PSP Go Is (Finally) Official: $US249

@BarbeQueQ: Seriously?! How so?
It was my understanding that the hardware itself (the way the screen was made) was causing it. How did they fix it?

I was already set on getting the 3000 anyway, but if I had any doubts about it, they are now gone :D

@ariete: Fair point but when comparing the cost of the PSP-3000 to the PSP Go, you have no choice between SD or MS.

-MasterDex-

@-MasterDex-: The memory stick is Sony Proprietary Hardware. It is expensive because they choose it to be so.

Now go check the price for SD cards.

ariete

All I can say is Ouch!

zerokoolpsx

@spectralpulse: I'm pretty sure the PSP 2000 can run CFW and has been able to for some time.

-MasterDex-

@rudeskata: No, you cannot fairly compare the price of a handheld system to a home console.

How about we take the route of comparing the PS3 or 360 Elite to the PC, let's include all the functionalities of both systems with the PC having an equivalent price and see what happens......*a few unneccessay calcuations later*...Oh, look at that, both the Elite and the PS3 are priced extortionately high. How could anyone ever think of buying such obviously insanely overpriced systems?!

See my point?

Now, if you were to compare the PSP Go to the DSi, then you would have a fair argument and even then, the PSP Go wouldn't fare as poorly as you might think. Either way, that wasn't the argument you brought up so I'll leave it at that.

-MasterDex-

@TheUncleBob: Ohhh Really?
[www.newegg.com]

According to Newegg, that's a saving of 4.99 and that's for the cheaper Sandisk version. The PSP Go is more expensive but when you consider prices of other handheld technologies such as MP3/MP4 players with equivalent memory, the PSP Go is fairly priced.

Also although for you an optical drive means you're getting less, for the average consumer less moving parts, less physical media, always accesible media = better.

-MasterDex-

@Narishma: Thank you. I really didn't want to have to reply to such a silly comment.

-MasterDex-

@Theoutlet: I disagree. I own the arcade and for a very long time, I had nothing but the MU that comes with it. Then, when I needed a hard drive, I was able to pick up a 20gb one that ended up costing me less than getting a 360 with hard drive new.

-MasterDex-

I'm confused. How does less hardware mean a higher price again?

Eric Castro

@KaneRobot:

You're more offensive with that nonsense question. Get the PSP 3000 if you have to have a PSP. While you're at it, stop pissing with the Wii.

@CHunterX:

It's all about perception my friend.

You think I'm a "fanboy", I think I'm an open-minded platform/company favorite agnostic gamer who makes enough money to indulge in hardware revisions like the PSP GO!

You think that the "majority" of people will "scoff" at a price point like $250 ... but I think that even in a recession that millions of people have dropped FAR MORE on iPod touches, Blu-Ray Players, Navigation Systems, DS Lites, DSIs, Netbooks, etc. regardless of their financial situation. People buy what they like, cost is rarely EVER an issue ... or not as much of an issue as you're giving it credit for.

The device is shiny and nice and Sony is going to make the PSN Store more robust than it already is to support the DL-only format of the GO! and they'll probably even continue to sell DLC codes at brick and mortar like they did with Patapon 2 for those who don't have a credit card.

Bottom line, it's all about perception.

All you see is a price and you're letting that drive your perception of the value of the device as well as what other people will think about it.

Why not take a look at the comments section in the "hands-on video" section ... looks like more than a few Kotaku readers are calling this a "must buy". But I guess they're ALL fanboys too for not immediately hating this, right?

FrankieViturello

$249 ah... hahahahhahahahahahah ha

NO!

@NeVeRMoRe666: You're ugly.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Bialia

@sereal: I wasn't talking about build quality, the thing is lighter than an iPod and thinner than a DS. I'd be worried about snapping it in half.

so, what about the ps3 slim? are they just holding out on announcing it until the current sku is depleted?

@NeVeRMoRe666: and the GO is ugly.

@NeVeRMoRe666: Uh, your point? And here's a shock...if they have dial-up (that sends chills down my spine ^_^), they would be able to read my comments, but not hook up their 360.

(my sister just got DSL in BFE after enduring dial-up for the last two years (their area just got it))

@coan_net: Are the downloadable games going to be Go specific though? I don't see how/why they would be. Seems like you could just get a 16GB flash card and dump it in a 3000 since they're supposed to be able to play the same games. Put your games on there and bam, you're good to go. You don't have the smaller size/portability and (assumed) increase in battery life, but you still get games for less.

Sir-Lucius

@KaneRobot: The GO because you can get almost the same thing for waaaay less since its just a rehash, but theres only one Wii.

...and it rocks.

@eyeshield: You two are correct.

The 360 is farm from useless. The $200 model? Just a little.

@doubtful: And how do you rent them using the Go? You download your games, install them to memory and their your's. It's quite different to the way Steam works.

-MasterDex-

The price... Wow. It's been said but I thought it might be cheaper.

fucking fail! thats horrible.. this is the worst move sony has made in a while... that thing shouldn't be a dime over 199..

And just like that! My interest in this Gizmo vanished.

wow, I don't know if want to spend $250 again on a system i never play, it Peace walker works on the 1000 series i don't think I'll get a go, but i always say that, maybe since I have no interest in the platform Ill start from scratch and trade everything in.

otis123

@rip: Awesome.

But it'll be made with fewer and smaller parts, so that more than explains the price increase. You're paying for what's not there.

@MercerCh00x: tehy did it the ps3 and rock band

pandafresh

INCREDIBLE. Seriously SONY, how could you fuck this up, this bad? When the teaser shots were leaked, there were nothing but positive comments made here on Kotaku. Now look at the above and compare. Why did you not least price it the sameas the DSi? Are you INTENTIONALLY handing the market over to Ninendo and apple?

Seriously, nobody is going to complain if you say "did we say $249? We meant $149. That was a typo." You'd get a lot of mileage with that.

@Chroma3000: Apparently, based on the PSP go pricing, it looks like the PS3 slim is going to lack a blu-ray drive and cost $600. Nice.

rip

@Bialia: Hey now, lets not get craaaaazy here...

*fishes through your trash*

@imikedaman: =profit!

@relic1980: Yeah, too bad they wouldn't be able to get on the net to read your comments...hardy har har...

@eyeshield: Depends on who's buying it. I think without an HD it's useless. To me. But I am sure there are thousands of buyers who don't have their 360 hooked up to the internet who would disagree with me.

@Leanid: Sony's head: Let's price the PSP Go at $249! It's genius! Hey, umm, why is it so dark? Anyone?

Sony's ass: I know why. And, btw, I am not a very good place for you to come up with pricing decisions. Can you please stop coming up in here?

rip

@.digiwalsh: More like the crap in Kotaku's toilet. Needs flushed.

Sense...this makes none.

I'll DEFINITELY buy this, and I already have a PSP-3000.

-Xehanort

@FrankieViturello: Stop being a fanboy. Kaz himself even stated that it isn't replacing the PSP, and all games that work on the PSPGo! will work on PSP 1000-3000. That means no new hardware. We know it has a smaller screen. We know it has no UMD.
The three things it does have on its side are size, internal memory, and bluetooth.
If you REALLY think those three things are worth $249, then fine. But the majority of people are going to scoff at that price.

You wanna know what I see in the future of sony? Bankruptcy. They are acting like little kids seem like they don't even know the concept of money. They didn't annouce a price cut for the PS3 and now they put this out for what was it? Oh yes $250. I know the people who interview them are just being polite, but this is rediculous. I was hyped for sony until they didn't annouce a price cut, which meant they showed all of this great stuff, but I can't play it due to the fact that I can't afford a PS3.

It's just sad. Fanboys can say whatever they want because they have a PS3. The economy is bad, people lose and can;t get jobs, and yet Sony just ignores it. I guess no God of war 3 for me huh all because sony can't get their heads out od their asses.

And yes I would be willing to say that right to their faces.

@Finstern: Am I the only one who buys PSP games? Sure I pirate on that other handheld, but I can (proudly?) say that my PSP runs official firmware.

@NewSpecies: In the context of plebeianprint's argument you can ABSOLUTELY compare the cost of one gaming machine to another. He's not comparing the quality of the systems to one another but rather the cost. Handhelds have been traditionally cheaper than consoles but to release a handheld at the same price as two current gen consoles it then becomes a question as to is the cost of said system justified. If the PSP is supposed to compete with the DS it should be released at a competitive price point.

rudeskata

@Str8_Jihadin: "Knew him? Shit, ***** owes me 12 bucks!"

@mwoody: The DS and GBA are different consoles, the PSP Go has the same specs as the regular PSPs. Your analogy fails.

Narishma

@smirnoffski:
I'm still more than satisfied with my PSP 1000.

Squirrelbot3000

@beetnek: Yeah and that was how many years ago? I bought it the first day it came out because it was just plain awesome. The level of technology in my hands during that time was just great. Flash forward to 2009 and they are just releasing a redesign for launch price. I would have gotten it if it had dual analogs though.

@Ehardergardens:
I still have my PSP 1000 and play it religiously.

...and I can bludgeon a man to death with it if I need to in a pinch.

Squirrelbot3000

@.digiwalsh:

Hes talking about the Arcade version, which REALLY IS kind of useless with its lack of HD.

@Chroma3000: Outside of this absolutely ridiculous price, which I hope crushes the PSP Go (Sony doesn't need to be encouraged to produce more overpriced hardware), I thought Sony's presentation was absolutely amazing. The PSP got tons of love and the PS3 got a lot of amazing stuff. I just read the liveblog, though, did they mention when the GOWIII demo was coming out? Or when Ueda's game was coming?

robbo_the_hood

@Izkariot: I have 20.

Squirrelbot3000

@abort_user: Yeah! MS' E3 presentation was really good!

*throws 60gb PS3 into garbage, skips off*

Bialia

@-MasterDex-: Yeeeeah, and you can keep your GBA because the DS isn't intended to replace it. Sure.

mwoody

I think I figured it out.

The PSP GO isn't about selling PSP Gos. It's about making the PSP 3000 seem like a bargain.

alzheimers

Too expensive for me.

@woons: It is like they saw the conversation rate and said "Naw just replace the $ with a euro sign, the uk can take it."

I was excited about this when I first saw it but 250.... Seriously fuck you sony.

kagebutsu

@Finstern: Kotaku, a gamer blog where you can brag about stealing from the industry with impunity!

MehGinla

@-MasterDex-:

Only you get the added ability to actually own your games and not just 'rent' them.

Looks like something that will attract a limited gadget savvy and casual audience. I see very few current PSP owners upgrading to this, myself included.

smirnoffski

any specs?

This is ridiculous. 249? Seriously?

Purguy

I just did two spit takes. Once for the outrageous price, the other for "did I just really do a spit take?"

DreamDivision

@saneroner: no, he said development tools for the system will go down 80% so more developers can make games for it

Gabriel Alejandro Rodriguez

@Kayin: What do YOU mean, you people.

@plebeianprint:
You can't compare a system to a handheld. Ever. They're different in their usability. I wouldn't use my consoles as a mp3 player, or picture viewer. I just use it for newer\older games. Being able to take them on the road and enjoy the PS1 classics and DLC on the spot is the clear benefit of this system. The prices are always expensive at first, but they will drop.

NewSpecies

this is totally uneeded because this isnt even a foward step in handheld gaming,its only a upgrade just like the psp 2000 and 3000.only difference is slide out screen,a screen the size of a i-phone screen and by they way for all of you i-phone lovers there coming out with a new i-phone just for you called i-diot,anyways i expected a new new psp to come i envisioned a psp with "2" analog sticks and l2 and r2 and vibration because if every cheap phone on the market today has vibration then im sure a company as high quality as sony would have it implemented,new hardware and everything. PEOPLE DONT WANT A TINY PSP TO PLAY LITTLE MINI GAMES AT STARBUCKS! people want a small system that can at least play ps2 size games (considering its been some years since the orginal psp was released) im not buying this ill stick with my psp thank you very much, and by the way psp go is a horrible name because our current psp's are already on the "go" with us. how did they come up with that name? i bet you it was at the company and they were all getting wasted and some wasted chinese dude jumped out a window and said GOOOOOOOOOOOOO and some other dude wrote it down like it was the words of martin luther king like it was the most inspiring name for the system.sony ive been loyal to you for so long since you been coming out with your stuff but this "psp go" has got to "go" ! p.s wouldnt it be cool if they released a new psp with 3 avaible skin color/textures the first skin would be the original playstation skin and the other ps2 and ps3. that would be nice.

SalmaHaruhite

I was planning on getting a PSP Go as my first PSP however I think I'll just get a PSP-3000 and a 16 GB Memory stick duo instead.

Did they mention any method of getting your UMD games onto the newer model at all? I haven't had a chance to watch the event yet.

Another concern I have is the screen. Is it even possible to have a case that offers the protection of the Logitech PlayGear Pocket with a sliding screen?

These uncertainties along with the price increase, smaller screen and awkward placement of the analog stick are making the Go look less and less appealing to me.

Vault69

$249 is too much for just a bit cosmetic slim version, I will keep my 1000 series, rather spend that $250 on some PS3 games which can give me more visual pleasure (HD).

jellyfish

@Fieldy: The screen issue has been fixed.

BarbeQueQ

@NeoAkira:

Sorry. SUPPORT is a very important part of this industry that you're under-cutting.

How many games don't see sequels because they're not supported?

How many systems don't make it to the end of their retail half-life because they're not supported?

Bottom line is that I'm not prepared to argue semantics with you because it's pretty obvious from looking at your other posts that you're just an angry person and that you're looking forward to seeing this device fail.

You can think whatever you want about whatever you want.

Sorry my opinion differs, but (if it's not obvious) I'm not you, and I'm not the majority of commenters posting "FAIL! THIS SUX! RIP-OFF! etc." on, like EVERY comment section of EVERY E3 announcement. I'm not jaded, I don't have blinders on, and I'm old enough and have been around long enough to know that the axiom "don't judge a book by its cover" exists for a good reason.

Down the line I might even determine that the PSP Go! may indeed NOT be worth the price (to me) but there's ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that I can determine that by looking at specs on paper. That's like reading a synopsis on the back of a DVD and saying "there's absolutely no way that this is worth watching".

I'm done speaking with you on this matter. I'm not "easily duped" by anything, on the contrary, I'm just more open minded than others (possibly even you, but I don't have anything other than your abrasive demeanor to go on, and unlike you I'm not prepared to make assumptions).

Kthanksbye.

FrankieViturello

I was 99.9% sold on it til that price tag, think i'll just spend my money on something else now, I mean, ffs Sony, you come up with a cool bit of kit to try compete against the DS and fucking blow it already!

Idiots

DiGiC

I was thinking of getting a DSi but now I'd rather have this. What's wrong with me? Whatever! I love me some gadgets!

Stevie Nicks

@Glorax:
Yea...$250 is too much for a very incrementai (and in some ways a step backwards) upgrade. Geez, the DSi is only $40 more than a DS Lite.

200 maybe. 210-20 is pushing it. 250? Absolutely not; that's ridiculous.

Its De ja FREAKIN Vu

Kidrobotp1n0y

CONS:
- Smaller screen
- No UMD drive
- be a slave to downloadable media

PROS:
- Likely Longer battery life.

At $149, I was NO thanks. at $249, a definite NOOO

smirnoffski

@Glorax: Cellphones cost more than consoles... cram crap on tiny things it is expensive

OK - $249 is WAY TOO MUCH

... unless, the games are under $20 each

... which they should be since they don't want to make media of each game (warehouse, shipping, etc...)

How much you want to bet games will still be $40+ each.

@Michael Fisk:
It is only $30 on the consumer side. I'm sure Sony could get it for quite a bit less. Factor in the missing UMD Drive and I (along with quite a few others) don't get how PSP - Optical Drive + $30 Flash Memory = $80 Price Difference.

TheUncleBob

I was thinking of getting this, but as I was watching the conference over on IGN.com, the minute they mentioned the price my mind immediately went: "Bugger that!".

Seems like I'll be grabbing a 2000 or 3000 over the summer. I'm still not sure which one I want considering the screen issues with the 3000 so I'll do some research.

@RawSteelUT: It really is. It's bizarre that they think this price point is acceptable. Crazy.

Too expensive.

@ctuck: I wouldn't put it past them.

RawSteelUT

@uchennaokafor: Oh no.... that is too much $$$$$

I've been excited about this for awhile now - the slide out controls look very cool, and I would have happily stood in line for one of these....

... but $249 - ugh, that is a lot of money for a portable game system.

NOW, ON THE FLIP SIDE - Since all games are now downloads, if they drop the game price to under $20 (which they should since they no longer have to make cartridges or CD), then I might go for the more expensive system... if the games are cheaper.

... but for some reason, I have a feeling they will keep the games at $40+

"theres less in it, the technology is pretty much the same, minus a UMD drive, meaning its not as expensive to manufacture, but theres a 16gb internal memory capacity... no touch screen and you'll pay almost $100 dollars more for it."

*sigh*

Primebuster

i wouldn't pay more than 150$ cnd, the psp can be bought for 170$ cnd and this is a UMD less version of the psp.
Maybe the rail system for the sliding buttons is made of titanium lol.

ChunkAhoy

@FrankieViturello:

It's one thing to have an open mind, it's another to "support nearly anything and everything that this industry offers up to us, even if it means I wind up having invested in a retail klunker like Virtual Boy or Jaguar"

That's just being easily dupable. No, I don't know anything about your gaming habits, but I don't need to to make the evaluation I did. Fanboy =/= gaming habits. Fanboy = a state of mind.

You might consider this slight revision worth it, as that's your "prerogative". But this is no different than if Nintendo had released the GBA SP with no GBA slot, built in memory, and $100 more expensive than the original GBA. It's a rip-off as plain as the eye can see. No, that's not a fact, but neither is the unifying theory of gravity.

@Legendary Hoamaru: is the 3000 worth hacking? i think if the demand had been strong enough it would have been. so we'll see about this one.

jack m

maybe if it was $50 cheaper... no thanks sony.

@Comatose Turtle: Truncated again! Sunnuva!

The ending to that was, obviously:
...give-us-your-moneysland.

@.digiwalsh: I think he was just referring to the Arcade version being useless (which is true) not 360 in general. That would be trolling.

@Salen: They must have left it with your BC for the PSP. In We-don't-give-a-damn-just-give-us-your-m....

@saneroner: the tools to develop psp games are going to be 80% cheaper..

@ryangadsby: sorry but lol. It's a shame you lost your PSP but you can always buy the 3000 which will continue to be sold and it'll be cheaper than getting the PSP Go.

I can see them coming up with a way however to allow users to copy or convert their collection of UMD games (perhaps through the WiFi and playstation network) so that they can be played using the PSP Go or via the memory stick.

-MasterDex-

@NeoAkira: You don't remember the PS3, do you? I said the same thing at that time. I'm not about to give them any more of my trust in human logic or decency.

what a joke

Fox Hound

@Minister of Fun: i swear that sony has lost its connection with the consumer. who can/will pay $250 for this when they could get a wii or 360 for that amount?

@cornunderscore2x:

Gee 16GB is free now?

@ryangadsby: No, that's outdated. What is in now is the ability to buy a virtual game and own absolutely nothing. Good luck giving it to a friend to play, renting it or even buying or selling it used. It's the future!

daschupa

That's a bit steep. Expected it to be cheaper.

Grind_Axis

@uchennaokafor: It's totally worth the price, I mean they added...well...nothing, but at least they removed the UMD, amiright?

daschupa

@.digiwalsh: HEY! what you mean, you people?

@NeoAkira:

Fanboy? Me?

Do you know me? Do you know ANYTHING about my gaming habits?

Sorry, not only did I not attack anybody, but I'm the furthest thing from a "fanboy" that there could possibly be. I support nearly anything and everything that this industry offers up to us, even if it means I wind up having invested in a retail klunker like Virtual Boy or Jaguar.

PSP at least has a pre-existing pedigree, and enough of one that I'd like to think that being open-minded about an evolution/refresh product wouldn't mark me as a "fanboy".

As I stated previously, you sir are totally entitled to your opinion of the PSP Go!, that's your prerogative. If you hate it because it costs $250 and doesn't have whatever you'd perceive would make it "worth" that amount of money, you can have that opinion.

Just because I'm not prepared to sheepishly go "knee-jerk" with an "angry reaction" on the internet and that that type of reaction from others doesn't come as any type of surprise to me - does NOT make me a fanboy.

FrankieViturello

@reluttr: 16 gigs and the ms m2 slot most likely jacked up the price.

@jrhawk42:

Perhaps that's their devious scheme, not to sell this, but so people will buy the regular psps cause they will feel like they are getting a great deal!

@Covenant: Yeah, I thought $180 for the DSi was a bit much. THIS is unreasonable.

RawSteelUT

@beetnek: Yes, and now they're using fewer and cheaper parts than the PSP-1000. And the price went... back up? WTF?

@saneroner: Sony needs money badly.

$250 is a joke... might as well buy a 16gb stick to go w/ a 2k or 3k, and save a few bucks.

My guess is games from the store are also going to be over priced compared to their UMD counter parts.

@Moar_pr0nz:

Uh... dude, the screen slides up... and if you havent noticed the DS flips open and thus sells millions.

So clearly their reasoning was "moving screens move units"

maybe they're right... maybe they're right...

@Str8_Jihadin: I like your pic lol

@-MasterDex-:

Funny story - unlike most owners, I have UMDs but no PSP. I lost the damn thing and was considering this as a replacement.

@FrankieViturello: I don't care if it does my laundry, $250 is too much. I just want a portable gaming system; anything else it does is superfluous (to me).

@Chroma3000: For reference, the PSP1000 was $250 when it launched as well and everyone ate it up.

beetnek

@FrankieViturello:

um...[gizmodo.com]

How exactly do we know very little?

Also, maybe you don't know this, but price is the prime determining factor for MOST consumer electronics purchases. That's the reason the PS3 bombed it's first year.

So maybe if more people like you learned to exercise some logic and not jump and attack people like fanboys, they'd learn to be a more zen commenter.

TWO fitty? SERIOUSLY, Sony? Ha ha ha.

B_Selekta

@sereal: Uproar?

Are you sure you're responding to the right person?

My post is the exact opposite of uproar.

FrankieViturello

I was expecting them to undercut the DSi, but I guess I forgot this is Sony we're talking about.

@Phibius:

Um.

If it's your "thoughts" then why are you preemptively presenting it as facts?

FrankieViturello

So its not a PSP 2, costs alot more, looks crappier, and doesnt have a UMD drive...wtf were they thinking?

Moar_pr0nz

@cornunderscore2x:
16GB of dedicated flash memory isn't cheap, you know.

Michael Fisk

The only reason this interests me is that maybe the older model PSPs will get cheap enough for me to pick one up. Here's hoping.

Yeah...
Ill tell you exactly where it can "GO" sony.

Gimme a break.
So we cant get good devs to make games so lets make 15 versions of our console because we were in such a rush to get it out in the first place that e didnt have time to come up with good ideas.

So now lets make another one, thats what 3 in 2 years? and charge an extra $100, where we cant play any of our UMD games or movies that we already bought.

great job sony.

Crypysmoker

@NeoAkira:

Sorry, but ... citing ONE THING is the very definition of "very little" information.

You can get your panties in a twist over a price point if you'd like, that's your prerogative.

Personally I'll wait for MORE information (not just the cost of the unit, which isn't prohibitive to me personally) and preferably USE the unit before passing judgment.

It very well may be worth the price if the size, form factor and/or battery life are preferable to the current 1000-3000 models.

And, sure "worth" is a subjective term, so take that with a grain of salt.

Bottom line, again, I'm not offended by the price point or what little I do know about the features of the unit, and as I learn MORE then and ONLY THEN will I form a definitive personal opinion about the product.

More people should learn to exercise that methodology on internet message boards because the ZEN gamer is the one that truly gets the most enjoyment out of everything this industry has to offer.

Not everything in life is as black/white, love/hate, sucks/rules as most people would lead you to believe.

FrankieViturello

@jamesjohnson01:
he said it was 80% cheaper to make tahn previous psp models. it makes no sense why its so expensive

saneroner

one thing to consider is that they could be launching at this price so as to maintain the current sales of psps. I.e. if it as too cheap people might just wait a couple of months and get this rather than continuing with purchasing psps and very likely eventually getting this when it falls into a reasonable non-early adopter price level.... I also think it's positioned more against the itouch this time and a 16 gig itouch is a comparable price comparison.
I wish it had a camera and gps built in though...

I might pick one of these up for lulz but... I don't see it being an iPhone/iPod Touch killer. Seems like this is Sony's last grasp against Apple more than a PSP replacement or a competitor to the DS/DSi.

If PSN can really step it up it might be worthwhile... I don't see it being a blazing success though.

gti443

@uchennaokafor: Great Family Guy reference :P

Daniel Pizarro Sánchez

@Ehardergardens:

No, there's no touch screen. Did you even read the announcements about the system?

@Finstern: There is LESS hardware being manufactured(no UMD drive), and it costs MORE? If you're gonna draw any comparisons between this and the iPone/iPod Touch, make it the pointlessly inflated price.

@Glorax: Ya... kinda shocked by this price as well. But i do need something to watch movies/play games on and listen to music with. And easy connection to my ps3... so... ill still get one.

@Theoutlet:
Really?

you people are the poison in Kotaku's blood.

@Legendary Hoamaru:
You can Play Hombrew with PSP 3000 with an exploit now
PSP 2000 with Ta88V3 mobos can play homebrew and backups now, but both cant run CFW yet.

spectralpulse

Holy crap.... I'll wait for a price drop(When it goes down to like $170-180 or lower), ThankYouVeryMuch!

NekuSakuraba

@FrankieViturello: So why all the uproar? psp's are pretty cheap used now. I saw a big stack of them at ebgames for 100$ (cnd) buy a memory stick and just don't use the umd drive. but also enjoy all the cheap sales of umd's when people start switching to downloads.

As long as sony keeps selling 3000's new and the go I don't see the big deal.

sereal

@BubbleF**kingBuddy: GM filed for chpater 11 bankruptcy Monday morning.

@uchennaokafor: The PSP is losing ground the Touch and is trailing the DS by a lot, so to come out priced higher than their competitors isn't a smart move. There just isn't enough here to justify the upsell, at least with the DSi you get new games specifically designed for the hardware, if I wanted a PSP I'd just go for the cheaper model.

rudeskata

@Chroma3000: $250 is utter bullshit considering its nothing more than a redesign and not a successor system. hell the dsi is more of a sequel system than this pos and its cheaper too.

sonys starting to get on my nerves and im a ps3 owner. and ms did have an awesome presentation.

abort_user

I hope it comes with stuff to justify the price...

I still haven't watched the leaked video or the live press coverage, did they detail the full capabilities of the bluetooth? Is it just for headsets and crap, or is this going to be a huge shock and allow the use of a PS3 controller?

Anyway, I don't see any problem with the price point; it does provide the benefit of substantial onboard storage, which until recently (based on their use of Memory Stick products) would make up for most of the price difference. Given that releases going forward are going to be provided via download (and with the 80% drop in development kit price, hopefully there will be more games) this storage will likely be useful.

I won't be buying one, because I have a perfectly good 2000 model, but if I had never owned one before, I'd consider this one. Well, I would if my local best buy didn't still have 2000 models on clearance.

josephbloseph

A $250 handheld?

In a bad economy?

Um...

well that's okay, since it's not being billed as the next gen psp. in fact, there's tons of copy out there stating emphatically that this is *not* in fact the psp2.

wow, it's been so long since i've defended sony....

jack m

@ReignFury: Spending is one way of getting out of a recession ;)

sereal

@NeoAkira: and touch screen

@jack m: Are there going to be games on the Go that can't be played on the PSP1-3k?

Because the reverse is certainly true as of the moment, for almost $100 cheaper. That isn't hate.

houser

@ryangadsby: i dont either.

abort_user

@FrankieViturello:
a) it won't transfer, they never have the idea of "Upgrading" users in mind, more like attracting new ones.
Then again, how to transfer umd's, they won't. As they can't verify if you really have the game or not, transfer systems only brings more new ways to hack games and get them.

Just my thoughts though, I may be proven wrong.

@Marios_shadow: I wouldn't talk about build quality until you actual hold the thing and use it.

sereal

@-MasterDex-: it seems like they were going to announce seriously beefing up their "UMD Legacy" section. it would be nice if they released a drive you can use to legally rip copies directly to your system though. or mail in physical copies for codes to download it to your PSN account for free or something. But none of that is probably going to happen.

@Aurongel: uh... I can get a PSP for a hundo cheaper. I don't see how this price is reasonable at all.

WordMan

@CarbonatedWater: I don't see a good reason for it either, the large easily scratchable screen is just as exposed as it was before. Actually it might be MORE exposed, at least before the buttons provided a little space between the table surface and the screen.

reluttr

So wait. If I want a PSP but I still want to be able to play all the games that have already been released on UMD, like Crisis Core and Castlevania: Dracula X, I...shouldn't pick up this new model? That doesn't make sense. What is the audience for this device?

Seriously, Sony, I want to get a PSP in the near future - so I can play the library of PSP games on it. Why are you making this so hard?

@Prinny1God: What new features? From what I heard, they made it a slider, put 16gb internal memory, replaced the MS Duo slot with a MS M2 slot, and took out the umd slot. They really made it difficult for anyone to "upgrade" to the Go! Especially since NONE of the stuff we already have work for it. Also judging from what they have shown I am quite sure the Go! has a non removable battery.

At least the DSi can play ds games carts, and were not forced to repurchase the games we already own.

reluttr

@-MasterDex-: I'm just so happythe PSP has so many games being released now. Compaired to last year, they are more than making up for it! I'm falling in love with my PSP all over again XD lol.

new_age_soldier

@Slagathorian: Well hell.

You're right.

Still, no thanks. $199 would be my personal ceiling.

I think the points raised about pricing versus actual consoles, as well as being confined to PSN, and the lack of games to be had through that source are entirely well-founded. Another point that I wanted to add is the enforced region protection that PSN can enforce in what games are available--permitted-- in each region. Most of the games that I own for PSP are imported from Japan, and there's a good chance that sony could put a lockdown on that. This wouldn't be a problem if the games getting the restriction were destined for release here, Europe, Australia, etc., however, that doesn't seem to be the case with "maniac" titles making up the bulk of PSP software--gundam games, macross games, RPG re-releases and repackagings were all things that allayed the drought that had long been in effect in America.

Someone should ask sony about what they intend to do so as to not shit-shock the market that they had for import UMDs, and keep sales of japan-confined games open to overseas consumers.

masterisosceles

Considering that it's now closer to something like the iPod Touch, which is still more expensive than that, it's not THAT bad. I can't help but think that the price point is still going to hurt against the much-cheaper DS, though.

MrPerson

@Chroma3000: you dont need to buy a new psp man.

pandafresh

@uchennaokafor: considering that is what the original psp launched for i don't think it's bad at all. i'll probably be picking one up!
and gran turismo... about damn time!!! shi

Ok lets see.... Smaller Screen... Bigger Price.... No dual analogs.....
Pass

just import the US version, these things are region free.

pandafresh

psh. I'll just stick with my first generation psp that is collecting dust... for the most part.

Uhhh. I don't understand why it could possibly cost more. Interest lost. ):

Making it slide out was a really stupid idea, and unsurprisingly, it costs too much. Way to suck Sony.

@EternalLight: I wants me my bluetooth.

Kuwabara Kazuo

@MrBionic: Actually sony never adjusts the price to Canadian dollars. Thats why you can buy a PS3 for 399$ Sony is actually quite nice to us Canucks.

@InvaderGirJr: Assume all you want but I'm buying it.

Kuwabara Kazuo

@Xaevier: They totally dropped a bomb with this one. A bad one.

The PSP Go could have been a perfect low-maintenance, mainstream, low-cost subsitute for like $150 to compete with the DSi.

With no UMD drive it could have been cheaper (though the flash memory might have hindered that)

It could have been for the busy, traveling mainstream person who wants gaming simply and now.

But they had to make it even MORE expensive than the PSP 3000.
Bad move, but who knows maybe the components cost more than the PSP 3000.

...
Nah.

Kotaku, can you use your journalism prowess to get into to Sony and ask them what the fuck they're thinking when they price things? I just don't understand their "let's make a great product no one can afford" complex.

SaranyaMalik

@ccam555: It's God, get the Escalade, we're outta here!!

@KaneRobot: PSP Go. It doesn't even seem usable to me, I'd be worried about snapping it in half if I press the buttons too hard.
And since you can get the (Better) PSP-2000 for more than $100 less, it's a terrible rip-off.

@Slagathorian: P.S. $280 Canadian is $259.50 U.S., the difference is less than $10. Oh, how terrible.

@quidsquid: "cost more than a useless xbox 360 too."

16 gigs on my portable? with new features? It's reasonable to me...

@Finstern: Do you like screaming to the whole world that you're a douche?

@BubbleF**kingBuddy: Sure, you keep thinking that.

@woons: If you look at it another way, buying the PSp 3000 and a 16gb memory stick for it would cost about the same.

-MasterDex-

@jack m: I don't know about that. The 3000 hasn't been hacked has it?

Anyone else notice the WHITE PSP Go in the video of clips from a bunch of PSP titles??

ticookie

I'll reserve judgment based on the availability of popular titles. I'm willing to pay extra for my first PSP if I can download all the games I want on it.

@uchennaokafor:

Not even considering buying this thing.

Xaevier

@uchennaokafor: It's like the PS3 and $599.99 USD all over again.

Leanid

I don't really see the Go as being the next gen tbh, is it worth a more flimsy version of the psp, with a smaller screen and still without thunb sticks.. and few games apart from PSN titles?

Gareth Pullen

@new_age_soldier: It was official already but to have an official release date is amazing and over 800 cars? I'm so chuffed right now.

-MasterDex-

@ReignFury:

Tell that to Apple. This is just a shameless fashion device and smart people will just get a core with a 16GB stick at a lower price.

Sorry Sony, the last time I checked, I'm not made of money, I don't have a money tree, and my goose doesn't lay golden eggs.

Uh, so yeah... where's my BC for the PS3?

@ryangadsby: No, but if you own UMD's then you own a PSP already so unless you're a techwhore, you have no reason to buy this, they're still going to release UMD's for the PSP 1000-3000.

-MasterDex-

@KaneRobot: Did you see the new games coming out for the Wii? That makes it an easy answer: The Wii at 250(jk).

I'm still loving my PSP-1000 and the several good games on it (Disgaea, Dj Max, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter to name a few). Unless the "Go" has something else, I'm going to assume it will flop.

@Lokno: There's a reduced screen size and the only additional hardware feature I know of is Bluetooth support. You're probably better served just getting a 16gb memory stick and downloading new games to it. Being able to play your old UMDs is a plus, too.

@imikedaman: FYI, the first generation of Ipod nano, featuring only 2gb of memory, was priced at 300$ CDN at its release. It is unbelievable when you think that now you can get an ipod touch with 4 times the memory and all the feats for the same price.

@colineff: CFW is a matter of time. and i'll take 16GB flash memory over a worthless battery stealing UMD drive any day. but still, the haters will hate i guess

jack m

@Finstern: Yeah, what a great way to encourage more original titles and more developers to the system.

-MasterDex-

Wow. Just when you thought Sony "got it" they go and do this. I think I will just stick with my big fatty PSP and save myself the money.

sigma7

@new_age_soldier: Count me in The PSP is BACK

**DUST OFF**

So did the old PSP not Go anywhere then?

I mean, it isn't like this is the Nomad, sucking up AA battery power before you finish a level in Sonic... Why the Go subtitle? I = confused.

@mitch_93: It has Skype, but still. You can get a PSP-3000 with 16/32 gig memory card for less.

BubbleF**kingBuddy

@titobudd: yes but it came with lots of classy extras (joke)... actually the case I still use from time to time and the free spiderman umd was decent...

@Finstern: I agree with the 16GB method. I DO NOT agree with illegally pirating.

For shame.

The PSP NO! would have been a better name. At $249 I'll just drink until my PSP 3000 is cute.

Jesse Gutierrez

@uchennaokafor: I don't think so, since it has to compete with the Wii.

If the Wii drops, I see this doing even worse.

Am I the only one to see the similarity to the ds?
Maybe they thought the psp 1k/2k/3k wasn't portable enough, I don't know. For my part, it is a waste of money, I couldn't play on the setup even if I tried, it looks uncomfortable just to look at you know.. I have a problem with the button being in the screen's field of view, just a little lower. It IS more portable, more comfortable, I doubt it..

@majortom1029: cheaper where? on amazon it's $274.95 new, and $229.99 used, and $299.00 new at best buy, so....

anyway, it's about what i expected, knowing for sure it wouldn't start under $200.00.

jack m

@togovero: Me?

KaneRobot

@FrankieViturello:

It's based on the price, which is NOT very little information considering that this will be selling alongside the PSP-3000 and will do absolutely nothing differently other than having built in flash.

@KaneRobot: The PSP Go! I would understand if they made it the PSP Goes Mobile phone but not this. The Wii got gaming going on so uh yeah...

mitch_93

@uchennaokafor:Srsly guess what i'm not asking for for christmas?

Practice02

@woons: Euros will be worthless once GM unveils it's American Supercar.

Enjoy your conversion rate... WHILE IT LASTS.

BubbleF**kingBuddy

Man, this is gonna be so funny when it bombs and they drop the price almost immediately.

@Slagathorian:

P.S. the wii is 280$ in Canada

Resident Evil for PSP confirmed!!!

new_age_soldier

@KaneRobot: Both

But I have deep pockets, so tickle me PSP Go!

@KaneRobot:

The PSP Go obviously.

Sony hasn't learned a damn thing.

Kdawg

Wow. Angry comments/reactions based on very little information.

SHOCKER.

Personally - I'll reserve judgment until I've A.) read more about what the system can do (ie how current UMDs will transfer to the on-board storage) and/or B.) used one.

Right now all I can tell is that I think it looks okay and the price point doesn't "offend" me.

FrankieViturello

OMG, do Sony never learn? We're going through a RECESSION people haven't got the money to spend on handhelds at $249. You'd think they would try and appeal to the mass market and make it more affordable!!

@KaneRobot: You?

Let's see... PSP or a console that actually has games worth playing on it..... hmmmm...

WarlockSoL

That is actually a fairly reasonable price considering the defunct original was the same at the time of release...

What really makes me excited is the fact that this is a Sony product :O

Sony + Reasonable pricing = DOES NOT COMPUTE

Aurongel

Old psp does everything this one does, and plays umd's. GRRRRR @ the price. Damn. Just going to buy an old psp.

crazyorloco

I'm speechless. I was expecting $150-$189 to take some sales away from the DS but $249 is console territory.

Onion_Volcano

I'll just wait a few years from now, when Sony teases a big announcement that is rumored to be a PSP Go price drop...only to learn that the original PSP is dropping to $100.

Nslick

See, I thought the point of dropping the UMD drive is to DROP the price. That is fucking ridiculous.

*Bangs head on wall*

Why does Sony insist on taking one step forward only to shoot themselves in both kneecaps and start crawling backwards? No physical media = cheaper. PSP Go had real potential to do something new in the handheld market, but that price is ridiculous.

Sir-Lucius

@Lokno: You know you'll be able to play LBP regardless of what PSP you have, right?

wow really $249

Tha_Villain

@majortom1029: Seems like you are getting those 5-Finger discount models because the iPod Touch, at a real store, is 229$ for the 8GB model.

@Glorax:
Costs the same as a wii.

Too much.

$249? Roflcopters overhead.

I think a person is better off buying a PSP 2000/3000 with a 16GB memory stick. That's just me though.

EternalLight

@Glorax: cost more than an xbox 360 too.

That'll be $299 cdn.

Yah right.

Yah... right.

Unbelievably ridiculous. Count me out.

@Izkariot: I have like 10 games thank you very much. And I love every bit of them and there are at least 5 others I have yet to break down and get.

Wait, so they dropped the UMD...and it costs MORE now? Nah, I'll stick with the PSP 2000 + CFW.

it costs more and there is no umd drive to play old psp games?

and it will likely be not custom firmwareable right?

colineff

What's more offensive? The PSP Go at 250 or the Wii at 250?

KaneRobot

Bullshit. $249 is bullshit. I'm finding it VERY hard to remain a Playstation fan in light of Sony's assholery and Microsoft's awesome presentation.

@Finstern: What three or so games you have, that is. That's why I'm not switching, either.

Haha. No.

@Finstern:

Excellent point.

The PSP is already suffering because of piracy, so they're going to release a new one (with very few games aside from PSN titles)?

I don't understand the logic behind the PSP Go.

*crickets*
Audience: WTF?

@Str8_Jihadin: You rang?

Wasn't that the price the PSP-1000 debuted at?

GT PSP avialable Oct1 2009 XD

new_age_soldier

Thats very expensive considering the ipod touch is cheaper.

majortom1029

That's like Apple announcing a new $400 iPod shuffle. What are they thinking?

imikedaman

And 249 Euros as well.
What an absolute rip.

To put it in context, that's like paying another $100 dollars for it.

woons

Wait, it's... smaller and has 16 gb of memory? And it cost more than a wii? I'm confused.

Not bad, I'll pick one up around christmas. Also GT is fianly official on PSP too.

new_age_soldier

Since there's a LBP coming to the handheld, I think I'll be getting this version. Looks slick.

I don't get it. Is there going to be a way to play my existing UMDs on it?

@Str8_Jihadin: yes?

GeneralFBDZ

Think ill keep my 150 psp with a 16 gig card and just download the games for free thanks

That...seems like a very decent price. Drop it like fire sony...

Jesus Christ...

@SeraphX2: Nah, that was entirely in jest and not malicious nor serious. It was just funny seeing Squirrelbot3000 raise your 10. =)
The 3 was just a random, exaggerated number-- I wasn't referring to specific games in general. It just seems that some games get released just to die out in popularity or in obscurity a few months later.
Ah, yes, Tekken was fun the month during its release, when I could ad hoc strangers on the subway. As was Burnout.

@Izkariot iz watchin u masterbait: That wasn't the point. The point was there are more than 2 or 3 good games that are original.
Not counting typical ports, or remakes of puzzle games that are on every console/pc/handheld just because they are cash cows.
I will say, that I count Tekken as a good game because it is the best fighter on the PSP imo, even if it does happen to be an arcade port; it's one of the better ports.

@Squirrelbot3000: This isn't an e-peen thing. But after hearing the news of the PSP Go and new, interesting titles, I decided to brush off my 1st gen PSP and give it a go. It's a lot more fun than I remember.
I am still sick to death of GOW:COO after playing it straight for months while waiting for Prinny.

@-MasterDex-: Handhelds have generally been older console tech in portable form, so to have a handheld come out at the same price point as a console it becomes an issue (for some) if it's worth buying a handheld when for the same price you could have a Wii/360 (in the event they do not own either). I'm not comparing the specs of the system but rather the entertainment value.

Your comparison of a PS3/360 to a computer is laughable considering most consoles are at cost or losing money and there aren't a whole lot of PC gaming systems for $250.

rudeskata

@Comatose Turtle: Totally understandable. *sigh* Yeah, Sony really doesn't like the BC now, for some reason. *sigh* Oh well.

I was seriously considering getting one but not at that price.

@-MasterDex-: Not the 2000s with that new motherboard that blocks pandoras. Only the first 2000s can. Forget what model numbers they were.

I was sold on the idea of pure digital and getting this sleeker PSP until I saw it lacked the second analog pad, then it being $249 has pretty much killed my interest. As much as a Wii, more expensive than an Xbox and most cell phones. I say nay. Dropping UMD was supposed to make this thing cheaper and better. Instead, it's just different and more expensive.

Ryodestined

I was sold on this if it cost just 199.99 USD. But, since it costs fifty dollars more, heck no I will not be buying. Me and my PSP 2000 will do just fine with a 16 gig stick upgrade.

Bluevirage

@rudeskata: My PC=360/PS3 comparision was as laughable as your PSP=360 comparision, that was the whole point.

Also, I wasn't talking about $250, I was talking about a PC built for the same price as a PS3/360Elite which is $399 and how when compared to a gaming PC for the same price, the PS3 and Elite seem to be ridiculously overpriced, which they do.

The thing is however that you cannot compare the price of a PC to an Elite or PS3 in just the same way you can't compare the price of a PSP to a 360 or a Wii.

-MasterDex-

@Legendary Hoamaru: Ahh I see. I wonder which I have. Can't even remember when I bought it.

-MasterDex-

There is what Sony should have done.

PSP Go is a joke. Don't get me wrong. Sony had the right idea, they just didn't complete the task, that's all. Everything they have for the PSP GO is just about right. Here are the things they forgot.

1) 16GB Flash or SD memory is ok, but 30GB would have been much better. That's a lot of downloads and movies right there.

2) Where's the 2nd Analog stick? Gamers practically begged for this and Sony didn't deliver.

3) What, no Touch screen options? The Wii, IPhone and even the IPod has this feature. Why did Sony skip on this?

4) No Phone features. Sony could have made this an option for a higher price PSP. Having a phone, with Touch Screen text would have been awesome for the PSP. It could have easily had competed with Apple's IPhone if done right. Especially with all the Apps they could have added.

5) UMD backward compatible. Why they didn't include an UMD slot is beyond me. Having 100% B/C is a must for handheld devices. That is why the DS Lite sold so well. With the DSi, you can't play older Gameboy games on it. Sony really blew it by not keeping this option.

6) No camera. Huh!?!? Even the DSi has one. What was Sony thinking? This obviously would be a feature with the phone option of course, but it would be a must have.

7) Priced to high. [www.washingtonpost.com]

It's definitely priced to high with the PSP 3000 almost $80 less. $200 would have been a much better price. It obviously price this high so that Sony can make some serious money off of it to make up for $1.7 billion in losses last year. That's why there was no PS3 Price cut announced as well.

if Sony had added all these features they could have kept the price at $250 without the phone and $300 (or $325) with the phone. I think it would sell pretty well too. The way it stands now, I can't even see them selling 2-3 million of these before the end of the year.

XanderZane

Completely Agree.

XanderZane

@EternalLight:

Completely agree.

XanderZane

OMG THATS SOOO CHEAPPPPP Why are you guys saying its expensive? The original PSP was like $300 when it first came out, this is a great deal, I'm sooo buying one^^

Xenris