Official details regarding the PSP’s launch date and price have finally been revealed. Called the PSP Value Pack, the system will launch on March 24 for the cost of $250. It’s called a “Value Pack” because, not only does it come with the system, but the following extras…
- a 32 MB memory stick
- headphones with remote control
- a carrying case
- a demo disc
- and for the first one million units shipped, Spider Man 2, not a game but the whole film, on a UMD (the PSP’s disc format, btw).
Right off the back, many are pretty disappointed by the high cost. Whether it’s worth it is totally subjective; I personally think it’s a fantastic price for fantastic technology.
But like many, I’m highly annoyed by the fact that two different configurations aren’t available; in Japan, the PSP launched in a bare bones package with just the system for just $180 (hence why everyone was expecting the price to be under $200) and the value pack with most of the aforementioned stuff (sans demo disc) for about $250. When you add in the fact that the memory stick is a really paltry size, plus the other extras cost around $10 for Sony to manufacture, it totally feels like a rip-off.
And this is also bad news for people who were expecting a price drop for the DS from Nintendo to stay competitive. If anything, more folks will be holding off on the PSP and getting a DS instead. Maybe Nintendo may not have such a rough year after all.
Back to the price, it would seem Sony president Kaz Hirai really meant it when he said the PSP was going after a different market (and not the traditional one dominated by Nintendo). With a price that high right out of the gate, Sony might be less competitive than initially expected, meaning people shouldn’t expect a price drop anytime soon. Afterall, Sony already knows that you can get two regular systems at that price.
Along with the system’s price and date, the first wave of games was also revealed, so all I really care about is Luminies finally being confirmed for a domestic release.
One last thing: you might have noticed the new news section listed at the top. This is so personal announcements won’t get lost in the blog, among the wacky links and my constant bitching about the subway.
