Sony confirms PSP price cuts for America, "no plans" for Europe
By Darren Murph 
posted Apr 3rd 2007 1:25PM
posted Apr 3rd 2007 1:25PM
Just in case decorative displays and official memos weren't enough evidence that Sony was indeed listening up and slashing the price of its PSP, we've now got wind of spokesperson banter that should satisfy any remaining doubts. According to GamesIndustry, the official price of Sony's handheld has really been axed, assuring those still in the hunt for a new unit that these newfangled low prices aren't just here momentarily. Unfortunately for those across the pond who were waiting in tense anticipation for the recent PSP price hacks to be shipped on over, it's not looking too promising, as the aforementioned Sony spokesperson reportedly remarked that it "had no announcements to make about the PSP in the European market at this time." Of course, there's always hope for an (expectedly) delayed decrease in price, but if you were hoping things would just happen simultaneously, there's no good news for you.
Does this make the likelihood of a 'PSP2' go up? I hope so, my 2 year BestBuy replacement plan is up in July and I'd like to get a new new one instead of just a new one. :)
As always Europe is left in the dust. :( but its good to see sony cutting the price somewhere.
>Does this make the likelihood of a 'PSP2' go up?
Not a chance in the near future. Especially when they are getting system sellers like FF Crisis Core out within this year (that itself will sell at least 1 million units in Japan and 3 million units worldwide) and they have God of War coming out at the end of year.
Take the discount, do your custom firmware and enjoy you PSP. :)
The only problem is that AFAIK there is no way to downgrade the firmware from 3.30 which I'm assuming most PSP are on right now.
As such you are suck with an unhackable PSP for the time being.
why sony hates europe soo much?
It's not that Sony hates Europe, so much as they don't need to do this in Europe. Seriously, a company will stand on those that are loyal to them.
But yeah, I was thinking of importing a PSP anyway. The Australian dollar is totally awesome at the moment, and the prices for the PSP here are still ridiculous that even before this price drop it would have worked out cheaper. Now you'd have to be a moron not to import...
This does make the PSP an intriguing option for the future. But, Sony usually cuts prices when they:
1. Is expecting to release a new system that would be backwards compatible (somewhat) or...
2. Under pressure from the market to cut prices or lose out on just about everything.
If neither are true, then what other possibilities are there?
>The only problem is that AFAIK there is no way to downgrade the firmware from 3.30 which I'm assuming most PSP are on right now.
As such you are suck with an unhackable PSP for the time being.
how many people buy a gadget and hack it right away? Most wait for a while and get to know their gadget a bit more. With the price drop and the price drop in Daxter and Syphon Filter to 20 bucks (Engadget was nice enough to leave out), the system will sell better now.
WTF are you on crack?
Eh, tough crowd... I wish I could have typed that and had it come across in my Andrew Dice Clay type voice...
Man, Europe seems to constantly get screwed. I like to complain when we get higher prices in Canada, but I can at least go over the border if the difference is really significant. Europe seems to get prices converted to Euros, then a couple hundred extra (speaking mainly about consoles here) added on for good measure, along with late launches and delayed price drops.
>If neither are true, then what other possibilities are there?
To position themsevles better in the market?? What good game is coming out in next 6 month to drive up PSP sale? When Monster Hunter 2 came out in Japan, the sales number of PSP KILLED DS in those 2 months. without a killer title like Crisis Core or GoW, Sony HAS to survive next 6 months through this price cute
after that, FF Crisis Core will sell system itself.
whats wrong with you?
--how many people buy a gadget and hack it right away? Most wait for a while and get to know their gadget a bit more--
I bought my PSP for the sole purpose of hacking it to play movies & stuff from the MemoryStick
Most people I know who bought an original xbox did so cos it was/is the cheapest way of having a media player in the front room once hacked.
Whats to know? If you know what a system can do & you buy it for the purpose of doing what can only be done by hacking it, of course you're not going to sit playing it unhacked.
Has Sony just completely lost the plot with Europe? I seriously have no idea what their business plan is, and I doubt it is going to be making them money.
>Has Sony just completely lost the plot with Europe? I seriously have no idea what their business plan is,
Why would Sony let YOU know their business plan? Microsoft was stupid enough to release their "Elite" news a month before the release, and guess what? They probably can't sell any xbox next few weeks as people are waiting for the new SKU.
that's bad business plan.
Sony was able to hold the news until late yesterday night. and I think Sony will do the same for Europe. whatever they are planning, (price drop, gift pack.. or both), they won't let you and I know until the last minutes.
Distributors in PAL regions need to pick their game up. We're not oblivious to what happens on the other side of the ocean, and we're more than happy to import a product directly if you can't meet our needs.
The price cut sounds tempting, but there theres not enough compelling games that interest me enough to go out and get one. I mean Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is coming out this summer for the DS and what for the PSP?
Heck, I thought the same as you. But then I went out and got one for my fiance and Holy beegebers. It's better than carrying around my laptop. Hacked the PSP right out of the box, downloaded a bunch of games, a whole bunch of videos and music. I'm telling you, the PSP is under-rated. It's by far the best portable media player out there. You don't even have to use it for playing games, I rarely do. Watching episodes of The Office and such is awesome on the bright crisp 4 or 5 inch screen( i think it's 4.some odd inches, but I'm too lazy to look into it right now), which ever it is. I know the screen sounds small, but it's big compared to other choices and holy heck is it ever bright and crisp. I kid you not. Go out buy yourself a PSP and a bunch of Memory Stick cards and you're set for videos, music, games, and internet browsing for ever, leave the clunky laptop at home.
Nake sure whichever one you buy has a sku with the letter K or less on it. You'll notice the letter to the far right, all by its lonesome. If you get an L or higher you'll need an old copy of GTA:LCS to hack it. Check out www.psp-hacks.com It'll make the PSP a great investment. That's just my two cents, but I'm sure there are plenty of other people here that would agree.
>I mean Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is coming out this summer for the DS and what for the PSP?
Final Fantasy Crisis Core; the best selling PSP game in Japan: MOnster Hunter 2; God of War; Hopefully Silent Hill and GT4
Oh, and Elder Scroll on PSP
PSP is fufu.
virtua tennis 3 has brought life back into my psp. i only play that and castlevania sotn on it now.
The headline should have read "Sony Gives In To Bentonville Behemoth's Demands."