logo. The handheld will have a 3.8-inch screen--versus the PSP-3000's 4.3-inch screen--and will be 43 percent lighter than the original, and it will have "all digital content," according to Koller. "The UMD drive goes away...and it has a Memory Stick Micro, so you can add memory to it if you like. ... It will be something the digitally savvy consumer can really enjoy," he explains, before revealing that some new PSP games will be download-only.

The full YouTube video is below, although the sound and images are out of sync. It appears to also show a version of the original Warhawk for the PSP:

1325 Comments

  • BigBoss2014

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 10:43 am PT

    psp2 really

  • AZH333

    Posted Jun 10, 2009 2:24 am PT

    @LittleYoshi

    Ah, yes its the "same thing", i guess i should rephrase.. i am planning to purchase GO when グランツーリスモ comes out on the platform. Forgoing the 3000. And as for the gaming being identical, you will find the control layout, 3.8-inch widescreen quite different from the current 4.3-inch ones.

  • LittleYoshi

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 5:31 pm PT

    When is this episode of Qore (June 09) coming out? This Thursday?

  • LittleYoshi

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 5:29 pm PT

    @AZH333

    All games on the psp will be on the go.....is the same thing.

  • SQUALL20XX

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 11:51 am PT

    Too bad it was revealed before, any way Sony rocks

  • AZH333

    Posted Jun 7, 2009 12:42 am PT

    If Gran Turismo for PSP is realeased on the GO, then for me it would be a must buy.

  • SSBFan12

    Posted Jun 6, 2009 8:04 pm PT

    I hope the PSP go will be good.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jun 5, 2009 2:27 pm PT

    Leaks... tisk tisk. Hopefully next year Sony will do better at keeping these things under wraps.

  • mido321

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 7:13 pm PT

    i want a PSP PHONE

  • mido321

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    new psp no umd what the hell

  • cdjjoselito

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 6:47 am PT

    The 2nd thumbstick, the vibrating function, the L and R Buttoms in the back perhaps bothering my fingers with the side scratch...
    But what about my UMD Games collection? Will Sony send me an equal amount of Memory card for me to save them on it?
    And what about the people that uses the movies on the psp?
    The economic factor is relevant on this times. Now the money is more hard to get.

  • Visa004

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 9:18 pm PT

    what, now it turns into a half ds? the point for "PSP" is that they have an analog stick and it let's you play smoother. now, no matter how good the tech is PSP's value has drop. it doesn't even look like a PSP anymore. it looks like those cell phone with the keyboard on it. that's not PSP.

  • 25JoShUa25

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 8:21 am PT

    hmm...they really did a good job on the style.....

  • pac-man35

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 8:06 am PT

    did they fix the awful internet

  • PSFreak1

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:41 am PT

    looks pretty good to me

  • Warnerator

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 9:41 pm PT

    I can imagine things pretty well in my mind, I can usually tell a lot about a product from pictures, shoot I dream about places I've never been or seen yet they are real, lol. And I can tell you from this picture that it will probably feel wonderful in your hands....or I could be wrong and this device will end up giving you carpal tunnel syndrome.

  • pakhair

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 6:52 pm PT

    Yeah.............

    It was real...............

  • jerkface7

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    i may have missed this but can the orginal psp play the new psp

  • galduke

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 1:03 pm PT

    lol gameboy micro.

  • sakuranoame

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 12:05 pm PT

    I actually think my PSP-2000 is prettier than this... oh well...

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