2009
SONY

PSP GO

PORTABLE
PSP GO

📜 History & Legacy

The PSP Go, released by Sony in 2009, represented a bold departure from its predecessor, the original PSP. Eschewing the UMD disc format, the PSP Go fully embraced digital distribution, featuring 16GB of internal flash memory for storing games, movies, and music. This move was intended to usher in a new era of portable gaming, offering a sleek, compact design with a sliding screen that revealed the familiar PSP controls. The PSP Go aimed to appeal to a digitally savvy audience seeking instant access to content and a more streamlined gaming experience.

However, the PSP Go faced significant challenges upon release. The lack of UMD support meant that existing PSP owners could not transfer their physical game libraries to the new system. Furthermore, the digital-only model was met with resistance from retailers and some consumers who preferred the tangible ownership of physical media. Despite its innovative features and smaller form factor, the PSP Go ultimately failed to gain widespread adoption, leading to its discontinuation in 2011. Despite its short lifespan, the PSP Go remains an interesting footnote in the history of handheld gaming, showcasing Sony's attempt to adapt to the evolving digital landscape.

⚙️ Specifications

  • ❖ CPU: MIPS R4000 at 333 MHz
  • ❖ GPU: Custom Media Engine
  • ❖ RAM: 64 MB
  • ❖ Storage: 16 GB internal flash memory
  • ❖ Display: 3.8-inch LCD, 480 x 272 pixels
  • ❖ Connectivity: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b), Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
  • ❖ Battery Life: Approximately 3-6 hours (gaming)
  • ❖ Dimensions: 128 x 69 x 16.5 mm
  • ❖ Weight: 158g
  • ❖ Ports: Proprietary port for USB and video output, headphone jack

🎮 Top 10 Games

  • ★ Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
  • ★ God of War: Ghost of Sparta
  • ★ Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
  • ★ Patapon 2
  • ★ LittleBigPlanet
  • ★ Dissidia: Final Fantasy
  • ★ Persona 3 Portable
  • ★ Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
  • ★ Wipeout Pure
  • ★ LocoRoco

💡 Curiosities

  • ? Did you know the PSP Go did not have a UMD drive, making it the first PlayStation portable to rely exclusively on digital downloads?
  • ? The PSP Go featured a sliding screen design, revealing the gamepad underneath.
  • ? The 16GB of internal storage was a significant amount for a handheld console at the time.
  • ? Sony offered a UMD registration program in Japan, allowing owners to download digital versions of their UMD games.
  • ? The PSP Go was intended to compete with the Nintendo DSi, which also emphasized digital distribution.
  • ? The PSP Go's design was notably more compact than the original PSP.
  • ? Despite its focus on digital downloads, the PSP Go still supported Memory Stick Micro (M2) for expandable storage.
  • ? The PSP Go was available in two colors at launch: black and white.
  • ? The system's online store allowed users to purchase and download games, movies, and other content directly to the device.
  • ? The PSP Go was discontinued in 2011, just two years after its release.