New PSP!

[Mr Buckshot]

Apparently, a new 16 GB flash based "PSP Go" has been announced and it takes a sliding form factor a la the Mylo.

The good new stuff: Bluetooth, loads of onboard flash, no more slow-ass UMD, once again much lighter than the previous PSP (even the 3000), screen may be smaller but retains high res.

The bad: Still no second analog thumbstick...come on, Sony! From the pics shown, the stick still appears to be on the left...at least move it to right if you're not gonna add a second one! Also, while the UMD sucked, removing the drive may not be such a good idea, unless every single game is officially ported from UMD to downloadable format.

Source:
http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210555/16gb-psp-go-revealed-early-new-psp-mgs-confirmed



[UPDATE] PrE3 2009: Leaked video from next month's Qore reveals SCEA's John Koller touting Mylo-style sliding screen handheld with no second thumbstick, built-in flash memory; Gran Turismo Mobile to be re-announced at E3?
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/149/psp_go_hirez_2184_gum.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2009/149/psp_go_hirez_2184_screen.jpg');)
Though Sony's E3 Press Conference (http://e3.gamespot.com/press-conference/sony-e3/) isn't until 11:00 a.m. on June 2, one of its centerpieces appears to have been prematurely exposed. A YouTube video of what appears to be the next issue of the PlayStation-focused video magazine Qore has revealed that Sony will use its event to unveil a new PSP model, the PSP Go.
As had been widely rumored (http://www.gamespot.com/news/blogs/rumor-control/909119209/26864429/umd-less-psp2-due-by-early-november.html), the PSP Go will have a sliding form factor like the Mylo, Sony's ill-fated Internet communicator device. The new handheld--which does not sport a second thumbstick--is shown several times in the video, which features Qore host Veronica Belmont and John Koller, director of hardware marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6207289.html).
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/149/psp_go_hirez_1045_gum.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2009/149/psp_go_hirez_1045_screen.jpg');)
According to Koller, the main differences between the PSP Go and the PSP-3000 are "on-board memory, the flash memory, and 16 gigs of space. There's Bluetooth on board as well, so you can use a Bluetooth headset, and you can actually tether it to your cell phone as well. But ultimately, it's the portability. Since you can bring all that content with you in a smaller form factor, you've got the most immersive games to play, and now you've got a smaller unit to do it with."
Koller also said the emphasis will be on downloadable games. "Little Big Planet, Jak & Daxter, and even a new Metal Gear Solid coming--all of those games will be available. So will all the first-run movies you can rent or buy on the PlayStation Network. So you can bring so much content over with you and fill up that 16 gig of flash memory." (Emphasis added.) The new MGS PSP game was previously hinted at in a Web post by the Japanese arm of the 7/11 convenience store chain (http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210555/6210135).
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/149/psp_go_hirez_3516_gum.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2009/149/psp_go_hirez_3516_screen.jpg');)
Koller also appears to reveal that the long-lost PSP Gran Turismo Mobile game--first shown off in 2004 (http://e3.gamespot.com/psp/driving/granturismo/news.html?page=1&sid=6097100)--will resurface at next week's expo. "There are games like Gran Turismo being announced at E3," said the executive.
Host Belmont then asks, "So since it's called the PSP Go, I would image it will work with Remote Play as well." Koller responds with the following blanket statement: "Integration with the PS3 is very important, and it works just like the PSP-3000. A lot of people like to be able to take their PS3 content with them on the go."
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/149/psp_go_hirez_4201_gum.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2009/149/psp_go_hirez_4201_screen.jpg');)
As for the PSP Go supplanting its predecessor, Koller said flatly: "It won't replace the PSP-3000. We're going to keep them both on the market." Koller did not mention a price, release date, or whether or not it would have a touchscreen when closed. Sony Computer Entertainment America reps had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.
[UPDATE] A second video from Qore shows the PSP Go in even greater detail, and also reveals its logo. The handheld will have a 3.8 inch screen--versus the PSP-3000's 4.3-inch screen--and will be 43 percent lighter than the original, and will have "all digital content," according to Koller. "The UMD drive goes away…and it has a Memory Stick Micro, so you can add memory to it if you like…It will be something the digitally savvy consumer can really enjoy," he explains, before revealing some new PSP games will be download-only.
The full YouTube video is below, although the sound and images are out of sync. It appears to also show a version of the original Warhawk for the PSP:

[Rosco]

..meh.

I waited so long for a psp to be perfected with 2 thumbsticks, a form of GranTurismo, and it never happened. Not entirely. I don't have high hopes.

Hoping for an Xbox Handheld of some sort. Hopefully not 2 bricks with buttons prior to over heat some how :p

[cheezdue]

I think its worth getting imo.

[klange]

I'm sorry Sony, you screwed up too much with the first one. I think I'll stick with my DS and my iTouch.

[Mr Buckshot]

Yeah, the Xbox really needs to expand into the handheld console market. Right now my only method of a portable Halo is Halo PC on my netbook :/


I'm sorry Sony, you screwed up too much with the first one. I think I'll stick with my DS and my iTouch.

Same, I'll stick with my DS (and netbook).

[sdavis117]

8AyVh1_vWYQ

[Varmint260]

Reason why it doesn't include another thumbstick is 'cause it's still a PSP, so they're not going to start making games that require two thumbsticks 'cause then anyone with a PSP prior to the Go would be left out. They can add that one in when the PSP2 comes out.

But I haven't ever seen the point of continually getting a newer PSP with go-faster stripes. I have yet to see an advantage that makes it worthwhile upgrading from my current, old, shitty-ass 1000 series. Why pay full-price for a PSP even though all I'm is a better screen in a smaller package? I'm not weak enough that I can't lug a 1000 series around. It doesn't weigh THAT much.

As far as I know, the benefits are some features mine doesn't support, a slightly better but smaller screen, probably a bit more battery life, less weight, and it fits better in a pocket. And sure, it has double the memory that mine has, but it'd be a hell of a lot cheaper for me to get another 8gb stick. Nothing I can't live without, nothing that makes it worthwhile to upgrade.

On the other hand, I DO use the UMD drive once in awhile, so the lack of that would make all my UMDs pretty useless.

For those that don't have a PSP already and have no interest in using UMDs, I'm sure this'd be a great buy. For me, it's just not worth it.

[sdavis117]

They can add the option of different control schemes for games. You have an old PSP? Well use the games shitty control scheme. You have a PSP with 2 thumbsticks? Well then you can use the slightly better control scheme.

[ThePlague]

I hardly use UMD's, since I have a modded PSP. And varmint, there are games that PSP has that could do way better with 2 analog sticks, like socom or any FPS for PSP.

This looks nice, but it doesn't look good enough to upgrade from my brick, shit's lasted me and still works. With this new one, you could break off the screen like you could with slide phones, they suck dick but look nice.

[Varmint260]

They can add the option of different control schemes for games. You have an old PSP? Well use the games shitty control scheme. You have a PSP with 2 thumbsticks? Well then you can use the slightly better control scheme.

Point taken.


And varmint, there are games that PSP has that could do way better with 2 analog sticks, like socom or any FPS for PSP.

Quoted for truth. I'm not denying this at all; the system should have had a second thumbstick from the very start. However, they designed it with just one, so upgrading at this point would seem a bit late in the PSP's life cycle, and it would mean admitting that they made a mistake with the one-thumbstick design. Instead, if/when they release a PSP2, they can put in the second one and go OMG, your PSP1 doesn't have this!

[Pyong Kawaguchi]

I like the original psp.
Sony should just make one that fits that case, upgrade the power, and give it two thumbsticks.

[Mr Buckshot]

Point taken.



Quoted for truth. I'm not denying this at all; the system should have had a second thumbstick from the very start. However, they designed it with just one, so upgrading at this point would seem a bit late in the PSP's life cycle, and it would mean admitting that they made a mistake with the one-thumbstick design. Instead, if/when they release a PSP2, they can put in the second one and go OMG, your PSP1 doesn't have this!

Yeah, they could at least move it to the right though.

It's not just first person shooters that benefit from it, btw, platformers like Crash Bandicoot (Sony's lame answer to Mario) or Tomb Raider would improve a lot with the addition of a second stick.

Sony's mistake now is that this system, at its heart, is still the PSP1 with the same CPU and graphics as the one that came out in 2005. I would've been happier if they'd announced a completely new portable system dubbed the PSP2, with improvements in everything (and a second stick). That way it would justify the development of games that wouldn't work with the old PSP controls.


They can add the option of different control schemes for games. You have an old PSP? Well use the games shitty control scheme. You have a PSP with 2 thumbsticks? Well then you can use the slightly better control scheme.

If they release a whole new machine that won't be necessary, although it is a good idea.

Also, check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdeXsEdReIY

Basically this modder rerouted the face button controls to the second stick. Most FPSs on psp have the stick for movement and the face buttons for aiming as default (lefties can opt to use the face buttons to move and the stick to aim), so this kinda makes sense.

[Varmint260]

It's not just first person shooters that benefit from it, btw, platformers like Crash Bandicoot (Sony's lame answer to Mario) or Tomb Raider would improve a lot with the addition of a second stick.

Sony's mistake now is that this system, at its heart, is still the PSP1 with the same CPU and graphics as the one that came out in 2005. I would've been happier if they'd announced a completely new portable system dubbed the PSP2, with improvements in everything (and a second stick). That way it would justify the development of games that wouldn't work with the old PSP controls.

I agree. Only positive I can think of at least, is that until the PSP2 is announced, the PSP1 is current-gen, right? Okay, not THAT good a positive.

[Terry]

Wow, it looks really, really ugly.

[Heathen]

Hoping for an Xbox Handheld of some sort. Hopefully not 2 bricks with buttons prior to over heat some how :p
I think you mean prone...

[Rosco]

I think you mean prone...
I don't really care dude =|

Good thing about this one though is it's probably the last remake of the PSP until the next one which should hopefully cater to what everyone wants. =)

[Mr Buckshot]

I agree, I think it is quite pointless to just keep remaking the current-gen PSP like this though. A full redesign with totally new electronic guts is needed (and better controls, of course). Better battery life would be nice, graphical improvements are welcomed but I can live without those as this is meant to be a portable system and the current PSP's visuals are already quite sharp on this small screen. Less glare too.

Heck, I kinda want a clamshell design...for the sake of protecting that awesome screen (it would also decrease the overall length of the system so it fits better into some pockets).

[Huero]

yes guys lets add a new joystick to an ESTABLISHED SYSTEM
no
shut up

[Amit]

I don't care what it has on it. If it's gonna look like a high school student designed it (ugly as fuck), just don't produce it at all.

[Heathen]

yes guys lets add a new joystick to an ESTABLISHED SYSTEM
no
shut up
actually Ima have to disagree.

The lack of another joystick is a limiter.
When it could easily be done, why not do it?

[Mr Buckshot]

actually Ima have to disagree.

The lack of another joystick is a limiter.
When it could easily be done, why not do it?

Plus, plenty of reviewers and developers have complained about the lack of a second stick. I've played some of the better PSP shooters like Syphon Filter, and while the face-button-aiming is tolerable, it just doesn't feel smooth enough, plus there are fewer hard buttons to map functions to. Doesn't prevent the game from being fun, but arguably it would be even more fun with better controls.