GameStop will be opening at 6AM on Black Friday, a good 10 hours before most hardcore gamers normally wake up. The good news is that you can basically just stay up an extra couple hours, make your purchases, and then go home and go to bed.

Here’s a list of the goodies that’ll be on sale. Doorbusters are marked with an asterisk and will be available until 11AM.

Digital Media Cards

SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo 2GB (PSP) – $14.99

SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo 4GB (PSP) – $19.99

SanDisk Wii/DSi 2GB SD Card (Wii) – $7.49

SanDisk Wii/DSi 4GB SDHC Card (Wii) – $14.99

Video Games

AC/DC Track Pack w/Rock Band Purchase – Free

Assassin’s Creed II (Xbox 360) – $59.99

Bakugan Battle Brawlers (DS) – $29.99

Band Hero (Game Only) (Wii) – $59.99 

Batman Arkham Asylum (PS3) – $39.99 *

Batman Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360) – $39.99 *

Beatles Rockband (Xbox 360) – $49.99

Ben 10 Alien Force (DS) – $9.99

Ben 10 Alien Force (Wii) – $9.99

Borderlands (PS3) – $49.99

Borderlands (Xbox 360) – $49.99

Buy 2 Get 1 Free On All Pre-Owned Games and Accessories – B2G1 Free

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (PS3) – $59.99

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360) – $59.99

Call of Duty World at War (PS3) – $39.99 *

Call of Duty World at War (Xbox 360) – $39.99 *

Call of Juarez Bound in Blood (Xbox 360) – $19.99

Chicken Blaster w/Wii Rifle (Wii) – $29.99

Crisis Core – Final Fantasty VII (PSP) – $9.99

Dead Space (Wii) – $19.99 *

Dirt 2 (Xbox 360) – $49.99

Drawn to Life (DS) – $19.99

Drawn to Life (Wii) – $39.99

DS Duo Game Case & Stylus – $4.99

DS Lite Traveler Case – $4.99

Dynasty Warriors 6 (Xbox 360) – $19.99

Fallout 3 (PS3) – $49.99

Fallout 3 (Xbox 360) – $49.99

Family Game Night (Xbox 360) – $39.99

Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) – $39.99

Fossil Fighters (DS) – $34.99

Game Boy Advance SP Pre-owned System – $29.99

Gears of War (Used) (Xbox 360) – $9.99

God of War II (PS2) – $19.99

God of War II (PS3) – $39.99

Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3) – $19.99

Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) – $19.99

Gran Turismo 3 (Used) (PS2) – $1.99

Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) – $29.99

Gran Turismo (PSP) – $39.99

Guild Wars Trilogy (PC) – $24.99

Guitar Hero 5 (PS3) – $39.99

Guitar Hero 5 (Xbox 360) – $39.99

Guitar Hero Aerosmith (Used) (PS3) – $7.49

Guitar Hero Aerosmith (Used) (Xbox 360) – $7.49

Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock (Used) (PS3) – $4.99

Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock (Used) (Xbox 360) – $4.99

Guitar Hero World Tour (Used) (PS3) – $14.99

Guitar Hero World Tour (Used) (Xbox 360) – $14.99

Halo 3 ODST (Xbox 360) – $39.99

Jewelry Design (DS) – $19.99

Left 4 Dead 2 (PC) – $29.99

Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360) – $39.99

LEGO Rock Band (Xbox 360) w/Free Lego Keychain – $49.99

Little Big Planet (PSP) – $39.99

Littlest Pet Shop Starter Kit (DS) – $14.99

Madden NFL ‘08 (Used) (PS3) – $2.99

Mario and Sonic Olympic Winter Games (Wii) – $49.99

Mario Kart (DS) – $34.99

Mario Kart Super Circuit (Used) (GBA) – $19.99

Mario Kart (Wii) – $49.99

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (DS) – $34.99

Mario Party (DS) – $34.99

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (PSP) – $19.99

MySims Agents (Wii) – $19.99 *

My Sims Racing (DS) – $29.99

Naruto Shippuden Ninja Destiny 2 (DS) – $19.99

NCAA Football ‘10 (Xbox 360) – $49.99

Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii) – $19.99 *

Need for Speed Shift (Xbox 360) – $39.99

Nerf w/Controller (Wii) – $59.99

Nintendo DSi Limited Edition Brain Age Bundle – $169.99

Nintendo DSi Limited Edition Mario Bundle – $169.99

Nintendo DSi System – $169.99

Nintendo DS Lite Pre-owned System – $59.99

Nintendo DS Original Pre-owned System – $49.99

Nintendo Wii Console – $199.99

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers Sky (DS) – $34.99

Pokemon Platinum Version (DS) – $34.99

Pokemon Ranger (Used) (DS) – $12.99

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (DS) – $34.99

Prototype (PS3) – $29.99

Prototype (Xbox 360) – $29.99

PS2 Console – $99.99

PS2 Pre-owned Console – $39.99

PS2 Slim Pre-owned Console – $49.99

PS3 120GB Console – $299.99

PS3 120GB Holiday Bundle with 3 Games – $299.99 *

PS3 DualShock 3 Wireless Controller – $54.99

PS3 Energizer Controller Charger – $19.99

PSP 3000 Core Pack – $169.99

PSP Assassin’s Creed Bloodline Bundle – $199.99

PSP Go In-Ear Headset – $19.99

PSP Go System – $249.99

PSP Go Traveler Case – $19.99

PSP Original Pre-owned System – $79.99

PSP Road Gear Kit – $9.99

Rainbox Six Vegas (PSP) – $9.99

Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) – $29.99

Scribblenauts (DS) – $29.99

Sims 3 (PC) – $29.99

Sing It w/ Microphone (Wii) – $49.99

Smackdown Vs Raw 2010 (Xbox 360) – $49.99

SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals (Used) (PSP) – $9.99

Spider Man (Xbox 360) – $19.99

Spore Hero Arena (DS) – $29.99

Spore Hero (Wii) – $19.99 *

Style Lab Makeover (DS) – $19.99

Style Savvy (DS) – $34.99

Super Mario Bros. (DS) – $34.99

Super Mario Bros. (Wii) – $49.99

Super Mario Galaxy (Used) (Wii) – $39.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Smash-Up (Wii) – $29.99

Tekken 6 (Xbox 360) – $39.99

The Price is Right (Wii) – $19.99

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) – $59.99

Various Charm Girls Club Games (Prom, Show, Mall) (DS) – $29.99

Various Littlest Pet Shop Games (DS) – $29.99

Wii Active – $29.99

Wii Energizer Power & Play Station – $19.99

Wii Fit Plus (Game Only) – $19.99

Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board – $99.99

Wii Motion Plus – $24.99

Wii Music (Used) (Wii) – $39.99

Wii Nunchuck – $19.99

Wii Play – $49.99

Wii Play (Used) (Wii) – $9.99

Wii Remote – $39.99

Wii Remote Controller Red – $29.99

Wii Sports Pack – $9.99

Wii Sports Resort – $49.99

Wii Sports Resort w/Free 2nd MotionPlus Controller – $49.99 *

Wii Zapper w/Link’s Crossbow Training – $24.99

Wireless Controller and Charger (Xbox 360) – $69.99

World of Warcraft Battlechest (PC) – $19.99

World of Warcraft (PC) – $4.99

World of Zoo (Wii) – $29.99

Xbox 360 Arcade Console – $199.99

Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle with 3 Games – $299.99 *

Xbox 360 Energizer Controller Charger – $19.99

Xbox Live 3 Month Gold Card – $19.99

Zelda (Used) (DS) – $19.99

GameStop Black Friday Ad [BlackFriday.info]

Read more Black Friday posts…

Blank Media

Maxell 50-Pack DVD+R or DVD-R Media – $9.49

Digital Cameras

Fujifilm A170 10.2MP Digital Camera – $69.99

GE A1250 12.2MP Digital Camera – $69.99

Kodak M341 12.2MP Digital Camera – $129.99

Vivitar V8025S 8.1MP Digital Camera – $49.99

Digital Media Cards

SanDisk 2GB microSD Memory Card – $6.49

SanDisk 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card – $6.49

DVD Players

Curtis Compact DVD Player – $17.99 *

GPX 8″ Portable DVD Player w/ Remote – $79.99

Electronics

Audiovox Under-Cabinet 10″ HDTV & DVD Player – $179.99

Belkin HDTV Starter Kit – $34.99

Coby 1.5″ Digital Photo Keychains – $9.99

DieHard Batteries (8 AA or AAA, 4 C or D, 2 9V) – $5.50

GPX Under-the-Counter AM/FM CD Clock Radio – $24.99

Jazz T55 Digital Camcorder – $49.99

Kodak 7″ Digital Photo Frame – $49.99

Kodak 8″ Digital Photo Frame – $99.99

Maxell Headphones (Assorted Colors) – $2.79

Memorex Ambient iPod / CD Shelf System – $79.99

Net 10 Motorola Prepaid Slider Phone – $29.99

Pandigital 7″ Digital Photo Frame – $49.99

Portable Karaoke System w/ Microphone – $29.99

RCA iPod Docking CD Shelf System – $59.99

Sakar iSpeakers for MP3 Players B1G1F – $9.99

Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Player – $149.99

Vtech DECT 6.0 Cordless 2-Handset Phone – $29.99

Wireless Gear Bluetooth Car Kit – $19.99

GPS Systems

Magellan RoadMate 1440 GPS Navigation System – $119.99

TomTom One 130 Portable 3.5″ GPS System – $79.99

MP3 Players

GPX 4GB Portable MP3 Player – $24.99

Mach Speed 2GB Clip MP3 Player – $11.99

Portable USB Storage

PNY 8GB USB 2.0 Mini Flash Drives – $9.99

SanDisk 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive – $6.49

Televisions

AOC Envision 24″ Widescreen 1080p LCD HDTV – $229.99

Element 40″ Widescreen 1080p LCD HDTV – $549.99

Samsung 50″ Widescreen Plasma HDTV – $699.99

Sylvania 32″ LCD HDTV w/ Built-in DVD Player – $349.99

Venturer 17″ Widescreen LCD HDTV – $119.99

Video Games

A Boy and His Blob for Nintendo Wii – $29.99

Assorted Nintendo DS Video Game 2-Packs – $14.99

Assorted Nintendo Wii Video Game 2-Packs – $14.99

Assorted Sony PS2 Video Game 3-Packs – $9.99

Assorted Sony PS3 Video Game 2-Packs – $24.99

Assorted Xbox 360 Video Game 2-Packs – $24.99

EA Active for Nintendo Wii – $39.99

Forza Motorsport 3 for Xbox 360 – $39.99

Guitar Hero Metallica for All Platforms – $39.99

Guitar Hero Smash Hits for All Platforms – $39.99

Guitar Hero World Tour for All Platforms – $29.99

Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Bundle for PS3 – $49.99

Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Bundle for Wii – $49.99

Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Bundle for Xbox 360 – $49.99

Halo 3 ODST for Xbox 360 – $39.99

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 for Nintendo Wii – $29.99

Nintendo Wii w/ Free $25 Nintendo Gaming Coupon – $199.99

Sony PSP 3000 Core System w/ Free $25 Gaming Coupon – $169.99

Sony PSP Gran Turismo Pack w/ Free $25 Gaming Coupon – $199.99

Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board for Nintendo Wii – $99.99

Kmart Thanksgiving Black Friday Ad [BlackFriday.info]

See more Black Friday posts here…

The L and R buttons flash, there are a couple of LEDs behind the speakers, and the four epilepsy invoking LEDs on the back flash in response to the sound coming out of the thing. Here’s a breakdown of how he did it, if you’re curious.

[Via Ubergizmo]

So the PS3 Slim was an absolute monster at retail (look at us, using superlative adjectives on a Monday!), selling one million systems since its release. (Keep in mind that’s an old number by now.) How’s the PSP Go doing? It’s doing well, yes, but I don’t think we can call it a monster yet. Sales in the UK were up 120 percent in the week following its launch. We don’t have U.S. numbers yet. Sorry.

Are those numbers good? Yeah, they’re good, but, much like the PSP Go itself, they’re not out of this world or anything.

Sony Europe put out an OFFICIAL STATEMENT~! (yes, I’m ripping off Figure 4 Weekly) that reads:

PSPgo has performed in line with our expectations, driving 100 per cent incremental volume for the category and has benefited the broad PSP portfolio with PSP-3000 also enjoying a big lift. PSP software sales also having been a standout with both new releases GT PSP and FIFA 10 performing well.

Note that Sony said it’s performed “within” expectations; expectations weren’t exceeded. So I don’t know if we can attribute sales directly to the PSP Go, or to the pretty big releases in Gran Turismo and FIFA. Unlike the Europeans, I paid full price for my copy of Gran Turismo!

And now we play the waiting game vis-à-vis U.S. numbers.

Surely I’m not the only one who remembers Homer and the Sorny television?

Rumored for God knows how long, and teased for months, the Sony PSP Go is finally available at your friendly neighborhood retailer. We have one—well, I have one—and have been playing with it for a couple of days now. As such, consider this a review. Spoiler: It’s not bad, but not great either.

What is the PSP Go? Nearest I can tell, it’s Sony’s attempt to usher in the Download Era. No more visiting the local shop to buy Game 3: Yes, It’s a Sequel to the Sequel, or waiting for the UPS man to bring your Amazon or Newegg order. Nope, all you’ll have to do is fire up your device, which, in this case, is the PSP Go, connect to a virtual store, then download the latest game directly to the device’s storage. Congratulations, you’re now the proud owner of Game 3, all without having to leave the comfort of your home. The concept itself, I think, is fantastic, and has been used by the likes of Steam for some time now. Who needs a pile of discs, and their plastic shells, when all you want is the game itself? That’s my attitude, though I can totally understand when people say, “I want the disc!” Your business is your business, and who am I to judge how you want to play your games?

Even Sony recognizes that there’s bound to be more than a few people who aren’t quite ready to give up their discs, which is why the PSP-3000 isn’t going anywhere for a while. (In fact, there’s gonna be a wicked Gran Turismo bundle coming out later this month, which, if I didn’t already have an old PSP (and now the Go), I’d be all over.) Expect the PSP Go and PSP-3000 to co-exist for some time, just like how the Nintendo DS and GameBoy Advance co-existed for some time. Should the PSP Go prove to be any sort of success, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony axe the PSP-3000 in the future.

So that’s the philosophy of the PSP Go: a neat little device that’s able to download PSP (and PS One classic) games from the Internet.

While the philosophy is fine, and is one I subscribe to, the actual execution isn’t all there. If the PSP Go were a pro wrestling match, and I were using the Wrestling Observer five-star rating system (which I’ll be doing from now on with my reviews, thank you very much), I’d give the PSP Go a solid three point five (3.5) out of five stars. It’s not a perfect device, and it’s just shy of being very good; it’s good. (For comparison’s sake, I’d give the Zune HD a four point five (4.5) out of five: if only the screen were a little more legible in direct sunlight it would the best piece of hardware I’ve ever owned. It really is that good.)

So what’s wrong with the PSP Go? Let’s talk about what’s right first, then get into its shortcomings.

Eu gosto de…

• See you in Hell, UMDs. The UMD could be the worst disc format I’ve ever used. It’s clunky and brittle all at the same time (doesn’t it feel like a slight wind could shatter a UMD?), dreadfully slow, and, in 2009, entirely unnecessary. With flash storage being so cheap these, not to mention so fast, I’m very happy to see Sony kill of the UMD in the PSP Go. That’s right: If you didn’t already know, there’s no UMD drive in the PSP Go. At the moment, that means that your collection of UMD-based PSP games are 100 percent obsolete, provided you don’t plan on keeping a PSP-3000 (or older) handy. Sony has said that it’s planning some sort of trade-in program for the future, but it’s currently being held back by legal reasons. Or, if you’re a cynic, perhaps Sony wants us to buy Vice City Stories or Soulcalibur all over again, this time from the PlayStation Network?

• The general size and shape of the device. The PSP-3000 isn’t exactly huge, but unless you’re wearing Rocawear jeans you’re gonna have a hard time fitting it in your pocket. The PSP Go’s display has the same resolution as previous models (480×272), but on a smaller screen, so images “look sharper,” in layman’s terms. It slides open and shut sorta like the T-Mobile G1 (or pick your slider phone), but never feels like it’s going to break on you. The PSP Go also just looks neat, maybe not as neat as the Zune HD, but neat nonetheless; you tell it was recently designed, whereas the PSP-3000 looks so 2005 by this point.

• The screen. The screen, she is not bad. I played Gran Turismo, Rock Band, and Silent Hill (the PS One game), and all the games looked pretty good to me. I understand “pretty good” is more or less a worthless phrase, but at no point did I think, “Well this screen is rubbish.” Once again, playing the thing in direct sunlight just isn’t going to happen, but you probably assumed as much by now. Besides, I imagine playing this while on-the-go, as it were: on the train, at the airport, etc. If you’re on the Copacabana in Rio playing a portable video game system you may have to check yourself.

Eu não gosto de…

• The download speed. This, I feel, is the single worst part about the PSP G0: it only has 802.11b Wi-Fi! I’m sorry, is this 2003? For a system that’s supposed to usher in the dawn of a new era, this is the absolute dumbest thing Sony could have done. What’s the price difference between an 802.11b and 802.11g chipset? (The Rock: It doesn’t matter that the price difference is!) How much money did Sony lose already with the PS3, $400 zillion? Man up and go with 802.11g. Let me illustrate how slow this is, and keep in mind that I have the fastest residential Internet connection in the United States of America: Gran Turismo for the PSP weighs in at 937MB. It took 21 minutes to download the game, and a further 20 to actually install it. This is not good enough! At that point, I may as well have driven to the store, bought a physical copy of the game, stopped at Taco Bell, then watched a good chunk of The Ultimate Fighter all in the time it took to download and install.

• Game prices. Downloaded from PSN, Gran Turismo cost the same price as it does at retail stores: $39.99 (plus tax! bite me, New York state!) Couldn’t Sony throw us, say, a $5 discount because we’re not buying a physical item that costs money to produce, then ship, then sit on Wal-Mart’s shelves? Isn’t that one of the allures of downloading content, that it cuts out the middleman (the retail stores like Best Buy), and has zero costs associated with production? It’s not like there’s a truck that deliver the ISO from Sony’s servers to my PSP Go, a truck that needs gas, has a driver who’s on a salary, etc. These prices need to be lowered because, otherwise, what’s the point? I already said how it’s not terribly fast to download the game, and now it’s not any less expensive? Lame.

• The nub. If it’s at all possible, I will never use that thing. The physical location of the nub is fine, I have no problems there, but it just feels useless. (Needless to say, I’ve been using the D-Pad to play Gran Turismo, like I did in 1998 when the first game came out.) Would it be impossible to include an actual analog stick? (The D-Pad, for the record, feels more “clicky” than “pushy,” if that makes any sense.)

Conclusão

Again, using the Wrestling Observer five-star rating system, I’d give the PSP Go a fair three point five (3.5) out of five. It’s not going to light the world on fire like the iPhone or anything, but it’s not a huge bucket of fail either. The Wi-Fi is murderously slow, and for something that’s supposed to be all about downloads, well, I think that’s an oversight on Sony’s part. Once your games have downloaded, though, then you’ve got as much space on there as you want. The PSP Go comes with 16GB of built-in storage, which is expandable up to 32GB with the addition of a Memory Stick Micro card. (Are there even 32GB of PSP games worth playing out there? So that’s plenty of space, unless you want to watch movies and whatnot, which I patently have zero interest in.)

So, not bad, but could have been a little bit better, absolutely.

Credit to Sony for actually putting together a reasonably good PSP bundle. Starting on October 1, for $199, you can buy a bundle that includes the PSP-3000 (not the PSP Go, mind you), a copy of Gran Turismo PSP, a voucher to download a Corvette ZR1 in an exclusive-to-this-bundle color, a 2GB memory stick, a PSN movie downloadable voucher (movie hasn’t been announced yet), and a Sony MusicPass that’s worth 10 downloadable songs. Not too shabby.

Of course, the bundle could have been so much better. Want to ensure that the PSP Go sells really well? Throw a copy of Gran Turismo PSP on there (a voucher, more specifically), along with an exclusive car color. Or, go one step better, how about an exclusive car? It doesn’t even have to be a real car, just make the SONY CAR that’s a 10/10 in every parameter (top speed, acceleration, brakes, etc).

Granted, I don’t have Sony’s numbers in front of me, and I’m sure the bean counters wouldn’t want to give too much away.

And if I may, while we’re on the subject of racing games, may I point you in the direction of GRID? It’s made by Codemasters, the same people behind the DIRT series, and it’s fantastic. (I prefer GRID to DIRT just because I’m not too keen on rally racing.) But man alive, the game is great. Probably the best racing game I’ve played since I first played Gran Turismo 1. (I remember reading the gushing IGN review thinking to myself, “Dear Lord I need this game.”) Codemasters now has the F1 license, too, so be sure to look for the first F1 game in years next year. Recreate all the drama from this season, including: Schumacher replacing, and then not replacing, Felipe Massa; Fernando Alonso’s continued flirting with Ferrari; and the death and re-birth (kinda) of Honda.

Word on the street is that Sony will release a PSP-4000. You act surprised.

The PSP-4000 would replace the current PSP-3000; it will have nothing to do with the PSP Go, Sony’s UMD-less system that’s due on October 1.

This rumor comes by way of someone (“Super_Secret”) who leaked the plans of the PS3 Slim, and look how that turned out.

I would imagine it would include things like an improved screen, better battery life, etc. You know, the things that usually happen with this type of product revision.

Look what just showed up on Amazon. That’s right, it’s the PSP Go, ready for pre-order for $248.99. That’s a deal, too—you save an entire dollar. That’s red-hot.

There’s really nothing too crazy going on here. The white model is the full $249.99, so no idea what’s that about.

I don’t know, I’m still on the fence with this one. If Sony were to go out of its way to insure that a tremendous amount of PS1 games were available to download, not just a smattering of meh titles, then I could see this being a pretty great little system. Imagine playing a little Gran Turismo or Crash Bandicoot or whatever while on the god-awful 7 Train in New York.

Same ole song and dance from Sony today. The AssCreed: Bloodlines PSP bundle will drop in November with a white PSP-3000, the Bloodlines game, an unannounced UMD movie and a 2GB memory card for $200.

Enough with the freaking PSP bundles, Sony!

Update: You’ll want to read the Q&A in the PS Blog post, but I’ve gone ahead and done it for you. Bloodlines connects AC to AC2, so Ubisoft highly suggests you pick this up for the PSP. Free roaming will be a huge part of Bloodlines as it was in the first Assassin’s Creed title.

As players unlock health and Hidden blade upgrades in Assassin’s Creed 2 PS3, the same upgrades will be unlocked in Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines (PSP). It also works the other way round: on the PS3 you will be able to access any Templar Coins and special weapons you’ve collected on the PSP.

PS Blog

While we’re all thrilled to see Google throw a new coat of paint onto the Linux kernel, there are, in fact, other things going on Out There, like, say, the quickly evolving PSP. Yesterday’s exotic rumor suggested that Sony is working on a full-fledged PSP2, a system with Xbox1-level graphics. Today I spy an interview with a Sony so-and-so that attempts to explain the company’s rationale for the PSP Go, how PSN compares to XBL these days, and so forth.

The highlights (kids today only have attention spans for highlights):

• Again, the PSP Go isn’t meant to replace the PSP-3000; not everyone in the world has access to broadband, and some people just like having physical media.

• The plan is to have every game from here on out available digitally (via the PSN or store-bought download cards… not every 16-year-old can use his father’s credit card to buy stuff online).

• Yes, Sony wants to bring as many PSOne games to the PSN as it can.

• A PS3 download service is a little harder to pull off than the Xbox 360 download service for the simple reason that PS3 games come on Blu-ray discs while Xbox 360 games are DVD-like. It’s harder to download, and store, 50GB than it is to download and store 9GB.

• Sony thinks PSN isn’t as “behind” XBL as it was, say, two years ago.

• There’s no plans yet for HD video/movie streaming on the PS3

Well how do you like that? It seems Sony was in town here in New York showing off the PSP Go. (I refuse to use that dumb exclamation point anymore.) Of course, CrunchGear wasn’t invited to play with it, to my knowledge, but let’s not complain about that today, on this very sad day. Anyway, Cnet got to play with the device, and put together this snazzy video. Let’s watch it!

Did we learn anything by watching this video? My vote is “no,” but that’s OK, not every video has to be ground-breaking.

Here’s some new PSP Go info in case anyone wants to know. There will be three new features on the Go that aren’t available on the PSP-3000: Game sleep function, Bluetooth function, clock and calendar application. And PSP Euro Product Manager Adam Grant says the Go will have 3 to 6 hours of battery life for gameplay and 3 to 5 for videos.

* Game sleep function: You will be able to operate the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) while suspending the gameplay temporarily.
* Bluetooth function: This is going to let you use your favourite wireless head phones to listen to music, play games and watch videos….
* Clock and calendar application: We have included a clock and calendar application which can be viewed both when the sliding panel is open and closed.

PS Blog Europe via Siliconera

Quick and easy: Sony says that “that just about everything hitting after October 1 will be available for download.” That’s for the PSP Go!, mind you.

Now, it will be up to third-pary publishers whether or not they want to release their game on the PlayStation Network or not, but what kind of dumb publisher would throw away PSP Go! compatibility right out of the gate?

And just to address a comment I saw over there, what happens to your UMDs when the PSP Go! comes out? I’m pretty sure your UMDs and PSP-3000 will work just fine even after the PSP Go! comes out; they won’t automatically vaporize.

Before we’re inundated with Apple news—not that there’s anything wrong with that—there’s still a few other issues to address. First on my docket this morning: did you know that the PSP Go!, Sony’s updated, senselessly expensive PSP, will require all new accessories? Oh, it’s true. It’s damn true.

Unlike the PSP-3000 (the old PSP), the PSP Go! doesn’t have a mini USB port. Rather, it has a “new, multifunction” port. Connecting the dots, that means you won’t be able to use your current PSP accessories on the new one.

Of course, I suppose there’s nothing stopping some company, or someone handy, from forging their own mini USB-to-NewPort adapter. And, if Sony were feeling generous, it could provide that very adaptor. (Unless there’s some electrical reason why a mere adaptor wouldn’t work!)

In any event, by the looks of it, that means, right now, be prepared to re-purchase that PSP camera, that cheap-o USB headset, etc.

Really, $250 for this thing? It was $250 four years ago. Sony: always thinkin’.

While the call of the open E3 show floor left us with nobody in an actual seat at Sony’s two-hour-long press conference, we have eyes and ears everywhere. Everywhere.

Here are some highlights from Sony’s presentation.

Jack Tretton —  President and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment America

• 364 games coming out on PlayStation platforms this year
• “In 2009, if you want to have the ultimate gaming experience, you need a PlayStation.”
• Committed to PlayStation 2 as long as consumers see value in it
• 100 new titles for the PS2 this year
• What consumers really care about: great games
• 35 exclusive PlayStation titles in 2009

Evan Wells — Co-president, Naughty Dog

• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves “sets the new gold standard in limit-pushing”
• Multiplayer beta launches at midnight tonight
• Gameplay demo shown: graphics look great; think Gears of War meets Far Cry.

Andy Bowdoin — Zipper Interactive

• Live 256-player MAG multiplayer first person shooter battle shown — wow, that’s a lot of people. Controlled mayhem.
• Game debuts on PS3 this fall

PlayStation Portable

• Looking to expand into tween market
• Hannah Montana bundle with lilac-colored PSP this July
• Content from Disney and Nickelodeon

Kaz Hirai — President, Networked Products & Services Group; President & CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment

• Officially announces PSP Go
• Two names for the device: The PSP Go, and “The worst-kept secret of E3″
• PSP Go will NOT replace the PSP-3000
• More than 50% smaller and 40% lighter than the original PSP-1000
• Downloads from PlayStation Network via Wi-Fi
• New PC application for PlayStation Store called “Media Go”
• New PSP application called “Sense Me” for building smart music playlists
• PSP developer toolkit price will be reduced by 80%
• All services, features, and functions will work on PSP Go and PSP-3000
• PSP Go for $249 on October 1st in North America and Europe
• Video delivery service now available natively on the PSP — direct downloads, etc.
• New content from Showtime, E!, G4, HDNet, UFC, Magnolia, and more.

Kazunouri Yamauchi — Polyphony Digital

• Announces Gran Tourismo PSP
• Full-scale, runs at 60fps on PSP Go
• 800 cars, 35 tracks, 60 track layout variations
• Not a shrunken-down version of the series
• Ad-hoc multiplayer (up to four nearby players)
• Trade and share cars with other players, cooperative car unlocking
• Video shown: graphics look amazing

Hideo Kojima — Kojima Productions

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker announced for PSP
• Setting is ten years after MGS 3, in the 1970’s, so it’s a true sequel
• Kojima will be “deeply involved” as will the team of MGS 4, so it’s not a spin-off
• Set in Costa Rica

Jack Tretton

• Resident Evil coming to PSP next year
• Coming to PSP this year: Little Big Planet, Socom, Monster Hunter, Hannah Montana, Harry Potter
• Adding 50 PS1 titles to PlayStation store, Final Fantasy 7 added today
• PlayStation Home has 6.5 million people worldwide, with 85% return users — looking to add more content from partners (EA, Ubisoft, etc.)
• New PS3 exclusive from Rockstar: Agent set in the late 1970’s. Cross the globe, espionage, assassins, etc.

Ubisoft

• Demo for Assassin’s Creed II shown
• Gameplay looks good, similar to the first game
• Set in the Renaissance period, uses Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions; a flying machine in some parts — kind of like a hang glider, etc.
• Over 30 different weapons in the final game, six additional weapons if you play the game on PSP and connect it to your PS3
• On store shelves by the holidays

Square Enix

• Video of Final Fantasy XIII shown, looks amazing
• Coming in 2010
• Video of Final Fantasy XIV Online shown. PlayStation exclusive in 2010. “A new online epic begins.”

Motion Contoller

• Working to create a much more realistic experience
• Pulls out what looks like a black Wii-mote with a glowing ball on the end of it
• Glowing ball is tracked by PlayStation Eye, true 1:1 tracking
• If you pick up a virtual tennis racket, you’ll see yourself onscreen, EyeToy-style, holding a tennis racket.
• In a first person shooter, you can actually move around the room and your on-screen character will move where you move in 3D
• Drawing, painting, etc. tracked with sub-millimeter accuracy
• Looks like a souped-up version of the Wii
• Still an engineer’s prototype, launches spring 2010

Little Big Planet

• Costumes coming from Disney — Jack Sparrow, etc.

ModNation Racers

• Kart racing: create and modify cars, characters, and tracks
• “Unlimited number of combinations”
• Gameplay looks like Mario Kart with PS3-level graphics
• Track editor looks pretty simple: drive out the track in front of you using driving controls and then lift terrain, spray dirt, add trees, etc. Sort of like SimCity 3000.

The Last Guardian

• Looks like The Neverending Story set in ancient Greece: a kid rides a giant flying chicken-cat around
• Graphics and animation look stunning — superb lighting and shadows
• Exclusive to PS3

Gran Tourismo 5

• I can’t tell if I’m watching HDTV or a video game, so that’s probably a good sign
• Exclusive to PS3

God of War 3

• Graphics look good, pretty gory. Dude ripped out a minotaur’s intestines. Lots of blood. Stabbed some horned beast in the eye with its own horn after ripping it off its head.

Jack Tretton

• “This will be the biggest year in PlayStation history.”

Alright, the PSP Go! is good to go just like we expected. The 3.8-inch screen, 16GB flash HDD, and slider design are all there. This new PSP isn’t designed to replace the current UMD-equipped generation, but rather live along side the PSP-3000. This boy is designed for those that want to give up physical media.

Content, including games, can be downloaded right off of Playstation Network and can now be managed on a PC via the new software dubbed, Media Go. Moving forward, all PSP games will be available on the Playstation Network and as a UMD. Plus, the media suite is getting an upgrade with the new program Sense Me.

The PSP Go! will be available on October 1st, 2009 for $249.

Sony has just announced a brand spankin’ new LE Entertainment Pack for the Final Fantasy fans. It will be an exclusive pack to Gamestop that comes with a “Mystic Silver” PSP-3000, Dissidia Final Fantasy game, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children on UMD and a 2GB memory stick. Get yours for $200 starting on August 25th at Gamestops across the US.

On a side note, Nicholas and I will be attending a screening of Advent Children on Tuesday in NYC. Jealous?

PlayStation Blog

We have visual confirmation that firmware 5.03 has been successfully hacked, and will run emulators. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the exploit hasn’t been released yet, and you’re just going to have to wait patiently to play Dig Dug (or do it here).

As you can see in the video, they were successfully able to reboot after installing the new kernel, and then change the MAC address. A full release can’t be far behind.

[via Slashdot]

It’s not available yet, but Sony’s Eric Lempel, the Director of PSN Operations, detailed the key new features coming up in v5.50 for the PSP. The Information Board that scrolls up top on the PS3 XMB will now be ported to the PSP where I, for one, will continue to ignore it. This firmware update isn’t all that exciting, but v5.50 will allow you to partition your memory card a bit differently. Hit the jump to find out what it is and what else you can expect.

* Memory Stick improvements – You’ll be able to create and access sub-folders on your Memory Stick PRO Duo for music, videos and photos. Separately, the available space required to download a file from PlayStation Store to your Memory Stick has been reduced significantly.
* Internet search for games directly from the XMB – You’ll be able to easily search the Internet for information about your PSP games. Select the icon for the game, hit the Triangle button, and then select [Internet Search] from the options menu to get search results based on the game title. This feature was added to PS3 with the recent 2.70 update.
* Trend Micro trial – PSP’s Internet browser is a great tool for checking out your favorite Web sites on the go, and we’re teaming up with the Internet security experts at Trend Micro to make the Web browsing experience safer and more secure. With the 5.50 update, you’ll have the option to access a free trial of two Trend Micro services:

Trend Micro Web Security uses Web reputation technology to block PSP owners from accidentally visiting a Web site that may contain malicious content designed to steal personal information and confidential data.
Trend Micro Kids’ Safety uses URL filtering technology to prevent children from accessing Web sites that feature inappropriate content.

via PS Blog