Sony's miniaturized version of their handheld console, the PSP go, is hitting stores today. It's a divisive product, with folks on either side deeming it a waste of money or a beautiful piece of hardware. I've spent a good chunk of time with the device, and hopefully I'll be able to point you in one direction or another, depending on your needs. And we're off!
The Highs
Build Quality
The PSP go is, as people are saying, a beatiful peice of hardware. It's clean, elegant, light and pretty to look at. It has a solid build feel that gives the impression that you could drop it down a flight of steps and it would be fine (not recommended!). It's basically an extremely compact platform that allows you to carry console-style titles in a front jeans pocket...something the original PSP design (or even the slim) couldn't handle.
No PSP? No Problem
If you have stayed away from the PSP since it launched, you'll have a pretty easy time playing catch-up without having to leave your home. Full games are available through the PlayStation Network, allowing you to play an array of back catalog titles, as well as new games (which will release on UMD disc and on PSN on the same day).
Lots of Memory
The device comes with 16 gigs of built-in memory, which means you'll be able to load on around 10 games and carry them around with you without the hassle of actual discs. You can also load up digital movie files and, if you're an avid collector of Blu-Ray movies, new discs will come with digital download codes for uses on the PSP.
The Lows
The Price
At $250, the PSP go is a whopping $120 more than a brand new PSP-3000 (with GameStop's current sale, a 3000 goes for $129.99). That's insane. Even when you factor in the free, built-in memory, there's really no way to justify such a split. There's no UMD disc drive on the PSP go, which should, in theory, lower the price.
And then you get into the issue of software costs. Even though it's easy to download games from the PlayStation Network, it's almost always going to be as expensive or, for older games, more expensive than going to a store and buying something used. If you have a standard PSP you have the option of doing either, but with the PSP go, you're forced to go with the PlayStation Network's prices.
The Controls
Quite simply, they're not as good as the original PSP's controls. The buttons feel much more stiff and shallow, feeling less like the Dual Shock buttons and more like a cheap knock off from Mad Katz. I understand that the more shallow buttons help the form factor of the device, but I'd rather a slightly thicker platform that's more fun to play. These issues apply to all the input buttons, from the shoulder buttons to the d-pad.
Already Own A PSP? Toss Your UMDs
Despite early claims that Sony would offer a way to convert UMD games into digital files for play on the PSP go, it's currently not the case. The only way to play UMD games that you already own is to re-buy them on the PlayStation Network, with no discount whatsoever. Sounds like fun, right?
The Final Word
Apart from looking cool and being smaller, there's absolutely no reason to trade in your original PSP for a PSP go. Hell, if you don't own a PSP, I'd still recommend getting a PSP-3000. The added expensive of the PSP go (for both the hardware and software), paired with the other major issues I've listed above, make it a total mystery why Sony would even think consumers would rush out for this product. It offers nothing new for their platform, and ends up putting more hurdles than the last model.