Should I Buy a PSP?

[brunoafh]

swift doesn't like when people like Sony stuff.

I realize that but it's irritating to see it appear in nearly every PSP thread.

[shwisha]

I'd like to speak up for the much-maligned PSP Go, if I may As someone who has no ethical problem with running backups of games I actually own, the PSP Go is awesome. Though it hasn't always been the case, as of about a year ago it's become super-easy to install custom firmware on a Go, meaning you can easily play backups of those all cheap UMDs you'll find. It's also a snap to rip your old PSX discs and run most of them near-flawlessly. Emulators for 16-bit systems and older are pretty much perfect, and most of my GBA library runs flawlessly, too!

I really like the form factor of the Go: the buttons-below-the-screen setup reminds me of playing a GBA SP, and in a pocket, it's a bit more slender than a DS Lite. The built-in 16 gigs of memory means I have yet to purchase an overpriced Memory Stick. Having Skype access built-in isn't a feature I use often, but as someone who doesn't own a smartphone, it's nice to know it's there.

But the best feature for me, and the reason I sought out a Go, is that you can pair it with a PS3 controller. This, plus a video-out docking station (Go accessories are stupid cheap, due to the system's commercial failure), makes the PSP Go an incredible home-and-portable retro gaming machine. I can sit on my couch and play Vagrant Story on my TV when I'm at home, and if I want to keep playing when I leave, I just make a savestate (a system-level feature for all games), or just slide the screen down to put it to sleep, pop it in my pocket, and pick up right where I left off later!

Hey, don't get me wrong: like most people, I thought the PSP Go was a terrible value proposition when it was first released, as it was overpriced and under-featured. But time and obsolescence have rendered most of the system's deficiencies moot, and I really think it deserves serious consideration from any first-time PSP buyer.

Thanks for this input. I'm pretty torn right now because having all my games on the device would be huge. I hate the idea of carrying discs around with me. I'm mainly going to be using this device when I travel.

The PSP sounds like a possible option but the ability to buy cheaper UMDs for the 3000 sounds good too. It also sounds like if I get a 3000 or earlier I could still store a lot of games on memory stick.