The Official PSP & PSP Go Thread

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I think this device deserves it's own thread, I can't help but feel that posts about it will be lost in the PSP thread.

I really want to know what every thinks about this, what they want to see on it, if they think they will be getting one etc.. We keep hearing rumour after rumour so I think it's safe to assume that it does exist and will be unveiled at E3.

Personally I am very excited, I have never had a PSP because I don't like UMDs and because I think it is far too big (meaning I would only ever bother to play it at home, in which case I would opt for a regular console over a handheld), so I'm really hoping no UMD drive is true and that they make it a little smaller. Also I would like too see a dedicated PSP store, if it's going in the way of digital downloads that makes sense. Also hoping for a touch screen, but I really don't want touch games (I CAN NOT stand playing games on an iPhone), I merely want it to make browsing the internet easier and also I would love to be able to use the device as an organiser.

So how does everyone else feel about this device?

[Blue]

I will buy one. I never bought a PSP, as I could never justify it. In hindsight, I would have bought one instead of a DS Lite.

Anyway, the Go! (shit name, too Nintendo, won't stick) will have better battery life, better format (purely digital), better shape. They'd better have two analogue nubs on the thing though.

[Lazlow]

In two minds. Means you don't have to wait 7 days+ for import orders (if it remains region free), and it should result in cheaper games cutting out the middle man. However depending on size and structure of the store it could still prove horribly inconvenient. Last time I used the PSP store it was like pulling teeth, fraught with timeouts and errors.

Plus there's that lingering paranoia in dealing with intangible products.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

They'd better have two analogue nubs on the thing though.
While I would like 2 nubs, I can live without it.

[Watchers]

I'd like to see the nub revamped entirely. I understand why it's designed the way it is, but to me it just feels clumsy in true 3D games. Maybe a proper stick embedded slightly into the console with a flip lid to protect it or something?

[SpearrO]

I'm all for it, although I will delay my purchase of a PSP slim, and see what comes of this. 1up have put together an altogether dubious mock-up of what we might see.

http://users.tpg.com.au/andyange/115.jpg

Oh and from the same article, 1up's source says there will be no second analog stick, and that:

As a bit of actual speculation, we wouldn't be surprised to see Sony borrow many design features from their Mylo 2 handheld Internet device, which is seemingly dead in the water. This could provide an 800x480 pixel touch screen for the system, as well as a camera on the system's backside.

Which probably influenced the mock-up you see above.

SOURCE: New PSP Named And Coming This Fall (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3173959)

[Stevorooni]

Looking forward to it, UMD really was a stupid decision. "Let's use a format with long loading times that sucks up battery power, handheld gamers like things like that don't they?" Something physically smaller for easier carrying would be great too because while the big PSP screen is brilliant the entire unit is a bit to phat, but I have an original console anyway so that makes it worse.

I just hope that there's some way of transferring my current UMD games to memory.

[SOX]

As long as it doesn't affect the flow of games to the standard PSP I won't really mind. Haven't really used the UMD slot for a while now so it's good to see it go.

[Lazlow]

So, i wouldnt like to shop for digital downloads of games, it feel's kind of forceful atm, but thats just my view. I hope UMD's stay on the shelve's, otherwise i'll be turning to illegal options to get my new release psp games.

But... you're still downloading a game? F*** you're a dunce.

[Blue]

In two minds. Means you don't have to wait 7 days+ for import orders (if it remains region free), and it should result in cheaper games cutting out the middle man. However depending on size and structure of the store it could still prove horribly inconvenient. Last time I used the PSP store it was like pulling teeth, fraught with timeouts and errors.

Plus there's that lingering paranoia in dealing with intangible products.Well, as somebody who has been dealing with the iPhone/iTunes store, which is so incredibly easy to navigate and provides me with the security of having a copy of the software on both my iTunes and my iPhone, I can safely say that I welcome such a system for any future portable device. As to whether Sony can actually replicate such an elegant and effective service, it remains to be seen.

FX-GTZ doesn't mind downloading software, provided he's stealing it. Good one, mate.

[Stevorooni]

Well no not really, whichever developer it happens to be, i'll just buy some of they're other decent games to make up for that lost profit.

But that's just giving them the profit for the games you buy, they still don't get any profit for the games you steal so really you're doing nothing.

[Stevorooni]

While you're saving on bandwidth you should probably know that posting here takes up HEAPS of bandwidth!

[Stevorooni]

It's not worth the risk, Sony are already onto you after you posted about taking the illegal option so you should cover your tracks, request deletion of your forum account then never go on the internet again.

Save yourself before it's too late.

[drzaius]

UMD's always felt a bit delicate to me...
Actually, the whole PSP felt too delicate, largely because of it's flimsy optical drive bay.
i never felt comfortable chucking it in my backpack like i have always done with GB/DS's.
i'd like the new one to be more robust. having an optical drive and a bunch of moving parts on a handheld is a poor idea.

but above all that, i'm excited! i love waiting for new hardware announcements/releases. The DSi didn't really do it for me and beyond that there hasn't been anything to look forward to for a while.

(also (and i know this won't be happening) i'm a massive fan of clamshell design for handhelds (SP/DS). it makes the unit feel INDESTRUCTIBLE.)

[SpearrO]

It's the damn proprietary flash-cards I hope they do away with. Bring on SD support I say!

[Fenrir]

I'd believe Stevo if I were you, FX. We've been watching traffic coming from hyper.com.au, there's been a lot of SSH traffic moving between here and a few utility Sony addresses. They're known for being proactive about these things, I bet you've never seen a former member known as Jumo around here have you?

I have never had a PSP because I don't like UMDs and because I think it is far too big (meaning I would only ever bother to play it at home, in which case I would opt for a regular console over a handheld)
^Quote for emphasis.

UMD was pretty senseless, I'd wager that the motivation behind that decision may've come from Sony's lust for optical disc royalties. I've never been a fan of optical discs in general, but it's an excruciatingly bad fit in the portable market; and flash memory is viably cheap, anyway.
I'm not sure how well consumers will respond to solely digitally-distributed gaming. I'd be opting for some sort of read-only memstick medium for retail games, to keep owners of the old PSPs in the loop, but piracy may turn Sony off of that idea. Maybe we'll see a new proprietary physical medium port for games?

Anyway, I won't be interested unless they're making a general portable computing platform, something I can use to run applications and browse the web. Sony seem to have a hard-on for putting Linux on their consoles*, now would be a good time for that. 3G and the like should be included, since public WiFi access points don't cover enough of the country for mobile web purposes, at which point they may as well make it a phone. PSPhone, kinda works...


*For tax purposes, and with little success as far as that goes, right?

[Adios]

I'd love to see a pure Solid State handheld. Having games installed to a memory disk on PSP is truly awesome and something I'd really like to see more of.

[Blue]

There, are you happy now?2 down, 2568 to go.

[Fenrir]

There, are you happy now?
The evidence still exists. Sony are technically within their rights to subpoena the contents of hidden ("deleted") posts for use in court, but if you close your dealings with Hyper you can force the admins to delete your account and erase all evidence permanently under the privacy act.

EDIT: Blue, your delinquent comments aren't helping in this situation. Refrain.

[SOX]

no. .

Quality post from a quality poster.
Ironically, I've stooped to your level to point this out

/wrists

[Blue]

no. . The comeback king, ladies and gentlemen.

If you put as much effort into posting something worthwhile as you do creating white colour tags in your post to subvert the 5char rule, you might not be such a **********. Work on it.

[FX-GTZ]

So how does everyone else feel about this device?

Happy and excited!

[Argeaux]

I'm definitely interested in a new SONY handheld. I love playing my PSP and, since I stuck with the original, a new version would be welcome right about now.

I hear what people are saying about size but I agree with the poster who said that the current screen size shouldn't be sacrificed.

Personally I could do without a touch screen. A second memory stick slot might be useful if they are going to stick with Pro Duos and, let's face it, when was the last time SONY went with a non-proprietory memory format?

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Theres the possibility Sony will utilise ye another non-proprietary format in the form of Memory Stick HG Micro. Linky (http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/01/next-psp-to-rely-on-memory-stick-hg-micro-for-storage/)

Why can't they just use something more mainstream or have inbuilt memory + a memory stick duo slot instead of pissing people off and making things difficult.

[Manny M]

Because it's Sony. They're still striving for a technical monopoly, and yet haven't realised that it's never going to happen.

[Argeaux]

They are being spurred on by their Blu Ray victory.

Old Betamax developers are smugly raising their walking sticks in the air and cheering, "See, boys. SONY wins in the end!"

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Anyone check out the latest Listen Up? Shane pretty much confirmed that there will be a system set up so people can play their old UMD games on the PSP Go.

[Nic Xtreme]

Don't know to copy and paste on my iPod, but LOL Sony gg. Pity they didn't leak something more exciting. Check out Eurogamer!

[Stevorooni]

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/120/pspgo5.jpg
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7836/pspgo6.jpg
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6673/pspgo2.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7513/pspgo1.jpg
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6812/pspgo3.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2030/pspgo4.jpg


Sony's PSP Go will be released this autumn and is 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000 with a 3.8-inch screen, according to marketing man John Koller.

In a full version of the prematurely-posted Qore segment that outed the PSP Go, which Eurogamer has obtained, Koller talks up the device's features but doesn't mention a price.

"It's a 3.8-inch screen, it's 43 percent lighter than the PSP-3000, 16 gigs flash memory, Bluetooth support and all digital content so the UMD drive goes away so it's going to be something a lot of consumers like - download straight to a hard drive," he tells viewers.

"There's games like Gran Turismo that are being announced at E3, and LittleBigPlanet that's been announced before, and Jak & Daxter and there's even a new Metal Gear Solid coming, so all those games will be available..."

"Integration with PSP is very important to us. And it works just like PSP-3000... A lot of people like to be able to take their content from PS3 with them on the go."

He also says "it's coming this fall", which is autumn in old money. But no word on price yet. Sony's conference at 7pm BST / 8pm CET on Tuesday would be the best bet for that, we expect.



I bet it costs more than the current PSP

While it looks nice I wonder how comfortable it would be to play with the controls right down the very bottom of the unit.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Basically it's what I expected, GT Portable, SOLD. Lets hope one of the new Metal Gears is coming to it.

[Citizen Erased]

So whats going to happen to all the umds that I've bought over the years ?

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I can almost definitely say that Sony will have a system in place which will allow you access to downloadable copies of games you have purchased previously.

[Barefooted Hobo]

Where's the second analogue stick? :(

[FX-GTZ]

So theres going to be a littlebigplanet for the psp, but not in umd? What Sony doesnt realise is that ditching the umd is stupidly dumb. People who only want a psp for offline use only are going to miss out on many new games if they are only able to be bought from online download centers.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

So theres going to be a littlebigplanet for the psp, but not in umd? What Sony doesnt realise is that ditching the umd is stupidly dumb. People who only want a psp for offline use only are going to miss out on many new games if they are only able to be bought from online download centers.

Ditching UMD is probably the best thing Sony has ever done regarding the PSP,, hardly stupidly dumb. Anyway the old PSP's will remain on shelves so I assume they will still be releasing UMD versions of games.

[Slippery]

So theres going to be a littlebigplanet for the psp, but not in umd? What Sony doesnt realise is that ditching the umd is stupidly dumb. People who only want a psp for offline use only are going to miss out on many new games if they are only able to be bought from online download centers.

The games they release for download will likely be games they wouldn't have released on umd or at least not in the smaller style they will most likely use.

[Hyperblau]

Control placement looks pretty awkward. They reckon Gran Turismo will come out for it....but wasn't that sposed to come out shortly after the PSP launched?

[FX-GTZ]

Anyway the old PSP's will remain on shelves so I assume they will still be releasing UMD versions of games.

Well i really hope thats the case.

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

I think it's a pretty safe bet that they will. Look at Patapon 2 at the moment which has both a download version and a umd.

As for the new system..It looks ok. I'll get one for sure, but i can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. Maybe having this news delivered for the first time in a press conference rather than a leak would have gotten me a little more excited. I kind of wish it's a fake (although thats near impossible) just so we can be blown away at their press conference on wednesday morning :)

[FX-GTZ]

I just found this on Joystiq:

Update: A video from the June issue of Qore is now available on YouTube (and after the jump). In the video, Qore host Veronica Belmont discusses the new PSP Go handheld with Sony's John Koller who mentions the handheld (which features 16GB of internal storage, a memory slot for expandable memory and bluetooth) will not replace the current PSP-3000 -- they will coexist.

Well, im happy about the fact both the old psp and new psp will coexist then.

The article: http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/rumor-psp-go-revealed-in-june-issue-of-qore/

[AranchineD]

All this needed was a stupid camera thing and we could have just called it the PSPi!

[Watchers]

Well, im happy about the fact both the old psp and new psp will coexist then.


Yeah, just like the DS and GameBoy 'co-exist'.

Looks stupid, though getting rid of the UMD is a good move. Needs another analogue stick. Any word on the actual specs? Is it anymore powerful than the current PSP? If not, I'll probably give it a miss.

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Yeah, just like the DS and GameBoy 'co-exist'.

Looks stupid, though getting rid of the UMD is a good move. Needs another analogue stick. Any word on the actual specs? Is it anymore powerful than the current PSP? If not, I'll probably give it a miss.

Why does it look stupid?

Theres no reason for Sony to make the machine any more powerful as they risk alienating the 50 million owners they already have. I do agree though that it will cause the phasing out of the 3000. Iam interested to see how they solve the 'what do i do with my current umds' problem though, presumably some sort of register your games and recieve download codes for them would be the obvious solution.

[Stevorooni]

While they're splitting their userbase in two they may as well have slapped on an extra analogue stick and specified to developers that they must make both 1-stick and dual-stick control schemes.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

And made it more appealing. Seriously, if you didn't really care for the PSP before, what on earth's going to change your mind with this model?

[FX-GTZ]

The thing that makes digital downloads unnappealing for me, is the waiting time, i mean come on, if Sony made ps3 games available for digital downloads, they would be something like 24gb to 40gb big, i dont know how much data a blu ray disc can hold, but downloading something that big on broadband is impossible, and if nintendo and microsoft take they're handheld and consoles to digital downloads only, casual gaming would be pretty much dead, piracy would be on the rise as well, i know alot of people who wouldnt pay for digital downloads. Would you? To me, **** the waiting times, just give me the game straight up.

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Maybe if there's an outcry they will start distributing games on the Memory Stick Micros that the psp go is compatible with. Speaking of which. Why can't they just stick to pro duos which we all bought for the original psp. Now they make us buy one of their other memory sticks!

[Creedy]

Looks like I will finally be able to play PSP games, sign me up I say.
Digital downloads are perfectly fine for a system you take on the go. Better then carrying around 10 UMD's with you.

[Stevorooni]

Maybe if there's an outcry they will start distributing games on the Memory Stick Micros that the psp go is compatible with. Speaking of which. Why can't they just stick to pro duos which we all bought for the original psp. Now they make us buy one of their other memory sticks!

ah crap does it use a different memory stick? Does it still take the old ones? I only have a 512meg stick anyway but still, stupid Sony!

I doubt download sizes for PSP games will be too much to handle, they're already selling downloadable games and the UMD can only store up to 1.8gig.
With file compression I'd be surprised if a game download was larger than a gig


Digital downloads are perfectly fine for a system you take on the go. Better then carrying around 10 UMD's with you.

Exactly, I usually only take whatever PSP game is in the drive at the time with me because I don't want to lug around those discs. At least with the DS's small cartridges I can slip a couple into my case pocket but physically changing media is so 2008!

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

ah crap does it use a different memory stick? Does it still take the old ones? I only have a 512meg stick anyway but still, stupid Sony!

I doubt download sizes for PSP games will be too much to handle, they're already selling downloadable games and the UMD can only store up to 1.8gig.
With file compression I'd be surprised if a game download was larger than a gig


Yeh in the Qore video that Koller guy said it has a memory stick micro slot which are these ones. (http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4a221c5d175d4c3c273fc0a87e010626/Product/View/XG4922) Whether or not theres multiple slots though I guess we'll have to wait and see but it's doubtful.

As for download sizes, i agree. Patapon 2 download is only around 400mb so it wont be a huge problem even for our crappy internet.

[Creedy]

Looks like I will finally be able to play PSP games, sign me up I say.
Digital downloads are perfectly fine for a system you take on the go. Better then carrying around 10 UMD's with you.

[Stevorooni]

16gig built in memory will be plenty for a while anyway, I just hope that we can store backup copies on our PCs if we need to chop and change games but don't want to re-download.

[Watchers]

Theres no reason for Sony to make the machine any more powerful as they risk alienating the 50 million owners they already have.

By that logic, 'next gen' consoles would never get made.

I was expecting more of a step up than a 'GBA to GBASP' type evolution. Multiple iterations of the same console just give me the shits, especially when I adopt early (Nintendo, I'm looking at you).

[Stevorooni]

By that logic, 'next gen' consoles would never get made.

I was expecting more of a step up than a 'GBA to GBASP' type evolution. Multiple iterations of the same console just give me the shits, especially when I adopt early (Nintendo, I'm looking at you).

They all do it now, even Microsoft but they take the 'make old versions explode to get people to upgrade' method rather than releasing something with better features.

[Lazlow]

Mixed feelings about the design... on one hand I like it, on the other the controls being so far down the bottom concern me.

Hopefully the face buttons are pressure sensitive, otherwise GT still won't work.

[Stevorooni]

If you have a DS, open it up and pretend that the controls are closer to the bottom of the unit, like this new PSP. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, I can reach fairly comfortably so as long as the PSP is of similar size it might be ok.

Won't know until I hold one for real though.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

By that logic, 'next gen' consoles would never get made.

I was expecting more of a step up than a 'GBA to GBASP' type evolution. Multiple iterations of the same console just give me the shits, especially when I adopt early (Nintendo, I'm looking at you).

Do you honestly think it is necessary for a handheld to be more powerful than the PSP? I will admit it would have been nice to have a touchscreen for browsing the internet though.


Mixed feelings about the design... on one hand I like it, on the other the controls being so far down the bottom concern me.


Surely Sony have enough R&D people working on it to ensure that the controls are comfortable, right?

[Lazlow]

Surely Sony have enough R&D people working on it to ensure that the controls are comfortable, right?

You'd think!

[Stevorooni]

If they're the same R&D people who gave the ok for only 1 analogue nub...

[Watchers]

Do you honestly think it is necessary for a handheld to be more powerful than the PSP?

Yup. Why the hell not? Technology gets better and better, so why not take advantage of it? Progress, baby.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Yup. Why the hell not? Technology gets better and better, so why not take advantage of it? Progress, baby.

While true, take a look at the handheld competition. At this stage neither the iPhone or the DS can hold a candle to the PSP processor wise, is it really worth Sony busting out a whole heap of extra money on a more powerful handheld? They are losing enough with the ps3, give them a chance to make money somewhere.

edit: Is anyone else scared that a console solely dependant on difital download is just doomed for failure though in Australia? Just look at the PSN store, we get crap game releases and we get everything else later.

[BM2]

I am hurt and confused by this new design

[Watchers]

At this stage neither the iPhone or the DS can hold a candle to the PSP processor wise, is it really worth Sony busting out a whole heap of extra money on a more powerful handheld?


Because this revision isn't going to turn anything around for them? If they came up with something completely new, maybe they could get Joe Casual's interest back. I just don't see many new gamers suddenly deciding to buy a PSP now. We'll see, I guess.

[Fenrir]

Surely Sony have enough R&D people working on it to ensure that the controls are comfortable, right?
Surely three home consoles without addressing the horrible DualShock should've killed off any hopes that Sony's R&D department care about anything other than aesthetics.

While true, take a look at the handheld competition. At this stage neither the iPhone or the DS can hold a candle to the PSP processor wise
I was under the impression that the iPhone actually outguns the PSP hardware-wise. This statement was definitively made to me at some point, and I figure I would've debunked it with a cursory glance at the spec sheets of each.

edit: Is anyone else scared that a console solely dependant on difital download is just doomed for failure though in Australia?
It's definitely possible; but I think we're long past caring for Sony's commercial success, let alone being "scared" by the possibility that they may release another lemon of a media distribution system.

[Lazlow]

Surely three home consoles without addressing the horrible DualShock should've killed off any hopes that Sony's R&D department care about anything other than aesthetics.

Nothing wrong with the dual shock. Everyone has their preference, but I wouldn't go so far to say its horrible.

I was under the impression that the iPhone actually outguns the PSP hardware-wise. This statement was definitively made to me at some point, and I figure I would've debunked it with a cursory glance at the spec sheets of each.

iPhone > PSP (http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/05/14/iphone-vs-psp-which.html)

Although I've read the PSP has a stronger GPU.

[Stevorooni]

edit: Is anyone else scared that a console solely dependant on difital download is just doomed for failure though in Australia? Just look at the PSN store, we get crap game releases and we get everything else later.

My main fear with digital downloads is the removal of pricing competition, we have to pay whatever Sony decides we should pay for games instead of picking up a handful of bargains during the sales at EB/JB

[Lazlow]

My main fear with digital downloads is the removal of pricing competition, we have to pay whatever Sony decides we should pay for games instead of picking up a handful of bargains during the sales at EB/JB

With that said, I haven't had any real beefs with iTunes pricing.

[AranchineD]

My main fear with digital downloads is the removal of pricing competition, we have to pay whatever Sony decides we should pay for games instead of picking up a handful of bargains during the sales at EB/JB

Also takes the used games factor out of people buying decisions as well.

[Stevorooni]

With that said, I haven't had any real beefs with iTunes pricing.

Yeah but the prices of songs and albums is nothing compared to the price of games.

[Lazlow]

iTunes has games >_>

[Stevorooni]

never owned an iPod <_<

[Xanafalgue]

Its ugly.

[Space_Monkey]

I'm amazed by how accurate mock models were - including that one that appeared in Zoo a few months ago.

[Stevorooni]

I would have preferred a clamshell design like the DS to protect the screen when not in use but I suppose this way it's a smaller unit when you want to just watch videos.

[Lazlow]

Clamshell with swivel hinge, best of both worlds.

[Adios]

I'm just worried about the massive hand cramps that will surely accompany this re-design.

[Stevorooni]

hahahahahaha

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Stevorooni/504x_cartman.jpg

[BM2]

The colours make this one more appealing than the real thing! <.<

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Surely three home consoles without addressing the horrible DualShock should've killed off any hopes that Sony's R&D department care about anything other than aesthetics.

If anything I think the dual shock proves that Sonys R&D is excellent, no other company has been able to design a control pad that works so well that its basic design is used for 3 generations.


It's definitely possible; but I think we're long past caring for Sony's commercial success, let alone being "scared" by the possibility that they may release another lemon of a media distribution system.
I don't think I got my point across very well here, my concern was not with the commercial success but the fact that pal territories could get left out while the Jap and US guys get better releases. It's something that we have seen in the PSN store and if the problem continues with the PSP GO it would be infuriating, especially after all the region free gaming we have been able to enjoy over the last few years.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

My main fear with digital downloads is the removal of pricing competition, we have to pay whatever Sony decides we should pay for games instead of picking up a handful of bargains during the sales at EB/JB

Thats true, you'll have to pay full price to get the game day one and in the months after no doubt. At retail you can usually pick it up cheaper than RRP if you look around day one of release.

If Sony are smart about this they'll consider their pricing strategy carefully. Maybe they could offer 10% off for the first day or week, and have a deal of the week offering discount off a particular title. They could come up with a discount cycle that sees older titles drop in price. Maybe thats being to optimistic though.

[Fenrir]

If anything I think the dual shock proves that Sonys R&D is excellent, no other company has been able to design a control pad that works so well that its basic design is used for 3 generations.
Maybe I'm the only one who, coming from an N64->GCN perspective, couldn't stand the prongs? There's no depth (as in, z dimension thickness) to them, the controller expects your hands to adapt to it. >_>
Control sticks have always seemed a bit slippery, too; each to their own though, I guess.

I don't think I got my point across very well here, my concern was not with the commercial success but the fact that pal territories could get left out while the Jap and US guys get better releases. It's something that we have seen in the PSN store and if the problem continues with the PSP GO it would be infuriating, especially after all the region free gaming we have been able to enjoy over the last few years.
Oh, my apologies.
Hopefully we don't have to worry about this for much longer, as hopefully we're about to breeze past the US with our shiny new fibre network. I'd be more concerned that Sony are likely to feed us an inferior stream of releases over localized content distribution (PSN, or whatever) whether we have the bandwidth for the good stuff or not.

[Lazlow]

TBH I did prefer the larger prongs on the original dual analog pad.

[Creedy]

II don't think I got my point across very well here, my concern was not with the commercial success but the fact that pal territories could get left out while the Jap and US guys get better releases. It's something that we have seen in the PSN store and if the problem continues with the PSP GO it would be infuriating, especially after all the region free gaming we have been able to enjoy over the last few years.

It shouldn't really be a problem.
I created a US account and also an Entropay account, so I can happily download and buy what I want from the US PSN store.
Of course general consumers won't know about this, but I don't think general consumers should buy the new PSP. Of course they will though and EB employees won't give out enough information to their customers.

[Lazlow]

but I don't think general consumers should buy the new PSP

Hope Sony don't share the same logic >_>

[Stevorooni]

$249US?

I bet that'll translate to $400AU

"Well it converts to $303 AU so we better round it up to the next $100"

EDIT

From the hands on impressions it seems that it's comfortable to use and the only issue is that people tend to go for the dpad by accident because the analogue stick has moved. Probably just takes some getting used to.

[Beep]

Any mention of battery? I haven't read about it in any of the Go! stuff. Seems to me, practically the same amount of power will be required, and a much smaller form factor makes for less space for a battery. Don't let us down, Sony.

[SOX]

If they price the online store games right (ie sub $40), I would definitely consider picking one up to replace my first gen PSP. If CFW was achievable then I would pick one up launch day (but I'm sceptical).

Have they improved the d-pad at all since the first iteration?

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I'm interested in a Go for LittleBigPlanet PSP. I would have preffered a cheaper price point though.


*edit:
Additionally I'm wondering about the rollout of all ready existing UMD games onto the download service so you can get them for the PSP go. They just added 4 games to the store this week so hopefully by the time October 1st hits alot of them will be available for download.

[/backslash]

Discuss about your PSP/future PSP Go here

[Nic Xtreme]

Valkyria Chronicles 2 for PSP - (http://kotaku.com/5314871/valkyria-chronicles-2-is-a-psp-game) screens. (http://kotaku.com/5317319/the-first-valkyria-chronicles-2-screens/gallery/)

Slightly disappointing :/

(1) This feels like a downgrade...should be on PS3! And if that was too expensive, they should have made a 360 port for the first game. AND

(2) This is the Skies of Arcadia team! WHERE IS SKIES OF ARCADIA 2?!

[/backslash]

Awww, the PSP gets visual uniform upgrades? :( And yeah, should be on the PS3 ffs

[Lazlow]

If you don't have Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, you are wasting your PSP.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Discuss about your PSP here. 'PSP Go' talk should be done in this thread (http://www.hyper.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=18213)

I vote one this as the official thread for both the PSP and the GO

[/backslash]

I vote one this as the official thread for both the PSP and the GO
Yeah, that'd made it a bit more tidier. Done

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Oh I meant the other thread, but whatever I guess it doesn't matter

[/backslash]

You mean get rid of the other thread & just rename the one I made? Or delete the one I made and rename the other one? Anyway, its good enough :p

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Yeah lets just use this

[FX-GTZ]

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/5/920775_54545_front.jpg

I am totally digging the boxart for GT. Seeming as there is a boxart, they must be releasing it on UMD, i really am hoping so!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I dare say the chances of it being released on UMD are 100%.

[McChimp]

They'd be a little crazy to not release games on UMD as well as online. No doubt the online market is growing, but off-the-shelf sales are still something they couldn't turn their backs on.

[Lazlow]

Oh god, they're still going to try to pump out a GT? Its a pointless exercise, GT is all about car control, and you don't have great car control with digial inputs.

[Citizen Erased]

I wonder if there will be some kind of EB trade in of the old psp for the new one ?

[Allick]

I finally ended up getting a PSP 3000. it came with transformers 2 but i'm gonna sell it and i bourght a metal gear solid portable ops and coded arms double pack, and burnout. It's pretty sweet

[McChimp]

Yeah, I'm eyeing-off MGS:PO, Burnout, and MAYBE Prinny, but I've heard it's a bit of a whore difficulty-wise, and I suck at games like that.

[Stevorooni]

PSP GO will be $450 (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/pspgo-is-just-50-cheaper-than-the-ps3/) in Australia

Only $50 cheaper than the PS3!

Now I bought my original PSP Phat for $300 and it came with Riiiiiidge Racer so GO AND GET ****ED SONY I'M NOT PAYING THAT MUCH YOU ****S

[Nic Xtreme]

PSP GO will be $450 (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/pspgo-is-just-50-cheaper-than-the-ps3/) in Australia

Only $50 cheaper than the PS3!

Now I bought my original PSP Phat for $300 and it came with Riiiiiidge Racer so GO AND GET ****ED SONY I'M NOT PAYING THAT MUCH YOU ****S

See, if you take this and add it to the lack of backwards compatibility in the PS3, you see why I ****ing hate Sony :rage:

[FX-GTZ]

Oh god, they're still going to try to pump out a GT? Its a pointless exercise, GT is all about car control, and you don't have great car control with digial inputs.
If it can play similar to Ridge Racer's psp steering versions, i'll be satisfied, minus the insane drifting around corners to the point your front windscreen is looking over the side of the bridge.

[/backslash]

PSP GO will be $450 (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/pspgo-is-just-50-cheaper-than-the-ps3/) in Australia

Only $50 cheaper than the PS3!
Wow, that's cheap as chips! If the chips were made from solid gold and had diamonds on them

Importing's the way to go, like CDUniverse (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7961118&style=games) (options of black and white (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7961119&style=games))

Adjust the quantity and select the button to update Subtotal: US$249.99
Shipping Air Mail to Australia Shipping: US$8.99
Total: US$258.98 (AU$311)

[Stevorooni]

Wow, that's cheap as chips! If the chips were made from solid gold and had diamonds on them

Importing's the way to go, like CDUniverse (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7961118&style=games) (options of black and white (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7961119&style=games))

Adjust the quantity and select the button to update Subtotal: US$249.99
Shipping Air Mail to Australia Shipping: US$8.99
Total: US$258.98 (AU$311)


Wait til Sony make the DLC Region locked, then stop Aussies from downloading from overseas

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Wow. I had assumed it was going to be $399 ( which was already going to be way too much) but $450!? . Import time..

[Bronze]

I'm considering purchasing a PSP Go on launch over here (they're going to be ¥26,800, around AU$340). At that price it's a little more palletable.

The only thing holding me back is the thought of being locked into a Sony-controlled pricing structure for games. There's no competition. They can charge full RRP for the games when retailers will often sell it for 15%-20% less. Maybe if they released them for $10 less than RRP to compensate for the lack of UMD/case/manual and retailer discounting then it'd seem fair.

And yeah, I already have around 15 games on UMD. What am I supposed to do with them? Sony still hasn't announced their swapover scheme, and I don't want to have to keep swapping between a Go and a PSP Slim to play games... because then what's the point of the Go?

I usually never hesitate when it comes to purchasing newer iterations of consoles. Hell, I even bought a Gameboy Micro after my GBA and GBA SP. Same goes with DS. I bought a Lite, and now I have a DSi. But the Go... hmm.

[Stevorooni]

The PSPGo is everything I want in a PSP feature wise (except the damn thing really needs a 2nd analogue stick) but the price will stop me from buying it unless EB suddenly has a change of heart and announces a "Trade in your PSP Phat and all of your games to get a PSP Go and download tokens for all of your traded in games! It's an even swap, what a great deal!" scheme but that's as likely as Nintendo announcing a steady lineup of hardcore games and a $20 usb plugin that upgrades everything to high definition.

[Bronze]

Yeah, the concept of the Go is great. It sounds convenient, will actually fit comfortably in my pocket, and not having the change discs would be great. It's just unfortunate that the PSP is already an established disc-based format. That throws a large spanner in the works.

Also... the library of PSP games on the PSN right now is pathetically small. The negatives just add up.

- Smaller screen.
- Locked into Sony's pricing structure. No competition.
- Still no UMD swap scheme.
- Prohibitively expensive price.
- Tiny library of games.
- Throw a 16GB memory stick into the PSP-3000 and it does the same thing (plus UMDs) for cheaper.
- Small, unexciting lineup of games.

I think I successfully convinced myself not to waste my money. That may change when launch hype rolls around. Although I have a feeling it's going to be more like a launch whine.

I predict the price is going to drop like a rock when nobody buys the damn thing.

[Lazlow]

I successfully convinced myself not to waste my money.

Too late dude...

I even bought a Gameboy Micro after my GBA and GBA SP. Same goes with DS. I bought a Lite, and now I have a DSi.

:p

[Blue]

I'm considering purchasing a PSP Go on launch over here (they're going to be ¥26,800, around AU$340). At that price it's a little more palletable.

The only thing holding me back is the thought of being locked into a Sony-controlled pricing structure for games. There's no competition. They can charge full RRP for the games when retailers will often sell it for 15%-20% less. Maybe if they released them for $10 less than RRP to compensate for the lack of UMD/case/manual and retailer discounting then it'd seem fair.

And yeah, I already have around 15 games on UMD. What am I supposed to do with them? Sony still hasn't announced their swapover scheme, and I don't want to have to keep swapping between a Go and a PSP Slim to play games... because then what's the point of the Go?

I usually never hesitate when it comes to purchasing newer iterations of consoles. Hell, I even bought a Gameboy Micro after my GBA and GBA SP. Same goes with DS. I bought a Lite, and now I have a DSi. But the Go... hmm.But I got a new GBA Micro for $25, and it's the best portable games console of all time. ;)

[Bronze]

Too late dude...

Eh, my main reason for getting the GBA Micro, as stated, is because it's the best iteration of the hardware and I have a heap of awesome GBA games to play on it. It's easy to just slip it in your pocket and whip it out on the train.

Got a DS Lite because my Phat was scratched to hell after playing far too much Ouendan. Upgraded to a DSi after playing too much Ouendan 2. Got screen protectors on my DSi this time, haha.

Had an original PSP which I traded up for a Slim. That was a reeeeeally pointless upgrade, I have to say. Only had to pay around $100 difference on the trade in though, and the slim doesn't have dead pixels in the middle of the screen like my original one so I guess that's a plus.

But the thing about all of those is that they're fully compatible with all of the games I'd previously bought for the platform. That's not the case with the PSP Go. It really does seem to be a pointless piece of hardware.

[TrinityJayOne]

Oh god, they're still going to try to pump out a GT? Its a pointless exercise, GT is all about car control, and you don't have great car control with digial inputs.
I agree, and the boat of excitement has long sailed on this one anyway.

If it can play similar to Ridge Racer's psp steering versions, i'll be satisfied
It's not just about steering though, the game demands analogue throttle & braking as well. Remember the International A license in the original Gran Turismo? Some of the tests were absolute murder (hello Autumn Ring in a TVR Griffith), but only if you were stuck with the digital controls.

Zero interest in the Go for me.

[Lazlow]

Exactly. With digital inputs you are stuck with full brake/throttle or none at all.

So imagine driving a road car, and all you do is stomp the pedal to the floor and then step off and nothing in-between. You'll be locking up brakes and under/oversteering like a complete twit.

Unless of course they somehow dumb down the sim aspect of GT, which of course leads to the question... why bother?

The only solution I could conceive the implementation of some sort of gyro add-on. So you steering by tilting the PSP, and throttle/brake with the nub.

[Bronze]

That sounds like the most awkward control implementation I've ever heard of. Just thinking about it is making me seasick. ;)

[Lazlow]

Its how a lot of iPhone racers are.

Some work rather well such as Cro-Mag Rally, as they implement a smooth screen tilt with the steering, so the screen is always level.

However games like Asphalt 4 didn't, and therefore suffer due to it. Thankfully there were two other tilt-less control schemes.

[immol8]

Been looking into finally repairing my PSP, but this far out of warranty they've offered a refurb for $145. I am now looking into Ebaying a later model for a little bit more.

[Watchers]

Ridge Racer on PSP was awesome, for the record. I actually got quite good at it, iirc.

[consoul]

And yeah, I already have around 15 games on UMD. What am I supposed to do with them? Sony still hasn't announced their swapover scheme, and I don't want to have to keep swapping between a Go and a PSP Slim to play games... because then what's the point of the Go?

I usually never hesitate when it comes to purchasing newer iterations of consoles. Hell, I even bought a Gameboy Micro after my GBA and GBA SP. Same goes with DS. I bought a Lite, and now I have a DSi. But the Go... hmm.I'm in the same boat as you. This would under normal circumstances be an instant purchase for me, but the complications around the Go are holding me back. Sony's deathly silence on their "good will" scheme is the biggest detractor. I honestly don't believe they'll announce or implement the scheme at launch - if ever. When Koller last had something to say about it (about five weeks ago iirc) he likened it to PSP's Portable Copy system - the irony of which is that that particular feature which was announced to be out in late 2008 never came out.
Maybe if they released them for $10 less than RRP to compensate for the lack of UMD/case/manual and retailer discounting then it'd seem fair.You're in luck Bronze. Japanese pricing for GT PSP has been confirmed at 4400yen for the DD, and 5480yen for the UMD. Let's hope the other territories follow SCEJ's lead.

[Jickle]

So just out of interest, is anyone here going to be picking up the PSP Go? Personally I think it's a flat-out bad idea and will be staying away from it but I'd be interested to see if anyone holds the opposite opinion.

[Watchers]

I might have if it had dual analogue sticks or something worthwhile over the original PSP, but it doesn't, so I can't see any reason to. I'll stick with UMDs and my old PSP for the time being.

[Ashmaran]

In theory its a nice idea, but in reality it is terrible. Way too expensive and no way to play my current UMD games. No incentive to buy, especially since digital downloads from console manufacturers very rarely drop in price, unlike in retail.

[nkbswe5]

I might be getting it.
From America.
I don't think the prices on the PSN store are that bad (In the US store anyway, haven't looked at ours recently). I don't like carrying UMD's around, though I don't have a PSP and don't know if I'd really want to swap games around while on the move.
And I don't mind paying $15.99US for Patapon.
Think I'll wait until after it's released though and see what people think about hand space and see if it's 'region free'

[Stevorooni]

Nope, too many unknowns and the price is awful.

[TrinityJayOne]

I might have if it had dual analogue sticks or something worthwhile over the original PSP, but it doesn't, so I can't see any reason to. I'll stick with UMDs and my old PSP for the time being.
What he said. Infact I'd say it has less over the PSP, as it looks stupid and has a smaller screen. SMALLER.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

So just out of interest, is anyone here going to be picking up the PSP Go? Personally I think it's a flat-out bad idea and will be staying away from it but I'd be interested to see if anyone holds the opposite opinion.

I would like one, but definitely not at launch. To begin with it's too expensive, and secondly I'm not sure if Sony can actually pull off a handheld based purely on digital distribution. I need to see how Sony's online infrastructure is going to operate fully before I could even consider one.

I wish they would bring out a regular old UMD taking PSP that is the same size as the Go for a reasonable price, the size of the PSP is the only thing stopping me from buying one.

[proofreeder]

I've just been chatting to a mate who's going to get one at launch with a free GT game from JB. Mind you, he's probably going to get it hacked like everything else, so I guess it's a pretty cheap price for unlimited games.

BTW, I'm thinking of getting GT to play against him. This is probably a stupid question, but two people can't play PSP against each other AGAINST someone on a PS3 can they? I assume there's no chance of that, but it would be cool to have four players (with 2 on the PS3).

[Lazlow]

They'll be entirely different games, so I doubt it.

As for the Go, I'm passing. Should have been an entirely new platform.

[consoul]

I've just been chatting to a mate who's going to get one at launch with a free GT game from JB. Mind you, he's probably going to get it hacked like everything else, so I guess it's a pretty cheap price for unlimited games.

BTW, I'm thinking of getting GT to play against him. This is probably a stupid question, but two people can't play PSP against each other AGAINST someone on a PS3 can they? I assume there's no chance of that, but it would be cool to have four players (with 2 on the PS3).He's probably not. The PSPgo is highly unlikely to to be hacked any time soon. It's a far more secure system than those that preceded it. If your mate wants to run custom firmware, he's barking up the wrong tree. He'd be better off seeking out a PSP-2000.

No chance of what you're proposing regarding GT either.

So I'm hearing that there actually will be a goodwill scheme where you can redeem 5 UMDs for download codes. Haven't been able to confirm that 100% yet, so take it with a grain of salt. To be honest I'd be hard pressed to pick five legacy games I could be bothered to trade. I'm more interested in playing upcoming PSP titles.

[Lazlow]

One thing I'm not entirely sure of; are they still supporting UMD releases for PSP/PSP-2000 users?

[StorminNorman]

Only for as long as they have to. Sony fairly obviously wants to kill off UMD as quickly as they can.

I'm madly in love with the concept of the PSPGo, but it really should have been done years ago. Not to mention the damn thing uses those ridiculous Memory Sticks instead of the cheaper and more common SD cards. Basically, I want one, but only if I can guarantee that I'll be able to replace all my UMD PSP games with downloaded versions for no additional cost, and that Sony promises a clean upgrade path when the PSP2 (which is what the PSP Go should be) comes out in a couple of years' time.

EDIT: Also, the PSPGo should really have GSM/3G capability. There is absolutely no good reason for it not to support this.

[proofreeder]

THanks for the replies.

[Stevorooni]

EBGames Australia apparently not going to sell the PSPGo (http://kotaku.com/5365557/another-retailer-says-nothankyou-to-the-pspgo)


Dunn dunn dunnnnnn it seems like retailers don't want nuthin to do with something they can't sell games for.

[Lazlow]

Department stores like JB, Harvey Norman, WOW, Target, etc, will still sell it.

GAME, Gametraders, EB - these guys make their coin in the pre-owned market, and the PSPGo essentially cuts them out.

That said I don't care for the PSPGo, it looks horribly uncomfortable. I sure as shit don't hang onto my handhelds by my finger tips.

[Stevorooni]

It kind of makes sense though

Customer: "I'd like this PSP Go"
EB Guy: "Sure thing"
* Customer puts 3 PSP UMD games on counter *
Customer: "and these too"
EB Guy: "Those won't work. Go home and download them"

[RunningMild]

The PSP Go is going to be the biggest failure since E.T. Just watch, they'll be burying that shit in a landfill before too long. ;)

[Lazlow]

DSE are advertising it, as well as the GT bundle, and a PSP-3000/GT bundle.

[sausage]

PSPGo and get f****d

[HiredMan]

PSPGone

[Stevorooni]

PSPGO-online-and-pay-sony's-ridiculous-prices-for-digital-games-when-you-can-buy-the-umd-cheaper

[Lazlow]

Have they released their prices?

[HiredMan]

Dunno, but I expect it to be $450+ based on the UK/European pricing.

[Lazlow]

I meant for their digitally distributed games. Cutting out package costs, shipping and retailers could lead to cheaper prices.

[HiredMan]

Could being the operative term there. No competition means it could also lead to high prices.

[JubeiSaotome]

They're already distributing games on PSN and they've been coming out brand new at 50$ or less.

[Lazlow]

Could being the operative term there. No competition means it could also lead to high prices.

Which is why I used it :p

But logically digitally distributed games should be substantially cheaper. the only thing that appears to be fuelling peoples' concerns is the underlying anti-Sony/PSPGo sentiment and outright pessimism.

[Cobla]

It kind of makes sense though

Customer: "I'd like this PSP Go"
EB Guy: "Sure thing"
* Customer puts 3 PSP UMD games on counter *
Customer: "and these too"
EB Guy: "Those won't work. Go home and download them"Yeah and can you imagine how many people would come back to EB if they have trouble with the PSN store? A lot I'm guessing, so I can totally understand them not wanting to spend their time on those kinds of questions for the sake of 2 or 3 dollars profit.

Personally I'm on the fence with this one. I do want a PSPgo, but not for $450. Also I'd want to convert most, if not all, of my existing UMD library (I've got more than 30 of them atm), preferrably for free. So yeah, a purchase isn't looking likely!

[Lazlow]

PSPGo on DSE website for $428 (http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4abadb5103c4cd942740c0a87e0106f1/Product/View/YG0530)

[Shorty]

So now it's $70 cheaper than a PS3!

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

$71 actually :p . Im still tempted to get one just because it's new and shiny. If Sony announce a umd transfer/trade thing I'll get one. If not though i'll pass for now. Anyone know a site where you can import one from? That one posted a number of pages ago doesn't actually ship to Aus.

[RunningMild]

Could being the operative term there. No competition means it could also lead to high prices.

Precisely. I think they've already announced that digital games will cost as much as the UMD counterparts because they don't want to 'divide the marketplace' or something.

My question is, if they're so desperate to kill off UMD then why don't they divide the marketplace and provide extra incentive to download by making the games cheaper?

[Cobla]

Yeah they obviously have much lower overheads without the need for manufacture and physical distribution, so charging full RRP just feels like a rip off.

You know what I'd really like to see? Games on DVD-ROM for you to install from your PC. Sure, the game would then need to be activated online, but compared to downloading the whole thing over the (in my experience) really slow PSN, it would be very quick and painless. Also then EB and everyone else could sell these install discs, thereby keeping competition, lower prices, etc. etc.

Of course such a scheme would undoubtedly be just a transitional thing as everyone moves towards digital distribution, but it would sure ease the pain a bit. I'd certainly buy 'em to use with my PSP-2000 cos carting a bunch of UMDs around everywhere is a nuisance.

[RunningMild]

You know what I'd really like to see? Games on DVD-ROM for you to install from your PC. Sure, the game would then need to be activated online, but compared to downloading the whole thing over the (in my experience) really slow PSN, it would be very quick and painless. Also then EB and everyone else could sell these install discs, thereby keeping competition, lower prices, etc. etc.

It's actually not that bad if you have ADSL2.

[Shorty]

So I'm hearing that there actually will be a goodwill scheme where you can redeem 5 UMDs for download codes. Haven't been able to confirm that 100% yet, so take it with a grain of salt. To be honest I'd be hard pressed to pick five legacy games I could be bothered to trade. I'm more interested in playing upcoming PSP titles.

Actually, it's three (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/psp-go-upgrade-incentive-rewards-3-free-games-to-umd-owners/#continued).

[Cobla]

^ Only 17 games to choose from though. Ouch.It's actually not that bad if you have ADSL2.Well I have Optus cable (8000 Mbps) and downloading the original Crash Bandicoot (400MB) took about 2 hours. Contrast that with Xbox Live where I downloaded Shadow Complex (800 MB) in about 15 minutes. :eek:

I've had similar experiences with other PSN downloads too. The Last Guy took a number of hours to download and it's only about 600 MB iirc.

[Stevorooni]

In contrast my PSN downloads are quite reasonable but Xbox Live seems to take forever


What a crazy world we live in

[Cobla]

Wow that's interesting. I kinda assumed that PSN was slow just 'cos it's free. :cool: I guess Optus cable can take the blame now. Even more so as my internet is currently down (I'm posting over 3G).

[Lazlow]

I haven't touched Sony's online service since it was PSP only; it was pretty horrible and cubmersome then >_>

[RunningMild]

I have iinet ADSL2 and I get pretty fast download speeds on PSP. It used to be slow and cumbersome on iPrimus "broadband" (yeah, broadband my arse), but now it's as easy and convenient as XBL (aside from the 'no multiple downloads' issue).

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Actually, it's three (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/psp-go-upgrade-incentive-rewards-3-free-games-to-umd-owners/#continued).

Alright this is making me think about getting a PSP Go....

So if I take my friends PSP and log into my PSN account, throw one of his games in... Then I get 3 free games?

[Cobla]

I think you might also have to associate the old PSP with your PSN account, which is a slight pain if the old PSP has downloaded games on it. That is, they won't be playable on that console until you switch the profile back.

(I know this because I created a US PSN account but then found I could no longer play Crash, at least until I switched the profile back to the AU one I bought it on)

Also I have no idea, but I'm guessing that Sony would limit the offer to once per old PSP console (?) Seems likely to me.

[Stevorooni]

Prepaid download code things available at stores (http://kotaku.com/5369061/pspgo-16000-pieces-of-digital-content-at-launch-network-cards-for-stores) which should make stores a bit happier, although it still kicks their second hand game sales in the balls

[tau]

Who the **** cares? Let them be little whiny bitches. They've forced all their bullshit "Trade in 6 games and buy a new one for $20" deals down our throats, do we actually lose anything from EB not stocking PSPGos?

[Stevorooni]

I don't give a shit about EB but I do give a shit about being able to pay less than what Sony thinks we should, via store competition.

[Lazlow]

Indeed, we lose a viable alternative through the second hand market.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Meh, I like steam, lets hope Sony offer a service that's just as viable, complete with weekend deals.

[Citizen Erased]

There is only two things that will make me buy a Go :

1, being able to download every new and old psp game.
2, a decent trade in for the old psp.

[nkbswe5]

Well, can't see 2. ever happening because I never see reasonable trade-in deals for any console. That's what eBay is for.


Importing's the way to go, like CDUniverse (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7961118&style=games) (options of black and white (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7961119&style=games))

Adjust the quantity and select the button to update Subtotal: US$249.99
Shipping Air Mail to Australia Shipping: US$8.99
Total: US$258.98 (AU$311)

Has anyone used this site recently? Because both Yahoo 2009 users (http://shopping.yahoo.com/merchrating/user_rv.html?merchant_id=1009662) say they never received their products...

[Lazlow]

Not recently, but I've ordered a few products through them (GBA game, CD, LP) and had no dramas.

[Stevorooni]

I really think it would have been smarter for Sony to stick to the UMD model, make the memory sticks cheaper and simultaneously release downloadable versions of games with UMD, then in a couple of years release the PSP GO as a fully fledged new PSP2 with better graphics and 2 analogue nubs.

[Cobla]

I just found out upgraders have to buy new memory sticks too! Disappointing.

[Stevorooni]

wtf does it take different memory sticks to the regular psp?

[Cobla]

Yeah it takes MS Micro instead of MS Duo :(

[Stevorooni]

That's crap.

I really need to get a bigger memory stick for my phat anyway, I still only have a 512 MB one but I haven't seen them anywhere

[Lazlow]

Sony 8GB Pro Duo - $82AUD (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-24ww-71-1p-49-en-15-memory+stick-84-j-70-2a8s.html)

Sandisk 16GB Pro Duo - $105AUD (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-24ww-71-1p-77-2-49-en-15-memory+stick-84-j-70-3dtl.html)

play-asia stocks micros but only 512mb and 1Gb, and both are currently out of stock. Pro Duos only really got affordable at larger capacities in the last year or so. So its kinda shit the new device takes a step back with a lower capacity, more expensive storage option.

[sausage]

Will NOT be buying this instafail product.

[RunningMild]

That's crap.

I really need to get a bigger memory stick for my phat anyway, I still only have a 512 MB one but I haven't seen them anywhere

I got an 8gig one from Harvey Norman. Other than that. internet seems your best bet.

Meh, I like steam, lets hope Sony offer a service that's just as viable, complete with weekend deals.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I'm sorry, but after all the mistakes Sony have made with their online services so far I just don't see them even coming close to competing with the market leader.

Aren't Steam games cheaper than the in-store ones for a start? There's a cross for Sony.

[nkbswe5]

Will NOT be buying this instafail product.
Thank you for your useful contribution. Mind giving a reason why it's instafail?


Aren't Steam games cheaper than the in-store ones for a start? There's a cross for Sony.
Yeah, this is annoying. I was just using MediaGo to look at prices, some games aren't terrible ($30) but a lot of games like Patapon 2 are full retail ($49.99)
What's annoying me more though is that in the USA PSN store, Patapon 2 is heaps cheaper ($19.99US, or 23AUD... wow, our exchange is good right now!).
If the PSP Go! lets you access any country PSN like the PS3, this is survivable, but it's annoying having to preload a USA Visa (because of fees and such).
$30 price difference in games, $150 difference in console retail price... USA FTW?

[Lazlow]

Yeah there is no logical reason why a digitally distributed game, supposedly not bound by shipping costs and taxes, should receive such a price hike in another territory.

Its essenitially extortion.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I'm sorry, but after all the mistakes Sony have made with their online services so far I just don't see them even coming close to competing with the market leader.

Aren't Steam games cheaper than the in-store ones for a start? There's a cross for Sony.

Well they wouldn't really be competing with them considering they are on different platforms, I guess the point of the post was I think DD is good and I don't really care about the second hand market.

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Originally Posted by /backslash
Importing's the way to go, like CDUniverse (options of black and white)

Adjust the quantity and select the button to update Subtotal: US$249.99
Shipping Air Mail to Australia Shipping: US$8.99
Total: US$258.98 (AU$311)

If you actually do a mock order it tells you that "Some items can't be shipped to the country of your choice" or something to that effect. I was going to order one but fail.

Im still tempted its new and shiny and $398 at Big w .

[nkbswe5]

Really... Guess I didn't go far enough in my mock order?
If that's the way it's going to be, I'll be looking at eBay next week!
Don't really want to spend much more than $300 since that's the price of the 3000... butcan I really put a price on smexiness?

[consoul]

I already have mine.
Really really nice. And so much smaller than I imagined.
http://i33.tinypic.com/2nvqjgx.jpg

[TrinityJayOne]

Jesus, that pretty much seals the deal for me (not that I was interested in it anyway). I have mighty manhands and would crush that thing with my Hulkesque grip. That or I'd drop it. Look at the size of that joy...nub! Terrible, just terrible.

[Lazlow]

You can't see the nub... can you?

I thought the nub was on panel that slides behind the screen >_>

[TrinityJayOne]

Well what's that thing in the same spot as the current model's nub? This new PSP scares and confuses me.

[Lazlow]

http://cache.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/153750_S/Sony-PlayStation-Portable-PSP-go.jpg

Looks like a home button.

[consoul]

Yep. The nub, d-pad and face buttons are all good. The shoulder buttons will take some getting used to. They're responsive and placed fine, but they feel much softer/looser than the old chunky ones.

Just played the Metal Gear Solid: PeaceWalker demo on it and yeah... it's pretty damn nice. The screen looks fantastic, and the controls feel good. Now listening to some tunes having jumped out to the XMB using the new pause function. Just having the visualizers on and the unit snapped shut is good. You can still skip tracks, adjust the volume & EQ with the unit closed.

Most people probably knew this already but you don't need to turn it on at the power switch. Just slide it open and it boots up by itself.

[Stevorooni]

Consumer whore Stevo wants it.

But Regular whore Stevo says "Get ****ed, you already have a PSP and you have to pay for your car service"

[Shorty]

Needs at least another $50 off the Big W price.

[tau]

If you can crack that thing it'll easily be the greatest handheld ever in the history of the world.

[sausage]

Will NOT be buying this instafail product.

Thank you for your useful contribution. Mind giving a reason why it's instafail?


Basically this whole thread.

[Cobla]

Consumer whore Stevo wants it.

But Regular whore Stevo says "Get ****ed, you already have a PSP and you have to pay for your car service"Yeah I can just see I'll be fighting myself about getting one of these tomorrow. :rolleyes:

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I wish they would release it in red

[Stevorooni]

I wish they would release it at half the price

[Citizen Erased]

I wish they would release it at half the price

agreed

[RunningMild]

Thank you for your useful contribution. Mind giving a reason why it's instafail?

How about this, for a start? (http://au.psp.ign.com/articles/102/1028430p1.html)

Well they wouldn't really be competing with them considering they are on different platforms, I guess the point of the post was I think DD is good and I don't really care about the second hand market.

Whether they compete or not is not the issue. The point I was trying to make is that there is no way this service will be 'just as viable' as Steam or have 'weekend deals', because anything that results in convenience or ease-of-use goes against Sony's philosophies. :p

[Lazlow]

No UMD conversion?

Yep, the PSPGo can get f***ed.

[nkbswe5]

How about this, for a start? (http://au.psp.ign.com/articles/102/1028430p1.html)
Better :p

After reading reviews about text in games being blocky and same framerate issues, I see no reason to buy this 'new console'.
I'll risk repairing my PSP 1000 instead.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Whether they compete or not is not the issue. The point I was trying to make is that there is no way this service will be 'just as viable' as Steam or have 'weekend deals', because anything that results in convenience or ease-of-use goes against Sony's philosophies. :p

Yeah I see. The point I was trying to make was that it would be awesome if it was, because I think that would be a really neat little handheld system if it had the infrastructure and accessibility of a service like steam behind it.

I have no doubts though that Sony will be refining their online system and greatly improving it before the release of their next handheld.

[RunningMild]

Better :p

After reading reviews about text in games being blocky and same framerate issues, I see no reason to buy this 'new console'.
I'll risk repairing my PSP 1000 instead.

Just get a PSP 2000. The original PSP has cheap, crappy buttons and the overall console design is dodgy. PSP 2000 streamlines everything and feels so much better from a gameplay perspective, and unlike the DS Lite they didn't shrink it to midget-size. ;)

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I'm thinking of getting a PSP, why 2000 over 3000?

[Shorty]

Apparently there are "interlacing problems" (http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/sony-looking-into-psp-3000-interlacing-problems/) with the 3000's screen. I have a 2000 and it looks fine.

[Bokracroc]

Go my.. urr...
PSP1002!!
Needs repairs though, joystick is acting up.

[RunningMild]

I'm thinking of getting a PSP, why 2000 over 3000?

What Shorty said. IGN reported some interlacing problems resulting in horizontal blue lines appearing in fast games such as Burnout. Apparently, the PSP 3000 draws the lines horizontally whereas the older models do it vertically or something crazy like that.

AFAI can tell, PSP 2000 and 3000 are identical size, shape and layout, and the 3000 has no extra features worth noting. 2000 seems to be the pinnacle of the console.

[Bokracroc]

It is worth getting mine fixed or just trading for a 2000?

[Bokracroc]

Tt was reported that the battery isn't actually soldered in, in fact the only thing stopping the battery from being removed is a "Warranty void if removed" sticker. (http://www.destructoid.com/pspgo-gutted-battery-is-unofficially-user-replaceable-150355.phtml)

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

So PSP go comes out today right? Wasn't there meant to be heaps of stuff in the store?

[Cobla]

Yeah God of War at least... is it not there? I haven't had a look yet.

[Stevorooni]

I might scout out some shops to see if there's any demo units of the GO, I just want to see how it feels in comparison to my chunker 1000

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Yeah God of War at least... is it not there? I haven't had a look yet.

I'm pretty sure Go of War was there, but where's the minis? Where's the supposed thousands of items to download?

[Citizen Erased]

Im pretty sure that all the psp go games will be out tomorrow as always.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I know it's only 1 day, but that is ridiculous. Surely Sony could have released things a bit earlier for the people paying for their "premium" handheld. It really makes me think that their is no hope for the Go in Australia.

[Stevorooni]

hahaha so people buy the console today but can't download anything to play on it? classic

[tau]

There's only actually around 200 downloadable games on the store. The other thousands are tv shows and movies.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

hahaha so people buy the console today but can't download anything to play on it? classic

There's a few things to download, but you really would expect more on the day it launches.

[Citizen Erased]

So, do you need a psp go to play the download only games or will the old psp do ?

[Stevorooni]

They'll work on the old psp as long as you have the space for them

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Any PSP will do

[Lazlow]

So if anyone needs a bigger stick for their Phat/2000/3000 >_>

Sony 8GB Pro Duo - $82AUD (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-24ww-71-1p-49-en-15-memory+stick-84-j-70-2a8s.html)

Sandisk 16GB Pro Duo - $105AUD (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-24ww-71-1p-77-2-49-en-15-memory+stick-84-j-70-3dtl.html)

[Bronze]

Nice affiliation advertisement spam there, Laz. Very subtle. :rolleyes:

Anyone picked up a PSP Go yet? Doesn't come out here for another month (yeah, I know, what?). Plenty of time to gauge store content and user reactions. Will be launching here on November 1st for around AU$330 but I'm curious to see what others think in the meantime.

[Lazlow]

Nice affiliation advertisement spam there, Laz. Very subtle.

That's da joke

[Cobla]

Anyone picked up a PSP Go yet?Why yes, yes I did. :)

JB are selling 'em for $398 and I traded a bunch of old 360 games to get it for ~$300.

Initial impressions are good. (It's so small!) The screen size reduction is definitely noticable, but the screen looks great and the step up in brightness and contrast from my 2000 is obvious. (I might even dare to go below full brightness)

I like the new analog nub and the shoulder buttons. Also while the face buttons are much shorter they don't feel spongy like the ones on my 2000.

I'm just topping up its battery and then I'm gonna jump on the Store and see about getting those 3 'free' games (and Gran Turismo). Prob go with Pursuit Force 2, Resistance PSP and... I dunno, maybe WipeOut? It's Pure (not Pulse) hence my hesitation. At least I have a whole bunch of DLC tracks for it on my 2000 I guess.

[Lazlow]

Pure > Pulse

Seriously, they did something weird to the way the craft handle in Pulse; too stiff too rigid.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I'm just topping up its battery and then I'm gonna jump on the Store and see about getting those 3 'free' games (and Gran Turismo). Prob go with Pursuit Force 2, Resistance PSP and... I dunno, maybe WipeOut? It's Pure (not Pulse) hence my hesitation. At least I have a whole bunch of DLC tracks for it on my 2000 I guess.

I got some bad news....

[Cobla]

I got some bad news....We're eligible in Australia if that's what you were gonna say. Check out the T&C page here (http://au.playstation.com/legal/detail/item237180/). ;)

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Oh what I thought they scrapped the entire program?! If it's still in place I might go buy a Go tomorrow... assuming I can use my friends PSP to log into my account to claim some free games...

[Cobla]

Yeah it apparently starts literally right now (4pm AEST) so I haven't been rushing to activate it, but they're certainly still doing it.

It's the UMD transfer programs that have been scrapped. This is the replacement program. Not hugely generous, but it's something.

[Stevorooni]

So is there any way to trick it into giving people free games on their regular PSP?

[Lazlow]

As much as the Go sounds like a neat device, I can't justify it. UMD based PSPs can use both hard and soft copy games, and the asking price is just too high.

Not to mention the PSN PSP games offer no savings over UMDs, and you are essentially stuck with them for life, with no option to trade in or resell them.

Just seems like a premium device, with limited options, for gadget nuts with money to burn.

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

I grabbed one too. Its not picking up my router at the moment :S . Can you do download the free 3 games and gran turismo on the ps3 and transfer it over?

[Shorty]

As much as the Go sounds like a neat device, I can't justify it. UMD based PSPs can use both hard and soft copy games, and the asking price is just too high.

That's what kills me about this thing. I want to like it, but it seems that Sony is determined to keep giving me reasons not to want one. To see the squandering of that much potential is really rather sad.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

You said it, after all this thinking I'm back to wondering why I even wanted a PSP to begin with. I wanted Monster Hunter but I wouldn't even be able to play it online. I'll wait till 2010, get myself a 4000 when Peace Walker comes out.

[Citizen Erased]

The PSP store has been updated (about damn time), Im getting Rock band unplugged for $6.

[Cobla]

I grabbed one too. Its not picking up my router at the moment :S . Can you do download the free 3 games and gran turismo on the ps3 and transfer it over?Yeah it's as fussy about encryption as ever. I had to knock my router back down to WEP, but I'll most likely download with the PS3 anyway. Wireless B seems so slow! (I use N mostly and the PS3 at least has G)

Anyway yes you need to be able to connect both your new console and your old console to the PS Store (first one then the other). There's some instructions here (http://au.playstation.com/games-media/news/articles/detail/item235591/). :)

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Im using WEP encryption and both psp's wont connect. The laptop im posting from is connected fine as is my ps3, 360 and desktop. So annoying how devices can be so temperamental.

Edit: Ok changed a few settings and my older psp is connecting, havent tried the go yet but should be alright. Is the 3 game redemption thing available to do yet or do we have to wait for the store update?

[Ezri]

The PSPGo appears to be a colossal waste of time - extra money for a smaller screen and no disc drive?

Any other shortcomings of the unit are more than overshadowed by these two oversights.

No thank you Sony.

For the record, I've always loved the PSP - why'd you go and do this Sony, why? After all the love and support I have given your handheld - remember when no one was buying you except one guy? That was ME.

[Citizen Erased]

Dont buy RB : U, its not the full game, even though it says it is.

[Bronze]

The PSPGo appears to be a colossal waste of time - extra money for a smaller screen and no disc drive?

I keep telling myself that too. But then I think back to that time I bought a Gameboy Micro (after the SP and original GBAs). And how I have a DSi (after buying a Phat and a Lite). And now logically, following my PSP-1000 and PSP Slim...

Thing is, there's really been nothing 'must-have' on the PSP platform for me since God of War came out. And that was ages ago. Still nothing on the horizon that really grabs me, except for maybe the new Jak and Daxter. In fact, I haven't actually touched my PSP since I moved six months ago. It's still sitting over there neglected and gathering dust. Worthless piece of crap platform!

So, despite my complete lack of enthusiasm and support for the platform and moral objections to being locked into Sony's pricing structure on the PSP store, chances are pretty high that I'll pick up a PSP Go when it launches over here on November 1st. I'll just sell off my few UMD-based games when I move back to Melbourne.

Sony's T&C page for the 3 'free' games promotion states that the PSP Go you use for the promotion needs to have been purchased in an eligible country. Wonder if they'll reject my attempts to redeem the games? I mean, my PSN account and PSP-2000 are both Australian. Surely they wouldn't lock me out just because I'm buying a Japanese Go? ...Oh wait, this is Sony. Of course they will.

[Ezri]

It's hard for me to judge, but I think my PSP has provided me with more handheld entertainment hours than my DS.

;)

[Adios]

Thing is, there's really been nothing 'must-have' on the PSP platform for me since God of War came out. And that was ages ago.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Valkyria Chronicles 2?

[RunningMild]

Dont buy RB : U, its not the full game, even though it says it is.

I KNEW there was a catch! No way that game would be cheaper than a PS1 game!

Still, if you can play DLC on it it might be worth the money IMO. Use the UMD version to play the full game and use the el cheapo version for Aussie DLC...

[Stevorooni]

Took a quick look at the PSP stuff on the store this morning.

My whole problem with the GO was immediately justified when I saw Gran Turismo for $55 when I swear I saw it in EB (EB OF ALL PLACES!) on UMD for $50

[borgster101]

Took a quick look at the PSP stuff on the store this morning.

My whole problem with the GO was immediately justified when I saw Gran Turismo for $55 when I swear I saw it in EB (EB OF ALL PLACES!) on UMD for $50
Don't forget the transaction fee cause the PSN store isn't Australian based :p

[Flea]

So I'm now copntemplating a PSP GO. I've always wanted a PSP and I think this could be a good time to bite. My main query is though are you able to get games from the US PSN store on it? Is it like PS3 where if I have a US account and a US PSN store $$$ card I can download the game and then play it on my australian account? The update for AU store was pitiful :(

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Valkyria Chronicles 2?
I'm hoping the PSP 4000 is out by then