Last year Sony launched the latest iteration of Sony PlayStation Portable, the PSPgo.  The new handheld landed with a thud in the marketplace after gamers took a look at its high price, lack of UMD drive, and lock-in on digital distribution.  Not one to give up on its target demographic issuing a collective "meh" for a verdict, rumor has it that Sony is planning to relaunch the PSPgo in one more bid for UMD-less handheld glory.  Gamervision has the story.

It's safe to say that the PSPgo hasn't had the reception that was expected of it. Sales haven't been crazy, and most seem to have completely ignored the system's launch entirely. With this kind of negativity surrounding the PSPgo, it's no wonder that Sony wants to do something about it. According to someone close to Sony, they are. Sources have confirmed with Gamervision that a PSPgo "relaunch" is imminent, complete with a marketing blitz in hopes to rekindle some sort of excitement over the handheld. What else will the relaunch entail? There are a number of possibilities, and there's little doubt a price drop might be among them.

Even when compared to the other issues the PSPgo has, the high price seems to be paramount for keeping it out of gamers' hands. It's more expensive than the other models by almost $100, and doesn't even have all of the content the regular system has.

I don't know what I would do to save the PSPgo, but that's primarily because I don't believe that it is worth saving.  It's difficult to justify owning one even if the price drops, as short of a redesign to include a UMD drive, it still does less than older PSP models.  How can that be positively marketed?  The PlayStation 3 has the "It only does everything" slogan these days, so what would the PSPgo pitch entail?  "It only does some things, but not all that a regular PSP can do?"  That's not very catchy at all.

(via Edge)