PSP Going For $99

At this years Gamescom, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced along side the PlayStation 3 Price-Drop to $249.99 which we're very excited about, the new PlayStation Portable (PSP) that will be set to launch at $99. Its Sony's mentality to invest in and support their hardware for as long as consumers see value in it and it would seem Sony's newest announcement is a testament to that and we're not going to lie to you and in fact, will throw it out there right at the start. Its nothing all that exciting to us.

So, the questions are why and how? The PSP Budget is a pretty much a PSP without WiFi integration that's supposed to cut back the price of the unit to make it more affordable and prolong the life of the PSP. As of this moment, the PSP 3000 is selling for $129.99 for the Core model at your local GameStop. So, the PSP Budget is only $29 less. It looks to be a little different in appearance as the slider the optional Ad-hoc mode is gone as well as the LED. The shoulder buttons appear to be black as well as the Sony logo's. This thing looks like they pulled it out of the fire and forgot to put a coat of polish on it. However, the look of the matte finish is a welcomed I think. The PSP spends the entirety of its life within warm hands with grubby greasy fingers and having that matte finish eliminates that, should that be so.

But seriously, is this something that's really worth it not only to Sony fans, but Sony Corp? Lets face it, today's gaming world is all about connecting online. Connecting with your friends via Facebook, Twitter, Skype or online games. Linking up through a party on Xbox Live or getting together on PlayStation Home. (I know, you laugh.) But what happens when you remove that? Well, you've taken its soul.

The point is, the new PSP lacks what's really important to gaming these days. Now, you have to pull the memory stick out of your PSP, or hardline it to your PC to download content from the PlayStation Store rather than it just being there at your fingertips. Games like Patapon and Madden are suddenly unplayable. The video store is gone and Skying with friends and family are options that are stripped from the unit as well, not to mention Qriocity. If anything, the PSP Budget makes us all the more excited for the PlayStation Vita that will have it all taking portable gaming to a whole level. Does it work for Sony? Yeah. Those who don't know any better will shell out the cash and place a little coin in Sony's pocket so its profitable for them, but it just doesn't do it for us. Having WiFi with our gaming experience is an absolute. Its what separated the PS3 from the Xbox 360 for so long and was an Ace in Sony's hand for a good while so much so that Microsoft integrates WiFi in every Xbox 360 now. So, for us, we'll wait for the Vita releasing early next year.

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