PSP launch details set

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:06 am

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050203/sfth050_1.html

March 24th for $249.99. As far as they know there are no plans for a standalone unit just the value pack that includes "32 MB Memory Stick Duo(TM), headphones with remote control, battery pack, AC adaptor, soft case and cleaning cloth, movie/music/game video sampler UMD disc including multiple non-interactive game demos, and for the first one million PSP Value Packs shipped, a special UMD video release of the feature film Spider-Man(TM) 2 from Sony Pictures Entertainment."

I'm still getting one because I've been holding off getting an MP3 player and the games are still really impressive but I was really hoping for a $200 price point for the value pack. Oh well at least I know when it's coming finally.

fatheadX · Post by **fatheadX** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:13 am

Ouch. $250 will make it easier to take a wait-and-see stance, especially if there is a shortage. This will be the first system in a long while that I don't buy immediately.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:53 am

The standalone unit would have the battery and the AC adaptor as well.

So the value pack is including headphones, which most people have (or could pick up better quality for $30), an overpriced 32 MB MS Duo card and Spiderman 2, which would be $20 at the most.

Sony probably figures there will be more pent-up demand even at $250 and they can't produce enough.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:15 pm

Also probably means they will be sold for $199 or so by Christmas. I'm tempted at $249 but will wait to see when MLB is going to be released before I decide to buy. If it's not coming out until July, I may not be in a hurry to pick one up at launch.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:26 pm

GTHobbes wrote:Also probably means they will be sold for $199 or so by Christmas. I'm tempted at $249 but will wait to see when MLB is going to be released before I decide to buy. If it's not coming out until July, I may not be in a hurry to pick one up at launch.

Exactly my approach.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:31 pm

Yeah, if I already had an MP3 player I think I'd probably wait too but to me the $249 price tag doesn't seem too bad.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:35 pm

Ouch. Not too outrageous, but I was REALLY hoping for a $179.99 price point (dreaming, I know).

What I do know from the previews I have seen though, is that this thing DEFINITELY looks to be $100 better than the DS.

Damn. Why do I wnat one so bad!?!?! I have never owned a handheld and don't really have a need for one, but this thing looks really cool.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:37 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
GTHobbes wrote:Also probably means they will be sold for $199 or so by Christmas. I'm tempted at $249 but will wait to see when MLB is going to be released before I decide to buy. If it's not coming out until July, I may not be in a hurry to pick one up at launch.
Exactly my approach.

DB,

I am suprised that you are interested at all in the PSP. You do know it has a 16:9 screen right?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 12:53 pm

Spooky wrote:DB,

I am suprised that you are interested at all in the PSP. You do know it has a 16:9 screen right?

I'll stick with my DS, which has TWO 4:3 screens. LOL. I just have no use for ANOTHER system...especially at 250 bones. It'll be cool and I'm sure I'll get one eventually, but I don't commute or travel enough to justify that kind of scratch.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:05 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Spooky wrote:DB,

I am suprised that you are interested at all in the PSP. You do know it has a 16:9 screen right?
I'll stick with my DS, which has TWO 4:3 screens. LOL. I just have no use for ANOTHER system...especially at 250 bones. It'll be cool and I'm sure I'll get one eventually, but I don't commute or travel enough to justify that kind of scratch.

Yeah...that is what I am struggling with. It does look really cool though and I am sure my girlfriends son will get one so it would be nice to game with him using the wireless multiplayer.

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:35 pm

Spooky wrote:Ouch. Not too outrageous, but I was REALLY hoping for a $179.99 price point (dreaming, I know).

What I do know from the previews I have seen though, is that this thing DEFINITELY looks to be $100 better than the DS.

Damn. Why do I wnat one so bad!?!?! I have never owned a handheld and don't really have a need for one, but this thing looks really cool.

I'd say it's $100 better than the DS, or more. The graphics alone are a mile apart. So the DS has all the gameplay of classic Nintendo? How many versions of Wario do I need? I'm personally not a big Nintendo software fan, so the allure of Nintendo first party software just doesn't grab me. I personally think the PSP will enjoy much more third party support because of the success of the PS line.

If the Japanese unit definitely does play all region games, I'll be pleased as punch that I bought mine while in Japan a few weeks ago. I got the value pack there for around the same price. The thing really is awesome. Showed the wife how it could do movies, music, photos, etc and all she said was "I want one."

slyguy · Post by **slyguy** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:39 pm

Dam 249$ well i preorder it already plus the kind of work i do i have alot of down time so i need a portable to past some of the time away,other wise i would have a wait and see approach.Oh and by the way i'll probably sell my DS so if anyone who is interested let me know

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:51 pm

F308GTB wrote:I'd say it's $100 better than the DS, or more. The graphics alone are a mile apart.

So what? I just already own a DS, so there is no fiscally responsible reason to own both. Especially when I use it three or four times per year. The system may be 100 dollars more, but then the games are 20 dollars more a piece.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:52 pm

To be able to use this as an MP3 player, you would need to spend $80-120 more for a 512 MB MSPD card or $130-210 for a 1 GB one.

You could get flash players for those prices which are far more portable.

Yeah they may just sell the basic unit for $199 when they get production up by the end of the year. Plus maybe some online games by then and the promised added functionality will materialize.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:56 pm

But there will be games. How many DS games have come out since launch week a month ago? 2? There's a bunch slated for later this month and early March but they're mostly of the Yugi Oh, Pokemon, Bomberman, and Wario Ware variety.

Meanwhile the launch list for the PSP looks much more attractive.
Ape Escape: On the Loose
ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails
Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower
Dynasty Warriors
FIFA 2005
Gretzky NHL
Lumines
Metal Gear Acid
MLB
MVP Baseball
NBA
NBA Street Showdown
Need for Speed Rivals
NFL Street 2 Unleashed
Rengoku: Tower of Purgatory
Ridge Racer
Smartbomb
Spider-Man 2
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix
Twisted Metal: Head On
Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade
Wipeout Pure
World Tour Soccer

If I had a DS I would probably only play it 4 times a year too but I know my PSP will get played 4 times a week.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:01 pm

I assume MLB and NBA are first party Sony offerings?

I'm terribly excited about portable MLB 2006.

I'm impressed that there are two soccer titles... but will we get a Winning Eleven game for it anytime soon?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:07 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:If I had a DS I would probably only play it 4 times a year too but I know my PSP will get played 4 times a week.

But for me to play a portable system that often, I'd need to be sitting at home. When I'm doing that, I'd much rather be playing my PC, or my console. Screw playing a portable system on a 3 inch screen when I'm at home...the only time I can see doing that is when I'm on the throne...but I doubt that you can get in a full game of MLB in the time it takes to grow a tail.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:09 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote:If I had a DS I would probably only play it 4 times a year too but I know my PSP will get played 4 times a week.
But for me to play a portable system that often, I'd need to be sitting at home. When I'm doing that, I'd much rather be playing my PC, or my console. Screw playing a portable system on a 3 inch screen when I'm at home...the only time I can see doing that is when I'm on the throne...but I doubt that you can get in a full game of MLB in the time it takes to grow a tail.

Then why do you have a DS?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:10 pm

Spooky wrote:Then why do you have a DS?

How many times do I have to explain this:

I GOT IT FOR FREEEEEEEEEEE.

I thought I made that completely clear in the other 10 DS threads.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:37 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Spooky wrote:Then why do you have a DS?
How many times do I have to explain this:

I GOT IT FOR FREEEEEEEEEEE.

I thought I made that completely clear in the other 10 DS threads.

I don't read DS threads!!! Why would I? The thing is a piece of crap.

Seriously though, if it was free then sell it now! Take the proceeds and put it towards a PSP. Problem solved.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:45 pm

Entire civilizations have formed in the time it has taken me to drop mud before.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:48 pm

249.99 really is ridiculous IMO. Especially when the value pack retailed for what equates to 179.99 in Japan. At least I believe that's the skinny.

250 bucks for a portable gaming machine (I wouldn't use it as anything else), is just a whole lot of money IMO.

I've watched a lot of movies lately because I've been getting really excited about this thing, but they just shot me down with this announcement.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:13 pm

MLB is in fact from 989. 989 is releasing 4 sports titles at launch: NBA, MLB, World Tour Soccer, and Gretzky. 5 if you include Hot Shots Golf.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:19 pm

Thanks, Scoop. I'm curious about the NBA game... there were things about the last Shootout that I actually liked, but the game was fundamentally broken. If they give it the same TLC they're giving the MLB series, it could be a good alternative to Live and 2K, both of which sort of bug me.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:23 pm

Spooky wrote:Seriously though, if it was free then sell it now! Take the proceeds and put it towards a PSP. Problem solved.

How is that a problem solved? It would still require me to invest over 200 bones for the system and a game or two. As of now, I invested 30 bucks in Tiger Woods...that's it.