This week saw rumors surface that Sony had ceased production of the PSP Go. That speculation was apparently confirmed, when Japanese sources quoted Sony as saying that production of the UMD-less variant of the handheld had been discontinued. That account was backed up by the official Japanese PlayStation site, which listed the PSP Go as out of stock and no longer shipping.

The Japanese Playstation.com site placed "shipment ended" notices on both the black and white PSP Go listings, along with several PSP-3000 color variants. According to the site, the only PSPs currently in production are PSP-3000s in black, white, silver, pink, blue, and red.

Following reports from Japan, a UK retail source has indicated that PSPgo production has been ceased in the UK. That's according to respected trade mag MCV, which is reporting that retailers have received word from their suppliers "that once current PSPgo stock is sold we will not be receiving replenishments".

Japan and Europe may be finished with the PSP Go, but SCEA says it's not done with the downloadable-only handheld device.

At the same time, the North American Sony Style store listed the PSP Go as still in stock for $200. Now Sony is explaining why. In a brief statement, US Sony reps flatly said that, "We are continuing production of the PSP Go for North America." Sony also informed "We are going to continue to make shipments of PSP Go," after Amazon updated the PSP Go's product page to note the device was "discontinued by manufacturer." The reps did not comment on the status of the handheld in Japan or any other territories.

If you want to pick up a PSP Go before supplies are PSP Gone, you can still get one at Amazon for $200 in white or $233 in black. It's dying as it lived: too expensive.