E3 ’09: PSP go Leads a Huge Wave of PSN Content

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Hello, PlayStation Nation! E3 is the most exciting time of the year in videogames, and I wanted to share with you all some more insight into the news we just announced – specifically on the PSP platform and with our PlayStation Network.

We’ve been saying that 2009 will be a breakout year for the PSP because of the killer software lineup that no other handheld can match. Well, the PSP story is even stronger now with the unveiling of the PSP go, the newest addition to the PlayStation Portable family that is sure to be the “must-have” device for consumers seeking the deepest gaming and entertainment experience on-the-go. PSP go is sleek, pocket-sized, and 100 percent digital. This is the PSP designed for those of you who are completely comfortable downloading and storing digital media, and it’s ideal for anyone who considers themselves an early adopter of the latest and greatest technology. After talking extensively with consumers and our publishing partners, we know that now is the time to introduce PSP go. It will live alongside the current PSP-3000, and I should note that for those who prefer disc-based content, we remain committed to the UMD format, which will continue to be available at retail.

Here’s a quick look at the key specs:

  • The most portable PSP ever, PSP go is more than 50 percent smaller and more than 40 percent lighter than the original PSP we launched in 2005
  • A stylish sliding screen maintains the high resolution and vibrant visuals of the PSP-3000
  • Replacing the UMD drive is 16GB of internal flash memory to store plenty of games, videos, music, and photos
  • Memory Stick Micro slot offers expandable storage up to 16GB
  • Bluetooth support

Check out this brief video walk-through of the PSP go, courtesy of John Koller.

Whether you’re ready to purchase PSP go on launch day (October 1), or you’re already part of the PSP family with an existing model, we know that there’s plenty of demand for digital content on your PSP. PlayStation Network is your lifeline for this content, and we’re expanding our offering in a big way to deliver what you want. Over the last year, we’ve spent a lot of time evolving the network for PLAYSTATION 3, as the “always-online” system, and now we’re bringing that expertise over to enhance the PlayStation Network experience on the PSP with exciting new digital content and services. Starting today, you’ll be able to access the video delivery service of PlayStation Store directly on your PSP. No more downloading through a PC or PS3 first – just connect your PSP to a Wi-Fi Internet hotspot and you’ll have access to the thousands of movies and TV episodes available for rental or purchase. The volume of video content is growing weekly – in fact, we’ve announced 16 new content partners from Hollywood, anime, and sports, including Showtime, Starz, G4 & E!, Anime Network, UFC, and TNA, to name a few. Both PSP and PS3 owners will be able to enjoy this entertainment content, which will be rolled out this week. All of this is in addition to the broad range of games available on PlayStation Store.

And speaking of games, that’s what E3 is all about, so here’s a snapshot of what’s in store this year:

  • Beginning this fall, PlayStation Store will offer digital versions of many UMD games from the PSP’s library, as well as all upcoming titles, including Gran Turismo PSP, which was unveiled to the world at E3. We know you’ve been waiting patiently for the world’s biggest racing franchise to come to PSP, and your patience will be rewarded with a title that made jaws drop when we showed the demo at our press conference today. Newly announced PSP exclusives like Konami’s Metal Gear: Peacewalker and Capcom’s Resident Evil will also be available in digital format, as will LittleBigPlanet when it launches this year.
  • We’ve heard loud and clear that you want more classics from the PlayStation vault. Today we’re launching fan favorites, Final Fantasy VII and Medal of Honor. By the end of the year, the number of PSone games will double to nearly 60 titles. You’ll be able to enjoy these classics on the big screen with PS3 or on-the-go with PSP.
  • And, the PlayStation Network is an incubator for small, creative developers, and we unveiled some innovative titles at E3, including Gravity Crash and Hustle Kings for PS3 and Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake for PSP.

Worldwide there are now 24 million of you accessing the PlayStation Network, and we’re working hard to bring you the best games and entertainment content. As you can tell, that push for more content kicks off today, but you should check back throughout the week to see what else is up our sleeve.

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261 Comments

  • BTW…Fat Princess for PSP!

  • Good for whoever likes that kind of thing.

    Looks uncomfortable.

  • Can you guys put up the super Sony conference on the ps store for download?

    Plus great show, I loved the PSPGO!

  • @47 yep..new sticks.

    @48…confirmed $249 in Canada

  • As it has been said, although unnecessarily harshly, $250 is too much, especially when its the price of the wii, more expensive then the 360 and more expensive than the itouch (which is bad considering there’s no touch screen). Definitely a cool product, may pick up one when the price is WAY down, but you guys should have taken heed with the launch of the PS3 that high launch prices, no matter how cool the tech, turns off a lot of customers.

  • Will there be a way for users to transfer UMD games to a digital format for the PSP Go? Or will Sony/PSN handle this, ie, re-release a previous UMD game so that it is now available digitally?

    Just curious because I would still like to take and transfer some existing UMD games to the new portable Go.

  • Wow, Sony’s presentation was the most eye catching. Nintendo and Microsoft dont have anything on Sony!

  • My fellow PSP owners; do you realize how much 16GB of Flash memory costs? Let’s be reasonable here. From the Apple Store: iPhone 3G 16GB — from $299. Looks like PSP Go for the win.

  • Since everybody think they know what the PSPGo should be priced at I’ll go ahead and offer my opinion.

    PSPGo $1
    PSP 3000 $0.53

    Jeez. All I hear when you say it should be priced at this or that is “I can’t afford it.” Get a job.

  • Looks too small for my hands.

  • How does Microsoft beat you guys to full retail games on 360, when you pioneered it on PS3?

    Hope to here more about this later this week, or I have no option but to move to my 360 for 3rd party games. I do not want discs anymore, unless it is a fully realized Blu-ray game.

    Also were is the music store?

    This should have been a no brainer when the PSP came out in 04, and it is still missing with the announcement of the PSP GO!. Again, I hope we here something about this soon. It would be very smart to have this buy October 1 to give the PSP GO! more support.

  • Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH for FF7. ^^ Thank Square Enix for me, never sure if anyone at that company really listens half the time. Great treat to go along with the copy of FF7ACC that purchased before Nintendos E3 conference (waste of time that was).

  • Carnivius_Prime

    Thought it was a great showing personally. Sure I already knew about most of the games but they were mostly all ones I wanted to see more of anyways and some of the newly announced stuff looks appealing to me too. I’m not much of a Metal Gear fan so I don’t mind if Microsoft get one of those. I like the gameplay and Solid Snake is one of my favorite characters but the masses of lengthy cutscenes kill the enjoyment for me so I’m not sure I’m even looking forward to the new PSP game.

  • According to new PSP, where is video out and microphone?

    cutting off UMD drive is good choice but many regular stores offers most games much cheaper than in PS Store.

    No deal? :/

  • what is the bluetooth for? will we be able to control the ps3’s xmb with the psp go without having to use remote play?

  • I think Sony missed the point here. $250.00 is pretty outrageous for a portable. Especially one that is functionally the same as the original PSP model (flash memory not withstanding).

    I hope you’re using the extra PSP-Go cost to subsidize an upcoming PS3 price cut, otherwise, this pricing decision is below Bush administration standards of strategy and common sense.

  • Ok Media Go is out. (for those interested)

    sonycreativesoftware (dot) com / mediago

  • The Good : Same resolution, 16GB Internal.

    The bad : The price. Thats a killer

    The VERY BAD : What am i to do with all the UMDs I have now?

  • i hope, to get this question answered:
    i understand that all the upcoming games are compatible with the psp go AND 1000/2000/3000…i mean we will not have hardware restriction to download a game?? (something like trying to put a PS2 game in a PSOne), pls answer me this

  • Where the hell do you get “Media Go!”? Someone said the site is up but I can’t seem to find it on google

  • No way its the same price in Canada. The DSi wasn’t.

  • Wow, 250, that’s, err, a bit high. :|

  • When are we getting the video store in Canada?

  • It’s so small that I will use it as a keychain…

    Wasn’t that a calendar on the screen of the PSP Go he had in his hands?

  • The PSP go is highly overpriced. Its cheaper to simply buy flash memory cards for your PSP then it is to buy a Go. The PSP Go truly needs more internal storage for a $250 price tag to be justifable.

    I am disappointed that they did not show much of LBP for PSP during the conference. Still though, I can’t wait to have it!

  • How about some EU love sony?

  • In canada will i be able to access the video store on my psp? because i really want to.

  • Stinkinmushroom

    seriously … make your software MAC friendly PLEASE!

  • E3 was awesome but i want more Secrets from Sony!

  • Love the PSP GO, but can’t justify the price. I’ll have to pass for now. $250 can buy a lot of games.

  • CloudStrife2009

    sooooo, any idea on how much FFVII is going to cost, plz 4 the love of GOD be $9.99!

  • Everyone who is complaining about the $250 price wait a while. Just like the other psp system the price should lower within a couple of months.

  • COOL! :D

    but…

    Why aren’t we getting any good PS1 titles in europe?

    And where is the video store for Europe?!

  • @71…That is Nintendo.

    The PSP go is $249 in Canada…it is in the press release.

  • For $250 you can buy 2 PSP 2000’s from Dell.com right now. Google Dell PSP and you’ll see how to get the coupon code.

    Price Increases FTW. I cant wait to hear Sony announce the PS3 Slims HIGHER price point.

  • Just because that’s the MSRP doesn’t mean Canadian Retailers will charge that. they’re gonna charge more.

  • Excellent show, loved it. Uncharted 2, God of War III and The Last Guardian were the show stoppers. Bravo.

  • $250 is way too much for a handheld gaming device. 9.99 is WAY too for PS1 classics that are over 10 years old, and you can’t give them away at garage sales. $40 dollars is too much for a handheld game that only lasts 4 hours or less. I was really liking the PSP, but these prices are insane.

  • For me the screen size is the only down side

  • By the way digital distribution won’t work for everyone. I live in an area with no high speed internet and some parts of the country have it worse than I do. Going to a system with no disc based games cuts out alot of the customer base. That’s why the PSP Go and the Original PSP will coexist.

  • It is good to see a robust level of support for the PSP. I love my PSP 1000, and always wished there were a larger quantity of good games. You guys seem to have granted that wish. Keep up the great work!

  • Another good thing about the psp go is it’s totaly digital. People won’t have to worry about scratched umd discs. I do think that a maximum of 32gb is a little small but hopefully in the future more memory options will be available

  • Why not use SD cards? Such fail with no touch screen and 249!

  • not sure about a smaller screen but I might trade in my older pre-slim era psp for this.

  • Does it still have TV-out support? What about an updated flash player?

  • Please can we just get an answer to the one question that matters. Is there any way of making our current UMD’s playable on Go? By either putting in serial numbers on the PSN store or possibly using media go to rip them to the PC and then to the new system.

    I know that copying would be an issue but I hope they can find a way around it and make it so I can play patapon 2 and other games on my Go. I have to say that the price is a little steep. I was hoping £150 to compete with the DSi (and show how it’s much better value). And considering this is still a PSP 1 it should have some kind of compatability with the UMD’s we’ve all bought, however it’s done. Otherwise it would be pretty weak.

  • PSP Go have smaller screen… So, I’m out!!!
    Hope PSP 3000 really continue being supported

  • There is a rumor about UMD kiosks at Gamestop and other retailers to convert your UMD’s into digital form for the PSPGo

  • “Replacing the UMD drive is 16GB of internal flash memory to store plenty of games, videos, music, and photos.”

    Sorry guys but 16gb is not nearly enough for all of the stuff. 6 or 7 PSP games alone would fill that up in no time leaving no room for music, videos, etc.

  • Thanks Peter.

    It’s a bit expensive at 250, but actually only 50 more than the 3000 currently is selling for, unless you just purchase the base.

    I’ll be getting one this Fall though and actually glad I waited for the GO instead of getting the 3000.

    I love the size and being able to put in in my shirt pocket for travelling.

    Glad you people also decided to support he previous PSP units.

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