Since the "unveiling" thread was locked, I thought I'd start this "Official PSP Thread". I'll update it with all the news and reviews.

Okay, there are rumours doing the rounds atm on the packages and pricing of the unit:

PSP Package 1: $199.99
PSP console
1 Rechargeable battery
1 Charger (for the battery)
32MB MemoryStick duo

PSP Package 2: $299.99
PSP console
1 Rechargeable Battery
1 Charger
64MB MemoryStick Duo
Strap with built-in Headphones
Camera

PSP Package 3: $ 349.99
PSP console
1 Rechargeable battery
1 Charger
256MB MemoryStick Duo
Strap with built-in Headphones
Camera
Aluminium Case
GPS Device
Translation Software (TalkMan)

More info and pics coming real soon. :thumbsup:

American prices?

Yeh they're definitely American prices. Pretty damm outrageous if you ask me. I'd never pay anywhere near that price (especially with current list of games). Pity though because the system is definitely awesome.

Obviously this system was going to be expensive, given the technology, I'm not interested in it though as the games look to be essentially PS2 ports.

I predict a massive price drop months after the inital launch. Because if we recieve those prices even directly converted from the US dollar literally nobody will be able to afford one, let alone think they are worth the price tag.

Yep, those prices are ridiculous. Paying more than a console for a handheld, not to mention the price of games probably being more than normal console game prices as well. I'll be waiting for a price drop as well.

I think that's a pretty resonable price when you consider what you are getting.

I mean, the thing's a portable PS2 for christs sake.

A $199 price point ain't gonna happen. Look at the DS - it's $199 and has less and "inferior" technology in it.
And like the DS, I'll take a wait and see attitude with the PSP. If the games aren't there at launch, i'll wait a bit.

And here's some interesting news;

Source.

If it is delayed, you have to wonder why. Games not ready? Technology still too expensive?

Hah! One of the questions I always had about the PSP was how the hell they planned to keep the thing cool, and it seems I was onto something. 90 minutes of battery life?! I certainly hope that's inaccurate. Either way, delaying this thing isn't going to do Sony any favors, especially if they plan to have any effect at all on DS sales.

Come on people! Please, be a little more 'realistic' here. :| When the PS2 got released it had a $600 price tag! I bought mine for $400. For only $350 you get the handheld, a charger, 256MB memstick, headphones, a fuckin' camera, a sleek aluminium case, a GPS device and Talkman!! And don't forget its an MP3 and UMD (movie) player. When you shelled out for the PS2 on launch you only got the console, 1 controller and cables, and the ability to play DVD's. Pfft! For 350 bucks, the PSP package is a steal!

Can I ask why you are continuely comparing it to a home console? I mean by the time it is released it will only have between six months and one year before the next generation consoles are launched. The hardware on these will make the PSP seem like peanuts. The point is most gamers are willing to folk out a reasonable amount of cash to get a home console because this is their primary means to playing videogames. Not many people buy a portable games machine purely as their number one source to play videogames. As a secondary machine the price is absolutely ridiculous.

And that's US$350, so about AU$483

You can't compare a portable to a home console. It is more expensive to miniaturise electronics. Why else do laptops cost more than an equivalent desktop PC?

And Civic, isn't the DS 149 USD?

The point people are trying to make is that a home console is the primary source of videogames (like DC said) and thus should be more expensive than a secondary gaming device i.e. a handheld. Despite the fact that the PSP, is like 10* things in one doesnt change the fact that people are still going to look at it as primairly a handheld gaming system. Plus many of the features are rarely likely to be used or have poorer quality in comparison to standalone products. (eg. mobile phone cameras are crap compared to a standalone digital camera).







*10 figure used merely for effect, not official

Quoted for emphasis. DZ mate, its damm expensive, and that package won't launch here for any less than $500.

Just a little random point here; most new mobile phones cost heaps($600AU), christ the N-Gage was $650AU at launch wasn't it?

So yeah, what I'm saying is that this small technology doesn't come cheap, that's why the DS only has N64 graphics; Nintendo are waiting till the next GameBoy to seriously up graphics, because it'll be cheaper to produce.

Plus Nintendo tend to be pretty good at keeping pruduction costs down...just look at the GCN compared to the Xbox; the Xbox has better graphics(lets say 20% better) than the GCN, but MS sell it for $250AU, at over a 40% loss. The GCN on the other hand is about 2/3rds the size, and Nintendo still make a profit selling it at $199AU.

Not sure about Sony and the PS2, but I'd guess they are cheap to make, since they make so many. :P


Well so much for it being a little point. :dance3:

200 USD = 277.178 AUD 1 AUD = 0.721558 USD
XE.com

A very reasonable price for a handheld as powerful as the PS2 if you ask me.
And it is a secondary device, just like the DS is, but the only thing is that the PSP is ahead of the times. The PSP is clearly more powerful than the DS, and has even more functions. At $280, I'd get one for sure.
Like Estapol pointed out, if people would spend almost $800 for a mobile phone, than a PSP that plays movies (please don't forget that Sony has bought MGM studios), MP3's, translates, AND of course, has a list of hit titles like Acid and GT4, the PSP is clearly the better buy.

I'm with DZ, for what it is, that's an awesome price.

If Sony wanted to sell it cheaper they shouldn't have made it so powerful...

Mate, if you bothered to read the Nintendo DS thread you would have seen rumors floating around that indicate a US release price does not always translate to a AUS price. Plus, you have also singled out the cheapest package price and haven't considered the fact that games may cost just as much as PS2 games currently sell for.

Is this a mobile phone? I would estimate around 90% of consumers who purchase a mobile phone at $800 would be business employees who are on a high salary. Quite simply, these people aren't gamers and only buy the phones to keep up to date with technology because they have the money to afford splash out and afford them. A majority of gamers on the other hand don't have $800 sitting around to buy mobile phones which is signified by the current prices of home consoles.

Take the N-Gage for example, this is a mobile phone/games system that is intended for gamers yet has performed miserably in Australia. The reason? Because it was ridiculously overpriced and the consumer it was focusing on didn't have that kind of money to spend no matter how many features it provided.

Despite Sony's predictions that the PSP will appeal to all ages I can't honesty see anyone technology focused whipping this beast out when they can use a mobile phone as small as a peanut, well close to. :P

Honestly who is going to use all these features of the PSP anyway?

Also remember in the US sales tax is only added at time of purchase.

If you want a better idea of the Aussie price add about 30% to the raw currency conversion (obviously this accounts for GST, freight and profit). If there is an economist here I'm sure projected demand for an item would also affect its price (if more units will be sold then the break even point is reached earlier).

i.e. 200 USD = 277.178 + 83.1534 = 360.33 AUD

*raises hand*

I'm just glad I fall into both the "gamer" and "business type with high salary" :P

Seriously though, I won't be buying either PSP or DS until about 6 months into their Aussie release.

Taken from IGN:

This IGNPSP column has been translated from Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's mobile PSP site, a site accessible exclusively by mobile phones in Japan. While we first mentioned this site, which can be found at http://www.playstation.jp/psp, in a news story earlier today, we've at last logged on to the site to see what's present.

The PSP site includes three sections. A "PSP Present" section places those who fill out a survey into a contest for winning one of a hundred PSP systems. One question asks responders their color preference for the system, with options being red, blue, yellow, green, orange, pink, clear, white, black, silver and "other." Another question asks readers what current systems they have; Xbox is listed as an option, but the X isn't capitalized! The closing date for entry into the drawing is the end of October; what this means for Sony's Japanese PSP launch date is today's harmless speculation topic (HST).
Another section reveals details on a new event at which the PSP will show face. The PSP will go on display at the Tokyo International Entertainment Market 2004 festival (aka ENTAMA), set for between 10/22 and 10/24 at the Makuhari Messe just outside of Tokyo. This is listed as a pre-launch event for the system, meaning we can assume Sony does not plan for a release before the 24th.

But the real fun is to be had in the "This Week's PSP" section where none other than PSP herself (remember, she's a girl!) offers up a personal introduction! Let's see what Ms. PSP has to say in this week's column.



"Hello, everyone! My name is PSP. This week, I'll be explaining my name.
"First, I'll start with the story of my brother, PlayStation, who was born ten years ago. PlayStation was born from the dream of a certain technician. At the time, the best computers were very expensive and hard to use, and thus could only be used by a few technical people with specific knowledge, and not the average person. There was the idea of taking these computers, the work stations, which were used for work, and turning them into computers that were used for play, the PlayStation. There was also the idea of delivering it at a price that anyone could afford. From these strong ideas came the birth of the PlayStation that we all know.

"Then, the dream continued into an even bigger dream, that of expanding the concept of using the PlayStation's will and technological prowess for play into the portable world. And so was born a portable game machine which inherited the DNA of the PlayStation. Yes! Me, the PSP!

"I want to make it so that anyone can easily enjoy a broad range of entertainment, including games, video and music, wherever and whenever they like. This is the origin of the name given to the concept of the PSP (PlayStation Portable). I want to make it so that everyone can have fun at all times, wherever they are. Do you now understand that this idea is built into me?

"Next week, I'll speak more about my secrets. Please look forward to it."

The PSP site is listed as "Limited Time Only," which suggests that release for the system is expected sooner rather than later. We'll keep on analyzing PSP's very own words to see if she'll provide us with a date at some point.

:blink:

That is a very rationale theory and should serve approximatly correct :)

I'd expect them to get the rrp down to at least $300 I mean most aren't going to be happy about paying $360 dollars for a handheld when they could go out and buy a current gen console for considerably less than that.

turns out it's going to be roughly $260 but there is a PSP value pack hitting japanese stores that'll include an AC adaptor and battery pack (which come with the standard unit), a 32MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones with a remote control, a soft-case and a wrist-strap for around $310

source

Makes you wonder how much of a hit Sony is taking with the PSP or how much of a profit Nintendo is making with the DS. Either Sony have found a cheap way to manufacture high performance handhelds or they are really trying to take Nintendo head on (even though both sides' PR spiel is that they are not in direct competition).

Interesting. They have stated that they expect to lose quite alot of money on the consoles. I guess they do want to compete with the DS head on from the priceng point of view.

Clearly Sony are implementing a simlar straegy that Microsoft did with the Xbox, for the PSP, although it is still a bit costly.

Gosh that's one sexy machine.

It still looks like a bulky bastard.

The price is ok actually. If you can get a lot of unique games on it, along with a strong movie library, I might pick one up.
But the battery life is a bitch though. :eyebrow:

at least they doubled the battery life from 2 hours in e3's prototype. i read somewhere that in the last 10 years, batteries have improved in performance by only 5% whereas computers have progressed a staggering 1700%. if batteries upgraded as fast as computers, we could have nuclear bombs in the palm of our hands. imagine the battery life on that baby! ;)

We'd at least be getting 5 hours out of the PSP if that was the case :P

Definitely one sexy machine. I'd definitely buy one if I had money coming out of my arse.

It's certainly going to be interesting to see how the PSP goes, it's going to be the first true contender to grab a slice of Nintendo's near 100% market share in the handheld gaming market. So far though, I would like to see some original titles for the PSP, Nintendo is probably going to want to get their DS on the market as soon as possible.

I'll just pretend you're me for a sec........ sold! I'll take 3!

Some New Info:

So to get maximum playtime I would have to turn down my PSP's screen to half it's maximum brightness?

From what I understand 802.11 is a bit power intensive which is why Nintendo chose to go with a proprietry protocol for short-range communication.

Life is not fair <_<


Actually, if you're really that well off, why not just buy me one. I'll come pick it up myself :D

Don't worry, I was as equally as broke at you at your age.

You'll be right where I am when the PSPP gets released. :P