Sony have finally confirmed the launch date for their new handheld gaming console, the PlayStation Portable, and with it pricing information. The 24th of March is the date that the PSP will be available to buy in stores across the United States, and it will have an initial retail value of 250 US dollars.
The PSP value pack, as well as containing the PSP console itself, will also come with a 32MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones with remote control, a battery pack, an AC adapter, a soft case and a cleaning cloth. As well as this, the first million units to be sold will come with a UMD version of the Spiderman 2 film.
Sony intend to manufacture one million units for the North American retail market, although when one considers that on its Japanese launch date over 200,000 units were sold this may not be enough. Sony are currently estimating worldwide shipments of three million units for their first year, but if the machine is a success, this figure could be far higher.
The Sony PSP is truly a revolutionary device. As well as near console standard graphics, the PSP allows music and video playback, wireless connectivity and photo viewing. It also features upgradeable storage in the form of a Memory Stick Duo slot, as well as an IrDA port (handy as a remote control?) and USB 2.0 connectivity.
When it is launched the PSP will be shipping with 24 titles, which Sony are claiming is the highest number of titles for a launch date. Given the capabilities of this machine we also expect to see a great number of upgrades to come out to make it even better than it already is. Web browsing software and basic e-mail functionality have already been speculated upon as a possible future upgrade, but we think that there is a great deal more potential to be had in this device. We can't wait to get our hands on it and do a head to head comparison with the Nintendo DS, which is already looking a bit like an also ran. We'll keep you posted.
|
|
