PSP North American Release Date: March 24

[Solid Fro]

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the North American launch details for its highly anticipated PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) 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(TM), 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(TM) 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.

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

Unfortunately, it says nothing about just the stand alone PSP, just the value pack.

 

[animateria]

Geez... $100 more than the DS... The price is almost as much as a brand new console system in its earlier cycle... The price will definitely make the DS gain more ground for sure... Well... It is a broader multimedia platform.. And has more capabilities I guess... (More stuff in the package too) Price range can compete with an iPod (Buying a iPod? Just Buy a PSP!! Games and Music!!)

I'm worried that the next consoles will also have a high starting price... (at least $450)

But overall... I'm glad that it has a release date for the U.S.. I might not buy it early in the cycle but wait for a price drop period though...

IGN..

February 3, 2005 - Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced the North American launch date and pricing structure for its anticipated PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld. The device, which launched in Japan last year, is set to debut in the US and Canada on March 24 for suggested retail prices of $249 USD and $299.99 CND respectively.


Unlike the Japanese launch, which offered a base PSP package for approximately $185 USD, North American buyers will only be able to get one bundle, the pricier PSP Value Pack. The good news is that the Pack comes standard with a good number of extras that help make the purchase worthwhile, including a 32MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones with remote control, battery pack, AC adaptor, soft case, and cleaning cloth. In addition, the bundle boasts a movie/music/game sampler UMD disc with non-interactive demos. On top of everything else, the first one million people to purchase a PSP in the US will receive a bonus UMD featuring the full feature film Spider-Man 2.
"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. "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."

Sony also announced the preliminary list of launch titles, to be released simultaneously with the handheld:


Ape Escape: On the Loose, Sony Computer Entertainment America
ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, Sony Computer Entertainment America
Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower, Capcom
Dynasty Warriors, KOEI
FIFA 2005, Electronic Arts
Gretzky NHL, Sony Computer Entertainment America
Lumines, Ubisoft
Metal Gear Acid, Konami
MLB, Sony Computer Entertainment America
MVP Baseball, Electronic Arts
NBA, Sony Computer Entertainment America
NBA Street Showdown, Electronic Arts
Need for Speed Rivals, Electronic Arts
NFL Street 2 Unleashed, Electronic Arts
Rengoku: Tower of Purgatory, Konami
Ridge Racer, Namco
Smartbomb, Eidos Interactive
Spider-Man 2, Activision
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR, Electronic Arts
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix, Activision
Twisted Metal: Head On, Sony Computer Entertainment America
Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, Sony Online Entertainment
Wipeout Pure, Sony Computer Entertainment America
World Tour Soccer, Sony Computer Entertainment America
Sony said it would manufacture one million PSP units for sale in the North American market by the end of its fiscal year on March 31.

IGN.com

 

[livemusic]

I was reading an user´s review of PSP on a Brazilian forum and I was quite amazed with it. By what he said, the Value Pack is the way to go since you´ll have to get a memory stick anyway, the case means good protection to your toy, and the headset quality is much better than PSP´s speakers.

I wasn´t too interested on it, but now I want one very badly! Too bad I don´t have the money.

 

[Solid Lifters]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6908316/

I'm might get this for my sons birthday. But, the release date is two days after his birthday. So, it can act like an I-Pod? Does it play MP3 and WMAs? Via memory stick, I take it? How is this possible?

 

[Solid Fro]

Yes, the PSP can play MP3 files. You would have to transfer them from your PC to a Memory Stick and the PSP will read it from there.

iPod killer? Maybe.

That's one of the main reasons I pre-ordered mine.

 

[McLaren'sAngel]

Hiya! Meow! (='.'=)

249.99! Thats expensive... Better think twice before getting it or wait for a price drop.

 

[animateria]

Yes, the PSP can play MP3 files. You would have to transfer them from your PC to a Memory Stick and the PSP will read it from there.

iPod killer? Maybe.

That's one of the main reasons I pre-ordered mine.

Looking at the price... It definitely wants to compete against the iPod...

Well... I've read stuff on Gamestop and they speculated that Sony does not see Nintendo DS as a threat... The system has yet to bring a awesome game to the table... And now that the PSP is launching with solid titles (If they come out at the same time)... DS is out of the picture... And I think I've read on IGN that Sony might create their own iPod like download service...

It all adds up... Sony made a multimedia device that slams competition left and right... And looking at the initial response in Japan.. (Sold out) I'm guessing Sony has a winner!!

 

[Acid X]

You could probably use a USB pen drive to store your mp3s as well. There IS a USB port..

 

[RogsR34UK]

The USB port is smaller than a standard one. You need the correct lead to connect it to a PC.

I have a Japanese one. Must say I am impressed with the thing. I am waiting for my lead to arrive from a Hong Kong base company so I have yet to try downloading anything to it.