Posted 05 April 2008 - 06:57 PM
PlayStation PortableFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, searchPSP (PlayStation Portable) Manufacturer Sony Computer Entertainment Product family PlayStation Type Handheld game console Generation Seventh generation era First available JP December 12, 2004NA March 24, 2005PAL September 1, 2005 CPU MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz Media UMD System storage Memory Stick PRO Duo Connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11b),[1] IrDA, USB Units sold Worldwide: 20.25 million (sold between April 2006 and December 31, 2007)[2][3] (details) Units shipped Worldwide: 31 million (as of February 26, 2008)[4] Best-selling game Daxter, 2 million (as of January 21, 2008)[5] Successor PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite (redesign) The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[6] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment.[7] Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003,[8] and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference before E3 2004.[9] The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004,[10] in North America on March 24, 2005,[11] and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005.[12]The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its primary storage media.[13][14] Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen,[15] robust multi-media capabilities,[16] and connectivity with the PlayStation 3, other PSPs, and the Internet.[17][18]Despite the console's considerable computing power and its formidable multimedia capabilities, sales have consistently lagged behind its main competitor, the Nintendo DS.[19] After the release of a remodeled, slimmer, and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable, appropriately titled Slim and Lite, in early September 2007, sales quadrupled in the United Kingdom the following week and increased by nearly 200% in North America for the month of October.[20][21] Although the PSP has faced very stiff competition from the Nintendo DS, it has been by far the most successful handheld console not manufactured by Nintendo.[22]Contents [hide]1 History 1.1 Launch 2 Variations 2.1 Retail configurations 2.2 Colors 2.3 PSP Slim and Lite 3 Sales 4 Hardware 5 Software 5.1 System Software 5.2 Graphical User Interface 5.3 Web browser 5.4 Remote Play 6 Games 7 Homebrew development 8 Reception 9 Controversial advertising campaigns 10 See also 11 References 12 External links [edit] HistorySony first announced development of the PlayStation Portable at a press conference before E3 2003.[23] Although mock-ups of the system were not present at the press conference or E3,[23] Sony did release extensive technical details regarding the new console.[24] Then-CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi called the device the "Walkman of the 21st Century" in a reference to the console's multimedia capabilities.[25] Several gaming websites were impressed by the handheld's computing capabilities and looked forward to the system's potential as a gaming platform.[8][23][26]The first concept images of the PlayStation Portable appeared in November 2003 at the Sony Corporate Strategy Meeting and showed a PSP with flat buttons and no analog stick.[27] Although some expressed concern over the lack of an analog joystick,[28] these fears were allayed when the PSP was officially unveiled at the Sony press conference during E3 2004.[29] In addition to announcing more details about the system and its accessories,[30] Sony also released a list of 99 developer companies that had pledged support for the new handheld.[31] Several PSP game demos, such as Konami's Metal Gear Acid and SCE Studio Liverpool's Wipeout Pure were also shown at the conference.[32][edit] LaunchMain article: PlayStation Portable launchOn October 17, 2004, Sony announced that the PSP would launch in Japan on December 12, 2004 at a price of ¥19,800 (about US$185) for the base model and ¥24,800 (about US$230) for the Value System.[33] The console's launch was a success with over 200,000 units sold the first day.[34]Sony announced on February 3, 2005, that the PSP would go on sale in North America on March 24, 2005 in one configuration for a MSRP of US$249/CA$299.[35] Some expressed concern over the high price,[36] which was almost US$20 higher than the system's price in Japan and more than $100 higher than the recently launched Nintendo DS.[37] Despite the concerns, the PSP's North American launch was a success,[38][39] although reports two weeks later indicated that the system was not selling as well as expected despite Sony's claim that 500,000 units had been sold in the first two days.[40][41]The PSP was originally to have a simultaneous PAL region and North American launch,[30] but on March 15, 2005, Sony announced that the PAL region launch would be delayed because of high demand for the console in Japan and North America.[42] A month later, on April 25, 2005, Sony announced that the PSP would launch in the PAL region on September 1, 2005 for €249/£179.[43] Sony defended the high price, which was nearly US$100 higher than in North America, by pointing out that North American consumers had to pay local sales taxes and that the GST was higher in the UK than the US.[44] Despite the high price, the console's PAL region launch was a resounding success, selling more than 185,000 units in the UK alone, more than doubling the previous first-day sales record of 87,000 units set by the Nintendo DS.[45] The system also enjoyed great success in other areas of the PAL region with more than 25,000 units preordered in Australia[46] and nearly one million units sold across Europe in the first week.[47][edit] Variations[edit] Retail configurationsPSP Core Pack price history Dates are when the price first took effect(Previous prices greyed out) Country Price Date United States US$199.99 March 22, 2006[48] United States US$169.99 April 3, 2007[49] Hong Kong HK$1,280HK$1,360 current price[50] South Korea ₩198,000 April 26, 2007[51] Europe €199,99 September 1, 2005[52] Europe €169,99 May 4, 2007[53] Canada CA$229.99 March 22, 2006[48] Canada CA$169.99 April 3, 2007[51] India Rs19,990 September 1, 2005[54] India Rs8,990 current price[55] Australia AU$349.95 September 1, 2005[56] Australia AU$279.95 May 24, 2007[56] Singapore S$280.00 current price[57] United Kingdom £179.99 September 1, 2005[52] United Kingdom £129.99 May 4, 2007[53] The PSP is sold in two main configurations that differ in which accessories are included. The basic unit package or Base Pack (called the Core Pack in North America[49]) contains the console, a battery, and an AC adapter.[58] This version was available at launch in Japan[33] and was later released in North America and Europe.[59] The Core Pack retails for CA$/US$169.99,[49] ¥19,800,[60] HK$1,280 or $1,360 (depending on the color),[50] S$280,[57] AU$279.95,[61] NZ$299.95,[62] €169.99, and £129.99.[53]The Value Pack includes everything in the Base Pack as well as a 32 MB Memory Stick Pro Duo, headphones with remote control, a carrying pouch, and a wrist strap.[58] Some regions have modified versions of this pack that include different accessories.[63] The Value Pack retails for US$199%PlayStation PortableFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, searchPSP (PlayStation Portable) Manufacturer Sony Computer Entertainment Product family PlayStation Type Handheld game console Generation Seventh generation era First available JP December 12, 2004NA March 24, 2005PAL September 1, 2005 CPU MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz Media UMD System storage Memory Stick PRO Duo Connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11b),[1] IrDA, USB Units sold Worldwide: 20.25 million (sold between April 2006 and December 31, 2007)[2][3] (details) Units shipped Worldwide: 31 million (as of February 26, 2008)[4] Best-selling game Daxter, 2 million (as of January 21, 2008)[5] Successor PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite (redesign) The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[6] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment.[7] Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003,[8] and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference before E3 2004.[9] The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004,[10] in North America on March 24, 2005,[11] and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005.[12]The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its primary storage media.[13][14] Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen,[15] robust multi-media capabilities,[16] and connectivity with the PlayStation 3, other PSPs, and the Internet.[17][18]Despite the console's considerable computing power and its formidable multimedia capabilities, sales have consistently lagged behind its main competitor, the Nintendo DS.[19] After the release of a remodeled, slimmer, and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable, appropriately titled Slim and Lite, in early September 2007, sales quadrupled in the United Kingdom the following week and increased by nearly 200% in North America for the month of October.[20][21] Although the PSP has faced very stiff competition from the Nintendo DS, it has been by far the most successful handheld console not manufactured by Nintendo.[22]Contents [hide]1 History 1.1 Launch 2 Variations 2.1 Retail configurations 2.2 Colors 2.3 PSP Slim and Lite 3 SAs of March 31, 2007, the PSP has shipped 25.39 million units worldwide with 6.92 million in Asia, 9.58 million in North America, and 8.89 million Europe.[78] In Europe, the PSP sold 4 million units in 2006 and 3.1 million in 2007 according to estimates by Electronic Arts.[79][80] In Japan, during the week of March 24 to March 30, 2008, the PSP nearly outsold all the other game consoles combined with 129,986 units sold, some of which were bundled with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G,[81] which was the best-selling game in that week, according to Media Create.[82]Region Units sold First available Japan 7,535,313 (as of January 1, 2008)[83][84] December 12, 2004 United States 10.47 million (as of January 1, 2008)[85][86][87] March 24, 2005 Worldwide 20.25 million(sold between April 2006 and December 31, 2007)[2][3] PlayStation PortableFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, searchPSP (PlayStation Portable) Manufacturer Sony Computer Entertainment Product family PlayStation Type Handheld game console Generation Seventh generation era First available JP December 12, 2004NA March 24, 2005PAL September 1, 2005 CPU MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz Media UMD System storage Memory Stick PRO Duo Connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11b),[1] IrDA, USB Units sold Worldwide: 20.25 million (sold between April 2006 and December 31, 2007)[2][3] (details) Units shipped Worldwide: 31 million (as of February 26, 2008)[4] Best-selling game Daxter, 2 million (as of January 21, 2008)[5] Successor PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite (redesign) The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[6] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment.[7] Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003,[8] and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference before E3 2004.[9] The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004,[10] in North America on March 24, 2005,[11] and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005.[12]The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its primary storage media.[13][14] Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen,[15] robust multi-media capabilities,[16] and connectivity with the PlayStation 3, other PSPs, and the Internet.[17][18]Despite the console's considerable computing power and its formidable multimedia capabilities, sales have consistently lagged behind its main competitor, the Nintendo DS.[19] After the release of a remodeled, slimmer, and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable, appropriately titled Slim and Lite, in early September 2007, sales quadrupled in the United Kingdom the following week and increased by nearly 200% in North America for the month of October.[20][21] Although the PSP has faced very stiff competition from the Nintendo DS, it has been by far the most successful handheld console not manufactured by Nintendo.[22]Contents [hide]1 History 1.1 Launch 2 Variations 2.1 Retail configurations 2.2 Colors 2.3 PSP Slim and Lite 3 Sales 4 Hardware 5 Software 5.1 System Software 5.2 Graphical User Interface 5.3 Web browser 5.4 Remote Play 6 Games 7 Homebrew development 8 Reception 9 Controversial advertising campaigns 10 See also 11 References 12 External links [edit] HistorySony first announced development of the PlayStation Portable at a press conference before E3 2003.[23] Although mock-ups of the system were not present at the press conference or E3,[23] Sony did release extensive technical details regarding the new console.[24] Then-CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi called the device the "Walkman of the 21st Century" in a reference to the console's multimedia capabilities.[25] Several gaming websites were impressed by the handheld's computing capabilities and looked forward to the system's potential as a gaming platform.[8][23][26]The first concept images of the PlayStation Portable appeared in November 2003 at the Sony Corporate Strategy Meeting and showed a PSP with flat buttons and no analog stick.[27] Although some expressed concern over the lack of an analog joystick,[28] these fears were allayed when the PSP was officially unveiled at the Sony press conference during E3 2004.[29] In addition to announcing more details about the system and its accessories,[30] Sony also released a list of 99 developer companies that had pledged support for the new handheld.[31] Several PSP game demos, such as Konami's Metal Gear Acid and SCE Studio Liverpool's Wipeout Pure were also shown at the conference.[32][edit] LaunchMain article: PlayStation Portable launchOn October 17, 2004, Sony announced that the PSP would launch in Japan on December 12, 2004 at a price of ¥19,800 (about US$185) for the base model and ¥24,800 (about US$230) for the Value System.[33] The console's launch was a success with over 200,000 units sold the first day.[34]Sony announced on February 3, 2005, that the PSP would go on sale in North America on March 24, 2005 in one configuration for a MSRP of US$249/CA$299.[35] Some expressed concern over the high price,[36] which was almost US$20 higher than the system's price in Japan and more than $100 higher than the recently launched Nintendo DS.[37] Despite the concerns, the PSP's North American launch was a success,[38][39] although reports two weeks later indicated that the system was not selling as well as expected despite Sony's claim that 500,000 units had been sold in the first two days.[40][41]The PSP was originally to have a simultaneous PAL region and North American launch,[30] but on March 15, 2005, Sony announced that the PAL region launch would be delayed because of high demand for the console in Japan and North America.[42] A month later, on April 25, 2005, Sony announced that the PSP would launch in the PAL region on September 1, 2005 for €249/£179.[43] Sony defended the high price, which was nearly US$100 higher than in North America, by pointing out that North American consumers had to pay local sales taxes and that the GST was higher in the UK than the US.[44] Despite the high price, the console's PAL region launch was a resounding success, selling more than 185,000 units in the UK alone, more than doubling the previous first-day sales record of 87,000 units set by the Nintendo DS.[45] The system also enjoyed great success in other areas of the PAL region with more than 25,000 units preordered in Australia[46] and nearly one million units sold across Europe in the first week.[47][edit] Variations[edit] Retail configurationsPSP Core Pack price history Dates are when the price first took effect(Previous prices greyed out) Country Price Date United States US$199.99 March 22, 2006[48] United States US$169.99 April 3, 2007[49] Hong Kong HK$1,280HK$1,360 current price[50] South Korea ₩198,000 April 26, 2007[51] Europe €199,99 September 1, 2005[52] Europe €169,99 May 4, 2007[53] Canada CA$229.99 March 22, 2006[48] Canada CA$169.99 April 3, 2007[51] India Rs19,990 September 1, 2005[54] India Rs8,990 current price[55] Australia AU$349.95 September 1, 2005[56] Australia AU$279.95 May 24, 2007[56] Singapore S$280.00 current price[57] United Kingdom £179.99 September 1, 2005[52] United Kingdom £129.99 May 4, 2007[53] The PSP is sold in two main configurations that differ in which accessories are included. The basic unit package or Base Pack (called the Core Pack in North America[49]) contains the console, a battery, and an AC adapter.[58] This version was available at launch in Japan[33] and was later released in North America and Europe.[59] The Core Pack retails for CA$/US$169.99,[49] ¥19,800,[60] HK$1,280 or $1,360 (depending on the color),[50] S$280,[57] AU$279.95,[61] NZ$299.95,[62] €169.99, and £129.99.[53]The Value Pack includes everything in the Base Pack as well as a 32 MB Memory Stick Pro Duo, headphones with remote control, a carrying pouch, and a wrist strap.[58] Some regions have modified versions of this pack that include different accessories.[63] The Value Pack retails for US$199,[64] ¥26,040,[65] HK$1660,[66] AU$399.95,[67] and NZ$449.95.[63]Many limited edition versions of the PSP that include various accessories, games, or movies have also been released.[68][69][edit] ColorsThe PSP is currently available in nine colors. These include piano black, ceramic white, icy silver, rose pink, deep red, champagne gold, felicia blue, mint green, and lavender purple. Only the piano black model is available in all regions.[70] The icy silver, ceramic white, and deep red versions are available as stand-alone models in Asia[70][71] and as part of the "Daxter", "Star Wars Battlefront", and "God of War" entertainment packs in North America (with a Darth Vader silkscreen on the ceramic white model and a Kratos silkscreen on the deep red model).[72][73] The rose pink, champagne gold, felicia blue, and lavender purple versions are only available in Asia[70][74] and the mint green model is exclusive to Japan.[75] Several other special edition models, such as the Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops camouflage PSP, have also been released.[70] The metallic blue, pink, and silver colors have been discontinued.[70][edit] PSP Slim and Lite The PSP Slim and Lite, in silverMain article: PlayStation Portable Slim and LiteAt E3 2007, Sony released information that a new version of the PSP would be released in September 2007, for all regions.[49] The redesigned PSP is 33% lighter and 19% thinner than the original PSP. The redesign also features composite TV Output, supports charging via USB, double the onboard RAM (32 MB to 64 MB), and has a brighter screen.[76] It also caches UMD data in memory to decrease game loading times. The WLAN switch has been moved to the top where the old IR receiver was to avoid accidental switching, and the speakers have been moved from the bottom of the screen to nearer the top, to prevent users from accidentally blocking the speakers with their hands.[77][edit] SalesAs of March 31, 2007, the PSP has shipped 25.39 million units worldwide with 6.92 million in Asia, 9.58 million in North America, and 8.89 million Europe.[78] In Europe, the PSP sold 4 million units in 2006 and 3.1 million in 2007 according to estimates by Electronic Arts.[79][80] In Japan, during the week of March 24 to March 30, 2008, the PSP nearly outsold all the other game consoles combined with 129,986 units sold, some of which were bundled with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G,[81] which was the best-selling game in that week, according to Media Create.[82]Region Units sold First available Japan 7,535,313 (as of January 1, 2