PSP Go Price Drop: Coming Soon?

Kris Erickson • Feb 27, 2010 • Comments (9)

The price of the PSP Go could drop significantly in coming weeks, according to recent comments by Sony insiders. When the smaller, sliding version of Sony's handheld came to market last year, we were astonished that it carried a $249 price tag. Even though the portable game and media device comes with a decent 16GB of on-board flash storage, it was still priced higher than other competing devices like the iPhone and Zune HD, which arguably contain much more cutting edge technology. A regular old PSP 3000 retails for $169, a much better bargain despite the missing flash storage.

Why are we advising our readers to stick with the older models of PSP? Mainly it's because the extra 16GB of memory does not make up enough of the price of the PSP Go. Additionally, the higher price of downloadable games means that PSP Go customers have been paying much more for their games than regular customers. UMD games can often be had for a few bucks used, while PSP Go users are stuck paying a massive premium (sometimes as much as $30) for downloadable versions of the same title.

How does Sony plan to remedy this and improve the lethargic sales of the PSP Go? We expect to see them adopt two main strategies. The first and most obvious will be a price cut to get the smaller handheld below the $200 price point. Even then, it will be tough going for the so-called 'premium' model. However, we also expect to see Sony unveil a subscription-based download service that vastly improves the price and quantity of PSP games for download on the Go. This service, which could cost in the neighborhood of $10 per month, would give PSP users access to an unlimited repository of titles than could be swapped out for newer games as they become available.

Many fans are still hoping for an external UMD drive to copy over their old games to the newer handheld. Unfortunately, we believe that licensing difficulties and piracy concerns make that dream an impossibility.

What do you think? Would you be tempted by a $199 PSP Go, or will you continue to stick to the old format?

Comments

Nick

- February 27, 2010 6:08 PM

Want to get a psp. Never had one. Hate umds because they are not portable. Love digital distribution. Like the lighter size. I have an ipod touch. You would think psp go would be for me right. Wrong! Hate the $250.00 price tag, and game prices are too high! This would be great if the price of the console and the games come down. However, they need to price it to $130.00 to get people really thinking about it. Also, they need to offer a $10.00 subscription service. It would be a huge bargain, and would knock lots of piracy out! Two in one sony, listen to this article, and my comment! But I might wait till e3 this year anyways, but sony, listen to this article!

JC

- February 27, 2010 6:42 PM

The problem with the PSP Go is not the price or the design. It is the fact that it is an executive toy but all the games are targetted at 8 to 12 year olds, with cute monsters and corny music. It is not even possible to buy classics like Solitaire or Freecell.

Sony Number 1 Fan

- February 27, 2010 10:03 PM

Well I love the old psp 2000 and 3000 models. Psp go really was doom from the start. I like the old psp better than Ipod. First you don't have to worry about backing up files such as music, movies and photos. I really hate losing my music because of a damamge Ipod. Sony create a better apps for the old models and drop the psp go.

nerdboy1

- March 2, 2010 8:39 PM

I'd rather buy a psp 1000 or 2000 used. with the high price of downloadable games, this thing should be selling for 50 bucks (pspgo) 199 is not low enough. for 199 i would buy an ipod touch or a zunehd or something, not this silly drm device (pspgo) what a horri

Nasty

- March 17, 2010 4:55 PM

I have had a PSP since launch date. The Go is a stupid idea... However, if they do a $10 per month subscription service with unlimited access, then I AM IN!

sony fan

- April 19, 2010 8:24 PM

Sony, i like what you did in the design aspect, and i love the downloadable game idea. BUT... 1. the pricetag is high should be around 150 like the old psps 2. 10 dollar subscript service and id drop anything and everything to get a psp go

michael

- April 20, 2010 9:56 PM

if the price goes down and 10 dollar fee i will buy the thing the first day of price cut. If not i stay with my ipod touch and psp 2000

Nightshade

- April 25, 2010 7:42 PM

i cant believe how many people think a $10 subscription is a good idea. thats $120 a year plus the cost of the games.. how thick can you be? you'd be better off getting the Go and paying the premium as it is now. it'd cost you less. my only problem is the prices. i'd probably end up getting the games at their current rate (with much dismay), but i wont even consider the Go until its below $200. a hefty price drop and competitive prices are all sony needs imo.

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