In 2009, Sony launched the PSP Go, a revised version of its original PlayStation Portable (PSP) that featured a new approach to handheld gaming. The PSP Go was smaller, lighter, and more compact than its predecessor tiger298, boasting a sleek, sliding design with a fully digital game library. While it never achieved the commercial success of the original PSP, the Go made a bold statement about the future of digital gaming and paved the way for future handheld consoles, including the PlayStation Vita.

One of the most notable features of the PSP Go was its focus on digital distribution. Unlike the original PSP, which relied on physical UMD (Universal Media Disc) discs, the PSP Go eliminated the need for physical media entirely. All games were downloaded digitally from the PlayStation Store, which meant players could store a large collection of games without needing to carry around a stack of UMDs. This move toward a fully digital library was a precursor to the current trend of digital-only gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S.

The PSP Go’s design was another highlight. With its compact form and a unique sliding mechanism that revealed the controls, the console was easy to carry and felt incredibly portable. It also had a 3.8-inch display, which, while smaller than the original PSP’s, still offered vibrant and sharp visuals for its time. The Go’s lightweight build made it ideal for gaming on the go, and its minimalistic design appealed to those who wanted a handheld system that fit comfortably into their pockets or bags.

Despite its innovative features, the PSP Go faced several challenges. One of the main criticisms was the limited storage space. The console came with only 16GB of internal memory, which, while sufficient for a few games, quickly became insufficient as digital downloads grew in size. Furthermore, the lack of physical media meant that players could not share or trade games with friends, which was a feature many gamers still valued at the time. Additionally, the PSP Go did not support the full catalog of UMD games, limiting its appeal to existing PSP owners who had invested in physical titles.

Nevertheless, the PSP Go left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. It was an early attempt at embracing a fully digital ecosystem for handheld gaming, and many of its ideas—such as the focus on digital game distribution and the compact design—were later adopted by other consoles. Although it did not succeed commercially, the PSP Go helped pave the way for the future of portable gaming.