 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
PSPgo
- PSP
- Price: $249.99
- Genre: Mini-games
Common Sense Media says
New PSP is pretty, but it forces players to shop online.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the PSPgo is the first completely digital dedicated handheld gaming system. This means players need to connect to the Internet to obtain all of their gaming content, though they do not need to be connected to play. The device also comes with a simple web browser, allowing users to surf the Internet much as they would on a computer. Common Sense Media encourages parents to engage the system’s parental controls, which are password protected and have the ability to keep children from accessing both device features -- including Internet access -- and games based on their ESRB rating. Note, too, that that while the PSPgo is essentially just an upgraded PSP with the same graphics and controls offered by its predecessors, it lacks a UMD drive, rendering existing UMD games unplayable.
What's it about?
Sony’s new PSPgo isn’t a new gaming platform, but instead an upgraded version of the existing PSP. It has the same graphics potential, user interface, and controls. It’s about half the size and weight of the original PSP with a slightly smaller screen and a hidden control console that slides out from under the screen. These changes in form make the PSPgo the first model in the PSP family to be truly pocketable.
But the PSPgo’s greatest departure from its predecessors comes in how its users access game content. Sony has removed the traditional UMD optical drive and replaced it with 16GB of onboard flash memory. That means UMD-based games are unplayable on the PSPgo. Players will instead need to connect to the online PlayStation Store to purchase games -- or buy game codes from a retailer -- and then download them. Common Sense Media does not recommend unsupervised online activity for children under age 12.
Note that this system is not replacing existing PSP models, but instead acts as an alternative. All new PSP games will be made available in both digital and UMD format, which means PSP and PSPgo owners will both have access to the same content.
Is it any good?
As the PSPgo is an alternative model to existing PSPs and not a next-generation system, we are providing a list of pros and cons in comparison to older PSP models.
PROS:
• Smaller, lighter, and more pocketable
• Doubles as a multimedia player (music and video)
• Games are downloadable, so you don't have to go to the store
• Adds Bluetooth connectivity, allowing players to connect headsets and play using a PlayStation 3 controller
• Parental controls allow parents to moderate the features and game content to which children have access
• Games are stored on the device rather than separate media, so they’re always available and cannot be lost
• Eliminates game packaging and manufacturing, making it more environmentally friendly
CONS:
• Costs much more than older model PSPs ($249.99 vs. $169.99)
• Forces players to purchase their game content online
• Will not play games on UMD, rendering existing PSP game libraries useless
• Players cannot lend games to friends or trade them in
• Can take an hour or longer to download a 1GB game
• Has its own proprietary charger (can't use those that came with older model PSPs)
Online interaction: Players need to connect to the Internet to obtain all of their gaming
content, though they do not need to be connected to play. The device
also comes with a simple web browser, allowing users to surf the
Internet much as they would on a computer. Common Sense Media
encourages parents of young children to engage the system’s parental controls, which are
password protected and have the ability to keep children from accessing
both device features. Parents can also set the ESRB rating so that kids are limited to downloading games by the rating established by their parents.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about whether the lack of a UMD slot makes this system a non-starter for existing PSP owners who have amassed a large library of games. If you still play your older games, would you consider repurchasing them in digital form through Sony’s online store? Does that seem fair?
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Parent of 4, 6, and 9 year old
December 27, 2009
AGE
Solved multiple issues for our family
Love it! Love it! Love it! -- No more lost game cartridges! No more traveleing to store to buy games! We have DSIs and they are great, but my kids lose games. Also, eliminates need for multiple gadgets - MP3, DVD player, seperate internet, etc.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 14, 2010
AGE
no diffrence really
from what i heard there really is no diffrence between the psp and psp go but i am sure the syatem is awesome
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Kid, 8 years old
February 4, 2012
AGE
NOT FOR KIDS
you have to have WIFI to download games so you have to have a credit card that is why i said this is NOT FOR KIDS!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
October 18, 2009
AGE
A great new version of the PSP
It's definitely a lot better than I expected. It's much more sleek and portable than the old one, and though it's smaller, it works very well. The picture is better than the other PSP models, and the ability to pause the game without leaving it is really good. Unfortunately, this costs $250. You can get a Wii for $200, so I found this to be quite shocking. Also you can't play your old UMD games on it, which is a shame. This is a tough sell for those who already own a PSP, but if you're new to it, and you have an Internet connection, this is a great new alternative to the PSP.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
April 13, 2012
AGE
Just stick with the psp 3000
This system may look pretty epic but the thing is there is no UMD slot so you have to purchase your games on the psn store and they over price at gamestop you can get this one game for 2.99 but on the psn store you have to pay 15.99
What other families should know:
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AGE
BEST EVER!!!
i got it and i love it, but it costs so much and my psp go password expired, its hard to fix
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AGE
BEST EVER!!!
i got it and i love it, but it costs so much and my psp go password expired, its hard to fix
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| Platforms: | PSP |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Mini-games |
| Developer: | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Release date: | October 1, 2009 |
| Price: | $249.99 |
| ESRB rating: | NR for (PSP) |
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