PSP priced and dated Stateside

Screen of glory – Waiting nearly up

Posted by Staff
PSP priced and dated Stateside
For many, the PSP has seemed like an impossible dream. Is it possible for a console to look so good, perform so well and offer so many functions? It does take a user several days to actually understand what the device, Sony’s inaugural handheld games machine, truly represents.

Good news today for the tangibility-disenfranchised US gamers then, with SCEA announcing full launch details for the PSP, settling nerves that had generated summer release chatter in some quarters.
Hitting on March 24th, the US will see the much coveted (though actually not that good) Value Pack for $249.99 in the United States and C$299.99 in Canada, which adds the Japan-beating lure of a copy of Spider-Man 2 on UMD disc. No stand-alone unit will be offered at launch.

24 titles were promised “within the launch window” which means essentially within the first week on sale. Metal Gear Acid, Need for Speed Rivals and of course the well-received Ridge Racers were all name-checked.

SCEA echoed comments made by PlayStation overlord Ken Kutaragi earlier in the week, announcing an expected ship into the US of around one million units.
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Comments

Joji 3 Feb 2005 20:43
1/5
Took their merry time about it, but where is the uk price? Come on Sony, tired of waiting.

Need a dose of Ridge Racers to ease my need for speed.
tyrion 3 Feb 2005 22:48
2/5
Well $249.99 is £132.837 according to xe.net, so maybe we'll get a $140 price point? And that was including Spider-Man 2 On UMD?

I think Ninty may just get a run for their money on this one.
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fluffstardx 4 Feb 2005 10:16
3/5
I still think it'll be £ for $. Sony want to sell us it, but they know it sells itself; why cut their own profits?

Admit it, £250 is STILL a good price.
kid_77 4 Feb 2005 10:35
4/5
fluffstardx wrote:
I still think it'll be £ for $. Sony want to sell us it, but they know it sells itself; why cut their own profits?

Admit it, £250 is STILL a good price.


I suppose if you compare a release RRP of £250 to the release RRP of £599 for the Philips CDi, then yeah it's good. But when you can have one imported and delivered to your door for a little over £150, it's crap.
tyrion 4 Feb 2005 12:59
5/5
fluffstardx wrote:
Admit it, £250 is STILL a good price.

There's no way on earth they will launch the PSP at £250. They'd sell fewer units than a fridge salesman in the Arctic.

I think that £140-£150 would be OK. Maybe a £120 price point for the basic PSP with no luxury add-ons like the cleaning cloth.
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