Game Consoles

The fall of 2005 marked the launch of the first “next generation” console – The Xbox 360, a year ahead of the nearest rivals – the Sony Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.  Microsoft’s second venture in gaming managed to capitalize on a strong demand that translated into good sales growth.  It realized that right price is the key to winning half the battle. Keeping that in mind, Microsoft has launched 2 versions of the Xbox- the Xbox 360 Core and the Xbox Pro. Both these versions are improved versions of the original Xbox – a bigger storage capacity, improving multimedia and offering several other formats. The Xbox 360 Pro features a three CPU that runs at 3.2 GHz ATi 500 MHz graphics processor and an in built DVD Drive.  The 20GB console has an in built Ethernet port and is HDMI ready and with an HDMI output that promises to make gaming a great experience.

The following is a review on the Xbox 360 Pro; there are several different versions of the Xbox basing on the storage capacity and the A/V capabilities. Does this console promise to set newer heights or is it better to wait another couple of months for the Playstation or the Wii, read the review to find out.

Design:

Form Factor:
At 12.1 x 3.27 x 10.1 inches, the Xbox Pro Gaming Console is smaller than the original and can be laid vertically too thanks to interchangeable face plates. Microsoft has managed to keep the weight down to just 8.8 pounds because they built a laptop style hard drive which is detachable from the main unit instead of building a desktop style drive. For Data entry, there is a small keyboard accessory provided that snaps on the controller. The IR Port on the front panel allows using compatible remote controls without any external dongle. The Xbox 360 has in built Wi-Fi capabilities and can support up to 4 wireless controllers. Did we mention that the Xbox is now available in a host of colours including pink and black?

The worrying power supply and drive:
However, the design has 2 major shortfalls – its over sized power supply and extremely noisy disk drive. The power brick is very big. At 6 pounds, it is bigger than anything its rivals will have. The Cable to it is equally huge and the DVD Drive is very noisy. The fans run loudest when the GPU and the CPU go into the game mode. The system tends to get heated up soon, to avoid it, it is recommended to put it in a well ventilated area.

Ports:
The stylishly designed Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro 20GB console contains 2 memory slots on the front and the power button. One can connect any wired controllers or any USB accessories as well as cables to connect to a digital camera, Mp3 player or even an iPod. The HD Cables do not come with an optical cable so one should buy them separately. The Hard Drive is hardly noticeable when plugged in.  Two more USB ports are hidden behind a spring loaded door and one more is in the rear of the system below the adaptor. There is an HDMI port, am Ethernet port and an infrared port provided as well.

Controller:
There are 2 controller options – the wireless and the wired. The wireless controllers can be synced to the system by holding the connect button down on both the system and the control. 2 AA batteries are required for using the wireless controller.

The Controller for the Xbox Pro is not a new design however, it is much better than the original Xbox controller. They are nice and small, and the white and black buttons have been moved to the top of the controller like the double button design of the dual shock. There are the left/right joystick, a directional pad and X, Y, A and B Buttons as well. The buttons have a quick response time and the green light around the “X” symbol is a nice touch. The Type S Controller has triggers which are not as quite as deep as they were, but still very responsive. That makes playing racing games a pure joy. One feature, we have liked is the ability to switch off/on the 360 using the controller, which means you do not have to get up from your couch to switch off the console.

Setup and Installation of 360 Pro:

It is relatively easy to setup the Xbox 360 however the documentation is skimpy. To install the 360, one needs to control the AV Cable to a television or the AV receiver. Connect the Ethernet cable and the power supply to the Xbox 360 and switch on the power.  If you use HDTV you would need to flip a switch on the AV Cable that switches the display ratio format from 4:3 to 16:9 otherwise you will see only 4:3 ratios on the display. One point to note is the fact that the Xbox 360 supports only optical digital cables and there are no ports for co axial digital cables.

The Core package does not come with component A/V Cables, one of the several reasons why it is better to prefer the Pro package.

Features:

User Interface:
The Dashboard interface of the Xbox has been redesigned. There is a vertical tab interface that you can flip through using controller’s joystick knob. The tabs are intuitive and easy to browse through. There are four major vertical tabs – the Xbox live, Games, Media and System. The Xbox Live tab allows you to log in and see your Xbox live profile information, check email and browse the Marketplace. The Games tab is where you will be able to see your achievements and play the game in an optical drive and view game demos and trailers. The Media tab is where it becomes evident that the 360 is more than just a gaming console. One can view photos and listen to audio files from XP machines on the LAN. The Settings tab is where you can modify the system settings, memory settings and network settings.

The Ring of Light and Xbox Guide Button:
The ring of light present on the front of your console is the power button and it is divided into four quadrants that can display a variety of colours depending on what’s going on. There is another button on the controller – the Xbox X., which is also divided into four quadrants. On activating the wireless controllers, the colours on the quadrants of controller as well as the console light up. If they match, it means that a wireless connection has been made.

Another prominent button present on the controller and the remote control is the Xbox guide button. This button gives access about the information on a person who has challenged you on the Xbox Live and find downloadable content for the game currently being played. This button also functions as a power button allowing you to switch on/off your console using the controller.

Xbox Live and Xbox Marketplace:
Microsoft has launched the Xbox Live feature that allows you to access special features of the game and your favourite game online. There are 2 versions of the Xbox available – The Silver version and the Gold Version. The Silver version allows you to access the Xbox Live Marketplace and communicate with other users. The Gold Version gives access to all the available features and more importantly play online.  Microsoft has promised Gold service for the first month to all new Xbox 360 owners. The market place is an area where one can download game trailers, demos and new content. They do have some pretty neat games and lots of exciting content. Thumbs up to Microsoft for doing such a great job in this segment.

Digital Entertainment:
The Xbox 360 Pro System allows you to watch DVD movies, pictures and other content on CD/DVDs. It allows you to rip music to the hard drive even if you plug a MP3 player in to a USB 2.0 part. The Remote provided allows you to control the Xbox while it behaves as a DVD/CD player. The console is compatible with iTunes and Zune as well as other audio formats.

Internet Connectivity:
When it comes to Internet connectivity, the Xbox 360 uses the very popular 0802.11 wireless model in favour of the original 100MBit Ethernet connection that the original Xbox ran on. The Xbox 360 allows you to access internet and download stuff. The appreciable feature is the fact that its performance is comparable to desktops at least in terms of cached memory and computational power. There are browser functions that allow you to watch Live TV and this gives it a strong foundation taking it beyond game play and establishing itself as a central entertainment staple.

Video and audio specs:
The Xbox 360 Pro boasts of a customized IBM Power PC CPU with 3 processing cores running at 3.2Ghz. But perhaps its most notable feature is its availability to output graphics. All the Xbox 360 games are designed to output a minimum of 720p and they can be upscaled to 1080p. The HD Component is available via the component video cable or you can use your own HDMI Cable. The other alternative is using VGA Adapters provided by Microsoft and JoyTech which allows you to connect HDTVs and PCs. There is even a fallback composite output and the system provides an output of standard 480i resolution for 4:3 sets.  The Xbox 360 offers an amazing video experience with unbelievable speed and consistency.

The Xbox Pro offers top class Dolby digital audio. The in game sound tracks are rendered in full real time surround creating an immersive effect. All the AV Cables include an optical audio output and standard analogue stereo connections for connecting to a TV or stereo. But by doing the latter, you lose the surround effect. You can use HDMI and have digital video and audio handled by a single cable. The Xbox supports the following formats - Support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD

Performance:

At the first look, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. The Xbox 360 does not look futuristic enough to entice interest. But once you start playing some games you would realize the huge potential that the Xbox has.

Graphics:
High Definition is a pre requisite for Advanced Gaming. For High Definition, games have to be either in 720p or 1080p. Put in a game and experience the incredible HD clarity. We played the Call of Duty 2 on the Xbox and wow! The graphics were incredulous. They were sharp and the game play was very fluid.  The high resolution details enable one to enjoy gaming and takes things to the next level.

The online networks:
Apart from Gaming, the Xbox 360 opens doors to the online network of Xbox live. With Xbox live, the possibilities are endless. The 360 is intended to make the console a centre piece of digital entertainment.  The 360 is capable of playing DVDs and CDs like before. The Dashboard interface transforms into a media centre interface when you pop in an audio CD. The Xbox has inbuilt Windows Media Centre Extender software, which is a remote desktop to your MCE Box and displays everything the MCE is capable of performing. One can stream high definition content from an MCE making it the best implementation of a media centre extender today.

Red Rings of Death:
There have been reports of hard ware failures in the case of the Xbox 360. The most infamous of them being the three flashing red lights around the 360’s power button, nicknamed as the “Red Rings of Death”. It represented an internal problem that required service, such as freeze – ups, graphical problems etc. When an error occurs, the user’s attempt to turn the console on results in the lighting up of only 3 out of 4 quadrants of the X and the console does not function. Though usually it occurs due to some internal hardware failure, it sometimes is due to the lack of sufficient power supply or power surges . The General Hardware failure results in a similar looking error warning when 4 red lights appear.  When the console is overheated,  the users are warned so by the indication of flashing of 2 red lights.

Accessories included:

Clearly, the focus has been on using wireless technology for everything from controllers to headsets. By doing so, they have eliminated the mess of cables and lines. There are host of accessories provided along with the Xbox 360. Apart from the console system, there is a headset, a wireless controller, an Ethernet cable, a Component HD AV Cable and an AC power adapter. Regarding the headset, the microphone can be adjusted for quality and noise cancelling microphone improves game response to voice commands and provides good voice communication.

Power Consumption:

The Xbox 360 is a power hog considering the fact that it draws about 160 watts of power twice as much as its rivals do. It consumes more power than most home entertainment devices. The Bulky power adapter is another dampener.

Warranty:

There is a warranty of one year on the console from the date of the purchase. There is a 90 day warranty provided for the accessories provided along with it. Microsoft however, charges for any sort of problems after that for a fee. One can access help and support using the telephone, online chat and email assistance.

Note: As of 2010, Users who face the problem of the “red rings of death “ can claim for replacing the console under the extended new warranty as it falls under “General Hardware Failure”. The Warranty for Xbox 360 models has been extended to 3 years now and it covers errors under the E74 code as well.

Verdict:

Microsoft has done it again! They have managed to launch a next generation console reaching all the expectations. The 360 has set newer targets for its future rivals – the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. It truly is the best Media Centre Extender available today. Apart from Gaming, it’s ability to read DVDs/ CDs and view pictures are a marvellous addition. The Internet connectivity is another bonus. But the Xbox Live and the marketplace have added a whole new dimension to gaming. Their amazing features will give it an edge amongst all its other rivals. However, there are a few downsides to this marvellous device. The Power adapter is too big and so is the power consumption.  The ROM Drive was extremely noisy and the console got heated in a very little time. However, these are minor irritants when compared to the joy the console offers especially while gaming. Definitely a must buy!

Note: out of the two models, Xbox  Core and the Xbox Pro; we suggest you to choose the Pro because it offers component A/V Cables, hard drive memory and HD output. Something that the core lacks and hence will deprive you of the pure pleasure the console offers.

Check 2010 latest Game Consoles, other Microsoft console reviews in this website.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro Console - Technical Specification Details

Manufacturer	Microsoft
Model Name	Xbox 360 Pro
Type	Game Console
Dimensions	12.1 x 3.27 x 10.1 inches
Weight	8.8 lbs
Colour	White
Max Resolution	1920 x 1080
Product Specifics	20GB External hard drive One HDMI port Processor Type is IBM PowerPC with 3 cores at 3.2 GHz Ethernet port MS Windows XP Media Centre compatible
AV input and output	ATI Xbox 360 - 256-bit - 2D/3D graphics acceleration and a Video adapter memory of 10 MB - integrated 16-bit / Surround Sound at Rate 48 kHz
Accessories	1 x HDMI cable 1 HD AV cable, 1 Ethernet network cable, wireless controller, a Xbox Live headset, a20GB external hard drive
Power	Internal power device
Warranty	One year

The mobile gaming medium is certainly a distinctive monster than its stationary sibling as it has a longer life cycle, the sales tend to fluctuate drastically and the aesthetic improvements are generally more grandiose. While some may still consider the Sony PSP 3000 as the second banana to Nintendo nearly ubiquitous DS Lite, the Sony PSP has sold more than 55 million units since it first appeared in the markets in the year 2005. Sony tweaked its original PSP in 2007 by getting it a little slimmer and lighter chassis, improvement in speeds along with the ability to output straight to a TV screen, with the name Sony PSP 2000.

In 2008, the PSP has got yet another minor makeover with changes like a built in microphone in order to increase the usability of its on-board Skype functionality and also with a better video output support which allows you to play games on the non HD hook-ups. The other improvements include in the display, which is said to be having reduced glare with better colour reproduction and diminished ghosting. Apart from these changes, the PSP 3000 is all identical to its predecessor.

Design:

Where is the difference?
Starting with the casing, top to bottom and side to side, it looks virtually identical to the PSP 2000. The Sony PSP-3000 Game Console has got the same slim dimensions of its predecessor which is, (H X W X D) 71 x 168 x 16 mm and weighs a light 200 grams with all the batteries, game disk and the memory stick on board. Have a closer look, you will find some subtle changes. The Sony moniker has been moved from the right of the screen to left where the PlayStation logo used to be. So where is the PSP logo? Look down at what used to be the home button which brings the PSP into alignment with the PlayStation 3 that has a similar master control button smack in the midst of its wireless gamepad. Yet another thing that is noticeable is that the, PS, Select and Start buttons along the bottom of the PSP are now fully oval and no longer the oblong half circles. When you run your fingers along the tops and they will also feel flush to the case model, not protruding as they do on the PSP 2000. Overall, the ABS plastic of the casing feels and looks more metallic and less plastic now.

A better display:
Only the 4.3″ size of its luscious LCD display is retained as it has got a complete make-over which results in better colour reproduction and is less prone to glaring. The colour vibrancy has been improved a lot and the difference was very evident, but as far as the glaring is concerned, the difference is not huge. Do not dream that you will be able to play in direct sunlight, but we assure you that you will have better luck with lesser distractions from the indoor light sources. You are given the option to toggle between wide and standard colour options and by doing so, can clearly see the difference with the colours.

The layout:
The Sony PSP 3000 is available in two common colours: Black and Silver. The silver model has a matte finish, while the black model has a glossy finish. Hence, you can have a smudge and fingerprint free handheld if you choose the silver model and vice versa if you opt for the black one. Unfortunately the displays of both the models are the smooth and shiny ones that remain to attract dust and fingerprints. Apart from these very minor cosmetic changes of the console, the button layout is basically the same as its predecessor. The display is fully surrounded by the buttons and the layout is based on the classic PlayStation Controller layout.

Navigation:
The four way directional pad is on the left and the square, triangle, cross and circle keys are in the right and you will find the two shoulder buttons along the top edge of the console.  In the bottom left of the facia is an analogue thumb stick for precise movement. It would have been great to have a second thumbstick on the right of the device that mimics the design of a PlayStation controller. The array of media controls, select, start, volume, brightness and  home button are lined up just after the display.

Built-in Mic:
A welcome addition to the PSP3000 is the built-in microphone that is located just beneath the display. This is a great inclusion as it can be used for online communication within the game or for using the Skype application. The single biggest advantage of having a mic integrated into the body of the console is that, the console can then be used with any standard pair of headphones. Whereas, the PSP2000 required a special pair of headset to communicate online. Since the layout is a familiar one, anyone who has used a Sony console over the last decade should be able to pick it up and play straightaway.

Ports in PSP-3000:
The headphone or AV jack on the bottom of the Sony Playstation Portable 3000 Handheld is compatible with any standard 3.5mm headphones and also works with the special PSP only AV out cables for connecting the device to TV. The USB port is retained in the centre top edge of the console. Sony has not included a cable in the package, but since it is a standard mini USB connector, you might have one lying around. You will find that the USB is flanked by two screw holes and they are for allowing the other accessories to be firmly attached to the frame. However, most of the people will use the USB connectivity only for making quick connections to the PC in order to transfer digital media, games and demos that are available through the online PlayStation store.

Features:

The Graphical User Interface:
If you own any gadget of Sony’s, you must certainly aware of its Cross Media Bar interface. The original PSP was the first product to use it and since then, it has been incorporated in to the Play Station 3 and many of the other television sets and AV receivers of Sony. Trip the “on” switch and you are greeted by the same familiar logo and XMB interface, but you will not miss to notice that it is bit more colourful with enhanced edge distinctiveness in terms of darks and lights. It is a pretty slick menu system that can be easily navigated through with the help of the D pad and the control buttons. However, with some of the applications, you will find that the simplicity of the system is lost. The web browser was not as well designed as the overall XMB menu system.

Firmware:
The PSP 3000 arrives running the version 4.20 firmware which has been updated to 5.01, so we were immediately set to be grabbing about it. It takes only a few seconds to configure the device to work with a home WiFi network, about a minute to download the patch and another couple of minutes to install, all in a wireless manner. Since the debut of the prior model, intervening updates have wonderfully exploited the abilities of the hardware with welcome features including free internet radio powered by SHOUTcast, LocationFree video watching from select Sony Electronics along with the Remote Play access to and control of a registered PlayStation 3.

The Media:
The Sony PSP is designed to play movies and games out of a new kind of media called Universal Media Disks (UMD), and this media is certainly not universal as its name indicates as Sony’s PSP is the only device that uses them. The UMD is a kind of combination of the mini CD and the old MiniDisc which holds only about 2.2GB of data. To load them, there is a snap open door on the rear of the device and the Memory Stick Duo slot remains to be on the left edge.

For now UMD stays to be the primary means of delivering the games to the PSP 3000 Handheld console, but Sony has been expanding the options that are available in the online PlayStation Store as well. This store allows the users to rent and buy movies and downloadable games and all these downloadable content is stored on the MemoryStick Duo.

WiFi functionality:
Though the PSP 3000 is primarily a gaming system, it has got some very notable media functionality as well, such as the built-in WiFi capability. With the WiFi feature, you will be able to connect the device to any wireless internet service, including those with the WEP and WPA encryption, but not the WPA2. One of the greatest disappointments with the WiFi feature is that the PSP3000 continues to be using the slowest 802.11b version; an upgrade to 11g or even the 11n is long overdue.

Built-in Skype Client:
The Sony PSP3000 is equipped with the built-in Skype client that can be used for the free Skype to Skype calls as well as the calls to and from the regular mobile phones, only if you have the paid Skype add-ons. Though this might not threaten to be the serious competition to the iPhone or any of the other dedicated mobile phones that are available in the market, the ability to make use of Skype, without the need of a headphone can certainly prove to be very useful.

Remote Play in PSP-3000:
Yet another unique feature of the PSP 3000 is the “Remote Play” which allows the PSP to log on into the PlayStation 3 either via home network or net and stream any video, audio and images that are stored in the PS3.

The Web Browser:
As we had mentioned earlier in the review, the PSP 3000 has a web browser, but you will end up desperate for a touch screen or a numeric keypad. The browser is not well designed and you will find that a lot of the graphically rich pages will be cramped or broken on the screen. This is basically because of the fact that there is very limited flash support and that it is not very robust. Said that, you will be able to control the cursor using the analogue and it is a very nice touch. Most of the people will find that the browsing experience in this Sony PSP is much better than their mobile browsing experience that they get via their phones.

Apart from the web browser is a RSS reader which could use an overhaul to make it easier to use and add your own feeds. There is also a very handy dedicated Google search icon and in addition to all these, the PSP is also equipped with a dedicated Shoutcast client that offers free streaming of internet radio. It is nothing but a plug-in that works via the browser, but since it is overdesigned, it is not as straightforward and easy to use as it should be otherwise.

The Gaming Features:
Though the PSP 3000 has a very impressive set of media and online features, most of the consumers tend to put the console secondary when it comes to gaming on the go. The Nintendo DS remains to be the king of portable gaming and we say this only based on the number of units sold. But you will find that there are lots of teens who are looking for some more sophisticated and less kid oriented games than what the DS offers. For those who are looking for some real killing, fighting and stuff and not great fans of, the cute stuff of Mario, Pokemon, Zelda, Cooking Mama and Animal Crossing games, the PSP will certainly be a welcome breath.

Portable version of PS2?
Initially with the early stage of the PSP, it was knocked down just as a portable version of the PlayStation 2 as so many titles were simply the ports from the PlayStation 2 games. The hit list was mostly dominated by many of the franchise standbys, which includes Grand Theft Auto, SOCOM, Tekken and God of war too. You must also note that these phenomenal titles have been designed for the PSP from the scratch. For those who like some speeding and racing, there are sports, action, racing and shooter games, but all is not sweat and blood as you will also find plenty of quirky puzzle games like Puzzle quest, Lumines and LocoRoco. The list does not end here as the console has a host of family favourites including Ratchet and Clank and Daxter.

Online Multiplayer Component:
You would be delighted to know that most of the popular games have an online multiplayer component. While some of the games offer ad hoc multiplayer, some of the other titles offer Internet play or both. The online game play service is completely free; but the performance of these varies from title to tile and is also dependent on the network speed. The whole experience will be just as fun and fulfilling as playing on a home console.

The store:
The PlayStation store can be accessed via a single PlayStation Network account and you can also have a PS3 and the PSP on a single account. Hence, you will also have the PS3 movies purchased on the system offloaded to be viewed on the PSP.

Performance:

Video:
As far as video is concerned, the PSP3000 is capable of playing them from a variety of sources. Though it is very easy to just buy the pre-recorded UMD video discs, it is the most ill-advised idea. One of the best way outs is to copy your own set of videos from your system on to a Memory Stick Duo card and just pop it on to the PSP. You can also download a wide range of freeware and commercial software products that can readily convert files into PSP friendly formats and resolutions which are MPEG or H.264-AVC and up to 720 x 480 pixels. If you are ready to invest on an add on cable, you will also be able to output the PSP’s audio and video into a TV. One of the most annoying limitations of the PSP 2000 has been corrected in this model which will allow you to have video and game playback on pretty much any TV. In the case of the previous model, the game play had been limited to progressive scan only via the component video that limits you to the HDTV hook-ups. The PSP3000 also has the built-in capability to stream live television from any Sony LocationFree TV device, which is basically Sony’s version of the Slingbox. As long as the PSP is in a Wi-Fi hotspot, the device will be capable of streaming video and change the channels on the LocationFree box, even if you are half way around the globe.

Issue with the resolution:
One of the biggest disappointments with the videos is that, the videos of the UMD disks that have pre recorded videos and from that of a Memory Stick with home ripped videos can be displayed at the DVD level 720 x 480 pixels resolutions but note that the quality will differ depending on the compression of the video. They will fit into the widescreen display of your television set but since the games are locked to the native 480 x 272 pixel display, if your TV does not possess a robust zoom function, you will be stuck with just window boxed experience for gaming.

Audio:
The audio features of the PSP-3000 console are so good, that we can even say that it doubles as a very decent MP3 player. It can play a wide range of formats which includes DRM-free MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC and ATRAC3 files along with the support for album art; exciting! Is it not? In addition to this, it has a visualiser function and support for the Repeat and Shuffle modes. Its support for the images is equally good. The PSP3000 supports the JPEG, GIF and TIFF image formats and it displays the ones stored in the MS Duo card individually or as a slide show. The larger images may have to be compressed before viewing.

Graphics:
We have to appreciate Sony for its kind of graphics in the games as they are much better than what you get out of the DS. In fact, the games are at the level that you can expect from a Play Station 2.

Microphone and Speakers:
The microphone is well and alright when it is used to chat across the pond and bug family and friends via the Skpe, but there are complaints that there is some echo. We have no word on if it supports noise cancellation, but let us just say that the mic is still not the way you will want to talk smack in a friendly online match if, say you are playing in a noisy coffee shop or cafe. If you opt out the headphones, you have always got the external speakers which produces decent amount of volume for the games and UMD movies. But the volumes of the videos that are copied over to the memory stick have very less potential.

Power:

For the sake of power, the PSP3000 has a 5 volt AC power adaptor and the device can also be charged via USB. The only issue is that, charging via USB is a little bit time consuming when compared to the time consumed by the power adaptor to charge the device.

Warranty:

Sony PSP3000 comes with one year limited warranty.

Note:
Though Sony has released its latest model the Sony PSP GO, the PSP 3000 will continue to be sold alongside the most expensive sibling.

Conclusion:

If you ask us if PSP 3000 will be able to replace your iPod, iPhone or even a portable DVD player; for the die-hard media lovers, the answer is no. But if you are looking to travel with a few hours of music and TV shows, then the console makes for a good diversion from a game and also eliminates the need to lug a second device along with you. Though you will not be getting a bigger display as you would get with a DVD player, on the positive side, the PSP is less bulky and you will have a bigger display than the iPod or iPhone. We all are aware of the fact that a small but growing library of games is available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. In addition to this, they also offer far better web browsing, communications and media options and this means that Apple is as big rival to the PSP as the Nintendo currently is.
If you already own a PSP 2000, then we do not think that you need an upgrade unless you are looking to enjoy the minor tweaks like better video and microphone. If you are an original PSP owner and skipped the PSP 2000, you will see an even more dramatic difference upgrading.

Check 2010 Best Game Consoles in this website.

Sony PSP 3000 Handheld - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Sony
Model Name	PSP 3000
Form factor	Handheld
Dimensions (H x W x D)	71 x 168 x 16 mm
Weight	200 grams
Display Type	4.3 inches / 10.9 cm (16:9) full-transparent type, TFT drive
Display Colour Support	Approximately 16,770,000 colours
Available Enclosure Colours	Black, Silver
Colour Support	Yes
Media Type	Read-only Universal Media Disc drive
Compatible Codecs	Universal Media Disc Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level 3. Universal Media Disc Music: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level 3, Linear PCM, ATRAC3plus™. Memory Stick™
Significant Features	PlayStation Store Bluetooth
Processor Type	333 MHz
Built-in Speakers	Yes
Sound output mode	Stereo
Connectivity Features	Headphones , USB , Composite video output
Interface	DC IN 5V connector. Video out/headset connector. Hi-Speed USB. DC OUT connector. Memory Stick Duo™ slot. Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b)
Total Expansion Slots(Free)	1 Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Battery	Rechargeable - Lithium ion
Battery life	3 to 6 hours
Package contents	Sony PSP Go, AC adaptor, a USB chord, Media GO software and an instruction manual
Power	AC Adaptor DC 5.0 V
Power Consumption	Approx. 6 W
Manufacture Warranty	One year limited warranty

Everybody is trying to slim down for this summer and the Nintendo game console is not an exception. In our review of the original Nintendo DS handheld reviews, we had mentioned that, the only characteristic of the console that we did not like is its bulkiness and Well, Nintendo heard us! They have addressed this issue with a signature Nintendo remodelling. In fact, it has been given an extra dosage of style, not only has it slimmed down, it has brightened up too. Called the Nintendo DS Lite, it improves upon its predecessor in almost every conceivable way.

The DS Lite Game Dual Screen console is a beauty of a machine that is a major argument in its own right for clever thinking over packing as much tech into the box as possible. The key selling points of the original DS, such as the dual screen displays, built-in wireless connectivity, touch screen with stylus and microphone for voice control over certain games. The launch of the DS back in the year 2004 was limited success; with the release of the DS Lite in the year 2006 giving it a new lease of life and driving the UK market crazy.

We are reviewers, so it is really hard for us to go past without saying the cons of the model. As far as the Nintendo Lite is concerned, the downside is that the enhancements in the console are only cosmetic than anything else, just offers the gamers a light weighed and much more stylish way of getting their latest Magnetica and Super Mario Bros on.

Design:

The Nintendo DS Makeover:

The tangible weight and size reductions, repositioned buttons, sharper visual performance, repositioned stylus holder, everything is a welcome addition to the Japanese giant’s celebrated family of portable gaming console, the Nintendo DS. Aesthetically the Lite looks absolutely terrific.
This Nintendo DS Lite Handheld console that has got a very notable make-over attempts to make the same fashion statement for video games that the iPod did for the MP3 players. As in the case of iPod, the Lite too comes in a wide spectrum colours. It is also available in a limited edition Pink supported by the female artist with the same name. But at the time of its release only the black and white models were available. Although the DS Lite is available in different colours, it’s the lacquered white finish that shows Nintendo’s new baby off to best effect, hence the obvious Apple comparisons. As in the original DS, the DS Lite too comes with two vertically tiered screens. The bottom touch screen is the one that you will be using on stylus or a finger to perform operations like selecting the moving options and moving characters. If you are not very comfortable with the touch screen operations, a normal face button layout is also available and it gives you a more standard method of control.

It is really lite:

As the name indicates, the console has shredded a lot of weight and is not a much more compact system, measuring (H x W x D) 133 x 72 x 21 mm and weighs just 217 grams. These figures show that the console is about 39% smaller and 21% lighter than its elder brother. In the original model, the bottom half was over sized, but this model has the top and bottom halves symmetrical and rounded corners that are more tampered. Despite the overall size reductions, the trademark twin displays have the same dimensions. With these changes made to the design, the DS Lite is now a much more pocket friendly console.

Finger print and scratch magnet:

The single biggest problem with the DS Lite is that, it comes in a high gloss finish and so is a magnet of fingerprints. Nintendo has also failed to include the rudimentary cleaning cloth in the package. The Black coloured Lite is the device that is most affected by this characteristic of Lite. On the positive side, the clamshell design makes sure that the DS Lite travels well, limiting the scratches and marks to the exterior, while the dual touch displays remain fully protected.

Some repositioning:

The layout of DS Lite is mostly similar to that of Nintendo DS with some slight beneficial changes. The speaker retains its place in the top half of the clamshell, taking the centre position and despite being smaller than the original DS, it sounds as loud as its predecessor. The bottom part of the console feels more flimsy, maybe because we got used to the bulkier model. To the left of the touch screen, you will find the D-Pad that is about ¾ the size of the original, but not reductions in the efficiency. Though the four X, Y, A and B face buttons are essentially the same, they feel a little more pronounced than the original DS. You will no longer find the semi ovals on the top, as the start and stop buttons are now small circles and you will find them on the bottom.  The power button also has been moved to the right side of the system, a re-location from just above the D-pad. This change is one of the most welcome changes as the original looks exactly like the select and start buttons, and had been placed in the same area on the opposite side; this led to occasional turn off instead of pausing.

The facia of the DS Lite Console system has been left untouched, from left to right, you will find the volume control, the GBA game slot and the in-line enabled headphone port. You will find the microphone in the hinge between the screens. The rear of the unit too is basically the same and the only difference you will notice is that, the stylus holder is moved from the back of the system to the left of power switch. Though the left and right triggers have been miniaturised, as in the case of the face buttons, they are more pronounced and much easier to press. The DS cartridge slot is centred at the top, and the AC power port is off to the left. The system includes an AC adaptor, two styli that match the Lite’s colour, and a smaller wrist strap that.

The cartridges:

The DS Lite Console from Nintendo has its own cartridges that have a size that is in between SD and CompactFlash cards. It is almost fully backward compatible with the GameBoy Advance titles; we had to use “almost” there because the unit does not play multiplayer modes of the GBA games. Though the cartridges of DS are much smaller in capacity than the Sony PSP’s UMDs, the good news here is that they can be played without the wait for the unbearable load times of this proprietary format of Sony.

The GBA slot:

The GBA slot itself has undergone some makeover. Instead on an empty cartridge slot, Nintendo has now included a plastic cover that looks like a half size GBA game. It looks as though you will lose it for sure, though it is quite sleek it also put itself in the place of our criticism. The GBA games stick out of the cartridge slot by about a centimeter; the original DS fits the cartridges perfectly. There is nothing very serious to worry about though, as it does not impede the game playing even in the slightest way. And when you consider the fact that the DS is backwards compatible with tons of GBA games, it is really a very small price to pay.

Features of DS Lite:

Forget what the DS Lite does not offer: major interactive feature upgrades, improved quality of games, better software performance or ace out the PSP in terms of whiz bang 3D graphics technology. Instead concentrate on the strides that the system makes like enhancement in the overall quality of gameplay, improvement in visibility and of course more pocket friendly.

Excellent WiFi service:

Being introduced just after a year after the system had launched, the WiFi compatibility on the DS is surprisingly solid, especially considering the fact that it is a free service that is hosted by a company that is known for its aversion to online gaming. As in the case of the original DS, the WiFi setup is extremely simple and efficient in the DS Lite too. The WiFi system recognises most of the wireless connections. If you have no WiFi hot spots nearby, you can always create one from a broadband connected PC just by attaching the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi connector to it.

Play with your buddies nearby:

If you wish to create a friends list, just enter a 12 digit friends codes for each game that you would like to play with your buddies. But if you wish to play against the non-friends, it will either be a hit or a miss as you will not be finding a game to join as fast as you will on an online console like the Xbox 360, but as long as you are playing a fairly popular game in a reasonable hour, it will not be long before you locate your competition. You can even have a voice chat using the offered microphone. We prefer the local wireless as it is much more reliable with the additional benefit of allowing multiplayer via a single cartridge. With the GBA multiplayer games, you will not be able to play head to head over a wireless connection and with the absence of a link cable port, you will not be able to have a wired bond to the older GBAs or Nintendo GameCubes. This is not possible at least until Nintendo releases yet another adaptor that interfaces with the proprietary power port of DS Lite.

Graphics Quality:

The quality of graphics of the DS Lite games is pretty decent. They are better than the PS1/N64, but were nowhere near the quality of Xbox or PS2 or the Nintendo GameCube. And they are no better when compared to the games of PSP. One area where the DS Lite over powered the other consoles is in its innovative quality of titles. While the PSP games were much like the games of its siblings, while the touch screen set-up of the DS-Lite that allows the designers to create some really unique game play. It is quite disappointing that the DS Lite does not have the audio, video and web surfing features of the PSP.

Improved Brightness:

Nintendo has made some real improvements in the brightness settings by upgrading it to four, whereas the original DS had only two of them. At the lowest setting, the Lite is just as bright as the original DS, but at the brightest setting, it is simply brilliant and is as bright as the GBA SP. But the GBA game’s colours look very much washed out while played with the lite, whereas the good quality backlighting of DS makes the graphics of the games stand out.

Games for all:

No body can deny the fact that a console is only good as its games and equally, a console also gets the games that it deserves. As far as the Lite is concerned, Nintendo has led by example with its range of touch generations by producing some groundbreaking titles that not only appeal to the veteran gamers but has also ensnared brand new audiences who previously would not have touched a video game.

For instance, the Nintendogs is essentially a pet simulator having some unique features that will allow you to interact with your digital mutt like never before. With the help of the stylus you will be able to actively tickle and stroke your pooch, throw Frisbees for it to chase and much more. With voice recognition, you can call the pet and even teach him to obey command and teach tricks by speaking directly into the console. In the Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? You take part in a wide range of number and word based challenges against the clock. Based on an analysis of your performance, the game then calculates your brain age and offers a regime for self-improvement. Again, it is the interactivity that makes this such fun, and you will be scribbling down words memorised from lists, shouting out colours and much more.

Software:

The DS software catalogue is expanding at a terrific rate. But it is worth noting that an in-built cartridge slot provides full compatibility with the entire back catalogue of Game Boy Advance games; perfect for retro heads.
For testing the battery performance of the Nintendo DS lite against the DS original, we played an exact same game at the brightest setting and max volumes of each of the systems. The Lite lasted for about five hours whereas its predecessor came out as the winner with about six hours and forty five minutes. It takes about three hours to get the system fully charged and as in the case of the DS original, Lite to goes into sleep mode when the system is closed.

Power Supply:

One thing that is annoying about the DS Lite is that it uses a different power supply to the original DS. Given, it is the same PSU as the GBA Micro, but that is not going to help current DS owners that want to upgrade and fancy having a PSU at work and at home.

Warranty:

Nintendo offers its DS Lite with one year manufacturer’s warranty.

Verdict:

If you still do not own a portable gaming device, the Nintendo DS Lite is worth having a consideration especially with its list of quirky and original titles. So, if you have not yet got the hip to the dual screen diversion’s charms; the touch sensitive titles experienced through top and bottom mounted visual displays using stylus or d-pad and button based front end, this is just the perfect chance. But if you already own the original model, then we would say that the improvements are not very significant enough to shell out another 100 more pounds, unless you are really desperate to get rid of the bulkiness of the handheld console. If you like to own a portable console with more mature titles with decent multimedia capabilities and web browsing, the Sony PSP is a best buy.

Nintendo DS Lite Console - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Nintendo
Model Name	Nintendo DS Lite
Console type	Handheld
Dimensions(H x W x D)	133 x 72 x 21 mm
Weight	216 grams
Game Media type	Cartridge
Sound Output Mode	Stereo
Display	2 Backlit, 260,000 colour, 3? diagonal reflective TFT LCD screens. Lower one is a touch screen. 2D and 3D video acceleration
Display resolution	256×192 pixels
Input Device Type	D-pad; four buttons plus shoulder buttons and select and start buttons; stylus on lower touch screen
Features	One ARM7 processor and One ARM9 processor. 4 megs memory.
Audio	Built in stereo speakers with virtual surround sound, mic and headphone jack
Software bundle	PictoChat wireless messaging application. Clock and calendar. Metroid Prime: First Hunt (first person shooter) demo included.
Game Cartridges supported	Two slots: one for Game Boy Advance games and another for DS game cartridges. The DS is not compatible with Game Boy Color and earlier games.
Modem	No
Ethernet	No
Bluetooth	No
WiFi	Yes
Maximum data transfer rate	11 Mbps
Controls	Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons. The stylus is 1 centimeter longer and 2 millimeters thicker than the stylus of the original Nintendo DS.
Input/Output	Nintendo DS game cards and Game Boy Advance game paks, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone
Languages	English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian
Battery	Rechargeable lithium ion
Battery Life	Five to 19 hours of play on a four-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode
Box contents	Nintendo DS Lite with battery installed, two styli, wrist strap with “thumb stylus” attached at the end, instruction booklet and charger
Warranty	Limited 1 year warranty

Sony had first announced about its portable PSP handheld console in the year 2003 at E3, which first arrived the stores of UK in the year 2005. The PSP Go is the latest device of Sony in the family of portable handhelds that has seen three different models since it was originally launched in the year 2005. This model has dropped the hugely unpopular Universal Media Disc format in favour of the digital downloads via Sony’s online store.

A bold effort:

This PSP is a massive initiative by Sony to capitalise over its massive popularity of Sony PS2 in order to move across its new market, which is pretty much owned by its very strong rival company in the gaming market, the Nintendo. Though Nintendo is said to be having the edge with its dual touch screen at a lower cost, over Sony’s costlier console with a better specification, Sony has still managed to attract a significant amount of market with its much faster, sleeker and good looking PSP.

What is new on the Go:

So, if you ask us what is new in the device? It is not radically new to the PSP franchise. Apart from being much compact than the other three earlier generations of the portable gaming device, it features some additions like built-in Bluetooth, slide out controls and the radical change being completely digital, completely deserting the cartridges and optical discs.

PSP though a makeover:

The list of features of the Sony PSP Go Console is very less, but the device has gone though a complete makeover. The main focus of the make-over has been on removing some fat and shedding some weight. Sony PSP Go is available in black and white colours; you can expect some colourful versions in the future though. Sony has maintained the glossy finishing of the device that attracts scratches and fingerprints as in the case of all the previous models. However, the surfaces surrounding the D-pad and the other controls have been given matte finishing.

Display and Dimensions:

Another thing that you will notice after the very obvious decrease in the width of PSP Go is the fact that its 3.8” display is slightly smaller than the PSP 3000’s 4.3” display. The resolution has been maintained to be the same 480 x 272 pixels and its wide-screen aspect ratio too. Though the screen now has a smaller surface area with less viewing space, since the resolution is in-tact, the graphics look much sharper. The screen is not having the interlacing issue that its predecessor suffered with. The colours, Screen and Brightness have been improvised a lot too.

All these design changes paying off in the dimensions of the device which measures just 5″ wide, 2.75″ tall and just over half inch thick. Particularly when the device is kept close, the minimalistic deign is very appealing.

Into the Pocket-Friendly club:

One of the most evident problem that both the previous models of the PSP and all the various iterations of the Nintendo DS in the last five years was that, though they had the term pocket friendly in their name tag, they were truly not “Pocket” friendly, unless you are wearing cargo pants with a deep O pocket styling. And we have said this because, the latest PSP Go from Sony has come in as a exception by being truly pocket friendly, by sliding easily into your jean pockets without showing off too much of a bulge. But we are not promising any gamer who is a fan of the latest trend of “Skinny Jeans”, as you will not be succeeding shoehorning the PSP Go or any other device for that matter, into your pockets.

Sliding controls:

You will find that the controls are hidden in a slider that pulls from underneath the screen whenever you intend to start playing or watching a video. With the much improved display, the controls that are hidden away are surely a design win. It has two rounded rubber stoppers that allow you to gripe the device well. The overall finger and thumb control over the device is far better when compared with the Nintendo DSi.

Gripes with the arrangement and size of the controls:

Yet, we will have to point out some of the black spots in the arrangement of the controls specially, their in-game performance. Clearly, the issues caused are only because of miniaturising them and awkward positioning. The analog stick has been moved to the right of the D pad that makes you feel off-centred. While put into real action, we could not help noticing that the new positioning felt way too awkward. Though the new PSP users will not find it a big issue, the other PSP veterans will certainly not appreciate the change. The analog stick offered is smaller than that found on its predecessors, but it feels much more sturdy and durable. You can also feel that there is a lot of friction while moving around; they are not much looser as in 3000.

Placement of the controls:

Most of the time, the buttons exhibited no issues, they had solid operations assigned to them like the ones in the Nintendo DSi. The L and R buttons are more prominent, which will be preferred by most of the gamers instead of the shoulder buttons that adorned the earlier versions of the PSP. The start and select buttons have been placed too close to each other and they also do not have the same tactile feedback as the other buttons are having. There has been some rearrangement with the display, volume and sound buttons too; they can now be found between the L and R shoulder buttons. They work alright, but the issue is that you have to look at their location when the screen is slid up to use them. Fortunately, the remaining controls have been left where they had been previously. The power switch is on the lower right side and the wireless switch will be available on the lower left side of the device, immediately below the new M2 micro memory card slot about which we will discuss below.

Memory:

As we had mentioned in the intro, Sony has removed the UMD media slot and opted for a 16GB internal storage unit. In addition to this, the Sony proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo slot has been replaced with a smaller M2 micro memory card slot, which is again a proprietary format of Sony.

Microphone:
As in the case of its predecessor, the PSP Go Video Game Console too has a built-in microphone for applications like Skype and also for making calls via the WiFi. You will find the microphone between analog stick and the Start and Select buttons. By investing on some additional cables, you can hook-up the PSP Go to a TV and you can also buy either a composite or component cable for displaying videos and games.

Absent features of PSP GO:

There are a couple of things that you will not find on the PSP Go; a touch screen and a second analog stick. While the former would make some of the first person shooting games easy and fun, the latter is expected simply because the feature is available in its rival gaming console, the DSi. With a touch screen interface, you would have also enjoyed the advantages of an on screen keyboard for on-screen data entry and surfing.

Efforts paid off:

The whole device stands as a treat showing off the efforts of the design engineers of Sony who have impressively managed to reduce the size and weight of the console. Yet, we have a few grips with the miniaturisation efforts of Sony. First of all, it is disappointing that there is simply no way that you will be able to remove the battery, so you will have to be a really stingy player for about four hours as long as you are away from a plug point. Though it is not too bad for daily use, this will prove to be a killer blow if you are on a long flight journey or something equivalent.

Disappointment for the big hands:

If you are a gamer with big hands, forget it! The Sony PSP Go is not the console for you. They have squeezed the D pad and the analogue nub into a very small real estate that will be a deal breaker for you. If you are having big hands, it is better that you at least get a demo for about half an hour, playing with any of your friend’s device or that of your dealer, before you even think of swiping your card.

WiFi with no upgrades:

Wi-Fi is back and, disappointingly, Sony deemed it unworthy of an upgrade. So, you can have any type of connection you want so long as it is the most basic 802.11b variety and nothing can lend you a helping hand if the encryption is set to anything other than WEP or WPA1.

Browser:

The web browser is slow and awful when viewing full fat websites, with Flash playback, it is particularly slow and cumbersome. Mobile only sites look OK though, while PSP optimised sites, such as the online manual, are of course, good.

Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity:

Sony has added Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity in its PSP GO handheld Console, which is a very good addition as it makes all the wireless tasks feasible and extremely easy. With this feature, you can connect to wireless headsets, but we had experienced some difficulties in getting a stereo headset in good working condition, connected to the device. One very fine advantage of the Bluetooth feature is that you will be able to control the PSP via a PS3 controller. But for this to work; you have to connect both the devices and the controller to a PS3 simultaneously with the help of USB cables.

A better media:

Since the UMD slot has been removed, accessing of all the multimedia and gaming has to be done via the 16GB of internal storage or with the M2 memory stick. With the help of the built-in WiFi, you will be able to download software from the Sony PlayStation store directly to their PSP Go, or even transfer data from the PC or PS3 via a USB. You can expect Sony to sell some big budget downloadable games, which will also be available in the UMD media and for such titles; it will be a wiser to transfer data directly from your PC or PlayStation 3 with the help of USB rather than using the WiFi connection on your PSP. For instance, downloading the MotorStrom of 520MB takes more than 2 hours to complete from the GO and just 20 minutes via the PC.

Multimedia capabilities:

Apart from gaming, you can have fun with the multimedia capabilities of the PSP Go that includes playback of videos, digital music and photos. As we mentioned earlier, it also has a rudimentary web browser and a dedicated Internet Radio player.

Operating System:

The PSP Go operates on an OS that is slightly different from that of its predecessors; Software version 5.70. There is very little difference between them and this will be mostly because of the fact that the slider affects the behaviour of the device. For instance, when the screen of the system is closed, the device gets into a screen saver mode that displays an analog clock and date. Both the shoulder buttons have to be hit together in order to bring up a calendar and scroll through the months by hitting over either the L or R buttons. When the device is slid open again, you will be taken to the XMB menu. These specific behaviours of the device can be customised, for instance, you can set the device to go into sleep instead of the clock display.
One other improvement that has been made to the firmware of the PSP GO is that, you have an option to pause a game and return to the cross media bar. And while playing, just by hitting over the PlayStation logo button in the bottom left corner of the screen, the home menu will come up and by hitting over the Pause Game button, freeze the game and return to it later by clicking over the “Resume Game” button under the game icon in the XMB. Though it takes about 10 seconds to pause a game, this feature is very useful.

Games seal the deal:

Fashion factors aside, you must be asking us what is the great deal with the £225 price tag for this new kit, and you may even argue with us saying that you might as well buy a new PS3 slim for that kind of a tag. So, here is the deal why you must go for this UMD free toddler. Sony has decided to expand the online offering that are available to more than 225 games, 2300 movies and more than 13,000 TV episodes and the new game titles include the most anticipated titles and brand new ones. You will be able to put some serious time in on your commutes to work this Christmas with the new Gran Turismo, Motostrom: Artic Edge or Fifa 10, really tempting, is it not?  Some of the other notable PSP titles include Pixel Junk Monsters Deluxe, Tiger Woods PGA tour 10, Soulcaliber: Broken Destiny, Monster Hunter: Freedom Unite, Madden NFL 10, God of War: Chain of Olympus, Star Wars: Battlefront II, Beaterator, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas, Field runners and Tetris.

The PlayStation store:

In order to taste the same kind of success that Apple tasted with the micro transaction based download system with the iPhone and iPod Touch, Sony is doing its best in order to add similar elements of casual gaming to the PlayStation store. As an initiative in this attempt, Sony has included the PSP Minis which is the latest bite sized casual gaming that will be offered exclusively in the PlayStation Store. The best part about these games is that they are not exclusive to PSP GO; they can be downloaded by any of the PlayStation users, it is just that they are released at the same time as the GO. You can buy them either by loading up with the PlayStation Store Credits or even by buying the prepaid cards at the retailers that have a unique unlock code. We found that these games cost a wee bit more than the usual costs paid at the App stores.

Not very intuitive:

The PlayStation is not an intuitive online applications store. There are no screen shots offers for the games and they are also not organised in a logical manner. Yet another issue with the downloading is that, once you start downloading, you will not be able to use the GO for anything else until the download is complete.

The PlayStation network:

If you are having games and content across a number of Sony devices, you can link them all into your online PlayStation Network account in order to make sure that you can play or view whatever you have purchased. This is in fact quite useful and with this technology available, you will be able to share content with up to five Sony devices. Just buy them once and you can make use of them in any of PSPs or PS3 at no extra charge.

This is just one reason why you might want to go for the PSP Go, you can download games, demos, movies and trailers from Sony’s online store quite easily and the whole process is pretty straightforward. But if you are possessing a stack of the older UMD games, that are not available on the PS store, then you will be a little displeased. And we are sure that no one will be really interested in two PSP versions with them.

Performance:

Though there are a few speculations that there is an advanced chipset employed in the PSP GO that aids in a better performance, we virtually found that there is not much difference with this model and its predecessor.

Software:

Sony has included a Media Go Software in the package that allows you to convert most of the videos for playback on the PSP Go and also rip audio CDs to the device. The software functions between the PC and PSP Go, the same way as iTunes and iPod.

Battery and battery life of PSP GO:

As in the case of its iPhone companion, the PSP GO is also bad in battery life. In addition to this the fact that it is not user replaceable is letting us down. This has been deliberately done by Sony in order to combat piracy, as we know that the previous PSP models have been exploited via custom battery packs like Pandora’s Battery. The battery life is same as that you must have found in the PSP 2000 and PSP 3000. Sony claims that you will get about three to six hours of gaming time. The ability to manually check the battery life in the PSP has been removed, hope to get back the feature in the next firmware upgrade.

Inside the box:

The accessories supplied with the console include an AC adaptor, a USB chord, Media GO software and an instruction manual. As in the case of the previous PSPs, Sony does not offer a standard mini USB port and instead, everything has to be connected with the help of a proprietary port. This includes AC adaptor, the USB cord and the afore-mentioned PSP Go cable accessories that allow you to view the games and videos on a TV display.

Warranty:

Sony offers its latest PSP GO one year limited warranty for parts and labour.

Verdict:

The new Sony PSP Go has been designed beautifully for the “On the go” gamers. It certainly has the wow factor that you would like your mates to be impressed with the new and innovative technology. It is a great device, but we feel that it is over-priced. The value of it can be determined only by the kind of games and videos Sony offers for the device online. With the PSP3000 available at a much lower cost, it is hard for us to recommend Go to the people; the console also has fewer number of games that it can currently play.

You can go forward and get the device playing for you, if you have no issues with the staggering price tag.

Sony PSP GO Game Console (Black, White) - Specification Details

Manufacturer	Sony
Model Name	PSP GO
Form factor	Handheld
Dimensions (H x W x D)	2.7” x 5” x 0.7”
Weight	5.6 oz
Display Type	3.8 in TFT active matrix LCD display
Display Colour Support	16.7 million colours
Available Enclosure Colours	Black and White
Colour Support	Yes
Included Games	Gran Turismo, Motostrom: Artic Edge or Fifa 10 and lots more
Media Type	16GB internal storage unit M2 micro memory card
Significant Features	Slider screen Pocket friendly PlayStation Store Bluetooth
Processor Type	333 MHz
Built-in Speakers	Yes
Sound output mode	Stereo
Connectivity Features	Headphones , USB , Composite video output
Input Device Type	Game pad - Integrated
Total Expansion Slots(Free)	1 Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Battery	Rechargeable - Lithium ion
Battery life	3 to 6 hours
Package contents	Sony PSP Go, AC adaptor, a USB chord, Media GO software and an instruction manual
Manufacture Warranty	One year limited warranty