PSP only $149

[bluenatas09]

well I tried looking if this was already posted but I couldn't find anything.

EBgames employees got sent a Email today releasing that the PSP will indeed be only $149 dollars....

(edit: And by "employees got sent a Email) I meant it was sent to us at the computers at work...)

[Chris in Cali]

well I tried looking if this was already posted but I couldn't find anything.

EBgames employees got sent a Email today releasing that the PSP will indeed be only $149 dollars....

I hope this is true.

[Trakan]

Hmm, interesting.

[punqsux]

that would be crazy, i hope its true because then the competition would be even better!

[cthcky33]

that would be amazing. i read somewhere that sony will be losing like a lot of money selling the systems for less then $300

[WhipSmartBanky]

I got sent an email that said I could have a larger penis if I gave all my money to this nice guy in Nigeria...

[Akkis99]

purchased!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rabbitt]

Hope it's true. I'm still waiting for a price drop, the sooner the better.

[Chris in Cali]

I'm just worried about Sony's policy of not giving a shit about dead pixels.

[FriskyTanuki]

I'm just worried about Sony's policy of not giving a shit about dead pixels.

It's not that they don't give a shit, it's that the production of the systems isn't fastest enough to meet demand. They are trying to lessen the demand and when they reach that point they'll take defective units back. It's weird how people complain about the dead pixel problem with the PSP when I see various CAG's returning DS's 2, 3, 4, or more times to get a non-dead pixel unit.

[smellhasreturned]

if that is true i will jump up in joy

[greydemise]

i heard about that also, i thought it wud be at $175, but this is loads better!

[blueweltall]

Damn! I guess I'm going have to find a second job.

[punqsux]

if that is true i will jump up in joy

ok smell, im holding you to this...if the psp sells for $149 youll have to post a video, or at least a gif of you, jumping, with joy.

^^

[btw1217]

EGM said that Sony planned to release anywhere under $185 and that Sony has strong intentions of pricing the PSP to compete with the DS, so I really wouldn't doubt that it's $149.99.

[bignick]

I got sent an email that said I could have a larger penis if I gave all my money to this nice guy in Nigeria...

Wow, now thats a hot deal!

[maxflight]

I would assume that even if it's $149 it would be the regular pack and not the value, so you'll still have to buy a memory stick if you don't have one at the moment.

[javeryh]

That sounds like a sweet deal! I'm definitely getting one... just not at launch...

[pumbaa]

Wow. Well... good for them. I hope they aren't shooting themselves in the foot by taking such a loss on the unit... they might just force a DS price drop to $129.99 if they pull this out of their hat. Upon further reflection... $129.99 won't happen for the DS so close to launch... maybe for next Christmas... MAYBE.

[cag1000]

it sold for $199 US at launch in Japan correct? Thats what i saw on the news few weeks back when it released and they were showing the lines at stores in Japan

[FriskyTanuki]

it sold for $199 US at launch in Japan correct? Thats what i saw on the news few weeks back when it released and they were showing the lines at stores in Japan

about $185

[epobirs]

It's kind of like the comparison between buying an Xbox and a PS2. Don't forget the cost of the memory card. A protective case for the PSP is also a must have. I don't have that concern with the DS much since it lives in a shoulder bag and protects itself fairly well when closed but even just sitting around the house the PSP screen is always exposed. I'll buy a good case just due to dust.

Even so, the difference in cost of entry between the two product is fairly minor for older buyers. Sony must be counting on a very high attach rate for software to get them past the big hit they're taking on each unit.

[Kaijufan]

If its true the PSP will launch for $150, then Nintendo might lower the price of the DS. :)

[CaptainObviousXl]

i dont understand why they are wasting so much money on this.

[TJordan522]

I got sent an email that said I could have a larger penis if I gave all my money to this nice guy in Nigeria...

:rofl:

[TJordan522]

well I tried looking if this was already posted but I couldn't find anything.

EBgames employees got sent a Email today releasing that the PSP will indeed be only $149 dollars....

(edit: And by "employees got sent a Email) I meant it was sent to us at the computers at work...)

Could you scan the email?

[omegaweapon7]

wow, Sony is going all out, considering PSP is atleast 10X more powerful and expensive than DS. (ps2 compare to N64)

Im canceling my DS order >_> since the only game im interest in is mr.driller and mario anyways, seriously, DS better spice their game libery fast, PSP's launch games is owning DS.

[mst3k_stud]

$150 my ass. if that's the case, hello anti-dumping violations.

[Gameboy415]

Hmm, interesting...

Any word on how much the games'll cost?

I hope this isn't a shitty ploy to get people to accept $30-50 prices for portable games.....no way in hell I'd buy a PSP game for over $30, $35 tops..

[scott123456]

Let's kep one thing in mind that there was prior news of a possible 185 which included battery backup, bag, mem card with a hopeful 149 base price for unit only. What do you get for the 149? Just system? Will they have a 185 +/- deal as I note above? Japan got the package deal which was sweat.

[mykevermin]

Hmm, interesting...

Any word on how much the games'll cost?

I hope this isn't a shitty ploy to get people to accept $30-50 prices for portable games.....no way in hell I'd buy a PSP game for over $30, $35 tops..

Well, Sony must recover the profit somewhere, though I'd hate for that to be the case too.

myke.

[suko_32]

Hmmm.....maybe I'll sell my DS if no good games come out soon.....I really hate waiting...but I know I'll just wait and see how the PSP does.

[ananag112]

Wow, Nintendo is in some trouble if the PSP releases at $150.

[swetooth9]

i dont understand why they are wasting so much money on this.

they want to kill off nintendo for good...they began the process with the ps1 and ps2...now they want to finish off the job with the PSP :twisted:

[BULL_Ship]

Wow. Well... good for them. I hope they aren't shooting themselves in the foot by taking such a loss on the unit... they might just force a DS price drop to $129.99 if they pull this out of their hat. Upon further reflection... $129.99 won't happen for the DS so close to launch... maybe for next Christmas... MAYBE.

Sony took a $100 per unit loss on the ps2 and look whos dominating the market. The games are what make the money. They probably break even now(on hardware). The whole practice of taking a loss seems like a monopolistic strategy but i guess to the feds the different systems are like apples and oranges.

[MorPhiend]

Japan got the package deal which was sweat.

Yeah, the PSP is pretty sweaty...

Seriously, someone said that the PSP's launch games "owns" (I hate that word usage) the DS. This was just being discussed the past couple of days on another thread about it being the other way around. Most of Sony's launch line-up is sports titles. And the rest of the year only has mostly sports/racing titles. The main exception is "Metal Gear", which is a card game. And the only date on that is TBA 2005. Does that mean they'll release it sometime this year, or they'll anounce the release date this year???

Before you start making things up in reply, here:
http://psp.ign.com/articles/577/577643p1.html

Don't get me wrong, I want the PSP to succeed. And I may even buy one once the PSPone comes out and it actually works. But don't be spewing random fanboy garble and then running without backing it up.

*mumbling* ("owns"... I hate that word...)

[MorPhiend]

Wow. Well... good for them. I hope they aren't shooting themselves in the foot by taking such a loss on the unit... they might just force a DS price drop to $129.99 if they pull this out of their hat. Upon further reflection... $129.99 won't happen for the DS so close to launch... maybe for next Christmas... MAYBE.

Sony took a $100 per unit loss on the ps2 and look whos dominating the market. The games are what make the money. They probably break even now(on hardware). The whole practice of taking a loss seems like a monopolistic strategy but i guess to the feds the different systems are like apples and oranges.

If games were the only thing that makes the money, then Sega would still be a competitor and M$ would not be in the console business. Marketing is what sells the consoles through.

[crazytalkx]

NOOO!!!!!! MY DS IS DOOMED!!! DOOMED!!!!!!!!!!

[EvilAkana]

Wow, only 150? I hope they do have a package deal for 185, but I'm guessing it will be around 200.

I already have a DS, and I love it. But I'll get a PSP as well. Why is it that so many people are like "PSP RULZ! DS SUCKS!" or vice versa? You can have both! (although it'll cost a small fortune....) :roll:

[epobirs]

$150 my ass. if that's the case, hello anti-dumping violations.

This is only applicable if the price can be shown to be in major disparity with other regions. That would not be the case here. It is also very hard to create a dumping case around products that are not interchangeable. Things like RAM chips came under scrutiny because a PC manufacturer could change RAM vendors for the same model several times over its life. Likewise for devices like VHS VCRs because any brand reads and writes to the same tapes. This doesn't work with a game system. The PSP is the only device that plays PSP software and Sony is the sole source on the planet for the PSP. No matter how attractive they make the price it is harder to argue unfair practice under the law since it is a unique product and companies like Nintendo are not competing in the PSP business

Selling the PSP at a loss is perfectly legal so long as they consistently do so in all supported markets that regulate such things.

[jimbodan]

Wow! If it really is 150, I'm going to have to at least consider getting one. I already have a memory stick pro duo (I'm assuming that's the type of mem stick psp will use)One big problem though, there really aren't any games comming out soon for PSP that I want.

[PaulEMoz]

Hope it's true. I'm still waiting for a price drop, the sooner the better.

A price drop? :?

[Scrubking]

Just wait till the games come out at $40 a pop.

[guessed]

I got sent an email that said I could have a larger penis if I gave all my money to this nice guy in Nigeria...

If a man offers you a larger penis, say no, it may be his.

No that the vulgarities (as opposed to pleasantries) are out of the way...

$150 will almost undoubtedly be the system only, with the premium pack going for $180-$200 (my guess).

The price is nice, and I will most likely get one.

Better than lowering the launch price would be if they addressed the numerous launch issues (flimsy construction, projectile game discs (say what you want about the original N-gage, once a game was in the system, there was no way for it to accidentally pop out while playing), misaligned buttons, etc.).

As has been mentioned, game price is still a key issue. Don't confuse purchase price with TCO (total cost of ownership).

[mykevermin]

I got sent an email that said I could have a larger penis if I gave all my money to this nice guy in Nigeria...

If a man offers you a larger penis, say no, it may be his.

No that the vulgarities (as opposed to pleasantries) are out of the way...

$150 will almost undoubtedly be the system only, with the premium pack going for $180-$200 (my guess).

The price is nice, and I will most likely get one.

Better than lowering the launch price would be if they addressed the numerous launch issues (flimsy construction, projectile game discs (say what you want about the original N-gage, once a game was in the system, there was no way for it to accidentally pop out while playing), misaligned buttons, etc.).

As has been mentioned, game price is still a key issue. Don't confuse purchase price with TCO (total cost of ownership).

So, what is TCO then?

I find it fascinating that the cost of portable gaming, which has always been cartridge based, is being threatened by optical-disc based software. The physical production of software, then, will be drastically reduced. On the other hand, can we expect software production costs to skyrocket? (and between those costs and the need to make up for selling the console as a loss leader, will that threaten the price of games as well?)

Or will people simply refuse to pay a "premium" price for portable titles? How well are the $40 DS titles selling compared to the other titles (although, to be fair, this would be comparing Madden and Tiger Woods to "Ping Pals" and a dating sim, and might not make for a valid comparison)?

myke.

[guardian_owl]

(say what you want about the original N-gage, once a game was in the system, there was no way for it to accidentally pop out while playing), It's funny cause it's true :lol:

[Chris in Cali]

Just wait till the games come out at $40 a pop.


Some DS games are $40, like the third party ones. I was going to buy Zoo Keeper, but then I checked EB and it was indeed $39.99. Now I'll have much less of a problem paying $40 for THUG 2 portable with PS2 level graphics then shitty, blocky, N64 Ridge Racer, or mini games like Zoo Keeper.

[Kaijufan]

If PSP games are going to be $40 it would be a good idea for Nintendo to lower the costs of the DS carts so 3ed party publishers can release their games for $30 new.

[whoknows]

Just wait till the games come out at $40 a pop.

If that happens its not that bad of a price for what you are getting. After all I have seen GBA games priced at $40 at TRU, and some other places and people have to be buying them if they continue to price them at $40 or close to $40, and then as someone said 3rd party DS games are $40, so I don't really see what there is to complain about. I am pretty excited that PSP may be $150 which could cause a DS price drop and then I could get both....I am gettin the PSP at launch probably and the DS after its first or second price drop.

[CapAmerica]

well I tried looking if this was already posted but I couldn't find anything.

EBgames employees got sent a Email today releasing that the PSP will indeed be only $149 dollars....

(edit: And by "employees got sent a Email) I meant it was sent to us at the computers at work...)

I'm going to wait till Sony offically announces the price. Before I get exsited about this. It wouldn't be the first time that I've heard of a GameStop/EB employee saying they got an email at work saying something that isn't true. I just can't trust news that comes from a retailer any more.

But if this is true Nintendo will most likely drop the DS down to $120 or $99 and the GBA SP down to $60 or $50.

I still fear that PSP games are going to run at the price of $50 or higher. Which I think is really stupid. Handheld games shouldn't cost more then $30.

Even if the PSP launches at $150 I still won't be getting one untill 2007. Sony has yet to show a single game that I want. Their library really Blows. And the games is where the real battle is not the hardware (exsept for battery life thats a major factor.) We've seen the fight many times before with the GameBoy vs GameGear, Nomad, Atari Lynx, Wonderswan, Neo-Geo Pocket, Turbo Express, Games.com. The major thing they all lacked was a good game library. And the good game library is also what alowed the PSOne and PS2 to kick so much butt. If the PSP doesn't get a game library they its pretty much doomed.

[Alpha2]

PSP games will likely be about 35-45 dollars (the weaker games for the lower price and the big names for the higher) assuming the system really does drop for 150 (non value pack). For a price like this the system will sell pretty well. And it'll have to with more than 3 times as many units sold of the DS so far. The PSP will need games though, Ridgeracers (racing) is cool and I'll definatly get Puyo Pop (puzzle), as is Metal Gear Acid (strategy) but I really want at least one adventure game.

Also:
The dead pixel issue was already touched on but The comment about not taking back systems with issues was made by the 3rd party import places. THEY can't handle a problem like that if it occurs becase they'll already have sold their entire stock and wont have anything to replace yours. Sony themselves has not said anything about Dead Pixel issues.

The supposed ejecting disk and button placement looks more like a random issue than an "epidemic" for the PSP. I played withone this weekend and it was too sturdy to try twisting the way they did in that video without breaking something. and I experienced no "square button issue" it felt no different to me than any of the others.

[x0thedeadzone0x]

Hell yeah. I'm definitely getting one now, I was going to consider not getting either but if this is true, I'll at least be getting a PSP. DS just doesn't have many spectacular games to offer, and won't till later this year. Maybe when it hits 100, I might pick one up. But PSP... 150... rock. <3

[Gothic Walrus]

Japan got the package deal which was sweat.

Yeah, the PSP is pretty sweaty...

Seriously, someone said that the PSP's launch games "owns" (I hate that word usage) the DS. This was just being discussed the past couple of days on another thread about it being the other way around. Most of Sony's launch line-up is sports titles. And the rest of the year only has mostly sports/racing titles. The main exception is "Metal Gear", which is a card game. And the only date on that is TBA 2005. Does that mean they'll release it sometime this year, or they'll anounce the release date this year???

Before you start making things up in reply, here:
http://psp.ign.com/articles/577/577643p1.html

Don't get me wrong, I want the PSP to succeed. And I may even buy one once the PSPone comes out and it actually works. But don't be spewing random fanboy garble and then running without backing it up.

*mumbling* ("owns"... I hate that word...)

:applause:

That said, I see a few issues here...

-Game diversity IS an issue; see above
-Sony has yet to officially announce the price
-E-Mail has been home to more than a few hoaxes over the years
-We still don't know how much the games will cost
-We have no idea how long the systems will last; look at how quickly some PS2s develop DREs for no apparent reason
-We don't know if Sony has taken care of the problems that plagued the Japanese launch units (things like dead pixels or missing/damaaged analog sticks)
-We don't know how durable the system will be, the analog stick in particular. Anyone else broken an N64 or PS controller before?
-Battery life is still an issue. In this article (http://psp.ign.com/articles/574/574557p2.html), the battery life for Ridge Racer was only three and a half hours. That's not very long.

Call me pessimistic, but I really don't think that it would be worth the $150. If Sony can handle the PSP successfully for the first year or so of launch, then it might be worth getting one. I think that waiting is the smarter idea here, though...

For what it's worth, I'm waiting on a DS as well, if only because the library isn't diverse enough for my liking just yet.

[mousin]

the guys at my local game crazy said that it would come out 149.99. they were told that by a sony rep.

[Alpha2]

You make the DRE issue sound like it's still an epidemic today and that's not really the case. Did My PS2 develope DREs? yeah but Mine is a launch system that didnt develop the problem for more than 3 years and there are people out there that STILL havent seen a DRE screen.

I've still yeat to hear wide reaching reports of dead pixels that are any more problematic than any other LCD screen.

Batterylife and games, those are it's biggest issues to over come... assuming the price really is 150 at launch.

[pumbaa]

As far as I know only EA DS games are priced at $39.99. Prices for unreleased DS games don't count, as both EB and GameStop had Mario DS for $49.99 for the longest time. I would assume that you'll have most games come out at $29.99 with a few developers trying to play the $39.99 game for a while. I know 100% for sure that Nintendo 1st party DS games are going to run for $29.99. I'm not sure how any 3rd party can price higher than that an expect it not to hurt sales.

Regardless of how "advanced" PSP games are... the GameBoy monopoly has established that portable games should be price around $29.99 thus far... regardless of technology and cost of production. Sony would be unwise to price their games any higher than that.

[CapAmerica]

the guys at my local game crazy said that it would come out 149.99. they were told that by a sony rep.

A guy from my GameStop said that a Nintendo rep said that Microsoft was securing the rights to all of Nintendo's major frachies because Nintendo was leaveing the console market after the GameCube.

[Chris in Cali]

Regardless of how "advanced" PSP games are... the GameBoy monopoly has established that portable games should be price around $29.99 thus far... regardless of technology and cost of production.


Right, so my $500 home theater should cost as much as my $25 boombox? If you want big, better production values, you're gonna have to pay for them. If you don't like, then don't buy it. You play the DS Ridge Racer next to the PSP one, and then tell me production value means nothing. I'd much rather pay an extra ten bucks for the PSP version.

[mykevermin]

the guys at my local game crazy said that it would come out 149.99. they were told that by a sony rep.

A guy from my GameStop said that a Nintendo rep said that Microsoft was securing the rights to all of Nintendo's major frachies because Nintendo was leaveing the console market after the GameCube.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

myke.

[pumbaa]

Regardless of how "advanced" PSP games are... the GameBoy monopoly has established that portable games should be price around $29.99 thus far... regardless of technology and cost of production.


Right, so my $500 home theater should cost as much as my $25 boombox? If you want big, better production values, you're gonna have to pay for them. If you don't like, then don't buy it. You play the DS Ridge Racer next to the PSP one, and then tell me production value means nothing. I'd much rather pay an extra ten bucks for the PSP version.

Apples and Oranges. You're talking about features, your metaphor would work for the PSP hardware being more expensive. Content is not priced based on how much it cost to "make". After all, console games are not priced in relation to how much money they cost (imagine a market like this... bigger studios and games charging $80 bucks for Halo 2). Movies aren't price according to how much they cost to make either. Price of content is based on how expensive the medium is (and I believe the UMDs and the DS carts probably cost similarly) and what the market dictates. The market is used to $29.99 portables games, and $49.99 consoles games. Plain and simple.

[miriamleo]

I rather pay more for the PSP hardware, rather than paying a lot for the future software.
I will get a PSP for sure, but if its games are going to cost $49.99 I don't think I will enjoy buying as many as the GBA or DS. I buy a lot of games for my GBA and willing to try a lot of different type of games on it, compare to a lot more safety approach when I buy console games... because they are cheap.

[CaptainObviousXl]

when and if sony sells this so cheap they will be having trouble with not olny nintendo, but tiger, and tapwave.

[CrimsonGeist]

Even if it is I'm going to have to wait a while. Got to wait and see problems with it. But I'll probably get the newer versions. :)

[stocker08]

wow that is a very good price for an excellent portable system. I am hoping they will work out some of the flaws first. I might have to get this also because the graphics are mindblowing and its such a sleek looking system, the MP3 player doesn't appeal to me though, since i have an ipod which i love.

[suko_32]

This isn't confirmed yet right?

[MorPhiend]

This isn't confirmed yet right?

No, it's not.

[epobirs]

Regardless of how "advanced" PSP games are... the GameBoy monopoly has established that portable games should be price around $29.99 thus far... regardless of technology and cost of production.


Right, so my $500 home theater should cost as much as my $25 boombox? If you want big, better production values, you're gonna have to pay for them. If you don't like, then don't buy it. You play the DS Ridge Racer next to the PSP one, and then tell me production value means nothing. I'd much rather pay an extra ten bucks for the PSP version.

You're comparing hardware cost, not software cost. Increased in vestment in a production is supposed to return greater sales through volume rather than unit price. Would you expect to pay orders of magnitude more for an FX laden epic because you can buy a DVD of 'Clerks' for $10? Or do you expect DVDs to mostly come out in the same mass market price range and drop over time? Games like Halo 2 have a huge investment involved but they also pay off in immediate huge sales for the same $50 price as games of much lower development and marketing costs. Microsoft probably enjoyed a greater margin for the deluxe version since that box and additional DVD come nowhere near adding $5 to the manufacturing cost but those customer feel they got something worthwhile for their $5. Good marketing lead to greater profits. Price gouging just limits your customer base.

[Grave_Addiction]

It's kind of like the comparison between buying an Xbox and a PS2. Don't forget the cost of the memory card. A protective case for the PSP is also a must have. I don't have that concern with the DS much since it lives in a shoulder bag and protects itself fairly well when closed but even just sitting around the house the PSP screen is always exposed. I'll buy a good case just due to dust.

Even so, the difference in cost of entry between the two product is fairly minor for older buyers. Sony must be counting on a very high attach rate for software to get them past the big hit they're taking on each unit.

If I remember correctly, the PSP comes with a cloth case to store it in. Kinda like those ever-so-useful Crown Royal bags.

[Xtreme331]

It's kind of like the comparison between buying an Xbox and a PS2. Don't forget the cost of the memory card. A protective case for the PSP is also a must have. I don't have that concern with the DS much since it lives in a shoulder bag and protects itself fairly well when closed but even just sitting around the house the PSP screen is always exposed. I'll buy a good case just due to dust.

Even so, the difference in cost of entry between the two product is fairly minor for older buyers. Sony must be counting on a very high attach rate for software to get them past the big hit they're taking on each unit.

If I remember correctly, the PSP comes with a cloth case to store it in. Kinda like those ever-so-useful Crown Royal bags.

Or maybe... Sony will be giving out Crown Royal Bags with the purchase of a PSP? Mmmm.... Crown Royal.....

But seriously, if this is true, then it's really good news. I would probably shell out $150 for a PSP, although i'd rather pay around $50, but I guess I gotta be realistic. Here's to hoping the OP's e-mail is accurate and true!

[Grave_Addiction]

Aye, I also hope this is true. Do we not have any other Gamestop employees on the site that can verify this?

Hell, maybe someone could even call Gamestop and ask one of their employees if it's true. Most of them are dweebs and just love to be able to hold things like this over your head like they are just some kind of industry insider.

[wubb]

I may actually get one if this is true. (Nah, who am I kidding I'm still too much of a cheap ass to spend even $150 on this.)

[JohnnyDrama]

Hopefully the $150 price tag is true; I've already preordered it at EB.

[Grave_Addiction]

I talked to the folks at Gamestop when I was there yesterday, and they have seen no such e-mail.

[greydemise]

i've seen this in egm..i think itll most likely be true , except itll be just bare bones ya kno..
o well..TAKE THAT! ppl who paid like $500 :-p jk

[Chris in Cali]

I talked to the folks at Gamestop when I was there yesterday, and they have seen no such e-mail.

The topic creator said it was EB, not Gamestop.

[scargums]

of course they are pricing it so low... they know they cant compete with nintendo if they dont, and sony can afford to lose assloads of money if it means that they will be on top eventually. i think its shitty of them to purposefully lose money on a system just to push out the competition just because they have so many resources outside of their games divisions to siphon money from. i think the price will be lower here in the US at launch than in Japan because all of us have had the luxury of seeing all the launch system defects and they need to attract more people to offset the loss of interest among us. i dont mean to flame on sony so much but jesus, a furniture company could sell a handheld if they priced it right and were willing to lose asloads of money on it, i just think it makes them less of a credible gaming company and more of a schoolyard bully whos just in it to rob as many kids of their lunch money as possible before school is over.