Sony Japan confirms PSPgo death

UPDATE: Sony has told Japanese website AV Watch (via Kotaku) that it ended production of the PSPgo handheld "to concentrate on NGP".

The PSP-3000 model "will continue to be sold, and we will keep focusing our attention on it from here on out".

Sony's Next Generation Portable launches at the end of the year.

ORIGINAL STORY: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has confirmed that it has ended production of the PSPgo handheld.

Japanese website Phileweb (translated by Andriasang) reports that future sales of the portable console are now limited to current stock.

On the Japanese PlayStation website, the PSPgo carries a "shipment ended" notice.

Confirmation comes a day after rumours of the PSPgo's demise emerged.

Yesterday Sony Computer Entertainment Europe issued a statement on the matter that stopped short of denying those rumours.

SCEE said it would "continue to meet demand" for the "current generation of PSPs".

"It is a very exciting time for PlayStation portable devices," Sony said. "Before the end of the year we are launching NGP, our next generation portable device, which we believe will revolutionise portable gaming. In the meantime, the current generation of PSPs continue to be in demand, especially since the introduction of our value for money, Essentials range of games and we will continue to meet that demand."

Sony's decision to stop making the PSPgo comes a year-and-a-half after launch.

The device endured criticism from some quarters for its lack of a UMD drive and perceived high cost.