PSP Price and Release Date

[Crash]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050203/sfth050_1.html

Quote:
PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) Set to Release on March 24 Across North America
Thursday February 3, 8:08 am ET
Sony Computer Entertainment America to Retail Single SKU PSP Value Pack for $249.99

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the North American launch details for its highly anticipated PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system. Available through retail outlets on March 24, the company continues its consumer-centric legacy with the release of the PSP Value Pack for a suggested retail price of $249.99 U.S./$299.99 CND. In addition to the revolutionary PSP hardware, the PSP Value Pack contains an unprecedented added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including 32 MB Memory Stick Duo™, headphones with remote control, battery pack, AC adaptor, soft case and cleaning cloth, movie/music/game video sampler UMD disc including multiple non-interactive game demos, and for the first one million PSP Value Packs shipped, a special UMD video release of the feature film Spider-Man™ 2 from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Sony Computer Entertainment will manufacture one million units for sale in the North American market by the close of its fiscal year ending March 31. This figure is part of the company's total three-million-unit worldwide PSP system shipment estimate within the same time period. PSP released in Japan on December 12, 2004 and is already a hit, with more than 800,000 units shipped, including a 200,000-unit allocation that sold out on day one.

PSP sets a new standard as the first truly integrated portable entertainment system designed to provide consumers with a comprehensive entertainment experience including games, music, movies, communication, and wireless networking. Featuring graphics rendering capabilities comparable to the company's leading in-home console, PlayStation®2, PSP brings an unparalleled gaming experience to a portable platform, allowing users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality, full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PSP also allows for digital photo display and supports digital music playback in both MP3 and ATRAC formats.

"PSP will evolve and elevate portable entertainment, giving users the freedom to play full 3D games, watch movies, listen to music and connect wirelessly on their terms, their time and their place," said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "More than ever, today's consumer demands access to entertainment outside the home without compromising quality. With more than 100 PSP game titles currently in development worldwide, and the ability to download and listen to digital music and view feature films with breathtaking screen quality, PSP lets users control their entertainment options, all in one package."

PSP features an unmatched 4.3-inch, 16:9 wide screen TFT LCD that displays full color (16.77 million colors) on a 480 x 272 pixel high-resolution screen. PSP also comes complete with built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector and diverse input/output connectors such as USB 2.0, and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN, enabling users to connect to the Internet and play online via a wireless network.* Up to 16 PSPs in the vicinity can also be connected to each other directly in ad-hoc mode, allowing for wireless head-to-head competition. In addition, wireless capabilities will allow software and data to be downloaded to a PSP and saved onto a Memory Stick Duo.

PSP also adopts a newly developed proprietary, compact, but high-capacity optical disc, Universal Media Disc (UMD™), as its storage medium. UMD is the next-generation compact storage media, only 60mm in diameter but can store up to 1.8GB of digital data -- more than three times the data held on a CD-ROM. A broad range of digital entertainment content such as high quality 3D games, music, movies, video clips and other programs can be distributed on UMD. To protect this content, a robust copyright protection system has been developed for UMD, which utilizes a combination of a unique disc ID, 128 bit AES encryption keys for the media, and individual ID for each PSP hardware unit.

PSP (PlayStationPortable) Basic Specifications and Features


I like how it said psp sold out in japan on day one... i distinctly remember them saying it took 3 days to sell out... oh well, i'm still going to buy one... but i doubt if i get it on launch day

who in their right mind would pay $250.00 for a portable game system???

[Blackmane]

Wow, $250. I know you get a good deal of stuff with it, but...

...that number is a turn-off for me.

[Stray_Bullet]

I'll be waiting for a couple price drops.

...Scary though, PS2 didn't drop for a long time.

Well, if I had the money, I would buy it. Maybe I'll trade in my XBox for it. Whee.

[Stonecutter]

. Maybe I'll trade in my XBox for it. Whee.


REPENT!

[Jonbo298]

I'll be waiting for a couple price drops.

...Scary though, PS2 didn't drop for a long time.

Well, if I had the money, I would buy it. Maybe I'll trade in my XBox for it. Whee.

That's because there was no competition yet so there wasn't a reason to drop the price, plus the fact people were willing to keep paying the high amount for it until Nintendo and MS brought out their offerings.

But thats good news for anyone wanting a PSP. Price is a little high but considering you get alot in a package, its not a horrible deal. But for me, its all about playing games so if I decide to get one, I'll wait a price drop or 2 since I dont want to pay $250 for stuff I'll rarely use :p

[Crash]

not bad if you compare it to mp4 players (portable video/mp3 players)

but $250? I could get an xbox and a gamecube for that!

[Null]

maybe i didnt catch it from just skimming through.. but it says the VALUE pack is 250. thats not news at all. it was reported here months ago that the normal package will be about 200, and the special or value pack whatever they want to call it at 250.

for me personally tho i wouldnt pay anything over 100 for ANY portable game system, they're no where near worth it.

[DeathsHand]

maybe i didnt catch it from just skimming through.. but it says the VALUE pack is 250. thats not news at all. it was reported here months ago that the normal package will be about 200, and the special or value pack whatever they want to call it at 250.

Exactly... I knew right away when I saw that Crash had made a topic about the PSP release details, the price would be quite steep...

As Null pointed out, this is the value pack... The bad thing is, in the US apparently you'll ONLY be able to get it in the value pack (no stand-alones)...

So yes 250 for a portable game system seems steep, but the reason for that is you're getting a bunch of (mostly) useful extras too...

However I think that not releasing it as a standalone for around 175-200 is a big mistake, and expect Sony to offer them a short while after launch...

[Blackmane]

I know that Sony fanboys are going to jump on this thing, but as others are stating here, a normal customer is not going to see a $250 price tag on a handheld and want to buy it.

I also think a price drop will come pretty soon.

[Crash]

naw, other message boards are having sonybots getting pissed at sony saying they will never buy a handheld now... they never would have played it anyways.

sure... i love to buy stuff at the store and have them automatically tack on stuff I dont need or want, like warrenties, screen wipes, and useless crap so sony can try to make back some of it's profits

they are just pissed because due to the japanese launch of the PSP they're profits fell 28% from last year... (and the ps2 shortages)

so now we're all going to pay (heh suuuuuure we are) the difference

[DarkMaster]

They would be fools not to release a pack with just a PSP for significantly less money. Seriously, it's not even logical to refrain from giving the option. I'll buy a PSP most likely, but not a value pack. Hopefully they smarten up before launch.

I like how it said psp sold out in japan on day one... i distinctly remember them saying it took 3 days to sell out...
They were sold out before they hit store shelves, mainly due to the fact that they shipped less units than the amount preordered.

[Xantar]

I think Sony is trying to grab the iPod generation who is willing to pay a premium for a slim, cool looking device. Which is to say people who aren't exactly in this board's demographic.

The problem is when it comes to playing music, Sony really doesn't want people comparing the iPod to the PSP.

It's a risky move, and I'm not exactly sure it was a wise one. Simply raising the price of a product doesn't necessarily generate demand. But that's what they're going to do, for better or for worse. One thing is certain: Nintendo is sleeping much better at night.

[Ace195]

Hrm If I could make VCD minicd's and use them with the PSP I might consider it :)

[Jonbo298]

PSP uses a special case you have to put inside so I dont think you can use mini cds. Best option is memory sticks

[Blackmane]

PSp is doomed, thats all their is to it.

[Canyarion]

Yeah, Sony's going bankrupt. :)

[Null]

. Simply raising the price of a product doesn't necessarily generate demand. But that's what they're going to do, for better or for worse. One thing is certain: Nintendo is sleeping much better at night.

i dunno, i think nintendos stocking up on sleeping pills to sleep at night.

also they never raised the price of the PSP. they cut out the lesser package for now. your not paying more for the same thing, your paying more for more.


cant say which handheld will do better. but i dont think nintendo is sleeping easy at all lately.

[MuGen]

There are many people out there who bought the iPod which is a very high priced mp3 player. PSP is priced around there, and offers more so I wouldn't say that there isn't anyone who would buy this.

Especially since I have a good job... I'll be picking this one up on day one. Call me fanboy.

[Dyne]

Haha, forget waiting for the price to drop. Call me when there's actually bunch of great games on it.

[Null]

Haha, forget waiting for the price to drop. Call me when there's actually bunch of great games on it.


:hmm: psst. ds doesnt have any good ones yet either. lol

[MuGen]

that's also true... both handhelds will need at least a year on the shelves to stock up on favorites and good games.

But I've played Ridge Racer on my friend's DS and it's pretty addicting.

[Dyne]

:hmm: psst. ds doesnt have any good ones yet either. lol

So, you're saying my post would have been way better if I said "WELL SCREW THIS I'M GETTING DS INSTEAD."

lol

[MuGen]

as soon as i establish my place in the work force I'm getting both the DS and the PSP and then the PS3 and the Revolution, and I will have no place for fanboyism after that... except hatred towards Microsoft...

LOL

[Null]

So, you're saying my post would have been way better if I said "WELL SCREW THIS I'M GETTING DS INSTEAD."

lol


no. personally im saying handhelds suck. ;)

[Jonbo298]

:hmm: psst. ds doesnt have any good ones yet either. lol

psst. PS2 didn't when it first came out either ;) :p

[MuGen]

i beg to differ jonbo... SSX Tricky is still on many people's fav lists and that was one of the first ps2 games to come out.

[Typhoid]

So, you're saying my post would have been way better if I said "WELL SCREW THIS I'M GETTING DS INSTEAD."

lol



But you already bought a DS.....so that statement was completely wrong.


Mwahahaha.

[Jonbo298]

i beg to differ jonbo... SSX Tricky is still on many people's fav lists and that was one of the first ps2 games to come out.

1-2 good games. Just like the DS ;) Mario 64 and Feel the Magic (albeit Feel was short)

[Null]

1-2 good games. Just like the DS ;) Mario 64 and Feel the Magic (albeit Feel was short)


but you already stated it had none. now your saying it had 1 or 2. ;)

DS has none. its highest rated title is a remake of Mario. Been there, Done that. it will get its good games, or at least high rated ones depending on who you ask and how your looking at it. point wasnt against nintendo. point was when do you ever get good games at launch of anything really?


and for the record to both of you. SSX Tricky wasnt a PS2 launch title. SSX the original was.

[CamFu]

Call me fanboy.

Ok… Fanboy. :fanboy: :LOL: :LOL: LOL: :sneaky: Nothing. Oh well, I thought it was funny. Just giving you a hard time Kyuzo.

When it comes to the handheld market, I’m really glad that something like this had come out. It was like Nintendo was trying to convince the world that all handhelds had to be a generation behind with the graphics. That, for some reason, it was impossible to create something look so good on a TV, but not a mini screen.

I know, I know, that graphics aren’t everything. :rolleyes: But they are still a big plus. I think the DS is an awesome idea. I love the whole touch screen thing. And now the rumors floating around about how their wireless is going to work is also a fun thing to wish about. If it turns out to be as sweet as everybody talks about. Now image if the DS had the graphics equal to the GC. Resident Evil 4 anybody?

I think that Sony is actually selling that thing for a good price. Will I end up buying it? Probably not. Because the only time I used handhelds is when I traveled. And that part of my life has come to a stop. There is no need for me to want a handheld if all I’m doing is driving back and fourth to work. If I go camping or something where I’m getting of the house to do activities, the point is to get away from everything. That is why I’m not going to buy the PSP. I don’t even own a DS right now.

Even though I think that it’s a good price. I do agree somewhat that it’s a steep price (maybe it’s because I work for minima wage). Try to figure out my way of thinking. Not saying that nobody is going to buy it. But here is my problem. When new technology comes out, it’s usually pretty expensive. VCR’s, CD Players, DVD Players, CDR, DVDR, MP3 Players, etc… you get my point. But over the years, you get a lot of companies that try to get a part of the cash cow and start making their own product for a better price. Hence competition.

Sony is claiming that this is “new” product. Claiming that the PSP is going to change, not just gaming, but media is general. I don’t have quote for you guys. But I’m sure you all have heard it when they were hyping up the product. Now Sony slaps a price tag of $250 on it. As of right now, nobody is going to come out with something similar to it. So they can keep it at the price, for who knows how long.

Even with consoles, you have each other competing. So it’s not a monopoly… sort to speak. Not saying that Sony will have a monopoly on the handheld market, like Nintendo has had for the last 15+ years. But I do have to give my props to Nintendo the way they have run this market. They have given new versions of GameBoy’s over the years. And each time a new one comes out, the older one goes down in price. Still allowing you to play the older games on the newer system. Original GameBoy, GameBoy Pocket, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, GameBoy Advance SP, and now DS. Did I miss anything? The DS is the first time that you won’t be able to play games there were released back in 1985. Is that such a big loose? There have been enough remakes to make me sick.

Enough of my rambling. Point is that people will pay large amounts of money to get what they want. Talk with Crash… he knows. $250 to expensive, no, not really. To expensive for me? Yep.

I apologize if there are misspelled words, or things that are incomplete. I was at work today, so it took me all day to write this small little thing. Couldn’t pay a ton of attention to it.

[MuGen]

I've tried to make long posts make more sense, but you've successfully pulled it off.

The PSP isn't expensive for me at all... but then again I'm out of IT school doing some good work for myself.

Still.... $250 could be high if you classify it as a gaming handheld... and $250 IS expensive for a gaming handheld.

But... you have to think $250 is for Videos, Games (especially with PS2 graphics), Mp3's, and wireless connection. If you think about it... most cell phones that have those are around $500+ like a PDA cell phone. Even the Motorola RAZR is expensive for what it does.

Things are expensive nowadays... especially packed into Mobile devices, so I'm not upset with the price. I bought a Sony Ericsson Z600 which is just a cellphone... for $165.. thats only $95 less than the PSP, and the Z600 is just a cellphone with a few extra tidbits like Bluetooth, Polytones, and 65,000 color display... but still doesn't measure up to the PSP capabilities.

Point being.... the prices will shoot up day after day when it comes to Mobile devices.

[KillerGremlin]

250......can get you 1/4 of a year's worth of car insurance. It can get you a Gameboy DS and a Gameboy Advance and a Gameboy Game. It can get you a Xbox and Gamecube. You could buy 5 new computer games. You could get a good MP3 player, one that isn't an iPod but just as good. You could almost buy a gram of hash, if you smoke (I personally don't). You could buy about 18 music CDs, new and expensive ones.

I don't know if 250 justifies the cost of a new handheld.....especially if all I will be doing is playing games.

Oddly enough, I'll probably wait a while until the thing lowers in price. Until then, I have a DS to hold me over.

[bobcat]

Shame it's so expensive.

The DS will be $199 AUST!!! when it launches here.

I'll probably get it anyway. I like the look of it. Looks so damn sexy

[DeathsHand]

I don't know if 250 justifies the cost of a new handheld.....especially if all I will be doing is playing games.

But the problem is that it isn't as simple as it being a "new handheld"... You have to look at what you're getting... Which is more, and something better (technology-wise)...

it being in the "value pack" adds like 50 bucks to the price... Like I said, Sony would be completely stupid not to sell it sold seperately for a lower price (around 199.99)... I have a feeling they might be selling it ONLY in the value pack to begin with simply because they know people will buy it... Is that nice for consumers? No, but if spending 250 bucks isn't you're thing, then don't spend it... wait until you can get it cheaper...

So when the PSP is sold seperately (like I said, to me it seems inevitable that it will be, but maybe Sony will be dumb and will keep it value pack only, if they do that then I think they're crazy) and costs around 200 bucks... You're paying 50 bucks extra for a machine with much better technology, the ability to play music and movies, a damn sexy screen, among other things...

Of course, not everyone's going to care so much about the ability to play movies and music... But the same exact arguements were brought up in the "next-gen" (meaning this gen) console wars, and we all know how that went...

What I'm trying to say is that nobody should be convinced that PSP will fail... this 250 value pack only deal sounds to me like a mistake... If they keep it past launch, they will most likely be doing harm to longterm sales...

However if they sell them seperately shortly after launch, who knows what'll happen...

As for games... I havn't really heard much in the way of impressions of games, however looking at the lineup, Ridge Racer, Twisted Metal, and Dynasty Warriors are games from successful franchises... Metal Gear Acid is too, but that's a completely different kinda game...

and in the latest issue of PSP, they say that apparently a GTA game is in the works set to be released shortly after launch...

A port of Mario 64... And Feel the Magic...

vs.

Ridge Racer, Twisted Metal, Dynasty Warriors... With Metal Gear Acid and ATV Offroad Fury (fairly popular series) being maybes...

And a GTA game on the horizon...

I think anybody who says DS's lineup (and future lineup) looks better than PSPs either hasn't taken a good enough look, or are only looking for games named Mario, Zelda and Metroid...

of course both handheld's future lineups seem kind of scarce... I'm expecting there to be some big announcements on both sides come E3...

[CamFu]

Alright DsH I'm going to go ahead and go through your post here. I agree with some of what you said some I don't. I'm bored and this is a forum. :D

But the problem is that it isn't as simple as it being a "new handheld"... You have to look at what you're getting... Which is more, and something better (technology-wise)...

Better Technology-Wise? Nah, that is just a matter of opinion. The DS is a pretty sweet little machine itself. The only thing that the PSP has the DS on is graphics. And a larger screen. I will agree with that much. But Nintendo has released a product that you are able to play MP3's on and watch MPEG4 (I think thats the format). I know that its only been released in Japan, but that is what importing is for... if you want to watch movies and listen to music that badly. And I'm pretty sure that it can be used on the DS. But ontop of that, with the GBA, there is actually a TV adaptor that you can use so you can watch some TV on the GBA. There are so many little things you can pick up for the GBA, that it can be used more then just a handheld.

it being in the "value pack" adds like 50 bucks to the price... Like I said, Sony would be completely stupid not to sell it sold seperately for a lower price (around 199.99)... I have a feeling they might be selling it ONLY in the value pack to begin with simply because they know people will buy it... Is that nice for consumers? No, but if spending 250 bucks isn't you're thing, then don't spend it... wait until you can get it cheaper...

Agreed.

So when the PSP is sold seperately (like I said, to me it seems inevitable that it will be, but maybe Sony will be dumb and will keep it value pack only, if they do that then I think they're crazy) and costs around 200 bucks... You're paying 50 bucks extra for a machine with much better technology, the ability to play music and movies, a damn sexy screen, among other things...

By the time the PSP is launched, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo did one of two things. One, drop the price of the DS like $20 and you could buy that adaptor that plays movies and music (wish I could remember the name of that stupid thing, I'm too lazy to look it up). Or Two, Nintendo annouces that this adaptor will be released in the US and will come with DS for a price of $200. Thats it, I'm going to find this stupid adaptor thing so I don't sound like I'm talking through my a$$. Ok, here it is. It's from IGN Music & Movie Adaptor (http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/573/573950p1.html). Hasn't gotten rave reviews, but then again they haven't fully tested it. They also haven't seen it on the DS.

Of course, not everyone's going to care so much about the ability to play movies and music... But the same exact arguements were brought up in the "next-gen" (meaning this gen) console wars, and we all know how that went...

I'm half and half with you on this one. I can see the music side of it being huge. But movie playback... no, you have to get a special UMD for that thing. In the console wars, it played normal everyday DVDs. Ones that everybody already had. Nothing extra to buy. Maybe people will start forking out the money for a movie they already have so they can watch it on the PSP.

This is where I think Nintendo's Music/Movie adaptor has a better shot of being more popular. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's too my understanding that both Music and Movies can be downloaded to a SD Card. So if you want a movie, go ahead and copy it to your card, when you are done, delete it, put another on one. Repeat process. I would rather own 1 or 2 SD Cards that I can use for more then just movies, then 20+ UMDs that only play on a PSP. Just my opinion.

What I'm trying to say is that nobody should be convinced that PSP will fail... this 250 value pack only deal sounds to me like a mistake... If they keep it past launch, they will most likely be doing harm to longterm sales...

However if they sell them seperately shortly after launch, who knows what'll happen...

I doubt they are going to fail. Even if they decided to keep the Value Pack long term.

As for games... I havn't really heard much in the way of impressions of games, however looking at the lineup, Ridge Racer, Twisted Metal, and Dynasty Warriors are games from successful franchises... Metal Gear Acid is too, but that's a completely different kinda game...

and in the latest issue of PSP, they say that apparently a GTA game is in the works set to be released shortly after launch...

A port of Mario 64... And Feel the Magic...

vs.

Ridge Racer, Twisted Metal, Dynasty Warriors... With Metal Gear Acid and ATV Offroad Fury (fairly popular series) being maybes...

And a GTA game on the horizon...

I think anybody who says DS's lineup (and future lineup) looks better than PSPs either hasn't taken a good enough look, or are only looking for games named Mario, Zelda and Metroid...

of course both handheld's future lineups seem kind of scarce... I'm expecting there to be some big announcements on both sides come E3...

As I have said before. I don't own a DS or plan on getting a PSP. So I'm going to go ahead and agree with DsH on this one.

[Xantar]

Like CamFu, I don't think the movie playback is going to be a big deal at all. Unlike CamFu, I don't think music playback is going to be a big deal either. It costs about $60 to get a 512 MB memory stick from Amazon.com (surely you're not going to store your music on the 32 MB card that comes with the package). You won't be using that entire space for music either since you will have game saves as well.

And of course then the problem becomes $200 PSP + $60 Memory Stick = price of an iPod Mini with more space and longer battery life. Will people replace their iPods so that they can play games on the PSP? Sony seems to be betting that some of them will, but I'm not so sure.

Again, it's a gutsy move, but it also ensures that Nintendo is not getting pushed out of the handheld market any time soon.

[Null]

Like CamFu, I don't think the movie playback is going to be a big deal at all. Unlike CamFu, I don't think music playback is going to be a big deal either. It costs about $60 to get a 512 MB memory stick from Amazon.com (surely you're not going to store your music on the 32 MB card that comes with the package). You won't be using that entire space for music either since you will have game saves as well.

And of course then the problem becomes $200 PSP + $60 Memory Stick = price of an iPod Mini with more space and longer battery life. Will people replace their iPods so that they can play games on the PSP? Sony seems to be betting that some of them will, but I'm not so sure.

Again, it's a gutsy move, but it also ensures that Nintendo is not getting pushed out of the handheld market any time soon.



yes but thats always been a point of mine. Space vs price. however thats not the way the general public looks at it. they see ipods at $400, and a tiny mp3 player at $100. there are MANY who dont lookat it that way and get the $100 one, even tho its only 128MB compared to 40gb

and i've posted MANY times on how the price chart comes to. 40gig ipod like a buck for 128mb...... 128mb mp3 player, something like $14,000 to equal 40gb

but for people like that. $60 for 512 is actually a great price, and there are many who would put a couple cd's on it, take it with em. and erase em after they've taken the trip and such.


As far as video goes.... i dont think thier UMD videos will do well at all. However, putting your own video on a memory stick to take with you somewhere i think will actually end up being a strong point for the thing. theres been times when i wished my ipod would play video so i could watch something that i coulda easily put on a memory stick.