PSP Go Hands-On Preview

We got to sit down with the PSP Go in the middle of hectic E3.

The PSP Go, Sony's big announcement for E3, crept out way early. The PSP Go was leaked ahead of schedule in a video with Qore host Veronica Belmont and John Koller, director of hardware marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America. A basic rundown of the portable console reveals that it has 16GB of onboard storage, no UMD drive, is substantially smaller, and will cost $249 when it hits retail on October 1.

PSP Go open

According to Sony, the PSP Go isn't meant to replace an existing PSP but merely augment the device for a different class of users. It made the device for those who abandoned physical media; hence, the 16GB of storage space, expandable via the M2 memory stick slot.

With onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the PSP Go downloads data, games, and connects to headsets wirelessly. Sony is emphasizing downloadable games for the device, a play to meet Nintendo's DSi Shop and Apple's monumentally successful App Store for the iPhone. Representatives indicated that there's a good will plan in the works to prevent alienation of existing PSP owners. Basically, if you already have a ton of PSP games, Sony will likely offer some sort of program so that you don't have to repurchase them.

PSP Go closed

The PSP Go weighs 40 percent less and is 50 percent smaller than the existing PSP-3000. Despite its lightness, the PSP Go feels very solid. The sliding mechanism moves smoothly, and it seems like it could take a decent amount of wear and tear. Like the iPhone, the PSP Go does not have an interchangeable battery.

While we haven't exactly had a prolonged gaming session with the device, the smaller screen doesn't seem to detract from gameplay much. The Go's screen has the same resolution as the original PSP, except it's squished into a 3.8" LCD.

PSP Go comparison

Surprisingly, the PSP Go isn't much larger than the iPhone. It's roughly twice as thick and extends slightly over the iPhone's screen to totally cover it. As a result, the controls are also squished together, but they don't seem to suffer for it. The buttons and D pad work well, and the analog stick functions about the same as the one found on the original PSP.

We didn't get to try out any of the wireless capabilities of the console or even the software that will come with it. From a hardware standpoint, the PSP Go seems remarkably well built and fit for consumption. We'll have a more in-depth analysis of the handheld once we have a retail kit.

696 Comments

  • Hardy701

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 5:23 pm PT

    i'm gonna save up for it... ill probably wait until christmas when theyll have a bundle for sale (at least i hope theyll have one) to buy it

  • MadGamer132

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 12:09 pm PT

    i might enough money before then.

  • Draco98

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 6:02 pm PT

    way too expensive for me almost as much as a ps3 but i'll still wait and see if it's worth it

  • DS_fan5452

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:25 am PT

    this is great. U can back up ur games on ur computer if ur concerned about losing them. No battery killing umd drive. U don't have to reserve games anymore. you can settle with just a protective pouch instead of the equivalent of a suitcase to carry all ur games for it. All the games that are currently out will be available on release date of the GO. People wanting this to be a phone or have a touch screen don't understand that that's not Sony's focus. Its priority is gaming and multimedia. And the price is reasonable considering its the same for a ipod Touch with only like 8GB. Instead of music, video and app features being the focus the GO's focus is amazing portable gaming. I can't wait to reserve mine

  • Wolfie600

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 9:13 pm PT

    @nathan1274

    G.S? They steal your money trust me...

    The store is a lie.

  • nathan1274

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 6:24 pm PT

    P.S I gave my PSP 2000 to my woman so I could buy a 3000, I found a PSP 1000 in a Storage auction the 11 year old beats that one around. I traded in all the 360 titles I finished and did not care for (I'm never giving up Dead Rising Period!) got the 3000 for $12 new at GS. I figure trade in the 3000 for a Go. Download all my games with Media Go rip them ( I am sure there will be a feature), trade in the other 360 games I just finished plus the 3 PS3 games. I get a go for free! Gotta love G.S.! My point. this is an advancement. Places like GS are there for us tech hungry game addicts. As longs you dont have 1 of each, (that's not a bad thing, seriously), for yourself you can justify it! No more carrying games a slide up PSP, I mean what could possibly be bad about this? O.K I am done!

  • nathan1274

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 6:16 pm PT

    Nice......I got a 360 because I did not want the PS3, then I bought a psp, then I bought a PS3 ...Now I am buying this...Because all I ever play is my PSP. weird how that works.

    I am sorry I ever doubted you dear Sony.

    love,
    A (renewed)Faithful Consumer

  • MonkeyAxe

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 3:38 pm PT

    We don't even know much on the system yet so you really can't judge it.

  • tbrathwaite

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 10:12 am PT

    Buy yourself a PSP and a 16 gig memory card and you have the same thing, only better. It wont take long before what ever firm ware is on the PSP GO to migrate over to the current PSP line. Not to mention with Current PSP you can improve your drive space on the cheap and without a screw driver. Wake up SONY fans, think if you donated all the money you wasted on SONY products only to find them obsolete 3 months later, they would be a lot less hungry people in the world.

  • SLRMC93

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 9:52 am PT

    no offense playstation and its fans like me but.....no I wouldnt buy it its just a sliding psp and there will be NO exclusive games for it and its just a waste of money I still own a 1000 seried psp and works great I dont need the 3000 or the 2000 just a 1000 is good enough for me jesus cant we be happy with one thing and not have to go upgrade it every year? Its just like a cel-phone there is a new revolutonary one every week it seems! P.S two thumbsticks really would help sony!

  • MonkeyAxe

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 1:26 am PT

    I can't believe most of you complain about this. I see it as an advancement. Sure there isn't a second analog stick but there is another solution more likely for the PSP Go and it's controls. Some games require this and Sony won't make it an utter failure. Most say that the flip won't hold, but that's only because some of you hate to be gentle and just have to push it up with all your might. They said the same thing about the DS when it first came out. And like I said, the idiots who piss their money away on electronics, break it, and complain how it's the systems fault break things like this. I personally like how their will be programs to store data and whatnot, I hope to buy this.

  • tbrathwaite

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 5:12 pm PT

    Wow, Truly Wow is the only word I can think of to describe yet another epic failure by SONY. I would seriously quit production and go back to the drawing board with this one. SONY has not even addressed all the issues with their current PSP "All 3 versions" or PS3 "God knows what sku they have now" not to mention they just seem to abandon their customers in favor of big dreams and Japan Fan Boys. Face it Westerners, SONY just don't like you and for those of you that continue to throw good ole green back at SONY, shame on you.

  • chrisburnet2000

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 3:05 pm PT

    it seems Sony still doesn't get the hint that everybody wants dual analog PSP's. instead, they insist on constantly coming out with new models with tiny differences in between them like microphones and what-not, things you don't really use often, while a second analog stick could be very useful and would undoubtedly boost the sales above and beyond the DSi.

  • credboy

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 2:41 pm PT

    what the heck this sucks 1 becuase you go to walmart and buy games for it what if A you don't have an internet connection or the wirrles adpter quits like it does in the regular psp theis is gay

  • gamefreak1521

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 4:07 am PT

    It sux so much omg only 16 gigs.for $249.99 but it looks soooooooo cool

  • Alcheaus

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 12:16 am PT

    all breaks down to this.. casual gaming. all companies are trying to tap into it now @_@ this is a system designed for someone who isn't planning on owning a lot of games... or someone who is looking to have another system to stick in their pocket without having to grab a handful of umds. don't get me wrong this is a marketing genius' work. good addition although the price is rather steep. it reminds me of the psp1001 release lol. its snazzy but you won't be getting my money sony ;P

  • gringbot

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 2:31 pm PT

    no thanks, ill pass. maybe if there were more games to actually play, but still, i already have a psp, and my (few) hard copy games. there is no need to upgrade, imo.

    the DSi at least had a bigger screen... and games?

  • NAWAF005

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 12:41 pm PT

    downloading 1-2GB games will take some time .
    and i already have a shiny new PSP .
    i may not buy it .....

  • alexpitacci

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 12:17 pm PT

    if it was a phone with touch screen, i would think about it...

  • renzzoh

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 1:44 am PT

    im siked about this game!

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