New 16GB "PSPgo" revealed early

Tor Thorsen | Jun 01, 2009

Sony is expected to unveil the PSP Go at its press conference on Tuesday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.(Credit: Eurogamer.net)

Although Sony's E3 press conference isn't until 11am Tuesday, one of its centerpieces appears to have been prematurely exposed. A YouTube video of what appears to be the next issue of the PlayStation-focused video magazine Qore has revealed that Sony will use its event to unveil a new PSP model, the PSP Go.

As had been widely rumored, the PSP Go will have a sliding form factor like the Mylo, Sony's ill-fated Internet communicator device. The new handheld--which does not sport a second thumbstick--is shown several times in the video, which features Qore host Veronica Belmont and John Koller, director of hardware marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America.

According to Koller, the main differences between the PSP Go and the PSP 3000 are "onboard memory, the flash memory, and 16 gigs of space. There's Bluetooth onboard as well, so you can use a Bluetooth headset, and you can actually tether it to your cell phone as well. But ultimately, it's the portability. Since you can bring all that content with you in a smaller form factor, you've got the most immersive games to play, and now you've got a smaller unit to do it with".

Though he does not say that the device will not have a UMD (Universal Media Disc) drive--as is rumored--he did say that the emphasis will be on downloadable games. "Little Big Planet, Jak & Daxter, Metal Gear Solid--all those will be available. So will all the movies you can rent or buy on the PlayStation Network. So you can bring so much content over with you and fill up that 16 gig of flash memory."

Koller also appears to reveal that the long-lost PSP Gran Turismo Mobile game--first shown off in 2004--will resurface at next week's expo. "There are games like Gran Turismo being announced at E3," said the executive.

Host Belmont then asks, "So since it's called the PSP Go, I would image it will work with Remote Play as well." Koller responds with the following blanket statement: "Integration with the PS3 is very important, and it works just like the PSP 3000. A lot of people like to be able to take their PS3 content with them on the go."

As for the PSP Go supplanting its predecessor, Koller said flatly: "It won't replace the PSP 3000. We're going to keep them both on the market." Koller did not mention a price, release date, or whether it would have a touch screen when closed. Sony Computer Entertainment America reps had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Update: For a more complete examination of the PSP Go, see PSP Go: What we know so far.

Via CNET Crave via Gamespot

Filed under: Games and Gear, Music & Play
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Devlin

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Devlin says...
Though the touchscreen is still up in the air I highly doubt it will make a debut on this version of the PSP Go. Not until Sony's completely phased-out the PSP-3000 (or UMDs for that matter) will we see something like that come to a PSP. With that said, I wonder how one is supposed to operate the device when the control deck isn't exposed. There might just be a touchscreen after all.

Jun 01, 2009 16:27