I have a PSPgo on preorder, mostly because my GameStop credit is ludicrous and I have plans for a certain Destructoid video that I'll be shooting with it. Even though I have work-related reasons for picking one up, I was sincerely excited to get ahold of the latest PSP and try out the all-digital format. However, Sony has been doing its damndest to make the PSPgo a less attractive prospect, and after realizing that the PSPgo ships with NO form of screen protection whatsoever, I am seriously considering canceling my preorder.
Let me break it down for you. The PSPgo, like all other PSPs, has an incredibly shiny, totally exposed screen. While the DS closes to protect its most crucial feature, the PSP lays its easily scratched surface bare. Previous PSPs shipped with a protective slipcase, yet looking at the contents of the PSPgo, there is NOTHING to protect the so-called portable system from damage. Not even one thin screen protector.
Today, Blaze has announced a "starter kit" and "travel kit" to coincide with the release of the PSPgo. While ordinarily I wouldn't promote a run-of-the-mill third party accessory kit, the fact that Blaze is doing a number of things that Sony should be doing itself just bemuses and disgusts me. The PSPgo costs $250. I'm sorry, but it takes some real nerve to charge $250 and not even throw in one f*cking item that will allow customers to safely protect their PSPgo while traveling.
The starter kit has everything that should rightly be packed with the PSPgo: A carry case, screen stickers, a cleaning cloth and wrist strap. The travel kit adds a few non-essential extras like a car charger and USB cable.
Seriously, it's pathetic that a third party is covering Sony's arse on items that should be an obligatory part of the official package. So yeah, well done to Blaze for doing somebody else's job for them. I'm sure after spending $250, we'll be more than happy to shell out yet more cash to actually complete the package.
Essential items revealed to keep your PSP Go safe, energized and fully accessorized
Doncaster, UK – 23rd Sept 2009 – Blaze have today revealed they are set to release two new accessory kits containing the essential items to keep your brand new PSP go safe and fully loaded!
With the release of Sony’s PSP go just around the corner we will all be searching for those essential add-ons to accessorize our new handheld toy. The new BLAZE accessory kits are designed to provide all the essential items you will ever need to give you the ultimate handheld experience.
First up is the BLAZE 5 in 1 starter kit, containing the must have protective accessories for the new PSP Go. Included in the kit is a fully secure protective case, providing all round armour for the new console. Also included are screen protection stickers, a micro fibre cleaning cloth, a wrist strap and a case to safely store your valuable memory cards. This kit focuses heavily on the safety and preservation of your new console, providing you with the tools to keep your PSP Go in top condition for years to come.
The BLAZE 8 in 1 Travel kit contains the all the protective items mentioned above with some very useful additions. The extras include a car charger, earphones, USB to PSP Go link cable providing options to keep your PSP Go charged, connected and wired for sound! The new kit gives you the essential items to accessorize Sony’s latest handheld, whilst keeping it totally safe from knocks and scratches.
The BLAZE 5 in 1 Starter kit and the BLAZE 8 in 1 Travel kit are coming soon from www.blazeeurope.com and all leading video game stores.
Contest:
5:00 PM on 09.23.2009
| 
There is NO fucking good reason to not include at least SOMEthing to protect that screen.
God dammit, Sony.
Can't you do anything right?
Not for the PSP 1000, PSP 2000 or PSP 3000. They come with carrying pouches as standard. They're downright essential.
This is not defensible. If you make a system with a big, exposed, easily scratched screen then you're failing if you're not providing protection. That goes for any manufacturer, not just Sony. It's just even worse in this case because the PSPgo costs way more than a PSP 3000 and is shipping with less.
I do not appreciate your attitude, please go sit down in the corner and calm down. I'm sure your mommy will have dinner cooked shortly.
You buying games at retail price makes you get raped? Hmm...
Jim, I feel I'm with you here. I'm one of the supporters for digital distribution. With enough effort and logic it can bring many great things for gamers and developers alike, which is sad seeing this is not how Sony is handling it. I respect them for their efforts but I don't see as being a remarkable success for anyone.
I can only hope they are paying attention to what's going on now so they can try this again in a year or two and it'll be a great success.
In fact, the PSPgo should have had the screen covered when it's in closed mode, not the buttons. Why the fuck do the buttons need more protection than the screen? The whole thing's designed backwards.
There was this much crying and bitching, if not more, when the DSi was released. Apple fanboys just don't complain about anything that Apple does and the Zune. Well enough said, because no one cares about it either way!
Oh, and for the record, my PSP didn't come with screen protection or a carrying pouch, yet I've somehow managed to not scratch the display, set it on fire, or even drop it in a bathtub full of water. Sony sucks!
HEL 105: Agreed.
But, anyone who isn't dense, knows that discs and DD is going to co-exist for a while. No one is outright abolishing the discs right away - that might happen someday, but not too soon. I have a choice, but I understand many out there don't. Sad to say, I don't have an answer for them. Right now, YOU have a choice. All I can really say is don't regret on the choices you make, and if you do, do fret over them. Life is too, too short to live like that so take the high road to your own happiness.
I want to like the PSPgo. In fact, I was planning a Defense Force article on it. However, as usual, Sony's handling of a potentially good machine is making it harder and harder to defend. The price of the downloadable games, the completely minimalist boxed package, the smaller screen, any one of these issues may be negligible on their own, but it's all mounting up and the more I hear it, the more tempted I am to cancel my pre-order, even despite the work-related plans I have for it.
I love gadgets, and I especially love Sony gadgets. I just hate what Sony does to its own products. The PSPgo started out with amazing promise, but over the weeks has been made to look less and less attractive. I'm really trying to stay excited, but that excitement is taking quite the battering.
Steel Brotha: That's the only line in your rant I don't agree with. The GBA:SP/DS/DS Lite/DSi ALL protect their screen using the clam shell design that cell phones have been using for years. The sliding design of the PSP Go is a nice idea, but fails to protect the most fragile part of the system. This is the reason behind the complaint, and it IS a valid line to stand behind.
I'm not going to touch the $250 price tag complaint, but it would be nice if they could implement a design feature to protect the system. A screen protector like you can buy for $5 probably wouldn't have broke Sony.
Sony ITSELF was giving out protective pouches with its PSP models.
Some have argued, rightly, that the original PSP cost the same as the PSPgo. But the original PSP came with the necessary screen protection, the wrist strap, even fucking headphones. Compared to the original PSP, the meager offerings in the PSPgo box is really quite insulting.
People complain because they are cheap. People complain because they are idiots. People complain because that's what people do. I agree with you totally. People bitched that the PS3Slim WASN'T cheap enough after Sony dropped the price to $299. Now they move on to the price of the Go. When the NEXT thing comes out, they'll bitch about that. If you want Sony's newest toys, your going to have to chalk up the cash. Which I absolutely will, because I like things that make me happy and I'm a grown up who has the money to spend on stuff that makes me happy. I laugh in the face of the Idiot Crusade that denounces gadgets/stuff from companies because they can't afford to get one. Too young or broke to buy the neatest Sony gear. Boo'fucking'hoo. Too bad. Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo I'll buy it all. While the little whiny-have-not bitches are trolling, I'll write in about how much fun I'm having.
That being said, they really should of added that case thingy.
I tend not to let the company's word on anything gaming these days factor too much into my purchasing decisions. I try to go with word of mouth as much as possible. If I continued to let what gaming companies say about their products majorly affect my decisions I would've thought that Prototype was something more than the Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and Spider-man 2:The Game rolled into one. I also would think that Microsoft charging me $60 a year to play online with my 360 was worth it compared to my PC or PS3.
Another factor as to why I'm pissed off with people bitching about prices is that I live in Canada. Most people think that Canada and the U.S. have to same prices when it comes to gaming. You couldn't be more wrong. PSP games come out in the States as $39 standard right? In Canada PSP games are anywhere from $45-50. I check on my PSN Store and what do I see? PSP games at U.S. Prices. Why the hell am I getting charged $5-10 more than the U.S. for the same game? We're on the same continent. Why are brand new console games at $70 from bigger publishers (Activision, Sony, Microsoft) in Canada? You guys in the U.S. have Wiis for $250 before tax. In Canada we have to pay $280. I know for a goddamn fact that the exchange rate isn't the excuse or we'd see this crap happening in Europe as well.
So when I see complaints about the PSPGo being too expensive I can tell you that your lucky. Move up hereto Canada , enjoy our winter, have our maple syrup, eat our poutine, and watch our hockey. Also pay more for games.
But to the point of this article, I can't REALLY see why this is such a big deal. I mean it's $5 for a PDA protector well over the size of the screen itself. Scissors are your friend. And these kinds of things just come with the territory. It's how you don't ruin a DS screen playing The World Ends With You. And it's, IMO, rather silly to complain that a $250 console doesn't come with something a $400 iPod Touch doesn't have either. Sure, PSP 1000-3000 had the cloth pouches but those could easily fuck up your screen. Oh well, just stating my opinion.
"I know for a goddamn fact that the exchange rate isn't the excuse or we'd see this crap happening in Europe as well."
Ummm, you DO see that. In fact, aside from Australia, Europe is the most expensive gaming region thanks to VAT and exchange rates. Your point fails. Your serve?
I'm talking about the fact that Canada and the United States are on the same CONTINENT. I don't see prices in Germany being more than Italy's do I?
Your serve, my point still stands.
You're totally right. Nice new things cost money. It doesn't get much simpler than that.
As far as the whole screen protector thing goes, why is this an issue?
Unless your a child just take care of your stuff. I own an iPod Touch and a Samsung Instinct and don't have protective screens for either. Neither has scratches on them. To clarify, I don't own an iPhone because Rogers is the only cell phone provider in my area that has it and their network sucks here. And I'm not an Apple fanboy, I hate Macs.
The real kick in the ass is Sony didn't pack a USB cord! I understand the psn exists on the psp but not everyone has wifi access
simnple solution for that buddy.
PS3 and PSPGo have bluetooth. They connect with each other.
Yes, you do see some games being more expensive in some countries than others based entirely on currency exchange rates. THIS IS THE REASON THE EURO WAS INVENTED.
For every canadian dollar, that's $.93 of a US dollar. However, this is only most recent standards and THANKS A BUNCH TO SHITTY ECONOMY, your dollar goes forward more. Once upon a time, we were talking $.80. That's when these standards in pricing were made. Most people have really gotten over it by now, man. It's the nature of the beast.
Now that's stupid. WTF, no USB cord is a major flaw.
the exchange rate between the U.S. and Canada doesn't justify the $30 price difference for a wii. That and your explanation doesn't solve the fact that it's only certain games that are worth $10 more in Canada, or the fact the Nintendo is charging $30 more in Canada for a wii while the PS3 and 360 are $299 just as they are in the states. A 7 cent difference doesn't the fact that only CERTAIN products are more in Canada. Why aren't the PS3 and 360 $30 more in Canada?
Actually, PSPs nowadays don't come with screen protectors/cases/headphones...
I couldn't care less about the screen as I've never had a problem with keeping my screen in good shape. Hell, most cell phones out there don't have any screen protection and no one bitches.
The REAL problem here is that the PSPgo is more expensive than people thought it would be. Especially since they now have NO UMD drive and a CHEAPER battery with less capacity. (That 16gb storage costs Sony $15 tops so that's not an issue)
I understand that Sony actually wants to make money on this system (at least to start) but I don't think people would have nearly as much of a problem with the new system at $200 or even $220.
Also, if this "no USB cord" thing is true, then that is ACTUALLY inexcusable bullshit on the part of Sony. Most computers out there don't have Bluetooth and even MORE people don't own a PS3 to hook it up that way.
I just can't get past the fact that this system doesn't seem WORTH the price hike (for the record, the DSi doesn't either since the DS is already so solid. Who the hell needs TWO cameras?!). The form factor is SO good, but there's just not a lot of substance in my opinion.
Not sying that it's right to offer less for more money to those who want it sooner but, still, be patient, give it a year, there will be bundles and better packages at a lower price - for sure.
I'd love a Go, but I'm waiting for the early adopter price hike to pass.