Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that its highly anticipated PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld entertainment system will be launched in Europe on 1st September 2005.
Following the success of the PSP launches in Japan and the USA, the PSP will go on sale in the European territories on 1st September 2005, available in a single version "Value Pack", priced at $249 (œ179).
The PSP "Value Pack" contains a package of accessories and entertainment content, including a carry pouch, 32MB Memory Stick, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media Disc (UMD) including several non-interactive game demos.
A copy of Spider-Man 2, on UMD Video will be available free of charge to early purchasers of PSP, who register their PSP and order their Spider-Man 2 UMD Video through http://www.yourpsp.com, the official SCEE web portal for PlayStation Portable.
David Reeves, President of SCEE said,
"PlayStation Portable will revolutionise portable entertainment, giving users the freedom to play full 3D games, watch movies, listen to music and connect wirelessly on their terms, wherever and whenever they wish to do so. More than ever, today's consumer demands access to their personal entertainment outside the home, without compromising quality. With more than 100 PlayStation Portable game titles currently in development worldwide, and the ability to download and listen to music, and view feature films with breathtaking screen quality, PlayStation Portable lets users control their entertainment options, all in a single package."
The long-awaited (in Europe) PSP features a 4.3-inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD that displays full colour (16.77 million colours) on a 480×272 pixel high-resolution screen.
The PSP also comes complete with built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector and a range of input/output connectors such as USB2.0 and a 802.11b Wireless LAN adaptor, enabling users to connect to the Internet and play online via a Wireless Network. Up to 16 PSP systems in the vicinity can also be connected to each other directly in "Ad Hoc Mode", allowing for Wireless head-to-head competition. In addition, Wireless capabilities will allow software and data to be downloaded to PSP and saved onto a Memory Stick Duo.