Following the success of the PSP launches in Japan and the USA, and with over 5 million PSP systems already shipped worldwide, PSP launched today in a single version Value Pack, priced at €249 (£179). The PSP Value Pack contains an added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including the PSP system with a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, Battery Pack, Headphones with Remote Control, AC Adaptor, Wrist Strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media Disc (UMD) including several 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 through www.yourpsp.com. The official SCEE web portal for PSP, www.yourpsp.com allows PSP owners to view trailers and screenshots from a wide selection of PSP Game, UMD Video and UMD Music titles, as well as accessing the latest software updates and a host of regularly updated competitions, news and features about PSP. Consumers will also be able to download exclusive content to their PSP.
PSP in Europe will launch with over 30 game titles, all of which have been developed especially to exploit PSP's stunning high resolution TFT widescreen display. Featuring classic PlayStation brands that have been re-invented for the new format, alongside some all-new properties, the games catalogue offers something for everyone. For speed demons, there's the new turbo-charged Ridge Racer; sport fans can showboat their skills in World Tour Soccer and Everybody's Golf; there's madcap monkey madness in Ape Academy with mini-games ranging from monkey hockey to the '1m Dash'; and the legendary MediEvil: Resurrection delivers action, humour and an adventure that will challenge all levels of gamer.
A key feature of the PSP is its Wireless LAN capabilities, enabling users to connect to the internet via a 'WiFi hotspot' and play online across a Wireless Network. In the wireless Ad Hoc Mode, up to 16 PSP systems can also be connected to each other directly, allowing for head-to-head competition with other players in the immediate vicinity.
Wireless functionality is also cleverly exploited in many of the game titles available at launch; GameSharing allows owners of games such as WipEout Pure and Fired Up to share levels of their game with other PSP users, whilst with WipEout Pure gamers can download new crafts, tracks and other content to Memory Stick to further enhance their enjoyment of the game. FORMULA ONE fans will be able to expand their gameplay with a downloadable end of season pack for F1 Grand Prix, including all the grid line-ups for the season and a bonus historic car.
PSP has also received incredible support from third party game publishers, and there will be over 20 third party game titles available during the initial launch period from the world's top publishers, and over 50 before the Christmas peak selling season gets under way.
The resounding success of the UMD Video format in the USA is further proof that PSP offers an all embracing entertainment experience. PSP will launch with 30 movies from a variety of top Hollywood studios including Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Buena Vista and Universal. With studios now planning to release 'Day and Date' with DVD releases, and an extensive catalogue of some 100 movies scheduled for release on UMD Video by Christmas, European PSP owners can look forward to an unmatched choice of entertainment.
The enjoyment of listening to music is a key part of the PSP's exciting entertainment offering and, in addition to playing music stored on the Memory Stick in MP3, ATRAC 3plus and MPEG-4 AAC format, music videos on UMD Music Videos will also be available. During the initial launch period, three classic music videos will be available from Sanctuary Visual Entertainment; Iron Maiden - Rock in Rio, INXS - Live Baby Live and Bob Marley- Live from Santa Barbara. Along with eight titles from Sony BMG including compilations from Usher, Outkast and The Offspring, and live concerts from Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, Good Charlotte and Incubus, with many more music videos scheduled for release in the run up to Christmas.
"PSPs for the European market will also benefit from the latest system software upgrade", explained David Reeves, President of SCEE. "The European PSPs will contain the latest and most up to date software available. With the introduction of an internet browser to ease the downloading of game trailers and video content from WiFi hotspots, a new codec for optimising the quality of video content on Memory Stick, and a wealth of other improvements to enhance the user experience, European consumers will not only be receiving the most sophisticated and exciting portable entertainment device ever made but will be able to upgrade their PSP's continually as new functionality is announced".
PSP Games Available During Launch Period:
- Archer Macleans Mercury Ignition
- Ape Academy Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- Burnout Legends EA
- Coded Arms Konami
- Colin Mcrae Rally 2005Plus Codemasters
- Darkstalkers Chronicles Capcom
- Dynasty Warriors PSP Koei
- Everybody's Golf Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- FIFA 06 EA
- F1 Grand Prix PSP Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- Fired Up Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex Bandai
- Grand Theft Auto:Liberty City Stories Take 2
- Lumines Ubisoft
- Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Take 2
- MediEvil Resurrection Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- Metal Gear Acid Konami
- NBA STREET Showdown EA
- Need for Speed Underground Rivals EA
- NFL STREET 2 Unleashed EA
- Pro Evolution Soccer 5 Konami
- Ridge Racer Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- Spider-Man The Movie 2 Activision
- Tiger Woods PGA TOUR®06 EA
- TOCA Race Driver 2 Codemasters
- Tony Hawk Underground 2 Remix Activision
- Untold Legends:Brotherhood of the Blade Activision
- Virtual Tennis:World Tour Sega
- WipEout Pure Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- World Snooker Challenge 2005 SEGA
World Tour Soccer Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
UMD Video Available During Launch Period:
- A Knights Tale Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- 13 Going on 30 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Bad Boys Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- The One Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- xXx - The Next Level Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Ghostbusters Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- You Got Served Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Hitch Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Spider-Man 2 (softbundle) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Charlie's Angels Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Resident Evil Apocalypse Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Hellboy Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Hollow Man Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- xXx Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Once Upon A Time In Mexico Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- The Punisher Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- SWAT Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Anacondas : Hunt For the Blood Orchid Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Van Helsing Universal
- 8 Mile Universal
- The Bourne Supremacy Universal
- The Mummy Returns Universal
- I Robot Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Alien Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Alien v. Predator Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Dodgeball Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Robots Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Buena Vista Home Entertainment
- Pirates of the Caribbean Buena Vista Home Entertainment
- King Arthur Buena Vista Home Entertainment
- Sin City (UK and Italy only) Buena Vista Home Entertainment
UMD Music Videos Available during Launch Period
- Iron Maiden - Rock in Rio Sanctuary Visual Entertainment
- Bob Marley - Live from Santa Barbara Sanctuary Visual Entertainment
- INXS - Live Baby Live Sanctuary Visual Entertainment
- Usher - Rhythm City Vol. 1 Sony BMG
- Outkast - The Videos" Sony BMG
- Coheed & Cambria - Live at the Starland Ballroom Sony BMG
- The Offspring - The Complete Music Video Collection Sony BMG
- Foo Fighters - Live - Everywhere But Home Sony BMG
- Rage Against the Machine - Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium Sony BMG
- Good Charlotte - Live at Brixton Academy Sony BMG
- Incubus - Alive at Red Rocks Sony BMG