New PSP (GO) and Coming This Fall

[Bond]

^ 1UP's concept art.

Rumors of a major PSP hardware redesign have repeatedly bubbled to the surface over the last several months -- some claiming the removal of the system's UMD disc drive, and others pointing to a second analog stick and sliding screen. According to sources directly involved with the new system, we have learned that Sony will quell those rumors by unveiling their revamped PSP at this year's E3 conference in June.

Many have speculated that the update would be called either the PSP 2 or PSP-4000, but our sources claim Sony will forgo a numerical moniker in favor of a subtitle. We've heard various rumored code names for the project (including PSP Slide, PSP Flip, and PSP Go!), but given that Sony has introduced the Go! brand of add-ons (the Go!View video on-demand service and 1.3 megapixel Go!Cam) for the European PSP, it seems likely that the new system will in fact be called the PSP Go! Our sources further confirm that this redesign will be available in two SKUs, with either eight or 16 GB of built-in flash memory. The system is set for release in Japan this September with a U.S. debut coming in either late October or early November.

In addition, since the UMD is going away, Sony will have over 100 classic and new PSP titles available for download at launch (Gran Turismo Mobile is said to be one of the premier launch titles). As for the hardware itself, the redesign will include a d-pad, analog nub, and face buttons as part of a sliding unit sticking out below the screen (as seen in our mockup above). Unfortunately for those looking for twin-stick shooter controls, the new system will not have a second analog stick, but instead will remain consistent with the current control configuration.

When asked about any of these details, Sony, of course, stated that it "does not comment on rumors or speculation."

As a bit of actual speculation, we wouldn't be surprised to see Sony borrow many design features from their Mylo 2 handheld Internet device, which is seemingly dead in the water. This could provide an 800x480 pixel touch screen for the system, as well as a camera on the system's backside.

Between the redesign and a strong lineup of recently announced PSP titles (see: Tekken 6 and Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny), Sony is clearly attempting to assert their relevance in the wake of the DSi's release and success of the iPhone as a gaming platform. It'll be interesting to see what sort of a splash Sony makes and the reaction the new hardware receives when it debuts at E3, which is only a month away. Preloading every PSP Go! with a copy of LittleBigPlanet would certainly make some waves.

Source: 1UP

Will the new PSP finally become a true competitor to the DS?

[thatmariolover]

It's pretty much gonna require a capacitive touch screen for me to care in the slightest.

[BreakABone]

http://www.ps3center.net/news/3094/psp-go-revealed/
more pics here:http://gamingconsolenetwork.com/2009...to-the-psp-go/










Looks legit enough.

Pretty mucch everything in the rumour Bond posted is true.
There will be a new MGS Portable Ops and Gran Turisom for it.


3.8" screen
43% lighter than previous version
16 Gig memory
Bluetooth support
No UMD
Downloads games and movies


Low quality, and no sound but shows segment where pics came from.

[BreakABone]

And I guess the boxart for the PSP GO confirms the rumors of the PS3 Slim

[Angrist]

But no touch screen.

Patent issue, I'm telling you.

[KillerGremlin]

That thing looks uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. I feel this way about fold-up phones also. I think the design would be better if it was just wider and had the controls on the side.

But, this is Sony, the guys who designed the second most comfy controller after the Cube one (the PS2 controller), so I'd have to try it before I'm 100% committed to hating it.

[Bond]

I agree with KG. The unit does not look to conform to one's hands very well.

[BreakABone]

The actual episode in good quality with audio.

[Angrist]

Those sunglasses are going to look SO old-fashioned in 5 years.

[Ric]

Imo I doubt it's overall competitive edge against the DS. Ok I will admit and I am sure it is known I am something of a nintendo fan but I am trying not to be bias because of that. My doubt is because of what history shows us about Nintendo's promiscuity in the handheld market, in that respect nintendo in the past have already taken on and defeated the elite. Can they do it again, even against Sony. I think so, but they will likely (to Sony's credit) take an almighty knock for it.

It is a big step and challenge even for sony, Nintendo are the top, world market leaders in the handheld market (I am of course, excluding mobile phones from the handheld console market) Why do you think even Microsoft have not really had a go yet? It's a giant among possible mountains to climb.

[Angrist]

I think it's too little too late. I see it as a nice experiment for the next gen, just like XBox' supposed motion controller.
There's no way the PSP is going to catch up with the DS. Oh and it will still probably be easily hackable.