PSPgo: What you need to know

Vital info and the best games to buy.

The PSPgo launched in the UK on October 1, 2009, with a retail price of £224.99. To help you understand just what Sony's latest model offers that previous PSPs haven't, we've put together an easy to digest feature listing all the key information. We've also compiled a list of the best games that will be available to download from the PlayStation Store on release day.

In the box you get the PSPgo system (White or Piano Black), AC adaptor, USB cable, CD-ROM and instructions. The go uses a brand new AC adaptor that connects to the included proprietary USB cable, and the CD-ROM contains Media Go, the software that lets you hook your PSP up to your home computer.

Despite looking very different to the original and remodelled PSP, the go is functionally very similar. While the screen slides up to reveal the face buttons, d-pad and analogue nub, the buttons are all the same and perform the same functions. Volume and screen brightness buttons sit across the top of the unit and the Home button is now more conveniently placed, found to the left of the screen. On the left of the device you'll find the wireless switch and new M2 memory card port, with the PSPgo not supporting the Memory Stick Duo form factor that Sony has used for the last few years. The power switch is located on the lower right hand side of the handheld, in a similar position to where it's always been.

In its closed form the PSPgo is significantly smaller than all previous PSP models, although this has meant that the screen has been reduced to 3.8". Another big change comes internally, with all PSPgos including 16GB of memory to store your music, video and game downloads. If that isn't enough space the M2 slot allows an extra 16GB to be added. There's no UMD drive on the PSPgo, so with all games downloaded digitally, storage space could well become an issue a few months down the line.

There's extra functionality too, although its value will vary person to person. The go lets you use a PlayStation 3 controller instead of the on-unit controls, assuming you've got a PS3 to get the two talking to each other. Something that is likely to be useful for more gamers is the go's ability to save your current game state so you can exit at any point and pick up later from the exact same point. A minor feature is the new clock screensaver that is displayed when you slide down the screen, which can be changed to a calendar by pressing the L and R buttons at the same time.

One of the new features that won't be for everyone but will likely please those with the right hardware is Bluetooth tethering. This enables the link up of various new wireless accessories, including a mobile phone with internet access. So, if you're out and about and not in range of a wireless hotspot, you can still get online with your PSP by using your phone's net access.

In Europe early adopters will benefit from a scheme that allows them to download the excellent Gran Turismo for free, and existing PSP owners can take advantage of a promotion giving away three games from a list of 17 titles.

Finally there's the roll-out of PSP Minis, a new range of downloadable titles that are designed to be priced for impulse buying, with none costing more than £3.99. The initial line up consists of 13 titles, including Tetris, and iPhone favourites Hero of Sparta and Fieldrunners.

Head to page two for a round-up of the games you need to buy for your PSPgo.