First of all, does anyone actually read these posts I put up every once in a while? If you do, just drop me a little note in the comments...I'd appreciate it. :D

So, I was extremely vocal about the PSP Go when it was first announced/released. I couldn't imagine ever wanting a system that had no UMD slot when I had about 80 titles for my PSP 1000 that was still in pristine condition. Here I am, months later, humbled. I admit, I was wrong about the Go. I traded up to one about a month ago, and I must say, I'm extremely satisfied. In fact, I've already filled up the entire 16 GB storage and I'm looking for a cheap M2 card to add to it.

This sudden change of heart all came about due to necessity. Times are tough, there's a recession on, and money is EXTREMELY scarce. It became my duty as a good father to make the hard decision to quit being a video game collector and take care of my family. After checking the PSN store and finding a good number of decent titles available, I started looking into options. Gamestop had a decent trade deal going on (well, better than most of their deals) with 50% bonus trade credit for all games and $25 additional trade credit for systems. So, with PSP 1000 and about a dozen games, I set out to find a used PSP Go in acceptable condition. I managed to find one that looked to be barely used and still had 5 games on the harddrive (someone forgot to wipe the memory! booyah!). That was enough to get me by until I could get the money to buy a few titles off the network. The rest of my games I sold at a much better loocation that actually gives you a decent amount of cash for your stuff. The games I didn't use to pay the rent, I used towards Network cards to fill up my harddrive. Rent was paid for another month, I have games to play, and all is right with the world again. Now, here's my thoughts on the Go (if anyone actually cares):

Positive - I've managed to stuff 15 PSP games, 5 PSone games, and 5 minis on the 16 GB drive. Not a shabby collection considering 3 of the PSone games are Final Fantasy 7, 8, & 9 atabout 1.5 GB each. I absolutely love being able to keep my collection of titles with me and not have to pack tons of cases. That said, it takes up so much less room and mykids don't have tonsof UMD cases to pull off the shelf anymore. The screen is slightly smaller than the standard PSPs, so the image is a bit more compressed and looks a bit better. It's quite small, and with the lack of UMDgame cases, ittakes up so much less room when traveling. Now being a former collector, I don't have to worry about finding cases, artwork, UMDs, and instructions all in perfect condition...so much easier when all I really want to do is play the game. Also fantastic considering we have 2 PSPs in the house and only need to buy 1 copy for the both of us...I'd much rather spend $30 for both myself and my wife to be able to play ModNation Racers than to try to find 2 used copies.

Negative - Sony has not updated the store with enough of the back catalog. I had so many great games that just aren't available in the States yet off the network. I can't trade games anymore...if I don't like a game I buy, I'm stuck (much like when I bought all 12 episodes of Siren: Blood Curse). The system is small...I have a Motorola Droid and they are almost identical in size, except the Droid feels more stable and a LOT heavier. Definately not a system for children that don't now how to take care of things. It is quite expensive (unless you find a used one) and most of the titles on the Network store are more expensive than the UMD would be new or used.

Overall, I guess the system has it's audience and I'm part of it. Well, now that I've got my life re-prioritized, that is. And besides, having Final Fantasy 9, Silent Hill, Pixel Junk Monsters, and Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters without having to switch discs is kinda cool.