UPDATED PSP $260 (Japanese Import)

[TecJunkie]

UPDATE 3/2
Ecost for $260


Link to Audio Cubes

I have been searching PSP import prices and this seems to be the best. Price is for basic package. They also have the Value Pack

Reports state that the import should be ok for playing us (region 1) games. It seems specifically that it has the capacity to be region locked but currently sony is not enabeling it. The basic pack retails for about $190 in japan since its 12/12/2004 release. North American release day is believed to be March 29, retail price expected to be $200 or so for basic. I think i will personally wait it out as there is a good chance for first generation bugs getting worked out before NA release (sonys first gen ps and ps2 had problems). Also there are some reports of a slight button sticking problem, dead pixels, dust / air bubbles behind screen and issues with UMD drives not staying closed or not closing though these reports are rare.

UPDATE (2-4-5):
It seems Sony has finally released the US pricepoint and release date. It will be available on March 24 at a cost of $249.99. This will be the bundled value pack including some accessories, a small memory card, and the first million will have a free copy of the Spiderman 2 movie on UMD. Aparently there will be a basic package available sometime after launch.
Story Link

 

[WA261]

So it is like a portable PS2?

 

[TecJunkie]

it is reported to have near PS2 quality graphics. links to reviews:

one
two
three

note: i am not a sony fanboy who linked to the most favorable reviews, pretty much every review is glowing

 

[imported_kkcleung]

it looks really really good

it is cheapest to buy it in japan, I took a look at it and the graphics are awesome... memory format.. starts with a U, that's all i remember.. they were giving out ridgeracer with it when I walked past the store

 

[TecJunkie]

are you in japan? I'd give someone $20 on top of cost of unit+shipping if they were!

 

[GMaxx]

If you can hold out for the American PSP. It won't be $200 (it was only $189), but more like $150 to $179. Sony isn't releasing the price now, because they don't want Nintendo to drop the price of the DS to eat into their sales. I'm hoping for $150.

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: GMaxx
If you can hold out for the American PSP. It won't be $200 (it was only $189), but more like $150 to $179. Sony isn't releasing the price now, because they don't want Nintendo to drop the price of the DS to eat into their sales. I'm hoping for $150.

Yeah. The Japan verison is no difference. Change language and psp can play imports.
I'd say that nintendo will drop it down to 120(it isn't that good and it looks cheapish).

 

[lundog22]

I read it some where in IGN that their disc are region coded like DVD?

 

[SelArom]

damn you and your damn sig TecJunkie!!!!

I just can't find him!!! anyone else want to look and let me know?!! I give up! someone please check his sig and post here and let me know where he is!!

 

[emeraldsky]

Originally posted by: SelArom
damn you and your damn sig TecJunkie!!!!

I just can't find him!!! anyone else want to look and let me know?!! I give up! someone please check his sig and post here and let me know where he is!!

Ha Ha. Good one.

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: lundog22
I read it some where in IGN that their disc are region coded like DVD?

Yes, units are region encoded. Games are not region encoded as stated by Sony. They declined comment on any further media items that may be coming (movies, music, etc.). So, it will play Jap and US games, but it's possible future items may come with region encoding enabled.

 

[res0n0xg]

no way it'll be 150, the stores taking preorders on those bundles want 400 dollars for like the psp with 3 games, even at 50 each thats only 150 for games at FULL RETAIL, leaving the damn system at 250 still....

 

[royaldank]

I would guess the price will be $199.99. I was also assume that retail stores would rather be over the actual price than under. This way, they only have to give good news instead of telling folks they owe more money. IGN even noted that the US price would probably be higher than the YEN price would indicate.

 

[fanatik]

Originally posted by: res0n0xg
no way it'll be 150, the stores taking preorders on those bundles want 400 dollars for like the psp with 3 games, even at 50 each thats only 150 for games at FULL RETAIL, leaving the damn system at 250 still....

The price isnt set yet. The sites are guessing high because if they go by 150 and it ends up higher they dont want to piss people off when they increase the price. Its safer to lower the price and make people happy.

 

[Attack Cow]

yeah it totally won't be 149.99, i see 179.99 to 199.99 as a reasonable range for it to be priced

 

[hytek369]

sweet

 

[superpandapower]

sounds like a good deal

 

[SpongeBobPalmBay]

Not to be a grouch here, you you summed up your 'hot deal' post by saying it's really not a hot deal. Maybe you should have just went with that thought and not posted it.

Originally posted by: TecJunkie
Link to Audio Cubes

I have been searching PSP import prices and this seems to be the best. Price is for basic package. They also have the Value Pack

Reports state that the import should be ok for playing us (region 1) games. It seems specifically that it has the capacity to be region locked but currently sony is not enabeling it. The basic pack retails for about $190 in japan since its 12/12/2004 release. North American release day is believed to be March 29, retail price expected to be $200 or so for basic. I think i will personally wait it out as there is a good chance for first generation bugs getting worked out before NA release (sonys first gen ps and ps2 had problems). Also there are some reports of a slight button sticking problem, dead pixels, dust / air bubbles behind screen and issues with UMD drives not staying closed or not closing though these reports are rare.

 

[Albis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050203/sfth050_1.html

the value pack is priced at 250 for the US and going to be released in the end of march

gosh, it's going to be hard to hold out for one of these bad boys

 

[ondarkness]

Prices from retailers advised by Sony reps said that they are hinting at $179.00

But I can't think of 1 PS2 game that I would want to play, let alone portable.

 

[dayg]

I can't wait....

 

[weirdichi]

Man.. DS will have a 2D Castlevania... *droooooooooool*

 

[dali71]

Apparently in an effort to lower costs, Sony has switched from Sharp LCDs to cheaper Samsung LCDs. So, barring future region encoding, the early Japanese units may actually be more desireable than the US version.

screen differences

 

[TecJunkie]

Originally posted by: SelArom
damn you and your damn sig TecJunkie!!!!

I just can't find him!!! anyone else want to look and let me know?!! I give up! someone please check his sig and post here and let me know where he is!!

ROTFLOL glad u liked it, keep looking, you can find em ;-)

 

[PMFleXXX]

i'm heading over to asia this weekend and am thinking of picking a PSP up for someone if they want one direct from there. anyone interested and how much would you be willing to pay for the service?