With a record number of consumers expected to line up to be among the first to purchase the PSP system, fans in New York and San Francisco will be treated to the ultimate entertainment experience with sneak peeks at new games, giveaways, surprise appearances and more leading up to the moment of truth at midnight. At Sony Style Retail in New York, host Carson Daly will kick off the biggest consumer product launch of 2005 where one lucky consumer will purchase the first PSP in North America. Additionally, there will be an exclusive consumer launch event for PSP at the PlayStation Store in San Francisco.
"Consumer demand for PSP is higher than any product in recent history," said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "The fact that select retailers are responding to this launch by opening their doors early to allow enthusiasts to get one as soon as they hit shelves, reinforces the true appeal of PSP as an object of desire."
"Like most consumers, we can't wait for the launch of PSP," said Dennis Syracuse, senior vice president, Sony Style Retail. "The PSP reflects all that Sony Style Retail has to offer with games, movies, music and photos at your fingertips. PSP represents true entertainment convergence in one device."
Already a phenomenon in Japan, PSP is poised for a category-shifting launch when the single-SKU PSP Value Pack is made available on March 24 for a suggested retail price of $249.99. In addition to the revolutionary hardware that allows for a comprehensive entertainment experience including games, movies, music and photos all in a single portable product, the PSP Value Pack contains an extraordinary package of accessories and entertainment content including a special UMD video release of the feature film Spider-Man TM2 from Sony Pictures Entertainment for the first one million PSP Value Packs shipped. PSP is also host to an unsurpassed line-up of 24 titles available in North America during the launch timeframe, with an additional 100 titles currently in development worldwide.