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Sony defends delay of European PSP launch

Sony has defended the decision to delay the launch of the Playstation Portable (PSP) console in Europe until 1st September. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Phil Harrison says the delay is necessary to ensure there will be enough PSP devices available for the European market. The September release date is six months after the handheld console's release in the U.S. and nine months after it was introduced to the Japanese market.

There will be a total of 19 games available for the PSP console when it launches in Europe with a lot more expected by the end of the year. One of the biggest names will be Rockstar North’s Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. 19 movies will also be available in the UMD format for the PSP and Sony plans to make movies available at the same time they are released on DVD.



It will cost 249 euro (£179 in the UK). The PSP is the first handheld gaming console from Sony, challenging the dominance of Nintendo which has several including the DS console and GameBoy Advance. According to Sony, U.S. gamers are now buying more than 100,000 new PSP consoles a week. The sales of handheld devices and games will drive a growth in the video games industry in 2005, analysts believe.

Source:
BBC News

Written by: James Delahunty @ 19 May 2005 3:01

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• 5 comments

• spooky2k

  i don't see any problem with the delay. yes, it's annoying, bt i'd prefer teh delay and Sony getting it right, as opposed to no delay, and everything is screwy.
  Though, i'll be pissed if its released and plagued with the same problems it has faced in Japan and USA.
  Dan x

  19.5.2005 05:26 #1

• arcanix

  I too don't see any problem eith delay, because I have it already :) No dead pixels or sticky square button.

  19.5.2005 22:44 #2

• rav0

  When will SONY learn? - WORLD RELEASE - It has been used for so many games and movies, and has massively increased profits (ok, so you can't bootleg a PSP). San Andreas did and will do it, Star Wars did it. I am in Australia, and I hate having to wait sooo long for things here.

  20.5.2005 04:00 #3

• spooky2k

  but..lets face it, you have to hack away, or wait for new hacks. when the PSP is released here, chances are the internet browser wil be available, and with all the hacks out there, we'll be at the stage here it took you months to get to.
  i'm glad you got a PSP with no problems..but alot of ppl didnt. i hope sony fixes this for the UK release.
  Dan x

  20.5.2005 16:28 #4

• killa85rz

  rav0 i agree with you im from australia and the wait till september sucks.

  21.5.2005 05:14 #5