Sony PSP Launches in North America

[babypurin]

With hype and fanfare usually reserved for a movie premiere, die hard video game fans formed large lines Thursday to buy Sony Corp. (SNE)'s tiny new PlayStation Portable.

At the Sony Style store in New York, "Last Call" host Carson Daly joined Sony executives for a midnight madness event. Hundreds lined up at Sony's Metreon store in San Francisco to pick up the hot gadget, while midnight launches or early openings were held at most of Grapevine, Texas-based retailer GameStop's 1,800 outlets.

The PSP, Sony's first foray into portable video game machines, features stereo sound and a sharp, 4.3-inch color screen. Sony hopes the PSP can appeal to more than gamers with its ability to play movies, music and show pictures.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20050324/D891I50G0.html

[Genessee]

I wonder how good the movies look on the PSP.

I saw a Ridge Racer demo and it looked VERY nice. In stores it seems they all have the console bundled with crap. I didn't see any places with single units, they all came with Spiderman 2 movie, a hockey game and some accessories.

Personally, I'll be interested in the console once a homebrew scene starts up. Fortunately MagicGate isn't that tough of a protection.

[Genessee]

also they wouldnt sell them to the english in japan which I felt was rather racist, but oh well...

That sounds a little screwed up. I wonder if they are region locked.

[MELflyer]

I played on RR4 in Tokyo and I have to say those graphics were VERY sexy!

I'd get one if i could afford one, also they wouldnt sell them to the english in japan which I felt was rather racist, but oh well...

Played it as well last week in Tokyo, although i reckon the other half would sent me back to Tokyo if i had come home with one so didn't even try.

Cheers
Brendan

[Airbus_A320]

At the Sony Style store in New York, "Last Call" host Carson Daly joined Sony executives for a midnight madness event. Hundreds lined up at Sony's Metreon store in San Francisco to pick up the hot gadget, while midnight launches or early openings were held at most of Grapevine, Texas-based retailer GameStop's 1,800 outlets.

Whats really the big deal with these things. There will be plenty to go around. And when you can get a portable DVD player thats about the same size, whats the point of getting a special format movie so it would show on the PSP.


Accidentally deleted my other message when I went to edit it....

[avro_arrow_25206]

Just another way to get $300 more from those poor parents

[babypurin]

Just another way to get $300 more from those poor parents

Well on the other hand it came much below analysts predicted price.

[Genessee]

Whats really the big deal with these things. There will be plenty to go around. And when you can get a portable DVD player thats about the same size, whats the point of getting a special format movie so it would show on the PSP.

Sony LOVES their proprietary formats!

I'd go with a good lap top over that or a portable dvd player. It's bigger, but it can still do everything the hand held can do and more.

Sony did some good work getting quality launch titles out though. Theres some pretty nice games out already, and several more over the next couple of weeks (I haven't checked what movies they put out, only games). NintendDS is still severly lacking in quality titles and it's been out for months. NDS has one or two good games, a handful of mediocre titles, a fun tech demo, and the rest is pretty much crap.

[babypurin]

That sounds a little screwed up. I wonder if they are region locked.

This was a couple of years ago but I once went to my Japanese friend's house who had a Japanese Nintendo 64, and when I went to put my game (American) it wouldn't work. I guess it might have to do with the Region rather than their unwillingness to sell it to tourists.

[Dick H]

I played on RR4 in Tokyo and I have to say those graphics were VERY sexy!

I'd get one if i could afford one, also they wouldnt sell them to the english in japan which I felt was rather racist, but oh well...

That's odd. When I lived there I bought everything from a computer to a police scanner and they were more than happy to sell them to me. Of course, I didn't stand there stomping my feet insisting they provide English instructions as I have seen some gaijin (foreigners) do.

[ACman]

has anyone seen the commercials? whats the song in it?

[Genessee]

I have no idea, I'd like to know though as well. Damn thing is stuck in my head.

[ACman]

I have no idea, I'd like to know though as well. Damn thing is stuck in my head.

its a old song though.

[Genessee]

Found it. It's "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand.

[chris78cpr]

I was with Kev in Japan when we played on them and i can also confirm that they would not sell me one! I was rather annoyed to say the least!

I have a US one on order with an import company right now, but i might cancel it and get one when i go travelling instead. Hmmmm, decisions.

I do love my portable gaming things tho! am a big kid at heart!

Chris