A week after discounting its older PSP-3000 models to $129.99, Sony has cut the MSRP for its UMD-less, digital download-focused PSP Go by $50 to $149.99 in North America.
Major retailers haven't yet updated their listings to reflect the new price, notes consumer site Joystiq, which first reported the markdown, but Sony Computer Entertainment America has updated its official PSP site to read, "Now you can enjoy the sleek, totally-digital PSP Go system for $149.99 MSRP and the unsurpassed PSP-3000 system for $129.99 MSRP."
Last week, the company marked down its PSP-3000 hardware, which originally launched in October 2008, to $129.99, matching the price of Nintendo's almost five-year-old DS Lite models. With the pricecut, SCEA also added 13 titles to its reduced-price "Greatest Hits" and $9.99 "Favorites" library.
The company released the PSP Go in October 2009 for $249, then dropped the price to $199 a year later. These new discounts come as Sony prepares to launch its successor to the PSP, the Next Generation Portable (NGP), which features a 5-inch OLED touchscreen, 3G, a rear touchpad, motion sensing, and more.
Since the PSP's debut in late 2004, the handheld has gone on to move 67.8 million units around the world, 23 million of which were sold in North America.
"Nearly six years after its initial launch, demand for the PSP remains strong," said SCEA's sales VP Tim Bender last week. "This new price point enables us to broaden the PSP platform to a larger group of consumers who are looking for best-in-class handheld entertainment."
I absolutely love my psp. Just because it didn't sell as well as the DS doesn't make it a failure... though I agree it's certainly not a runaway success.
I bought a 3000 because I wanted the freedom to use UMDs. I now own about a dozen UMDs I'll never play, because I've found digital download is far superior for my needs -- having all my games at my fingertips is sweet.
Were I to buy another PSP, it would definitely be a Go... though at this point, it'll be a NGP. Can't wait!
I don't understand why the PS Go, which has less features and capabilities than the standard PSP line, still remains more expensive than the non-Go versions.
It does have some extra features I wish the 3000 had, such as the ability to sync a normal dualshock controller. This feature is pretty futuristic if you think about it, because that means you can hook up your Go to your tv, and play with a dual shock... essentially turning it into a portable console.
I currently play my 3000 off the tv when I'm home, and I'd kill for this feature. I have a feeling you'll see this become even more prevalent in the future -- while a psp doesn't have the resolution to look great on a large tv, eventually, portables will look great on a tv... at which point, we'll have fully portable consoles.
My only issue with Go is that theres no way to transfer you game ownership to digital...and the digital games are generally the same price as retail games...
With a good Sony or Sandisk Memory Stick used in a 3000, the only truly unique feature about the Go is Bluetooth tethering... Ironically, that's most useful for connecting the Go to a PC or PS3.
Really? REALLY?
I guess in Japan...
I bought a 3000 because I wanted the freedom to use UMDs. I now own about a dozen UMDs I'll never play, because I've found digital download is far superior for my needs -- having all my games at my fingertips is sweet.
Were I to buy another PSP, it would definitely be a Go... though at this point, it'll be a NGP. Can't wait!
After trying it out at a Best Buy, I think it wouldn't be worth it for 1 cent- the ergonomics of holding the device are SO bad.
I currently play my 3000 off the tv when I'm home, and I'd kill for this feature. I have a feeling you'll see this become even more prevalent in the future -- while a psp doesn't have the resolution to look great on a large tv, eventually, portables will look great on a tv... at which point, we'll have fully portable consoles.