In just a couple of days, Sony will be introducing a new portable gaming system to the market with the PSPgo. The PSPgo will be available in North America for $249.99 in Piano Black (here) and Pearl White (here) on October 1st. It's a considerable difference from the PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000 series systems. The major difference, besides smaller size and form factor, is that PSP Go doesn't use UMD discs, instead opting for 16GB of internal memory for digital downloads.

While some are eager to jump to the new PSPgo, there are a few things stopping others from getting it during its debut. Backwards compatibility seems to be biting Sony once again. Sony representatives had previously stated a digital download trade-in offer would be given to customers who already own UMD games. Now it looks like it won't be possible, at least for the time being. A limited solution was offered to European PSP gamers, where one UMD game could get you 3 digital downloads. No plans have been announced in North America. The $249.99 cost is also restrictive to some, being just $50 less than the latest PlayStation 3 120GB system.

The North American debut of the PSPgo doesn't include nearly an attractive deal as other regions. For North America, a trimmed down version of Rock Band Unplugged, Rock Band Unplugged Lite, will be available for download using a voucher. Early buyers of the PSPgo in Europe and other regions will be getting a full, free digital download of the new Gran Turismo PSP game. The European PlayStation Blog has posted details of the free Gran Turismo PSP game offer here, running until October 10, 2009. North American PSPgo consumers aren't eligible for the offer. A Gran Turismo Download Card shows the $39.99 price is the same as the UMD version of the game in North America. The cost is obviously less to distribute the game digitally, although the consumer doesn't benefit with that in the PSPgo. You also won't be able to trade-in or sell your games on the PSPgo since it is all digital.

For gamers looking to go on the road with less accessories, or don't want to risk the chance of losing or damaging UMDs, the PSPgo is worth checking out. Sony will be offering "16,000 pieces of downloadable content" according to IGN and other sources. That includes movies, digital versions of UMD games, and new PSP minis games (under $10 games, some similar to those available on Apple's iPhone and iPod touch). This is also available to owners of the previous PSP systems through the PlayStation Network.

Depending on how you look at it, how much you've invested in the PSP in the past, what you can currently afford, and maybe where you're located in the world, the PSPgo may or may not be for you. The PlayStation Store will have a significant update of content later this week, so you may want to wait and see on what will be available. It may just be worth getting an extra memory stick for your PSP 1000 to 3000 system or waiting a bit longer to see if Sony offers a better PSPgo bundle deal in North America.

Will you be getting a PSPgo or sticking with your current PSP system? Let us know if you're considering the PSPgo or not, and why, with your comment(s) below.

See more on the PSPgo here at the official website.

Comments

cancelled preorder Written by Guest on 2009-09-29 10:28:28 I have to say i've canceled my preorder. Just too much $ right now. I rather wait for the holidays to see if Sony offers a bundle and use my PSP-2000 in the meantime. Wish Sony made a better bundle for the US.

Don't cancelle your preorder Written by Guest on 2009-09-29 10:48:16 Don't cancel your preorder, you won't see anytype of bundle before Christmas. And all psp go will also be sold out and won't able to get one till next year!! Get it now while you have the chance or you can sell it later for twice as much during the hoildays.

Why? Written by Guest on 2009-09-29 11:44:21 and how does Sony manage to mess up its launch products? Do we have to wait 2 years for this to be attainable?

I am still undecided Written by Guest on 2009-09-29 12:02:35 Ever since I first heard about it a few months ago, I was up and down about getting it. Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn't...However now that the launch date is close, I may wait for a bit and read reviews and learn other people's first hand impressions about the new PSP. I used to won the "phat" PSP a when it was launched, however I sold it a few years ago, as well as all of my games and accessories. I was pretty big fan of the PSP back then, I still am these days but I dunno If I should commit myself to it, when technology is always changing at a fast rate and probably a in years time Sony will release something better.....I am on the fence on this one, it looks nice but I dunno If I should really shell out $250+ for it....hmmm what are you guys thinking ?     Buy or no buy ?

what I think. Written by Guest on 2009-09-29 12:38:05 I want to buy, but can't justify the $250 price for what I'm getting. So I'm holding for now.

See this. Written by Guest on 2009-09-29 16:56:19 After seeing this PSP Go Teardown, I'm definitely waiting for revision #2, at least. See Gizmodo here.

dj Written by Guest on 2009-10-05 05:27:50 this is great psp iliked kooooooollllll

Money Written by Guest on 2009-10-28 20:42:02 I'm definitely not going to spend 250 for this thing. I'm holding for now until AFTER the holidays, and onto next year. I heard they're going to lower it to 200 in 2010.

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