Crippled PSP-GO to cost more than PSP-3000

[stardust]

Hey guys, I just thought this was a little odd: The PSP-3000 plays disc-based games, media files, and digital download games from the Playstation network. The PSP-GO has all the exact same capabilities with more memory, minus the disc drive, and is a whopping $249.99, $80 more than it's disc-playing counterpart. When I heard about the PSP-GO, I thought that the removal of the disc drive was a cost-cutting measure. It initially sparked my interest because I am a big fan of Nintendo's download service, and I know that Apple, Sony, and Microsoft have similar download services on their platforms.

Amazon Pricing as of August 25,2009:
Nintento DSi: $169.99
PSP-3000: $169.99
PSP-GO: $249.99 [preorder only]

It just strikes me as odd that Sony would charge more for a product that does less. The DSi removed the GBA slot from the system but also introduced the DSi shop and added more RAM and processor speed, plus the GBA slot is mostly a legacy port, so the price hike was justified. I still kept my old DS-phatty for comfort and GBA compatability. The PSP-3000 is already fully compatible with Sony's download service, so the PSP-GO adds nothing new to that arena. I'm also skeptical about the sliding mechanism on the new PSP-GO; it looks as though it might make the unit awkward to use as well as more fragile and easily broken; a flip-screen concept (like what the GBA-SP had) would have been a better idea, IMO.

[SegaFan]

It's smaller. I see it as more of a competitor to something like the iPod Touch, if you look at its list of features and price it's very comparible (except with more advanced games).

But I agree, I don't see much point in the PSP-Go and wouldn't get one myself. I'm very sceptical about download-only games because of the long term future of being able to access them once the system is no longer supported.

One good thing though, it's great news for PSP owners because it means the console will be supported for longer. If no one likes the PSP Go they can still buy the 3000, that's not really much of a loss.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by SegaFan

One good thing though, it's great news for PSP owners because it means the console will be supported for longer. If no one likes the PSP Go they can still buy the 3000, that's not really much of a loss.

Maybe, we'll see how long the UMD format is supported. If they start scaling back production, then prices for used UMD games will go up, too. My main reason for wanting to stay away from download-only systems is that I want to be able to sell my games and I want to be able to buy used games for ridiculously cheap prices. Why pay Sony's enforced PSN price when I could get Jeanne d'Arc from some bonehead down the road for $4?

[SegaFan]

There are lots of reasons why downloadable games will never fully work as they are, despite all the apparent advantages. Hopefully then, the PSP-3000 will remain more popular which will put companies off producing download-only consoles in the future.

[pdRydia]

$300 can get you a new PSP Go and a few downloadable games, or a new PS3.

[Mickeymac]

Yeah, I'm not seeing the advantage of the PSP Go. The only really good thing will be that we won't have to worry about obscure games becoming ridiculously expensive and hard to find.

[pdRydia]

Originally Posted by Mickeymac

Yeah, I'm not seeing the advantage of the PSP Go. The only really good thing will be that we won't have to worry about obscure games becoming ridiculously expensive and hard to find.

Theoretically, we have that now. If a game becomes too hard to find on disc, it can be released for download, OR it can be released on disc and for download simultaneously.

I can't think of any expensive/rare games that've actually become available for download, though, except for PSX games (FF7, for example).