Svelte, purely-digital and a wee-bit pricey, the PSPgo officially hit stores today.
Whether you're on the fence about whether to buy a PSPgo or are trying to decide how best to load your newly acquired system with games and peripherals, we've got you covered.
Here for your quick perusal is a run down of everything we know and think about the PSPgo. You can also use this handy-dandy guide as a jump off point for your own discussions about the pros and cons of PSPgo ownership.
Have at it.
THE HARDWARE
Review
If you're still not sure if you want to pick this piece of tech up make sure to read our full review here, but here's a summary:
Pros: Smaller, lighter, sexier, Sixaxis support, digital only.
Cons: No UMD support, costly.
Specs PSPgo and PSP
Price: $250 compared to the PSP's $170
Screen Size: 3.78 inch WideScreen LCD compared to 4.3 inch Widescreen LCD
Screen Resolution: 480 x 272 pixels compared to 480 x 272 pixels
Form Factor: 4.8 x 2.6 x 0.6 inches compared to 6.7 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches
Games: Downloadable Only compared to UMD and Downloadable
Online Gaming: Infrastructure and Ad Hoc for both.
Music: Yes for both.
Photos: Yes for both.
Movies: Purchase and rental for both.
Internet Browsing: Yes for both.
Memory: 16GB Built-in, expandable Memory Stick Micro compared to Expandable Memory Stick Duo
Bluetooth: Only for the PSPgo
Connect to Console: Remote Play for both.
Store: Playstation Store for both.
Skype: Built-in for both.
Parental Controls: Yes for both.
A Closer Look
Sliding in Action
THE PERIPHERALS
Coming soon to augment the $250 PSPgo are an eclectic collection of add-ons. Here's a closer look at what you can pick up once they hit stores.
AV Cable
Bluetooth Headset
Component Cable
Cradle
Hold the PSPgo for charging or while connected to a television. Cables not included.
Traveler Case
In-Ear Headset
Memory Stick Micro M2
Unfortunately, the PSPgo doesn't support the Memory Stick Duo or any of its predecessors.
Protective Film
PSP Converter
This is just a prototype, but when released this converter will allow you to use your Playstation Portable peripherals with your PSPgo, in theory.
THE SOFTWARE
Firmware Update
A last minute firmware update hit on the eve of the PSPgo hitting stores. The update added, among other things, the ability to connect your PSPgo to a cellphone with Bluetooth and connect to the internet and the Playstation Store that way. Unfortunately, as of this writing Apple's iPhone doesn't support tethering. Big surprise there.
The update also added SensMe music categorization support to both the PSPgo and PSP and overhauled the Playstation Store interface.
The Minis
While the diminutive, and less pricey, minis will play on both the Playstation Portable and the PSPgo, their launch was timed to the release of the new download-only portable.
Of the seven currently available for purchase for $5 to $10, we found that five of the seven were probably worth picking up.
The Library
Moving forward, Sony says that all games released for the Playstation Portable as a UMD will also be released as a downloadable title.
To prove that point, the store added more than 90 Playstation Portable games, previously available on UMD, the day the system hit.
Among the top tier are games like Gran Turismo, which we'll be reviewing on Monday, and PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe. My short time with the game convinced me that the stylish tower defense game, which rings in at $20, is a must have for the PSP or PSPgo.