Following yesterday’s rumors that Sony’s PSPgo production may be ending, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ) confirmed that production has ended and only current inventory of the PSPgo will be sold, according to phileweb.com. Sony Computer Entertainment America or Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have not made any formal announcements on it.
The PSPgo is a variation of the evolving PlayStation Portable design. It launched in October 2009 at $249.99, with subsequent price drops placing it as low as $149.99 during holiday season deals. The MSRP of the PSPgo never dropped below $199.99 (although it may have been planned at one point). Although it was the most compact and sleek of the PSP family to date, losing the PSP UMD slot hurt it. The higher cost of the PSPgo hardware versus the PSP-3000 and higher cost of digital games (when PSP UMD games dropped in price) made the PSPgo restrictive.
Sony is placing its focus on the development of its “Next Generation Portable” (NGP) and has hopefully learned from the PSPgo experiences. The UMD format PSP-3000 lives on in the meantime, available at $129.99 MSRP. PSPgo owners will be able to transfer their content to the upcoming NGP or a PSP-3000.
Sources: andriasang.com, phileweb.com, IGN
Sony’s official PlayStation website has listed the price of the PSPgo for $149.99 MSRP (see here at us.playstation.com/psp). Retailers are currently not showing the $149.99 price, but the adjustment could be coming soon, starting Sunday or soon after. The PSPgo is currently listed for $199.99 MSRP online.
The price drop will place the PSPgo at $100 less than the original $249.99 cost when it launched in October 2009. Watch for the new prices here. Despite the PSPgo’s criticisms, it is the sleekest and most compact version of the PSP family and among my favorite portable gaming system. At $149.99, it is difficult to argue the price anymore. For what you get in comparison to other current gaming portables, it offers plenty of value. Keep in mind that Sony’s “Next Generation Portable” (NGP) will be arriving at the end of the year. The price of the NGP is still unknown, but hopefully Sony will learn from its experience with the PSPgo launch price.
Sony’s other PlayStation Portable (PSP-3000) dropped to $129.99 MSRP last weekend for the core system, as well as PSP Entertainment bundles for $159.99 (such as this PSP Limited Edition Invizimals Entertainment Pack).
UPDATE: Sony’s US PlayStation website has been updated with a $199.99 MSRP for the PSPgo. Below is a screen capture showing the original $149.99 MSRP on the website. It is still possible that a price cut on the PSPgo could be coming soon and the official US PlayStation website jumped the gun on the listing. Sony Computer Entertainment America has not made an announcement of the price change of the PSPgo.
UPDATE 2: Here is another Sony PSP deal worth noting. The PSP Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Entertainment Pack is available here from GameStop.com for $149.99 ($50 off and no longer being shipped). Well worth it!
Starting today, Sony’s PlayStation Portable is available at $129.99 MSRP. Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the price drop at the end of last week, which went into effect today, February 27, 2011. Order the PSP-3000 Core Pack at $129.99 MSRP here. The PSP-3000 model was previously $169.99. Sony will offer PSP Entertainment Packs for $159.99 in the future, also down from the previous $199.99, which bundles up the PSP-3000 with a UMD game and other additional content. This is all in anticipation of the Sony’s “Next Generation Portable” (NGP), estimated for release during holiday 2011. The PSP-3000 model looks like it will remain an alternative in the PSP family, since it is the only model that supports Universal Media Disc (UMD) games and movies.
In addition, several PSP UMD games have dropped up to 50% off in price and joined the PSP Greatest Hits and PSP Favorites lineup. This includes some great games at a great value like Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker ($19.99), Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII ($9.99) and Killzone: Liberation ($9.99). See more PSP Greatest Hits games available here. New PSP games like Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and upcoming PSP games like The 3rd Birthday and Patapon 3 will continue to keep you busy playing with the PlayStation Portable.
Source – SCEA
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ) is rolling out a selection of four new PlayStation Portable bundles (PSP-3000 models). The newly packaged PSPs include a bundle for the latest Monster Hunter PSP game (two variations), Final Fantasy game, and a PSP Value Pack for Girls (which looks like it came out of Victoria’s Secret). The DISSIDIA 012 PSP features a unique print on the front and back, while the Monster Hunter one has a variation that looks like the Black and Red PSP-3000 bundled in the God of War: Ghost of Sparta PSP pack in North America.
Here is a breakdown of each of the new PSP-3000 bundles destined for Japan:
DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY Chaos & Cosmos Limited Edition PSP
(Model PSPJ-30022）
Available March 3, 2011 in Japan for 22,890 Yen.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd Black/Red and White/Blue PSP Bundles
(Models PSPJ-30020 and PSPJ-30021)
Available February 10, 2011 in Japan for 19,800 Yen each.
PSP Value Pack for Girls
(Model PSPJ-30019)
Available February 17, 2011 in Japan for 19,800 Yen.
No word on whether any of these PSP bundles are coming to other regions outside of Japan. Could Sony be clearing the last PSP-3000s for the next PSP? Keep a lookout for more details. Until then, enjoy these optional variations of the PSP-3000 (if you live in Japan or are looking to import them).
