Sony PSP Price Dropped in North America

Today, Sony Computer Entertainment revealed that they have dropped the price of the PlayStation Portable Core Pack in North America. While it would be hard to say for sure what pushed them to do it, this recent announcement likely has something to do with the age of the console, struggling sales versus the Nintendo DS, and the recent rumors of discontent from retailers (“Drop the price...or else.”). But, whatever the reason, gamers should see a $30 discount on the PSP almost immediately, bringing the mighty little handheld down to a more reasonable $169.99, and that’s not all. Sony also took this opportunity to add two more games to the system’s Greatest Hits collection, making the fantastic Daxter and Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror available for a bargain price of $20. You can read more about price drops below, where we’ve included the more important portion of the official press release:

FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the recent second anniversary of PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable), Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has announced a reduced price for PSP hardware. Effective today, PSP Core Pack will be available in North America for $169.99 (MSRP), delivering a significant $30 savings to consumers. SCEA also announced that Daxter(TM) and Syphon Filter(R): Dark Mirror are the newest additions to the PSP "Greatest Hits" collection, enabling PSP users to build up their software library with two popular titles at great value.

"We have always been passionate about making great entertainment accessible to everyone, and the new price for PSP, as well as the continued growth of the 'Greatest Hits' library, reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting and expanding the PSP community," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We are pleased that we are able to engineer savings for the consumer at this stage of PSP's lifecycle, allowing more individuals to experience PSP for the first time. In particular, we have recently seen a steady rise in the number of teens adopting PSP as their primary handheld entertainment system, and we expect the new price will accelerate that trend."

Now entering its third year on the market, PSP continues to redefine the portable entertainment space, with key software launches and new entertainment features driving hardware and software sales. In 2006, hardware unit shipments rose to nearly 25 million units* worldwide, with more than one million new PSP systems sold in North America in December alone. Software shipments increased to more than 90 million units* last year, and the platform is poised for further growth this year with a software release schedule that includes exclusive titles from major franchises, including God of War(R), Ratchet & Clank(R), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, and Syphon Filter(R). The availability of Daxter and Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror at $19.99 (MSRP) as part of the "Greatest Hits" program also will generate strong consumer interest and drive software sales.