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No UMD conversion for PSP Go

[UPDATE] Previously purchased disc-based games won’t be playable on Sony’s new handheld due to "legal and technical reasons"; no PSP Go Rewards program in NA.

Existing PSP owners hoping to pick up a PSP Go and transfer their existing UMD games to the handheld are going to be out of luck--Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Sony Computer Entertainment America have confirmed that there will be no way to transfer existing UMD purchases to the new download-only PSP Go.

"We were evaluating a UMD conversion program, but due to legal and technical reasons we will not be offering the program at this time," a Sony representative told GameSpot.

Sony's decision stands in marked contrast to sentiments expressed by Sony Computer Entertainment America hardware marketing director John Koller in June. Upon the PSP Go's unveiling at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Koller stated that Sony was putting together a "goodwill program" that would allow UMD owners to download games they already own on the PSP Go.

PSP Go has no love for the UMD.

PSP Go has no love for the UMD.

The £224 ($249) PSP Go lacks the UMD drive from previous versions, relying solely on digital downloads to purchase games. The system comes with 16GB of internal memory to store games, which can be expanded via Sony's proprietary M2 memory cards.

Yesterday, SCEE announced its PSP Go Rewards scheme, which will allow current PSP owners to claim three free games, provided they own at least one UMD. However, the selection of games is limited to just 17 titles, which include Killzone: Liberation, Wipeout Pure, and Everybody's Golf. The scheme will launch alongside the console on October 1 and will run until March 31, 2010.

[UPDATE] SCEA also confirmed for GameSpot today that it has no plans to extend the PSP Go Rewards program to US consumers. "SCEA will not offer a UMD rewards program at this time," a Sony representative said.

1008 Comments

  • mischiefmeerkat

    Posted Dec 21, 2010 5:52 pm GMT

    That's pathetic.

    this was all just a daring experiment to see how many stupid suckers would go out and buy all their games again for a system thats essentially the same

  • ChiefFreeman

    Posted Jul 27, 2010 11:57 am GMT

    One of the biggest mistakes (alongside the $599.99 PS3 launch) Sony has ever made. Just plain stupid.

  • wwwgippal

    Posted Dec 3, 2009 6:56 am GMT

    lol

  • sneakysnake128

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 3:08 pm GMT

    I personally think there is some method behind the madness. With the PS3 Slim, all the PS3 Phats are selling. With the PSP Go, all the older models are selling.

  • DragonAtma

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:33 am GMT

    And they wonder why Nintendo is crushing them both in the console wars and handheld wars...

  • UberDjinn

    Posted Oct 12, 2009 7:25 am GMT

    I know this is old but I cannot hold my anger anymore: SONY YOU ARE (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE WORSE WORD OR WORDS YOU CAN THINK OF...)! I cannot believe they cannot make firmware that can copy the disc from the PSP to the computer. On top of that, it makes even less sense you cannot even get credit to download it from their store somehow. Nintendo is going to win the handheld wars for sure: the only thing they need to do is allow the DS to display more colors and thats it. Sony is thinking like an electronics store when they should be thinking more like a gaming company. Sony you need help is all I can say....

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 10:22 am GMT

    FLOP of the Century !!!

  • sniper2k0

    Posted Oct 3, 2009 8:34 pm GMT

    That's a real dumb move by Sony. They release something new but make it incompatible with older games that people already enjoy playing and would want to experience it on the new handheld as soon as possible. Having to wait for a conversion plan that could take months or even years due to legal reasons is a real lame a** excuse. I really want to like the GO but with this sort of crap, probably not..

  • Caisu

    Posted Oct 3, 2009 7:24 am GMT

    Ok, they've basically just guaranteed I'm not going to be buying one of these for a *long~* while, if at all. Well done Sony. Yet again.

  • sauleros

    Posted Oct 1, 2009 9:29 pm GMT

    lol bad news

  • Ang3lofD00m

    Posted Sep 30, 2009 11:03 am GMT

    Hey sony how about you just change up the psp go and put a umd drive on it but still have the 16gb harddrive, Keep the price at $250 and then it will satisfy both consumers. Brand new psp owners, and older psp owners. Then the price won't seem so bad.

  • Jaggermaster

    Posted Sep 30, 2009 6:39 am GMT

    The future games that will come for the PsP GO YOU CAN NOT PLAY them on older PSP's.
    They (as in SONY) are forcing you to buy another psp and buy again all the games you already have in UMD format because you can't play them on the PSP GO you bought for 250bucks... At that price you can buy a 360 Premium with 60 gb hdd or a Wii now ... but hey !!! How much are they gonna charge for the downloadable games for PsP Go?! I think I can speak for many here when I say that I like having my games on an DVD or UMD on a solid proprietary form.
    So that's why people are making a huge deal out of this !!!

  • vgbum

    Posted Sep 30, 2009 1:09 am GMT

    People are making a huge deal out of this for little reason. If you own a UMD, it means you already have a UMD-playing PSP. You do not need a UMD conversion plan. Why are so many people assuming that every PSP owner is going to upgrade to GO? Unless I'm the only PSP owner who is not upgrading, there's no huge need for conversion. I don't see the point in changing to a smaller screen so that I can have Bluetooth and a sliding screen. Sony knows there's not enough incentive to upgrade to Go! which is why they promised to continue to support UMDs. Go!'s targeted audience was not intended to include current PSP owners.

  • blackace

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 11:06 pm GMT

    I'm keeping my old PSP with UMD as well. I'll just wait and see what the PSP2 turns out to be. The 225 downloadable games announced for the PSP Go can be downloaded on your original PSP. Why do I need a PSP Go, when I have the best of both worlds.

  • Kenbo325

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 6:09 pm GMT

    I'll be sticking to my UMD's, thank you very much.

  • amari24

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 5:04 pm GMT

    This is going to be the biggest portable system fail since the Atari Lynx.Maybe people will wake up when they realize You paid $250 bucks to rebuy the same games.Thats exactly what will happen to the PSP GO.Its sales will "GO" down.This is the worst thing that Sony can do.1st you make the PS3 slim no B/C compatibillity and now you make the PSP GO no B/C.This is the best oppurtunity for Microsoft to release a portable system and take advantage of Sony's soon to be failure.

  • man_alive

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 4:55 pm GMT

    Oh, PSP Go, why do you work so hard to fail? Packed inside for anyone who buys one is a little card that reads, "Ha-ha. Love, Sony."

  • bat725

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 4:42 pm GMT

    Sorry, Sony. I want to like you, but you keep spitting in my face. PSP Go = no go for me.

  • Wings_008

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 3:58 pm GMT

    am gonna keep my psp slim and buy normal UMD games

  • Ratatoskr321

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 3:26 pm GMT

    I have to agree with the general sentiments here. I am definitely no fanboy at all but if I had to choose sides, honestly, I love Sony but I'm still thinking this is a terrible decision.

    First of all, what are they thinking putting the PSP Go at the same price as a used PS3? It makes no sense at all especially since it's supposed to be cheaper to make than the PSP 3000. Secondly, no UMD conversion? So not only is this thing crazy expensive but you also can't sell back your old PSP to get the new one OR if you do, then you lose all the games you'd gotten previously. Lastly, thanks Sony for announcing the rewards program then telling us we can't have it. That was... pointless. to say the least.

    I still support Sony in general but the PSP Go is a no go for me...