Since last winter when my launch PSP 1000 series died I had been planning on buying a new one. I was however told to hold off until the fall by a friend of mine at Sony, basically confirming that a PSP2 was on the way. Earlier this month at E3 the PSP Go was announced, but it the mentioned features left me wondering if getting this new portable was better or worse than buying the already on the market 3000 series. I collected my thoughts on both units and while each have their strengths, both have their weaknesses. I was completely torn.
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According to a press release, the PSP 3000 series “has richer colors than the 2000 series, as well as a reduction in the ghosting issues former models experienced.” But the PSP Go boasts the exact same features, meaning whichever PSP I buy it will look better than the PSP I had recently broken.
The PSP Go’s lack of a UMD tray bothered me when it was first announced. I wasn’t sure how I was going to play older game that weren’t in the PSN store, like Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, but Sony has stated that within a few months of the Go’s release “majority of the previously UMD only games will also be downloadable at that time.” Which means that the only issue when it comes to games is the unit’s memory.
The PSP Go comes with an internal 16gb flash hard drive, with an option to expand to 32gb with a memory stick micro. To get the same memory for the 3000 series you’d have to buy two 16gb memory stick duos and swap when you need to access something not on the card currently in your PSP. Games are also supposed to load faster on the Go due to its faster processor and it always takes less time to access internal memory than an expanded card. However, until we see a head-to-head load comparison there is no way to know the difference.
So since screen quality, game availability, and memory were not deciding factors for my purchase, I started thinking about price. The PSP Go will ship in October for $250, while the PSP 3000 is currently available for $170. But to make the two comparable the 3000 series will need a 16gb memory stick as well. Currently on Amazon.com a first party 16gb memory stick is going for $74, which would make the complete PSP purchase $244. Sadly I cannot base my decision on price since the two units are so close.
As I was creating a comparison chart for the PSP Go and the PSP 3000, It seemed that every time I found a con for either handheld I was able to find a pro to counter it. I have finally decided to purchase the PSP 3000 series, but it is only due to the size of the PSP Go. The PSP 3000 is 170x74x23 mm and weighs 260g, while the Go comes in at 128x69x16.5 weighing 158g making the newer PSP “45% smaller and 56% lighter” than its brethren. A few years back I had a Gameboy Advance SP, and its small size made for some uncomfortable gaming with my hands being too big for the shoulder buttons. With the slide up screen, the PSP Go will suffer the exact same issues with small shoulder buttons and I’ve learned that each button can only be pressed with 1/3 of your index fingers. There’s just not room for full fingered button presses. Admittedly it seems like a silly reason to not buy the PSP Go, but I don’t want to have hours left on a flight and have to stop gaming because my hands hurt due to the small design of my Playstation Portable.
Comments
have you held a psp go? I mean did you make this decision without actually playing it? From what i understand its pretty much untouchable at this point.
They were at E3 this year for hands on demos.
Where did you get the Information about a faster Prozessor? The techspec. didn´t show a new one.
To make the two really comparable, you would also need a UMD drive for the Go, which you can't have. Ultimatively, the design of the device is the single reason to get it or leave it.
With the 3000, you can get used games, trade in yours, have friends lend you theirs or sell you theirs. Give their games a quick spin on your own device. Buy games in any store at variable price, wheras with the Go you are firmly tied to PSN, price dictation and limited availability, no import games if you don't have multiple accounts to switch with.
Also, the analog nub and the buttons are at the bottom of the Go, even crampier to reach than with the 3000. If they made the Go like the DS, at least the screen would've been protected and the controls could've been placed further up.
the other reason id lean towards the 3000 over the GO is the fact that you can get a TON of games used and cheap on UMD. maybe sony will unveil a good plan for converting UMD's but until then, 3000 is the better pick imo
tammej just said what i was saying lol
Yeah, until Sony announced what they are going to do with UMD legacy games I can't use that as a deciding factor. I'm ultimately choosing the 3000 because of the size of the Go.
two words people-custom firmware
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