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Sony PSP Guide
Written by Modojo Staff on Monday, January 31, 2005
Sony is entering the handheld market in a big way, and we get a preview of what the system is all about here.
In 1995, Sony Computer Entertainment of America began their dominance of the video game market by releasing the Sony PlayStation, a system that ushered in next-generation visuals using polygons and disc-reading hardware. In 2000, they again took great strides in pushing forward the industry, introducing the PlayStation 2 to the market. The system brought much more interest in the gaming market than ever before, thanks to its glossy visuals and expansive delivery of gameplay.
Now, Sony looks to take control of the handheld market that Nintendo's held for quite some time with their release of the Sony PlayStation Portable, also known as the PSP. Released this past December in Japan and coming to the US and Europe this year, the handheld looks very promising.
Who is the Sony PSP for?
The PlayStation Portable is bound to attract all sorts of gamers. Old-school PlayStation fans will clamor to the forthcoming return of many licenses, including Wipeout, Twisted Metal, and Syphon Filter, while newcomers will grow to appreciate fresh titles on the machine, including Ridge Racers and Untold Legends. Its slick design and limitless appeal are bound to find an audience with ease.
Did You Know?
Technically, this is the first all-together handheld console made by Sony for the gaming market. But it's not the first time they've focused on gaming on the go. A few years back, the company released a redesigned PlayStation called the PSone, and bundled it with a 5 inch LCD monitor for in-car and on-the-road gaming, at the meager price of $149.99. The item is now considered one for the collectors.
The PSP sold in Japan for the down-low price of $185, which shocked many who thought it would go for much higher. Of course, due to short supplies and a rabid holiday season, prices reached as high as $1000 for an import system in December 2004. The US version will arrive on March 24, and will be budgeted for the price of $249.99. This will be sold as a value pack, and will include a 32 MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones with remote control, an AC adapter, a soft case, a cleaning cloth, and a UMD disc with non-interactive demos. Sony has also confirmed that the first one million buyers of the system will also snag a bonus disc with the film Spider-man 2 for free, a nice little bonus. Games are slated to run roughly $39.99 apiece.
posted October 31, 2005