PSP Go Enters the Fray

As the home video gaming phenomenon has grown, so too has the offshoot market of portable video games. Portable video game systems are not new however. They have been around in one form or another since the early '80s. But with the dawn of the iPhone, PDAs and the dominance of the Nintendo DSi, the game has truly changed.

Significant developments have been made over the years in the overall quality, graphical presentation and complexity of the systems available to the public. Many portable games may not be up to the exact level of their console counterparts, but they are becoming pretty close. From adventure games to sports simulations, complex puzzle games to the return of side-scrolling classics, there is a lot of fun being had on trains, planes, and in outdoor areas across the world.

If you were to crown a king in this market, the general consensus would be to give that honor to Nintendo. First with their DS, then DS Lite, and now the DSi, they have continually been the overall sales marketing leader when it comes to portable game systems. But the other giant elephant in the room that has done much to help shape the face of portable gaming in the 21st Century is Sony. Following on the heels of their PS3 Slim release and overall price drop for the PS3 Next Gen consoles, Sony has just released their latest version of the PSP. The PSP Go boasts a more streamlined design than the already popular PSP 2000 and PSP 3000.

It comes equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to use a headset during gameplay. It is a disc-free system that eliminates the need to organize and maintain a bunch of scratch attracting games and cases. It also has 16GB of internal flash memory functioning through a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card. Download times from the PS Store to the hand-held have been reduced significantly in comparison to older models. It also boasts a more user-friendly control layout and with the addition of a Go Converter unit it can function with add-ons such as a GPS receiver and camera. There is also a connection point for USB connection to a PC and video output.

Some drawbacks include the fact that it does not play discs of any kind. Yes, one of the major features might also be a drawback for those looking to upgrade from older model PSPs. If you have a certain game for the old system and want to play it on the new PSP GO, you will have to buy the game again via PSP download from the PlayStation Store. There was supposed be a program offering free downloads of games consumers already purchased, but this idea was scrapped pre-release. On another note, the battery is not removable or replaceable so you might be forced to charge it frequently on long trips. You should, however, be able to enjoy quite a few hours of gaming before the battery does die. The major sticking point might be the price. The PSP Go costs only about $50 less than a PS3, generally retailing for $250. This is where a great PSP coupon comes in handy.

Overall, the PSP Go is a fun alternative to the Nintendo DSi. It launched with a wide variety of games covering various genres. Many of the games can be purchased directly from Sony's online Playstation Store, which can be accessed directly through the hand-held mobile console. For the full gaming breakdown, check out the Official PlayStation Blog.

Have you gotten/are you getting the new PSP Go? Tell us in the comments and follow me on Twitter @SavingsGCapes for postings on deals and news about gadgets and electronics.