3rd February 2005, 11:46 AM
From ign:
And look at that launch lineup! I can already see three great games that I'm going to want at launch. MG Acid, Lumines, and Wipeout. I hate to say it, but that's a far more impressive lineup than the DS'. Though if the games cost more than $40 I'm probably only going to be able to afford two of them.
Quote: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.Ok before you guys go "OMG it's $250 What teh Ripoffss!!!!!111111", look at the details. It's because it's comes with a 32MB memory card (that's what, four times the size of the largest official GC memory card which costs $30?), headphones w/remote (those kinds of headphones are usually 'spensive), a battery pack (probably not a spare one though), AC adapter, a "soft case", a cleaning cloth (wee...), and the first million units with come with a spider-man 2 umd of the entire flick. Not too shabby. The memory card, headphones, and case themselves should more than warrant the extra $50. They should have also offered a barebones PSP, but whatever. I was going to buy most of that crap anyway.
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:
<DIR><DIR>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
</DIR></DIR>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.
And look at that launch lineup! I can already see three great games that I'm going to want at launch. MG Acid, Lumines, and Wipeout. I hate to say it, but that's a far more impressive lineup than the DS'. Though if the games cost more than $40 I'm probably only going to be able to afford two of them.