The reason why I chose not to write about anymore rumors regarding the PSP Go! is pretty simple: since E3 was already here and Sony's press conference was just around the corner, I knew that the real deal was soon to be presented to us by the manufacturer itself. And it did. The PSP Go! is official. Keep on reading for a lot (and, trust me, there are lot) of exciting details regarding Sony's new portable device.

The PSP Go! is definitely smaller than the original PSP, a sort of mobile phone/PSP hybrid. What you will notice about the latest Sony portable is that it definitely looks sleek, with brushed metal, piano and matte black and a classy all-round feel to it. The chrome triggers look pretty cool, definitely suitable to the look and feel of the PSP Go! and they also work the way they should.

I didn't like the D-Pad a lot, seeing how it is comprised of four buttons making more complex moves, such as pressing both the “up” arrow and the “left” arrow at the same time, a bit more difficult than it should be. The fact that the D-Pad and the main buttons don't give you that “I pressed it” feeling will take some time to get used to, but they are totally responsive even if you often find yourself wondering “Have I pressed the button? Where's the mechanical feel to it?”

Heading towards the select/start buttons area. These two buttons, their positioning especially, really make the PSP Go! feel like a rushed device. In case you are wondering why, let me explain that to you. The start/select buttons could have been placed anywhere, instead the maker chose to put them where a second analog stick should have been. Why not add a second analog stick (like in the PSP2 concept) and put the start/select buttons above the analog sticks (there's enough space there for three buttons).

Another thing I dislike (and I bet I am not the only one) is that the device is small. Small buttons, very small analog stick… Using the analog stick is definitely a chore and you will end up wondering “Man, are my hands that big or did Sony hire Mr. Wonka's helpers to test the PSP Go!?”

A quick rundown on the specs as Sony presented them to us. A 3.8-inch LCD screen, sliding control pad, 16GB of internal flash storage, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, M2 Memory Stick and a Sense Me application that allows music playback based on the user's moods. It is 50% smaller than the original PSP and 40% lighter as well. It will be available for 249 USD and 249 euros (wait... as a European, I pay the equivalent of around 355 USD for a portable console worth 249?) and will not replace the PSP.

It will be launched on October 1 in Europe and North America, and on November 1 in Japan. It will be UMD-less, with PSP titles being bought through the PSP Store. Honestly, the PSP Go! in its current state has absolutely no chance of replacing the original PSP.


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