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Sony confirms ten free game offer for UK PSP Go buyers, North America gets less awesome deal
Well, we've got some good news and some less good news for potential PSP Go owners. The good news is that Sony has now officially announced the ten free game offer for PSP Go buyers in the UK, which is just as we had heard and is available in quite a few countries besides the UK as well (hit up the link below for the complete list). Not among those, however, is the United States or Canada, which is where the less good news comes in. While Sony has also announced a similar promotion for US and Canadian consumers, it only covers folks that buy a PSP Go starting today (not anyone that bought one after April 1st, as in the UK), and you'll only be getting three free games, not ten -- those include LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3. What gives? We're not entirely sure, but the only other incentive Sony is offering for North America is a new line of "Favorites" titles that will be priced at $9.99 apiece.
Sony looks to boost PSP Go sales with ten free games -- in the UK, at least
We're not sure if this is the "relaunch" that we've been hearing about, but it looks like PSP Go buyers in the UK will soon have one big new reason to consider the UMD-less handheld -- Sony says that it'll be throwing in a whopping ten free game downloads with each system. That deal will apparently also apply to at least some existing PSP Go customers (those that registered their system after April 1st), and it looks like you'll get a surprisingly solid lineup of games, including titles like Little Big Planet, Gran Turismo, Wipout Pure, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, and Need for Speed Shift, to name a few. Unfortunately, there's no indication on when or if the promotion will launch over here, with SCE's UK sales director Mark Howsen only confirming that it will be rolling out in the UK "next month."
Sony's Koller says Nintendo 3DS is a 'bit of a stretch,' no plans for 3D PSP
Sony has never been one to mince words when it comes to Nintendo, and it looks like the company's newly announced Nintendo 3DS is no exception. Speaking with IGN, SCEA Director of Hardware and Marketing John Koller confirmed that Sony's "focus on 3D right now is on the console," and added that "the amount of interest in 3D from the retail side and game publishers is off the charts." No surprise there, but things get a bit more interesting when Koller is asked about the 3DS, with him saying that while he thinks "it's an interesting move", he'd "like to see where they go from a demographic standpoint," adding that "8 and 9 year-olds playing 3D is a little bit of a stretch given where some of our research is right now." Of course, Nintendo usually gives as good as it gets, and it should have plenty to say when the 3DS makes it debut at E3 later this year.
Sony exec says PSP Go 'confused' consumers, might have been too expensive
Well, we've already heard some rumors that Sony was considering a relaunch of sorts for the PSP Go, and it looks like at least some execs from the company are now starting to speak publicly about why such a move might be necessary. In an interview with IndustryGamers, SCEA Senior Vice President of Publisher Relations Rob Dyer admitted that the PSP Go did "confuse" customers, and that the "higher price point didn't help matters any either" -- not exactly the sort of thing you hear Sony say every day. Does that mean we'll be seeing updated hardware or a lower price anytime soon? Dyer unsurprisingly wouldn't say when pressed, adding only that Sony is "going back and re-communicating" with consumers.
New PSP Go owners to receive a free copy of LittleBigPlanet or Assassin's Creed
This should make the PSP Go's price tag a bit easier to swallow. From now until March 21, new North American PSP Go owners that add a PlayStation Network to their systems will be eligible to receive a free game from the PlayStation Store: either Assassin's Creed Bloodlines or LittleBigPlanet PSP. After the registration process, SCEA will e-mail a special code that enables the free download. The promotion is similar to one launched by Sony Europe a few months ago. Unsurprisingly, early adopters are feeling left in the cold. DevilDawg90 commented on the PlayStation.Blog: "This is unfair to people like me who picked up the PSPGo day one. I had to pay 40 for LBP PSP! I have been supporting Sony and this is just a slap in face." Unfortunately DevilDawg, that's generally how technology works; it gets cheaper over time. In fact, the PSP Go is approaching affordable when considering the $50 discount Amazon.com is offering on it. At $200 with a free game, it's almost -- dare we say it? -- a good deal.
Sony tries out new anti-piracy measure with PSP game, hits used game market hard in the process
Sony's already taken a pretty big shot at the used game market with the download-only PSP Go, and it looks like it might now be going some way towards taking physical media out of the equation as well. In what's described as a "trial run," Sony has added a new authentication measure to SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 for the PSP that will require gamers to first register their game on PSN before they play online. Once that's done, you won't be able to use the UMD on another PSN account, and anyone buying a used copy of the game will have to shell out $20 for an additional voucher to play online. According to Sony, that's being done primarily to combat piracy, but there's no getting around the fact that it also makes used copies of the game a whole lot less attractive to potential buyers. No word on any future games that will employ similar measures, though we wouldn't count on Sony giving up on this one too quickly.
Go save $40 on the PSP Go at Amazon.com
PSP Go has entered the "almost worth it" zone. While we're enamored with the system's smaller design, it's hard to ignore that it plays far less games than the PSP-3000 and costs much more. Thankfully, online retailer amazon.com has discounted the white handheld to $209.99 -- $40 off the standard MSRP. At this price, the PSP Go costs approximately the same as a PSP-3000 and a 16GB Memory Stick. Considering Amazon's hefty cut, we wonder: will Sony announce an official price drop of the PSP Go some time soon? [Thanks Goldenchild!]
PSP Go 'relaunch' in the works?
There's not much to go on here, but according to alleged sources of Gamervision, Sony's planning a relaunch of sorts for the PSP Go. The oft-maligned portable hasn't exactly taken the world by storm -- and with its lack of an UMD drive, despite the company's continued support of the format, that arguably wasn't the point of its existence, anyway. An apparent marketing blitz is in the cards (unsurprising), and additionally there's speculation that a price drop might be coming, too. That seems a bit early given it only launched back in October, but if the company's really wanting to get aggressive and pushing units of its admittedly pretty hardware, that's a pretty good way to do so. Then again, its hands might be full adding some vigor to its other gaming machine.
PSP Go stop-motion disassembly is entrancing
The stop motion PSP Go disassembly video after the break from TechRestore is that rare item that works on three different levels. If you're a fan, it's interesting to see how the system's all put together. If you're us, you get a grim satisfaction seeing one torn apart. If you're among the people who smoke, or people who drink, it looks like the system's taking itself apart, which should keep you busy for a few hours. Also, all stop-motion disassemblies should be set to this music in the future. That is all.
PSP Go disassembled in awesome stop motion video
Oh sure, we've seen Sony's UMD-hatin' PSP Go splayed before, but never like this. Call us crazy, but we're calling stop motion video the future of unboxings and tear downs. Seriously -- this is one wild two minute ride that you simply have to take. Peek the video after the break, won't you?
DJ Max Fever heats up PSN today
DJ Max Fever is being re-released on PSP today via the PlayStation Network. The Korean music game has been a hit amongst hardcore rhythm enthusiasts, but it's been a rather difficult game to find outside of import shops and specialty retailers. The game's re-release on the PlayStation Store should introduce it to a whole new audience. With gameplay similar to Beatmania, DJ Max Fever should help fill the void left by the termination of Rock Band Unplugged DLC. Good news for PSP Go owners: Fever will include 60 songs from the get-go, with no need to buy the game piecemeal. We'll be giving away ten copies of the game on our Facebook page later today, when the PlayStation Store update goes live. Make sure you become a fan so you can get a chance to win. Official rules apply.
Korean Air subsidiary renting out PSP Go consoles for in-flight gaming
Korean Air subsidiary Jin Air has a new trick up its sleeve for entertaining passengers going to and fro South Korea. The airline is now offering a 16GB PSP Go to rent for in-flight gaming. No clue what games are on the device, but it's probably the best 4,000 won (about $3.50) you can spend -- assuming, that is, there's more than a sudoku app.
Datel claims new Action Replay works on PSP Go, we hope cautiously
Now this is interesting. Datel, which is well known for enabling all sorts of hacks on varying consoles, seems to have just introduced a refreshed version of its Action Replay PSP. What's new, you ask? Why, PSP Go support, of course! In the item description, we're told that those using this on Sony's UMD-less portable console will have to install it directly on the inbuilt memory, but one of two things has to happen (in theory, anyway) for that claim to be true. The first is that Datel is now an official Sony partner, which is about as likely as you getting a Foleo for Christmas. The other is that Datel found a way to run unencrypted code on the PSP Go, and if that's the case, we've got an idea that the homebrew junkies in the crowd will be all over this in search of further exploits. Hop on past the break for a promo video, and if you're down with shelling out funds for something that may or may not work as advertised, it's all yours for $24.99. [Thanks, Bill]
Screen grabs: House, MD likes a little PSP Go between his high-risk medical procedures
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. There's one thing (and one thing only) that we know about House, MD. He seriously loves nearly killing people before saving them. Well, that, and he loves chilling out with a PSP Go. What, you hadn't heard? Yeah, seems old Dr. Greg is pretty into gaming in his downtime -- you know, when he's not downing Vicodin or collecting clues. There's one more piece of evidence after the break. [Thanks, Donny]
Logitech working on UMD drive add-on for the PSP Go?
There may have been plenty of folks pushing Sony to ditch UMD once and for all with the PSP Go, but there's at least as many sorry to see it left behind, as evidenced by the continued strong sales of the venerable PSP-3000. While nothing's official just yet, it looks like Logitech just might now be set to bridge the divide the two handhelds with a UMD drive add-on of some sort for the PSP Go. That word comes form an unnamed source speaking to CVG, who reportedly said that the only problem with the drive is that "it'll make the PSP a little bulky," but offered no other details. Of course, there's also the small problem that the add-on would only add more to the cost of the PSP Go along with the bulk, thereby making the PSP-3000 an even more attractive option, but we'll hold off on any futher speculation until this thing gets a bit more real.
PSPgo dips to £149 in the UK, have cooler heads prevailed?
While we might think of the $250 PSPgo pricetag in the States as a criminal act on the part of an out-of-touch and-yet-malicious multinational corporation, we can only imagine how our unfortunate counterparts in the UK felt, staring down a £225 list price (about $371 US). Luckily, that quickly dropped to £200 after a week of sales, and now the console can be had for as low as £149 at UK entertainment retailer HMV. That converts rather tidily to $245 US, which is unfortunately about as far as the console has been discounted around these parts. There's no way to tell how many more months of dour faces and crossed arms pointed in the general direction of Sony Computer Entertainment America it'll take to get that price down to something more realistic Stateside, at which point we can start this whole UK / US price disparity drama all over again.
Nintendo DSi LL sells 103k in two days, ripped open in two minutes
The newer, embiggened Nintendo DSi LL (as it's known in Tokyo Town) has been available to the kids in Japan since the beginning of the week, and Enterbrain, Inc. is reporting that Nintendo has pushed 103,524 units in its first two days. To perspectivize things, the DSi was snatched up to the tune of about 170,000 units in the same time period, while the PSPgo sold around 28,000 units. To celebrate, the kids at PC Watch have ripped one of these bad boys -- and you'll never guess what they found! (OK, maybe you will.) Check out the link below for the hardcore details -- and don't say we didn't warn you.
Sony's Kaz Hirai confirms 'premium level' subscription coming to PSN
Well, Sony may have once downplayed the notion of "catching up" with Xbox Live, but it looks like it is now set to take at least one big cue from its rival. As oh-so-quietly revealed during a presentation on Thursday and now confirmed by Kaz Hirai himself, Sony will be adding a "premium level" subscription service to the PlayStation Network sometime next year. According to Hirai, that subscription will get you "premium content and services," although exactly what those are remains a bit unclear, as the current level of service will apparently remain free, and continue to include features like Facebook, Netflix, and the ability to play games online. Also up in the air is any word on a price or launch date, although the timing of the announcement does seem to suggest that we might just be hearing more about this at CES. [Thanks, Erick]
Amazon offers $50 PSN card with PSP Go purchases, for tonight only
Hey impulse buyers, want a PSP Go? Amazon is offering a $50 PSN card for anyone who picks up the portable tonight, in black or white. Seeing as you'll be having to spend that much on digital titles anyway, it's a pretty good long-term $50 discount, bringing the suggested value of the Go to about $195. It's still not as financially sound an option as a PSP-3000, but if you value style over price figures and disc-based media, this might be one of the best incentives before Christmas. Offer ends at midnight PT / 3:00AM ET -- after that, it turns right back into a pumpkin.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXLI: PXP 2000 is not a PSP Go, but it gets a loving unboxing anyway
You know how we love a good knockoff at Engadget. Well, the PXP 2000 isn't the greatest KIRF we've ever seen -- especially considering that it's a "PSP Go" that plays NES games (and pretty badly at that). It is, however, one of the most caring and detailed unboxings we've seen in a really long time. In the nearly 15-minute video (which we've included after the break), the young gentleman host proves himself to be a talented and fairly entertaining chap. Be sure to watch the video all the way through -- you'll get to see some Super Mario Brothers action as well as the PXP's super fantastic iPhone camera icon. Also, someone who we can only describe as Jason Voorhees-esque makes a guest appearance about halfway in. Hit the read link for the whole, wild ride. [Thanks, Nightwheel]