Why Is Everyone So Angry About The PSPgo? – “Twiggy” The PushSquare Opinionator

Oct 10, 2009

Why Is Everyone So Angry About The PSPgo? – “Twiggy” The PushSquare Opinionator

Category: Columns, Features, Playstation Network, Playstation Portable

Tags: psp go, sony, twiggy

"Why Do They Hate Me So?"

During my time with the PSPgo over the past few week I’ve come to a conclusion: it’s not for everyone. Not exactly the most scientific of reasoning right, but it’s useful in trying to depict just why everyone is acting like the PSPgo raped their entire family. It seems like the entire games industry have a bee in their bonnet regarding the system, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s unwarranted. If you don’t like it, you don’t buy it, right? As far as I’m aware Sony reps haven’t been holding people at gun-point, instructing them to buy the new system. And yet, everyone seems so angry.

I travel a lot. I’ve just upgraded to the PSPgo from the PSP 1000 and, man, what a difference! The thing fits in my pocket. Unbelievable, but true. It’s no longer making my trouser lop-sided due to weight. It’s no longer sticking out the top of my pocket. It’s snug and light-weight. Plus, my bag isn’t full with UMDs I’m nervous about getting scratched. Hell no, I have the equivalent of 8 UMDs, 6 CDs and four of the new PSP Minis in my pocket as I type. I can categorically confirm that said content would not place in my pocket in the old days; even if I used an 8GB pro-duo and my iPod. No chance. Impossible.

So in that sense, PSPgo was worth every penny for me. It’s still an expensive device, but when you look at what it does, it’s positioned perfectly against the iPod Touch. It plays movies, games (better games than iPod Touch games I might venture) and music. And it fits in the pocket. Just like the iPod Touch. So why is everyone so angry?

And by angry, I mean physically irritated. I just don’t understand what I’m reading. Venture into any PSPgo related forum post and you’ll see a whole line of people really doing their best bitching about the PSPgo. Why? Because they’ll have to rebuy your UMDs? The PSPgo is not the device for them. Why so serious? Because they want a pocketable system but still want UMDs? Time for compromise. Why so serious? Because they want a PSPgo but can’t afford it? Save up or sit tight for price changes. Why so serious?

I just can’t understand it. I’ve never seen a reception to a system where so many people seem so outraged at it. Is it because the digital future they’ve been touting for so many years is finally upon them and they realise they don’t want it? Is that it?

I started this post suggesting the PSPgo is not for everyone. And I stand by that. It’s not. If you travel a lot, are new to PSP, hate UMDs or generally want a pocketable media system, the PSPgo goes beyond the port of call. It suits all those purposes perfectly.

However, if you don’t want/need any of those things, stick to the PSP 3000. That’s absolutely fine. No need to shout and moan every five seconds.

“Twiggy” is an anonymous PushSquare columnist who has been spotted in three major cities across the globe. It’s rumoured he’s on the run from the British monarchy who accused him of treason.

Previous entries in the “Twiggy” range:

crossed23

Twiggy I do agree with your article BUT the system is only $50 USD cheaper than PS3. I just can't see paying it. How can a PSP Go worth that. True nobody is forcing to buy it but, the price is just not right at all. What makes it worth $250?

SiNTAX

It's good to see a lot of love for the PSP Go in the comments here so I think I need to even the playing field somewhat. As I will not be buying the PSP Go.

1. Price: at only £25 less than the PS3 what are Sony trying to say here? That the PS3 is a cheap piece of kit or that the PSP Go is very overpriced? The Price difference is not very complementing to either system.

2. Price of games: Now that Sony have full control over pricing of the games the profit levels much be very tasty... for Sony of course.

3. In built battery: Now what do you do when the battery dies? send it of to get replaced? I'll bet that won't be cheap. And what if you want to use the device all day? Waht good is a smaller system if I have to carry the charger rather than a spare battery. I know why Sony have done this and I say FUCK YOU god damn pirates!!!!!

4. Downloading: There are a number of issues here. As one person has mentioned about bandwidths and usage caps. As well as the time to download. I'm no stranger to digital content, I have a Steam and Impulse accounts as well as an EA Store account. Which in fairness so far have been trouble free, but will Sony adopt like what EA have done where you can only download the game for a year... very expensive rental if you ask me and the reason I so far have only bought one game from EA.

5. Not good for us with big hands, got to hold one the other day and I thought my PSP 1000 gave me hand cramp. Painful.

6. No physical media: This has it's plus points but It's probably the way I've been brought up, but I like to have something in my hands when I spend my hard earned money. Plus as a game collector, this really isn't gonna make my game collection improve. Sad, but I love my wall of games.
I think Stardock's Impulse has got the best idea so far. When I bought Sins of a Solar Empire, I got the digital download and the boxed version sent in the post. Perfect!

I think thing thing that bothers me most with the PSP is anybody who buys one is simply paying to be a guinea pig for Sony and the games industry as a whole. I mean this is two ways. 1, will customers pay over the going rate for a handheld system and 2, will customers pay full price for digital content.

Like Twiggy say's no one is being forced to buy this system, but I think a fair few PSP fans wanted a whole new system, not a re-hash of an old system.

Roll on the PSP2.....

manu

usually people react very bad to sony's new stuff. but eventually they notice the best product is the one they've been bitching about.

Paranoimia

Simply put, it's because it's still seen as 'fashionable' in some quarters to knock Sony.

I bought a PSP-3000 in June, but the only reason I'm not interested in the PSPgo is the smaller screen. The larger screen on the older models is preferable to me. Other than that, I've no problem with the PSPgo at all.

I understand perfectly well the reason why Sony haven't upgraded any of the hardware, with things like improved wireless or a second analogue stick - significant hardware changes divide the market, and potentially create games which will run on one system but not the other. Any major hardware changes simply must wait until PSP2. It's a siilar reason they didn't add extra controller ports to the slimline PS2 when they released it. It's a hardware revision, not a new system.

The problem a lot of people seem to be having is that they're viewing the PSPgo as a replacement for the models which went before it, and that's why the seem to think that various features should have been upgraded. Those people are wrong. The PSPgo is no more than an alternative model for those people who prefer its size.

It's just an option for those that want it, and is no different to the various iPod models which Apple offer (and which no-one is bothered about in the least) - you decide what features you want and how much you're willing to pay, and you make your choice. Okay, the price is a little... strange. But in the UK, several retailers have already taken it upon themselves to reduce the price quite significantly. Besides, if you're not happy with the price, you can simply buy a PSP-3000 and a 16GB memory stick, and you have essentially the same machine with a larger screen.

It's just people making mountains out of molehills - a total non-issue which certain people are making far too big a deal out of.

do_butana

i think its quite obvious why.

1 its 50 bucks cheaper than the ps3, 150 bucks dearer than the psp 3000 AND IT HAS LESS!!!!!
i pay more for more not more for less.
the wireless adapter in there is soooooooooooooooooooo OLD!!!!!!
wireless B?????? are you kidding??????
my laptop is 3 years old this is BRAND NEW and this has older tech than my laptop.
my laptop only cost me 500 bucks too.

2 no UMD drive, not everyone has ADSL2+ speed internet.
what would you choose, spend 30 minutes driving to the store and back, or spend 4+ hours to download a game.
also download usage, not everyone has a 50GB download usage, im only on 5 my self, as far as i know each psp game is roughly 1GB so 5 games and thats it im over.

3 its ugly as hell, and sits aquard in the hands. i held one on the day of release to see if i want to buy it and after 20 minutes of playing with it my hands started cramping.

4 the buttons are in such a awkward spot and there is some serious balancing issues.
holding it at the bottom how your suppose to the screen is so heavy it tilts the device back and your likely to drop it.

5 price for games.
because its download only theres no buying used games, theres no trading in old games.
also sony can charge what ever they want for the games, ATM most of them on the PSN store are dearer than what EB has them for brand new.

sony have lost allot of money and are scrambling trying to make it back without spending any and its really showing with this and the ps3 slim.
both are no improvement over their previous besides size (big whoop!), and there not thought out well and feel cheap as chips.
they feel and look like cheap 2 dollar chinese knock offs.

muk

I have one too and I agree completely in everything you said. I've had every portable gaming machine ever released and to me the Go is the best I've had, I'm playing with it nonstop everywhere

lee

i agree i personally LOVE my psp go and havent even given my dissidia bundle a second thought...watch though after it goes down to 200$ magically all these negative reviews will change to puppies and rainbows

Danny93

The PSP Go is awesome, and i fully agree with this article, where i always thought the same way from the beginning , and i always thought if people think about it, the psp 1000 came out $250 at launch, and the Go come out same price worth more in value for your money, but everyone complain, i didnt here no complaints for psp 1000 price, and this console i think sony targeted people who dont own a psp to buy this one, the Go

Mike Mikey

I have a hacked PSP 1000 for emulation, a 3000 to keep up with official firmware updates, nicer screen, UMD Caching, and App; and now I am looking at the PSP Go. I would like one, but I haven't seen a kiosk where I can test it out. I'm very concerned about how it feels to use it. I'm a bit miffed that I can't use my 16GB memory stick with it, but now I could provide another PSP for adhoc.

The portability is my biggest interest. The 3000 is nice and slim, but it's still akward to pocket.

I have large hands. Anyone out there have any comparisons between the old layout and the new?

awaleed

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I also purchased a PSP Go and I absolutely LOVE it!! Sony isn't quote holding anyone at gun point to buy the system. I know have a PSP 3000 and a PSP Go and I am only keeping the 3000 till I finish a couple of games then I am going digital BABY!! Great review!! I don't understand the hate for the system either...don't want it people? Don't buy it!!

Ven

You speak the truth. I've had a PSP 1000 that I sold when the PSP 2000 came out. Didn't see the need to get rid of my 2000 for a 3000. I bought the Go on opening day. I had about 7 UMDs and 3 downloaded games on my 2000. I sold the games and PSP 2000 w/ 4gig stick to a friend for $150. I could've gotten more if I had sold it on Ebay but decided to unload it all at once there to a friend (sold my PSP1000 w/ 1gig stick for $140).

The Go was a definite upgrade for me. First off, the system is truely PORTABLE. Some people tend to forget what "PSP" actually stands for. The fact that it's so small coupled with the fact that I no longer have to lug my UMDs around makes it an outstanding product. I don't have an IPod so I put all my music on my PSP. Looking at the price of a Touch, the PSP also does music, wifi, and games (games DEFINITELY better on the PSP). The addition of the bluray feature is great too. I bought a set of bluetooth headphones and I can control all my music while my PSP sits in my pocket.

There IS a lot of bitchin about the Go.

krakdol

It's like you read in my mind Twiggy... I've got a PSP Go, I love it.

You don't have the money ? Don't buy it, we don't care.

But seriously, just shut up like he said and let us enjoy the product.

Don't tell me what I should love / not love.

Once again, thanks Twiggy. Those bloggers were becoming tiresome.

Ruddiger Pez

You got it right. I own a PSP-2000 and bought the PSP Go from Best Buy. Its a very nice piece of hardware and I feel it is an upgrade over what I had. The picture is better and the sound is better. I too was ready to move into the digital distribution age, owning just 3 UMDs total. The better placed analog nub offset the difficulty I had hitting the shoulder buttons with my huge hands. However, I decided that for the price it wasn't worth it to me and returned it. I can get by fine with the 2000 for now and will only purchase digital games for it, and once the Go drops in price I will pick one up again. No reason to hate Sony...they still sell the 3000 which can play UMDs, and its still the same price it always was. And yes, there are those that argue paying more for some games on the PSN store than you would for retail....true but you pay less for some as well. And I for one think there is actual value in not needing to carry a UMD around, so I will pay more (to a point). It's not like anyone is hiding their prices. Go on the PSN store and see the prices of the games you like. Do a quick web search for those games. Then make up your mind and stop complaining. There are so many better things to be pissed about.

darkpower

AMEN!

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Why Is Everyone So Angry About The PSPgo? – “Twiggy” The PushSquare Opinionator

Category: Columns, Features, Playstation Network, Playstation Portable

Tags: psp go, sony, twiggy

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