Sony PSP Go - Where's the UMD slot?

The most radical change in design comes with Sony's decision to eliminate the UMD slot. Instead of having users insert UMDs into the system, the Go has 16 GB of internal storage to be used for downloading games, as this newest PSP is now an all-digital device.

This is great for those who love portability, which seems to be the Go's main theme. However, previous PSP gamers will not be able to use any past UMD titles on the Go, meaning all of their previously-invested money in discs would go to waste if they upgrade. Sony also opted for the smaller M2 Micro memory card slot instead of the Memory Stick Pro Duo slot used in other PSPs.

As far as the controls go, they have experienced some changes as well. The D-pad and all of the face buttons are a bit smaller than in the past, although they are more responsive and better for gaming. The L and R buttons are also more responsive than in past editions. In between the L and R buttons now reside the controls for the device's volume, sound, and display settings.

The analog stick is the only real control where a gripe is warranted. It is too small, and doesn't give enough, so your fingers could get tired at a quicker pace. It is also to the right of the D-pad, so previous PSP users might take some time to adjust to its awkward location. As a whole, Sony did a good job with the controls as they are all improved, with the exception of the analog stick.

Obviously, the elimination of UMD titles with the Go is going to be a huge negative for previous PSP owners. Those looking to upgrade to this newest version, but still have tons of UMD titles in their library, will have to keep their old PSPs if they want to play the older games. So, there goes the idea of being able to sell your old PSP on Craigslist or EBay for some extra cash.

Of course, one can hope that Sony will institute some kind of trade-in program, allowing you to turn in UMDs for some credit downloads. Also, if you want to transfer any games that you previously downloaded from the PlayStation Store to your new Go, you will have to do so manually, as there is no longer a drive for the old Pro Duo Stick. Luckily, if you happen to have other Sony devices and have a PlayStation Network account, you can link the Go to the account to access whatever media or games you have downloaded.

Next: Content on the Go >>
 

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