The PSPgo is just weeks away. But while Sony’s handheld has been somewhat eclipsed by the dawning of the PS3 Slim, the PSPgo is still set to be one of the hottest gadgets 2009 has to offer. But if you already pack a PSP, is it worth plumping for the pared down joy machine? Let Electricpig be your guide.
Price: With the UK RRP set at £224.99, the PSPgo is now cheaper than the £250 initially pegged on it after that big E3 unveiling. And at £199 at Tesco, already it’s looking like a decent bet for early adopters. However, with the old–school PSP 3000 at just £129, it’s still a big leap and not for those being hammered by the recession. If you’re skint, hold out.
Should you upgrade? Only if you’re feeling flush.
Games: With UMD consigned to the dustbin of gadget history, the PSPgo is all about downloads. Minis on PSP will offer cheap titles to rival the burgeoning dominance of the iPhone, while Grand Turismo PSP and LittleBigPlanet are also lined up for downloading. The games won’t differ, but the PSPgo’s built–in 16GB gives it the edge.
Should you upgrade? The games are no different, but that extra storage means yes.
Size: Pick up a PSPgo and you’ll find it’s surprisingly titchy compared to its older PSP 3000 sibling, not to mention the Nintendo DSi. The screen is 3.8–inches, down from 4.3–inches on the PSP 3000, although when we had a play this didn’t make too much difference. At just 107g compared to the 212g of the Nintendo DSi, it’s light enough to slide into a bag without noticing too. If you love small gadgets, you need to upgrade.
Should you upgrade? Substantially smaller, the PSPgo’s size makes it a winner.
Extras: The addition of “Digital Comics” from Marvel and IDW is certainly unique and a way of getting the geekier gamers on board. However, it works for both the PSP 3000 and the PSPgo, meaning there’s no need to upgrade to get involved with your favourite comic book characters. If you’ve already got a PSP, but want to play nice, shelling out for a new hub probably isn’t your biggest concern.
Should you upgrade? With the same content on both platforms, it’s hard to see why.
Style: Whatever your spechead mate says, looks mean everything. And the PSPgo is certainly one of the sexiest pieces of kit we’ve played with in 2009. It doesn’t have the chunky feel of the PSP 3000, those slide out buttons look the business and the lack of UMD keeps things nice and trim. If you want something sleek and sexy, than you’d best pony up.
Should you upgrade? The clincher. Grab a PSPgo and make your mates jealous.
Overall the PSPgo is just about worth it. Just make sure you grab that cheaper deal now!
