PSPgo: What you need to know

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.

There are tons of games available to buy from the PlayStation Store, but just because a game has been released on UMD in stores doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to be downloadable. We’ve rounded up the games that are on the store at launch, taking into account those that offer the best value for money, so you can head straight to the best titles as soon as you get your hands on the new handheld.

Gran Turismo: £21.99

This is a home console driving game somehow made for Sony’s small handheld. The career mode is disappointing and the lack of online functionality is almost unforgivable, but that doesn’t change the fact that the game plays superbly well. There’s a ton of content here too, so assuming you’re prepared for a more portable GT experience, this is the best racing game available on the PSP. It’s available for free until October 10, but if you miss out on the offer it’s still an essential purchase.

Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice: £14.99

If you like your games action packed, full of vehicles, and loaded with ammunition, Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice will tick all the boxes. This highly polished sequel from MotorStorm Arctic Edge developer BigBig Games combines third-person shooting with high speed arcade racing, and provides all the thrills and spills you’d expect to find in a home console game. At this price point it should be snapped up.

LocoRoco 2: £19.99

This cute, simple looking platformer is without doubt one of the greatest games available for the PSP. Guiding the loveable LocoRoco blobs through the many gorgeous 2D worlds works perfectly with the PSPgo’s shoulder buttons, and there’s no better game to play to relax after a hard day’s work. If the price tag is a bit too dear, the original is cheaper and still well worth picking up.

Resistance Retribution: £24.99

The Resistance series has become one of the most popular exclusives among PlayStation gamers, and the PSP game is easily one of the best third-person shooters on the handheld. It plays brilliantly, looks great and has superb multiplayer functionality. It’s a bit pricier than some of the other PSP games on this list, but well worth the money.

Crush: £11.99

If you’re after a game to test your brain power, Crush will be perfect. While it might look like a fairly traditional 2D platformer, the game world is entirely 3D and must be crushed to two dimensions in order to solve the mind-bending puzzles. What seems like an impossible task is usually only a few button presses away from completion, but finding the solution is never easy. As one of the most inventive puzzle games ever released, Crush comes highly recommended at this budget price tag.

God of War: Chains of Olympus: £14.99

Chains of Olympus set a new benchmark for PSP game development on its release, which was no surprise given that it was created by Daxter developer Ready at Dawn. Despite the limited controls due to the PSP only having a single analogue stick, this is every bit as entertaining as the two amazing PS2 games in the God of War series. The PSP hasn’t always excelled in the hack ‘n’ slash genre, but this is good enough to buy the console for if you’re a God of War fan.

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge: £21.99

It has a fairly simplistic arcade-style progression system, but that matters very little when the racing on offer is so much fun. The Arctic setting makes for some truly wonderful tracks to race around, and the selection of vehicles is superb. We might even be as bold as to say Arctic Edge is the most entertaining game in the series to date, and visually it blows away just about every other racer on the system.

PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe: £9.99

As a brand new release, priced at less than a tenner, and with this much content, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe is a must buy for new PSPgo owners. It might essentially be a tower defence game, but it looks great, has tons of character and some great multiplayer functionality. It’s even got a load of levels that weren’t in the PS3 game, and is perfect for a quick session during your lunch hour or morning commute.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories: £13.99

We didn’t think a proper 3D GTA would work on the PSP, but Rockstar proved everyone wrong with the release of Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories on PSP. We reckon the 80s set Vice City Stories is the better of the two, featuring a cool atmosphere, plenty of classic music and brilliant open-world gameplay. The controls take some getting used to, but get beyond the initial troubles and this is one of the most impressive handheld games available.

Final Fantasy VII: £7.99

It’s hard to describe why Final Fantasy VII is considered one of the greatest games ever made. Back in 1997, when the game was first released, its graphics seemed beamed in from the future. Now they’re not so impressive, but they still retain a charm and grandeur so many modern RPGs fail to nail. Best of all, though, is the story and set of characters – perhaps the best ever committed to disc. Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Aeris are among the most iconic names in video game history. Everyone knows white-haired bad guy Sephiroth. The plot is a sprawling emotional rollercoaster, with an environmental message years ahead of its time. FFVII is epic. If you’ve never played it there is no better time. If you have played it, then the PSPgo gives you a great reason to play it again.