*takes up PSP Go* Hmm...
I got to know that the PSP Go is Sony's latest device in the PlayStation Portable family, which has seen three different models since it was originally launched in 2005.
DESIGN & BUILD:
The PSP Go is beautifully designed, and should incite lust in gadget lovers of all kinds, even if they aren't necessarily gamers. It can be best described as the elegant little brother of the original PSP, but thinner, slimmer, and lighter. Thumps up , Sony .
Display & Gaming Buttons/Controls
I'm really happy with the screen on the PSP Go -- it's bright, vibrant, and incredibly sharp. I didn't see any ghosting or interlacing, which was a problem on some of the early PSP 3000 models.
The home key of the original PSP has been replaced on the Go by a PlayStation key which serves the same function as before with the addition of a game pause function. Since the Go is meant to be an extremely mobile device, it makes sense that there will be times you need to stop playing at a moment's notice and you won't have time to hunt around for a save point.
When I first heard about the new button/control design I was concerned that the PSP Go would be an ergonomic nightmare, but that is defintely not the case. The only real negative is the split Start/Select button layout -- they're each about half the size they should be, which can be a problem if you're trying to pause a game and don't want your character to meet an untimely end while you're fumbling for the right button.
My other major concern also turned out to be completely unfounded; I've reviewed other slider devices in the past and found them to be awkward and unwieldy, but the PSP Go is nicely balanced even when the top is extended. Both "halves" of the device are quite similar in weight, which is wonderful -- you don't have to worry about the device tipping out of your hands.
PERFORMANCE:
I don't see any blinding speed improvements with the PSP Go as compared to earlier PSP models, but I really wasn't expecting anything like that.
Games do load significantly faster now, since everything is stored in flash memory instead of on UMD.
Music/Video
The PSP Go supports AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3+, as well as AVC and MP4 files, so you probably won't have to do anything to get your content ready to play on the device. Just connect this mobile console to your PC with the USB cable.
One new feature is the SenseMe for music playback, which automatically categorizes your songs into a variety of playlists according to mood, but it is only available if you transfer your music to your PSP with Media Go, because the playlists are created on your computer.
Games
This mobile gaming console comes with Rock Band Unplugged starter version, which comes with five songs, and you can purchase additional songs from the PlayStation Network. A Patapon 2 demo and an interactive ESRB rating application are preloaded on the device.
Previous PSP owners looking to upgrade to latest device will be glad to know that their previous game saves will (probably) work on the PSP Go, as long as they use a computer to transfer over their save data from the old device. I have found a couple of games where this is not the case, most notably Super Stardust Portable.
One particularly nice touch is the new resume game feature; this allows you to stop playing a game at any time and instantly save it for later play. Just press the PlayStation button on the bottom left side of the screen, and you have the option to pause the game or quit completely. You can then switch to music or video playback, or shut down the device entirely.
CONCLUSION
Your feelings about the PSP Go will be greatly influenced by whether or not you already have a Sony PSP and/or a lot of disposable income.
It's a great little entertainment device, and worthy of your strong consideration.
Pros
- So small and light; finally the PSP is pocketable!
- No UMD clutter -- all of your content is digital
- Larger memory capacity --16 GB built-in and a M2 slot for another 2-16 GB
- Faster game loading times, and no annoying UMD drive noises
- Gorgeous screen -- bright, with sharp graphics and vivid colors
- Great sound quality, especially with headphones
- Game pause function is a real winner for convenience
Cons
- High price, especially if you have a heavy investment in UMDs
- Some PSN games more expensive than their UMD counterparts
- No ability to play imported games or purchase cheap used games
- Accessories designed for previous PSP models won't work with the new PSP Go
