Will The PSP Go Alienate The Hardcore Gaming Crowd?

After reading about Sony's new business strategy for the PSP Go, I believe I'm echoing the sentiments of many hardcore handheld aficionados everywhere: with this drive to support as many small, casual titles as humanly possible, will the big-name productions be left out in the cold?

If you ask a PSP owner who loves his system to name the best titles available, you will hear names like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Now, these are not the same games one might find on the iPhone, nor would they be able to fit in the 20MB size mentioned in the above-linked article. They are blockbusters for the portable world and with the disappearance of UMD and Sony's very clear strategy that centers on smaller, more accessible pieces of software and other applications, we have to wonder... But then again, perhaps this is the reason why they will continue to sell the standard PSP alongside the PSP Go; maybe Sony is well aware that hardcore gamers won't be as obliged to spend another $250 for a system that seems to cater more towards the casual crowd. In other words, we get the distinct feeling that different types of people will own PSPs and PSP Gos. This could very well be the purpose of the new handheld - to cater to a new demographic - but if you expand your reach too far, you may lose your focus.

Not being a gadget hound, I don't really care about some of the little bonuses that the PSP Go affords, although I'm certain many out there are swayed by that sleek portable wonder. I'm just thinking that the die-hard gamer may stick with the regular ol' PSP; perhaps they won't see the Go as an "upgrade."

7/14/2009 Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (65 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

Highlander
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:26:13 PM
Reply

Smaller screen = downgrade - IMHO...

3 up, 2 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:29:57 PM

I actually prefer the box shape to the original rectangular psp

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:36:28 PM

Oh, I don't mind the shape or the design, I'm just a fan of the bigger screen - old eyes you see. ;)

I'll almost certainly buy one of these in due course, when my 2000 passes on to the great landfill.

1 up, 1 down

Kain81
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 3:31:05 PM

i will wait for the PSP-4000 announcement...
acording to Super_Secret it will be announced
soon here is the source

http://forums.n4g.com/Firmware-280-Release-Tomorrow-m659467-p5.aspx

0 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 4:56:07 PM

@kain

Well, assuming the dude was legit...assuming. I hate assuming, but I guess it's worth some wild ass guesses.

PSP-4000? Since the Go hasn't got a second stick neither will the 4000. I'm thinking that the 4000 could be an update with a better screen than the 3000 and/or the standardization on the new PSP Go circuit board. Perhaps even the inclusion of 2GB on-board flash RAM (it's cheap as chips in the 2GB size).

The PS3 stuff was more intriguing. No more Linux support, and something about 'something' happening with the HDDs in more recent systems. Not to mention the stuff about a possible tray loading BD drive and push buttons instead of touch sensors on the front of the unit.

I wonder whether that HDD stuff could either be using 7200rpm drives, or what about on the fly hardware encryption to discourage piracy?

I hope the remarks about the BD drive aren't an indication that the drive will scratch discs. I also have to hope that the comments about the thing being as cheap as it can be are more about Sony shaving costs everywhere possible without dropping quality. Quality has been one of their major wins this generation.

</speculation>

3 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 7:03:28 PM

You are too true highlander

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:29:36 PM
Reply

It has alienated me. $250 for what now?

0 up, 0 down

Reccaman18
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:34:46 PM

Smaller/lighter design, 16 gig internal storage, blue tooth enabled.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:51:15 PM

Don't start naming off features like it's going to make me want one. What will those three things do for me? It's smaller... uh ok. 16gb is for the digital downloads I can't stand. The blue tooth will never be used and therefore will subsequently be dropped from the psp go 2000.

The ONLY thing the PSP Go has going for it is that it's a PSP. Which I already have.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:39:04 AM

16gb is small. I'll buy one if they offer more internal space.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:54:58 AM

How is 16GB small!?

Unless Sony finally made good on the 32GB MemoryStick. the only way go to 32GB by purchasing a MemoryStick Pro Duo format micro SD adapter and using two 16GB micro SD cards in it.

Sony plans to bring a 32GB MemoryStick this year, and claims that MemoryStick is good all the way to 2TB - whenever the technology manages to put that must memory in one place.

1 up, 1 down

xStatiCa
Thursday, July 16, 2009 @ 7:31:52 AM

Bluetooth is the big feature that swayed me. Tethering the PSP to my phones internet connection will be nice. I will have internet access for the PSP wherever I go. Bluetooth will also allow portable A2DP wireless headphones to be used with the PSP Go. I already use them for my phone anyway. Others might not care about these features but for me these two things are VERY important to me.

0 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:30:09 PM
Reply

It'll certainly be interesting to see how well this sells. Looks like Sony is trying to make an iPhone, minus the phone.

0 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 7:06:48 PM

sooooo, they are making an i....interesting

1 up, 0 down

somethingrandom
Friday, July 17, 2009 @ 11:19:16 PM

An iphone minus the phone is an ipod touch

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:31:13 PM
Reply

I'm so buying it

But NOT 'cause of the little gadgets

0 up, 0 down

phantomMenace
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:48:34 PM
Reply

I'll probably still buy it because I am not a fan of the current shape. I really like the smaller look it will be easier to fit in a pocket. The screen really isnt that much smaller and I am not really concerned with the games for it because they did say that GT PSP will run on it so I doubt that will be the only major title for it.

0 up, 0 down

Silk
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:50:04 PM
Reply

I predict a totally new package on shelves, albeit the same size as UMD cases except these cases will contain Memory sticks with full games on them. Way easier to carry around than UMDs.

2 up, 0 down

shindelion
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 10:51:20 PM
Reply

I feel that this move is a fail, special with the price.

2 up, 1 down

migabyte
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 11:22:28 PM
Reply

Well, I know a lot of people are complaining about the price and stuff. I get if you already own a PSP that it is maybe not worth getting. On the other hand people like me who don't have one it is worth it. People say, you can get a old PSP and a memory stick for like 10$ less. OK, so then you are only paying 10$ for the new design. To me, it's worth it, it's smaller and easier to carry around, I have enough things in my pockets. Anyways, bottom line I might get a PSP in the next year or so, and if I do it will probably be a PSP go.

0 up, 1 down

Alienange
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 8:59:37 AM

Not sure where you shop, but it's $100 dollars less not $10. Or your friends don't know where to get memory cards.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:59:39 AM

You can probably get a used/refurb PSP for $120-$140 (Shop around, but refurbs seem to congregate at about $140, which compared to a new system isn't a good deal). You'll pay anything from about $70 and up for a 16GB Memory Stick.

The New Go is only about $50 more than that - depending on the prices you find.

0 up, 0 down

migabyte
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:29:33 AM

Ok...50$ dollars, and that's for a refurbished (not a big deal, but it isn't new)...anyways, people can buy whatever they want. I am not saying I will buy one, but I might. I don't think they are charging way too much, maybe a little, but it's not ridiculous.

0 up, 0 down

Silk
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 11:23:39 PM
Reply

Although the price is high I think it has to be, at least for now anyway. The UMD PSP is cheaper than the current stated price of the PSP Go, it's basically a bargain. If Sony said that they would release the Go at the same price or even cheaper, then no one would buy the UMD PSP and just wait for the Go.

I suspect a price drop on the day of release.

0 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 11:44:09 PM
Reply

only two points I want to mention:

1. I am perfectly fine with my PSP fat generation one console and all the great titles I own, GOW chains of O, Crisis Core... I dont need a Go to expand my portable experiences. PSP original and the DS lite are satisfied enough for me.

2. I dont need a PS3 slim, I am extremely happy with the MGS4 PS3 80G bundle with b/c I bought last year, will not care or even look at the slim should it indeed be made and released.

My focus will always be on the great line up of games -- GOW3, Demon's Soul, WKC, AC2, FF13, v13, The last guardian, etc.

Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 7/14/2009 11:48:07 PM

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 11:48:29 PM
Reply

I'm calling for a PSP Go price cut! ;)

2 up, 1 down

Oyashiro
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 12:00:50 AM

Oh World, you little rascal! XD

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:00:06 AM

Get Kotick on the phone !

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 11:54:27 PM
Reply

As an owner of the original PSP I don't see the reason to make the switch. I like my bigger screen, 32 gigs of storage, and the amount of games I can buy for my current PSP with the 250 I save not buying the PSPGo.

To me atleast this is like Sony releasing a different model of the PS2 with a few new bells and whistles but nothing new in terms of graphics. I don't think I would make the switch there either having already owned a PS2.

0 up, 0 down

KingRed
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 12:15:50 AM

Hey Limited What card do you have? I've been looking for a 32 gb card.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 12:40:56 AM

You need to buy a Dual Socket Micro SD to Memory Stick MS Pro Duo Adapter. Then get two 16 gig sd cards. It's rather expensive but well worth it.

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 10:10:02 AM

I've been thinking about buying one of those, but the lack of Magic Gate support troubles me. Without that video and/or music downloaded from Sony's PS Store won't work, only games.

I've only been able to find one maker of these adapters, where did you find yours?

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:36:09 AM

I got mine from amazon. Had a great sale going on last Fall.

0 up, 0 down

KingRed
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 3:52:46 PM

Thanks Limited
Will have to check that out.

0 up, 0 down

shindelion
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 @ 11:54:36 PM
Reply

Should have been a PSP2 with a second analog.

5 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:00:58 PM

...then I might have been tempted to drop $250 on it.

I'll stick with my 1000 until Sony comes to their senses.

0 up, 0 down

KingRed
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 12:18:12 AM
Reply

I have PSP 2000 model right now but some how I know I will end up getting the PSPGo on launch.

0 up, 2 down

slayerkillemall
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 12:25:12 AM
Reply

exactly!

sony made a big mistake,by not including a second analog stick,and they will realize it when microsoft enters the market with their own handheld made especially for FPS,im not a microsoft fan in fact im a huge sony fan but i'll never buy the psp,but if microsoft makes it i'll buy it

2 up, 3 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 2:02:26 AM

1) Microsoft have been threatening to enter this market for years. The Zune was supposed to be 'it' and wasn't.

2) a hand held made especially for one genre of game would appear to have a relatively limited audience, you typically want the device to be more generally applicable.

Lastly, your final sentence is completely self contradicting. A total lack of logic.

4 up, 2 down

Mr Bitey
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 8:46:34 AM

Have you played Resistance, Splinter Cell, or SOCOM on PSP yet? They're all shooters and fantastic games.

A second analog stick would mean that there would be PSP Go only games. The games wouldn't be compatible with the original PSPs. The Go is basically just an up date to the PSP, it's not meant to be a PSP2.

2 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:05:24 AM

TheHighlander you are mistaken. There are no sentences in what he wrote.

3 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:14:13 AM

Not really. If a new generation PSP would have dual analog sticks, it can be ianctive by default for old games for the PSP1000/2000/3000. Albeit if the newer games would enable the use of the 2 sticks, it would piss off old generation PSP users bigtime! i know i would be pissed..

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:46:23 AM

I think the Go should have introduceD dual analog too. I haven't played any of the games above but one game I do know that needed it badly was MGS: Portable Ops. The controls ruined that game for me.

Last edited by Jawknee on 7/15/2009 9:48:41 AM

2 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:10:27 PM

No, they would just have to include the same crippled control scheme they would have used if they hadn't fixed it.

Sony just seems unwilling to admit they made an (understandable) error in the first place, when they built a system to be a portable PS1.5, but didn't build it so that it actually COULD.

p.s. The shooters named above are good games, but they could be better.

p.p.s. I hadn't read spiderboi's reply, but my take was a little different.

p.p.p.s. It's time for a new handheld anyway. How long did any version of the GameBoy last?

Last edited by Fane1024 on 7/15/2009 11:17:09 PM

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 4:11:29 AM
Reply

To be honest, if the PSP did have a dual analogue stick mechanic I would buy it immediately... I would find the controls a lot more accessible I think; in particular for FPS as I am interested more in this genre than any other...

Surely it would not be difficult for Sony to do this...

Q!

"i am home"

2 up, 0 down

moumou
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 5:23:02 AM
Reply

It always seems to be the same strategy over and over and it's obviously working. They release at a stupid price, and there is always going to be a bunch that pays it, then 3 months later the price drops and more accessories flood the market to keep everyone happy. For $250 I want to have more than just a game console. If Sony can deliver that then Im sold.

http://www.aboutpspgo.com

Last edited by moumou on 7/15/2009 5:24:21 AM

2 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 7:01:16 PM

Ya ps3 did that ( except for the flood of games) because i got mine for 1000 $ xD

0 up, 1 down

JohnnyGold
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 6:56:43 AM
Reply

arent all those old games like crisis core and gow playable on the psp go?

and wouldnt any new game released for the old psp, have to be compatible with the go?

basically, how could one be for hardcore gamers and one be for the masses? thats like saying the ps3 slim is for the masses and the original is for us. theyre the same system, just aesthetically different.

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 10:05:27 AM

All old PSP titles on UMD will be release digitally so that Go Owners don't lose out. There's even supposed to be a disc exchange program.

That's what Sony said, though I wouldn't be surprised if some older games never see the light of day outside their UMDS.

2 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:20:37 PM

Highlander is right (as usual), except for one word: "all".

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:37:58 PM

@Fane, indeed. I stand corrected. I can't believe that *every* title will be given the treatment. There are some games that had *incredibly* small sales. There'd be no sense in making them available.

0 up, 0 down

Robochic
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 7:36:13 AM
Reply

I would buy one just cause my PSP orginal got stolen so i'm starting from scratch so i my as well get the lastest model we'll see i agree with bigboss4ever i am more concentrating on the line up of games and a bigger harddrive for my system which is coming soon :)

0 up, 0 down

Mr Bitey
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 8:40:56 AM
Reply

Anyone see the sequel for Valkyria Chronicles was announced?

.... it's a PSP game.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 10:04:03 AM

VC sequel? Announced for Japan? NA? When? Where? Link? :D

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 3:07:36 PM

G4TV news site has it up. Pic looks Japanese only at the moment.

0 up, 0 down

JMO_INDY
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 8:48:14 AM
Reply

my UMD drive just broke this morning, anybody know how to fix it? Its a PSP 3000. Everything looks ok on the inside,any ideas?

Last edited by JMO_INDY on 7/15/2009 8:49:00 AM

0 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 9:53:18 AM
Reply

I'm on the fence with this. I keep flip-flopping like a fish out of water.

Part of me (the tech geek) wants the PSP Go because it is sleek and new.

The other part of me is happy with my fat PSP, so I just might take the $250 I would spend on the PSP Go and buy a PSP 3000 and two 16G memory cards (I still need to download Patapon 2 and now Unbound Saga) to get the TV out function (the only thing I miss on the fat PSP).

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 10:02:48 AM

In cost terms PSP-3000 + 16GB MemoryStick Pro Duo = PSP Go. Dollar for dollar they're about equivalent in cost. Bumping either to 32GB with a second 16GB Pro Du stick will cost you the same.

Last edited by Highlander on 7/15/2009 10:03:14 AM

1 up, 0 down

migabyte
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:33:22 AM
Reply

This is not my idea, I heard it somewhere, but if it came with like 2 games on it would people still be complaining? This is something they should look at. Being digital it is not as expensive for them.

0 up, 0 down

HamsterBoy
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 11:54:51 AM
Reply

I have three PSP units already and over 85 UMD based games and with all that investment I'm still going to get a PSP Go!. I'm glad that Sony got rid of the bloody UMD battery drain drive. Bluetooth will probably go the way of the IRDA on the PSP Fat. Smaller screen? Meh, 4.3 to 3.8 is damn near unnoticeable. Higher price, that does piss me off but early adopters, such as myself, will help Sony pay for it's R&D and then the price will drop for the rest of you plebs. I don't know if it will fly but it looks interesting.

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 6:57:01 PM

Well good for you! (not sarcastic)

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 3:18:21 PM
Reply

For the price, the PSP Go should have had a longer battery life. 16gb of internal memory is not some expensive future tech that costs this much.

2 up, 1 down

kevinater321
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 @ 6:56:07 PM
Reply

My take on this whole analog thing is in the option menu to have psp go controls or psp 1000-3000 controls(resistance: retribution conrols) and then it will give people more of a push to upgrade to the psp go whereas those who don't have the money don't have to miss out on some great games. Or maybe even have the system do it for you, like the psp go automatically change and if it is the older psp then don't change controls at all.

1 up, 0 down

Bandit King
Thursday, July 16, 2009 @ 8:16:59 AM
Reply

Well, I do like the design and the 16GB internal memory is great (especially with more classic games hitting PSN now) but I like my physical media, not to mention I have 30 PSP games that would no longer be playable, some of which are imports we never got in the US like Breath of Fire 3 and Tales of Eternia. Besides my PSP can still play anything the GO can. Also the color selection for the PSP outside of Japan sucks, same goes for the GO so I recently bought a new 3000 in the 4U color series.

On a side note I never understood why people feel UMD failed, OK it never took off for movies but every PSP game sold is on UMD and thats far from a failure. Nintendo made countless different forms of flash/RAM carts for all of it's handhelds (GBA even had TV show episodes)all of which served no purpose outside of gaming for that one specific system yet when Sony makes a new media every one starts with the sh*t parade.

Last edited by Bandit King on 7/16/2009 8:17:42 AM

1 up, 0 down

Thirdrail
Monday, July 20, 2009 @ 5:56:37 AM
Reply

I don't see the PSP Go as that big of a deal. I mean the new design is very cool, but you'll never convince me anything with a smaller screen is an upgrade. Plus, high gig memory sticks get cheaper every day. It took me ten seconds to find a 16gig card for $45 when I just typed it into Google. Wouldn't it cost me more money to buy a slightly less functional PSP Go than it would to just buy a fully functional Slim and a huge memory stick? This sounds like the kind of pricing plan Apple would think up...

Also, if Patapon 2 was any indication of the new UMD-less world, I think they need to work on their presentation. For instance, if you're going to sell me an empty box, spring for the nicer full colour rulebook! I felt a bit let down by that whole deal.

0 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Will The PSP Go Alienate The Hardcore Gaming Crowd?

Comments (65 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
Saints Row 2 cheats	PS3
Need For Speed: Most Wanted cheats	PS2
Xenogears cheats	PS1
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga cheats	PS3
NFL Blitz 2000 cheats	PS1
Rise of the Kasai cheats	PS2
Syphon Filter cheats	PS1
Mission Impossible cheats	PS1

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3