Sony Considered an Additional Analog Nub for PSP Go

07/21/2009 Written by Anthony Severino

psp-go-yoshida

The solitary analog nub on the PlayStation Portable has been a much criticized feature.  When rumors first surfaced about the PSP Go, many fans of the multipurpose handheld felt the addition of an analog nub was a foregone conclusion.

During Sony’s E3 Press Conference, Kaz Hirai, President of Sony Computer Entertainment noted that the PSP Go was a result of feedback from developers and gamers alike.  With so many fans clamoring for an additional analog nub, how could the feature be omitted?

According to Shuhei Yoshida, President of Sony Worldwide Studios, it was considered.  In the latest issue of Game Informer Yoshida explains exactly why it was left out:

“We also felt – like many users – that we wish we had a second analog on the PSP.  But we are talking about the mid-life cycle of this platform, and the PSPgo is designed to be perfectly compatible with the PSP-3000 and all the games that released before that.  So we had a very serious discussion about this particular subject, but we decided not to add a second analog, and some of the developers are doing quite a nice job translating the second analog functionality to different buttons.  We didn’t want to divert their efforts either.”
- Shuhei Yoshida, President of Sony Worldwide Studios

For developer’s sake, you can’t create two different control form factors in the middle of a handheld’s life cycle.

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65 Responses to “Sony Considered an Additional Analog Nub for PSP Go”

  1. Paranoimia Says:

    While the lack of a 2nd analogue on all PSP’s is a slight annoyance, in my opinion it was perfectly sensible for Sony NOT to add one to the PSPgo. Until the actual internal hardware is significantly modified – i.e. a PSP 2 – a 2nd analogue would most definitely be ‘a bad move’ – it would simply lead to games which could not be played on the PSP1/2/3000, creating a division in the market – something Sony could well do without, given that they are trying to re-invigorate PSP sales.

  2. SolidCake_ Says:

    or a whole new generation of people would buy the thing just because they finally got it right.

    re-design the top 10 psp games, putt them on on the psn for download, then take all the games in production now, and add the proper joystick controls.

    keep the hardcore games the way they are, it’s just the 2nd joystick won’t do anything.

    not sure if division of market really matters, I had to buy a ps3 to play ps3 games, and they didn’t work on my ps2

    feel free to discuss

  3. Fencefry Says:

    Solidcake, your point of buying a PS3 to play PS3 games isn’t valid in this arguement, because the PSP is still, like they said, mid-cycle. It’s like if the PS2 Slim had a major new addition to the hardware, that made it so people could only play the new games on PS2 slim. That’s just screwing our customers. *CoughDSicough*

  4. Crotin Says:

    I guess I can respect that decision.

    My thought on it is…what’s the difference of adding a second analog to PSP when the PS1 released the Dual Shock controller and didn’t fully utilize it until Ape Escape? You HAD to have a dual shock to play that game. I admit it would be alot better for camera angles and aiming, not to mention my usual control scheme for Gran Turismo is using both analogs and the shoulder buttons for switching gears, but yeah I understand not alienating the older PSP audience that doesn’t plan on upgrading as well.

    I could also go into another angle and say it would be nice if Sony was trying to get a fresh start on the PSP, but then again we’re also talking worldwide. While the PSP might not be too popular in the US, it’s HUGE in Japan…so I’m sure they would be pissed to not play games that needed a second joystick.

    Also comparing a $30 upgrade or however else Dual Shock costs compared to a $250 upgrade is ridiculous on my part as well so anyways…yeah, game on. /end rant

  5. Kyle P. Says:

    They would have cut their market in half. Good decision.

    But I’m sure they’ll have two sticks for their PSP2.

  6. mcx Says:

    @ Fencefry … You got it right. Nintendo’s logic is just add what ever and rename it slightly. WiiMotion Plus, DSi.

    But seriously I really would like the new PSPgo but for me who paid original price for psp1000 and upgraded to 2000 recently for less. Its hard for me to want to upgrade mainly for the price and the screen is a bit smaller. Not to mention the whole what the hell am I to do with my UMDs.

    So I will just hold out for PSP2 and hopefully its got everything from the start.

  7. p0lg4s Says:

    /sarcasm on
    sony making the choice on which psp is to release. (1st release of psp/ psp1000)
    “what should i choose A or B?”
    A. psp + 2 analog nubs = win
    B. psp + 1 analog nub = LOTS OF ISSUES, PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, AND LOTS OF RANTS FROM THE MARKET.

    sony: lets choose B

    great choice sony, great choice *slowly clapping*
    /sarcasm off

  8. Moyayo Says:

    @CROTIN EXACTLY !!! They added the dual analogs later in the ps1’s lifecycle… i dont remember that being a problem. I for one, will be very, VERY surprised if I buy another PSP that doesn’t have a 2nd analog stick… I bought my psp to play the same game I love at home, on the road. When I realized I had to learn some other awkward control scheme I decided it really wasn’t worth my time. With sony’s big PSP push (way late guys) im growing tempted, but still am trying to hold out for my 2nd nub. so sony please hurry up with that cuz I need to play peace walker. I suppose I could just borrow one for that though

  9. shadowjin Says:

    @ Fencefry

    you read my mind…

  10. Boricuastorm Says:

    It should’ve BEEN there from the start, but this is true.

  11. Jeneric Says:

    well the only way im buying a pspgo is if there some kind of collectors edition bundle for peace walker. otherwise i refuse to buy a handheld without two analog sticks or at least a touch screen (cause i do love my dsi)

  12. shadowjin Says:

    People make it seams like the second analog controller not being there destroys there gaming experience. Gamers are to use to the same layout and control scheme. Its okay to try something new. Old gamers can adapt to new games but always compare it to a retro game or last gen. People should take a system/game for what its worth and just play… If people are satisfied with the DSI than stay with Nintendo. Why buy a PSP if your complaining from the start? the box does show you its layout.

  13. Crotin Says:

    One thing I’m at least hoping is more devs include the option to use the DualShock 3 on PSP games like they did with Resistance Retribution, but no big deal…still a day 1 purchase on my part

  14. jleack Says:

    If they added it, they would have made all of the previous models seem obsolete. Good business decision.

  15. Karum Says:

    As soon as it was known the PSP Go wasn’t a PSP 2 I knew there wouldn’t be a 2nd analog nub for exactly this reason.

    Another nub would be great but the games I’ve played on PSP so far are just fine with the one nub but again, another would be great.

  16. PlayStation LifeStyle » Sony Considered an Additional Analog Nub … | OsengOseng Says:

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  17. gam3raxis Says:

    ok, this doesn’t make sense…

    the reason to not split the install base is bull…

    people with old psp’s won’t be able to play the memory card games, and psp GO users can’t play umd’s

    so its basically for the launch tittles and beyond, and if there is gt psp made for the 3000 and the GO, then all it would take is a different control scheme… the FORMAT already split the install base the same way they’re saying the second nub would… when they decided to make memory card games, putting the second nub in wouldn’t have hurt them…

    all of you who are saying it would split their install base is forgetting about the format, ps2 to a ps2 slim kept the dvd, this iteration with the psp isn’t…

    so this is officially bull, even tho i love sony and their products!

  18. gam3raxis Says:

    it DOESN’T split their market up lol … on the 3000 u push square and circle to strafe left and right, and triangle and x to look up and down, for example

    ALL they would have to do is to make the up and down direction on the right joystick look up and down and the left and right directions to strafe, the deed is done with the change of the format, so why are all of u saying its splitting the audience… people who are gonna by a psp go only care about the games, past or present that will come on memory card, where people who don’t upgrade or prefer the 3000 will simply have the different control scheme and their UMD, since the hardware is the same it makes no difference, since sony will already have to produce their back catalog anyway for the memory card format…

  19. Carrapatoo Says:

    dude, in my opinion, seriosly the PSP Go!
    need anyway 2 analogs sticks, because if u think… the ps3? has two analogs, and there are a lot of games in playstation store of ps1, and if u see, 90% of them are disable to play with two analogs, and 50% are not in analogs, only in arrows.
    Ok.

    put 2 analogs and? the next game that will be released, will use 2 analogs, and the old games, will continue using only 1 analog, like the classic psp 1000, and from now on, they can make games for the using of two analogs, and the old games will continue using only one.
    Think if my opnion is not correct ?
    If they made it with ps3 with downloadable ps1 games, why not with psp ??
    Will be a revolution to the psp and then of course will be more smilar with ps3… Dont ya think ??.. sorry man

    Anyway, two analogs sticks would make the difference, for shooting games and games like GTA, RPG and many others.
    It’s necessary, will help a lot? one more analog, every body knows that, would you like to be controled by a automatical camera ??
    Of course not !!
    I prefer two analogs, Dont you ??

  20. name Says:

    thats a load of shit.
    please dont use the pathetic excuse “we wanted it to be compatiable with the 3000″
    because 1 ITS NOT WHERES THE UMD DRIVE.
    if i want to play a old psp game say GOW chains i have to re purchase it from the store.
    what 1 purchase isent enough.
    2 there are heaps of people who have alterd the psp to have 2 sticks and the older games work perfectly.
    i only wish i knew how to do it, but probable not worth it just incase i stuff something up i dont want to void my warranty.
    3 things they could of done to garantee my sale and heaps more.
    1 longer battery life, my gaming laptop with a 2.6 quad core and dual video cards with 17 inch full 1080P screen has a battery life longer than a psp.
    thats pathetic.
    2 seccond nub.
    3 a add on UMD drive that way you can have a psp go and play new games with out having to download them.
    as ive stated many times before not everyone has ADSL2+ broadband and not everyone has a 50GB download limit.
    im struggiling to stay in my monthly limit as it is and i dont download any demos, or qore which i really want but dont have enough usage to download it.
    let alone games on top of it, SONY IM NOT MADE OF MONEY!

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  33. StalkingSilence Says:

    Thanks Joystiq for the sourcing!

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  63. flamingfury472 Says:

    I think it’s lame that they didn’t put a second analog nub on the PSP in the first place. It’s like they shot themselves in the foot on that bright idea. I hated playing SOCOM Navy Seals Bravo Team and having to hold down a trigger just so i could change me viewing. And secondly, ….why create another handheld and make it work with the same game media? I already bought a PSP-2000 after owning a 1000 simply because the hardware was less faulty (i.e. the UMD door didn’t spring open by itself). It’s like they’re making another 3000 series (that was a lame idea, its the same thing as a 2000). If your going to create a new handheld….actually create a NEW handheld. Theyre just trying to get more money out of the consumer. …..ooooOOOooo The lollipop is green instead of red now, I want one. LAME.

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