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PSP Go bundled with Rock Band - Retail Radar

[UPDATE] Best Buy product listing updated to remove all mention of free voucher for Harmonix rhythm game.

When Sony officially revealed the PSP Go, some eyebrows were raised by the system's $249.99 price point. After all, the current PSP-3000 system can play everything the PSP Go can play, has a UMD disc drive, and sells for $169.99 new.

When was the last time a new system came packed in with a game on day one?

When was the last time a new system came packed in with a game on day one?

Some of that sticker shock may be alleviated, as Best Buy indicates that the $249.99 price will at least include a game. According to the retailer's product listing, the retail packaging should contain "PSPgo system, USB cable, AC adapter, and Rock Band Unplugged voucher."

Harmonix and MTV Games' rhythm title Rock Band Unplugged released in June to a warm critical reception. Currently, the game sells for $29.99 on its own, although it debuted at $39.99. As with its console counterparts, Rock Band Unplugged allows players to purchase additional songs to play through the in-game storefront.

Representatives with Sony and Harmonix did not return requests for confirmation on the pack-in promotion as of press time. Also, it remains unclear if the voucher is exclusive to Best Buy or is a retailer-agnostic pack-in. Retailers like Amazon and Wal-mart do not list the handheld as being bundled with Rock Band Unplugged.

[UPDATE] Best Buy has updated its product listing for the PSP Go, removing all mention of Rock Band Unplugged and the voucher.

44 Comments

  • TevoxZi

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 1:23 pm GMT

    @brendanhunt1

    Thanks for the useful information, it's good to know that it can resist glare as that often is a bothering thing when playing outdoors.

    I do think the microphone will be used later on in some of the upcoming games as an 'add-on', not essential, but still an add-on.

    I'm thinking between a PSP Slim & Lite and the -Go! We'll see, but I know that I have to get either one, because of the upcoming games those are coming on them. Though, I'm still thinking of the Slim & Lite due to it having an UMD drive and I sort of prefer owning the game physically.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 1:05 pm GMT

    am i the only one here who likes the psp go. ITS PORTABLE

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 1:04 pm GMT

    @TevoxZi
    i own a 3000 and a 1000, put them side by side and the image is alot sharper and brighter, it even able to resist glare so its better outdoors. havent use the microphone though. not much of a price difference between the 2000.

  • bigdaddy9202

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    my problem is lack of umd drive, will more games be available for download on psn because I want assasins creed and if i have to wait for games to become downloadable then whats the point. just wait a year and the price may go down or more games will become downloadable hopefully

  • aaaaaa12

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 5:24 am GMT

    lol at the update -.-

  • Thirdrail1

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 4:38 am GMT

    This is an interesting plan on Sony's part. I personally don't need/want a Go instead of my beloved 2000, but I can see a lot of good points from Sony's position. Free press and buzz, and a newer model that's immune to the Gamestop pawn shop system.

  • drivemuse

    Posted Aug 8, 2009 12:52 am GMT

    @ monson21502: You're going to be waiting a looonnng time dude. lol.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Aug 7, 2009 7:51 pm GMT

    WOW.. I was not expecting this... This is Great

  • monson21502

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 10:41 pm GMT

    GOahead waste your money . im waiting on psp2

  • Panzeram

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 8:58 pm GMT

    @Hawkeye:
    Why would you need a voucher for a FREE demo...that doesn't make any sense at all.

  • tawagivercetti

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 7:16 pm GMT

    my old fatty is still going strong from day 1
    will i be tempted by the go?

  • EMXX_Hawkeye

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 6:43 pm GMT

    A Sony Rep told me last week this was just a Rock Band DEMO and not the game. There won't be any bundles to start with for the system.

    It's sad that we won't even get some kind of case to go with the system, but Sony has to make up lost profits somehow.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 3:14 pm GMT

    They should do like the DSi and bundle it with Playstation download points (whatever theyre called) instead of a game that way PSP Go buyers can use the points on any game they want.

  • JCASHUFL

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 2:09 pm GMT

    So, they release the reduced functionality PSP with the reduced functionality Rock Band. Makes sense.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 12:46 pm GMT

    I am just going to stay with the PSP I have now

  • madkiller32k

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 11:56 am GMT

    They should bundle Gran Turismo and The PSP Go.
    Sony would sell alot more....

  • metalmasterW

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 10:42 am GMT

    well...what if they took rock band off there ?
    i dont want rockband ..i just want the console that could lower the price a bit

  • Marc_543322

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 9:02 am GMT

    im gonna wait a few months till they get all the bugs out of the system but i'll buy it to replace my PSP 1000

  • Zidaneski

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 7:47 am GMT

    I already have the Rock Band Unplugged game..., there is no point for me to own it again. But I'll still get the Go.

  • TevoxZi

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 2:48 am GMT

    kavadias1981 wrote:

    @TevoxZi

    Get a PSP 2000. I own a 3000 and, thanks to the fractionally sharper image you get those horrible horizontal lines cutting your sprites up. The built in microphone is pointless and I haven't had one use for it. The 2000 doesn't have those lines and the games look just as great, plus its cheaper. So go for that.


    Thanks for the reply! I'll think about it.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 2:45 am GMT

    @TevoxZi

    Get a PSP 2000. I own a 3000 and, thanks to the fractionally sharper image you get those horrible horizontal lines cutting your sprites up. The built in microphone is pointless and I haven't had one use for it. The 2000 doesn't have those lines and the games look just as great, plus its cheaper. So go for that.

  • TevoxZi

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 11:28 pm GMT

    I haven't bought a PSP yet, I'm thinking of doing so however. Wanting to play Crisis Core, Dissidia, God of War and the upcoming Gran Turismo on it at least. I don't know whether to buy this Go, or the Slim & Lite or just wait for PSP2 whenever it comes out, what do you guys think? I think if the PSP2 has support for PSP (1) -games, I'm going for that, but possibly going for the Go, after letting the price get a little lower. -
    -
    (Not interested in Rock Band by the way, I had enough of Guitar Hero -styled games after the first hour of playing.) However, I'm not saying it's the same for the others, games are opinionated and this game just well, isn't my style. It's a great offer anyways.

  • gnbfd

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 10:09 pm GMT

    RBU is PSP GOTY so far.
    $250 is still too much though... at least make it 20GB. Maybe even 32

  • -RuneKnight-

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 9:33 pm GMT

    I don't get why everyone thinks there's even going to BE a PSP2. For all we know, the PSP Go could be the official successor, not a "PSP2". I for one think the Go is good, not great, but good. It's faster and stronger, and it's more compact. Other than that, no real changes though, so it isn't worth that much money if you just bought a 3000. If all you have is a 1000 though, I'm guessing you could consider the Go.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 9:02 pm GMT

    @okassar

    You make a good point but I cant help but wonder if the PSP Go is going to cost $249.99 how much will the PSP 2 retail for?

  • dzfunk64

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 8:42 pm GMT

    Wow, this is VERY old news, GameSpot. Best Buy has had that listed on their website for at least a month now.

    I'd much rather see a lower price than a free game, though. I really don't think Rock Band will be much fun without any actual instruments to play.

  • okassar

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 8:35 pm GMT

    I'll just wait for the PSP2.

    Sony's squeezing the PSP name for all it's worth so that it can make as much money as possible before going on with the PSP2.

  • jtvbetta

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 8:24 pm GMT

    How about they drop the PSP Go's price instead? Who cares about bundled games anyways?

  • Ryguy4738

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 5:20 pm GMT

    Well byt the time this comes out, Rock Band Unplugged will be like 20 bucks, so maybe a couple games or at least a few dollars worth of money for the store.

  • wwwgippal

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 4:46 pm GMT

    I could care less about Rock Band Unplugged so Psp Go still stinks for me :/

  • hallgren

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 4:38 pm GMT

    The bigger question is this though, why is there no SKU at Gamestop? I went in their yesterday because I had about $75 credit and wanted to reserve it but the manager finally told me after 2 months of me nagging him that they were not going to carry it, So i had to go to FYE and reserve it their! My only guess is that they think their won't be any attach rate to the psp go! Is this going to be downloadable only or will it also be like patapon 2 is right now where you get a voucher? Only time will tell I guess! I am not happy about this cause would have traded my games back into FYE if I knew Gamestop wasn't going to carry it!

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 3:04 pm GMT

    Thats a good price RB:UP is a great game i bought my PSP 3000 with it

  • Vexx88

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 2:17 pm GMT

    Its not worth a Wii price.

    Ill just get a 3000.

  • finalcross GameSpot staff member

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 2:17 pm GMT

    Answer to the caption : The Wii in 2007

  • spacer69

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 2:03 pm GMT

    It could come bundle with gold and I still not buying something that is not a big difference from the PSP-3000 its not worth $250.00. I will wait for the PSP2 with dual analog, longer battery life, and more memory.

  • Panzeram

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 1:58 pm GMT

    First of all it uses flash memory not a hard drive. Anyway, it's amazing that people will still complain even though a free bonus has been thrown in. The PSP Go is new so of course it costs more. But now we find out that a game has been thrown in for the same 250 dollar price and everyone says it it isn't enough. I'm grateful for this new offer.

  • malachi_27

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 1:52 pm GMT

    This game really kills.

  • Oozyrat

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 1:41 pm GMT

    @gerson25 LOL! Agreed - %100

    One game isn't worth another $80. With a smaller screen too, no way, I'll stay with my DS. The GB increase is good, but still not worth the extra $80. If I were to get a PSP, I would definetly give this a pass and go with the 3000.
    P.S - I, personally, think that the PSP should use cartridges so you don't have to use a harddrive at all.(but Sony will lose some money on that on, however, maybe people will buy more of them not having to worry about the harddrive)

  • gerson25

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 1:20 pm GMT

    GameSpot: When was the last time a new system came packed in with a game on day one?
    Me: Nintendo Wii.

  • xaos

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 1:04 pm GMT

    One quibble with the article; the price comparison doesn't acknowledge the 16 GB of onboard memory...

  • gameguy0697 posted Aug 5, 2009 12:56 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    gameguy0697

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 12:56 pm GMT (hide)

    i really want that game but not for the Stupid PSP GO!

  • konradak

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 12:50 pm GMT

    Cool stuff, already have it on my 3000 though. Fun game, definitely worth it

  • CharlieFubar

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 12:50 pm GMT

    seeing as i just bought an asus eee pc (netbook) for 50 dollars more than the go.... im gonna have to pass...

  • Decepticon_11

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 12:38 pm GMT

    Nice bundle can't wait.

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