A new PSP model

[Sonicwolf]

It appears that Sony is about to release yet another PSP redesign.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5458406/Sony-announces-new-PSP-cuts-PS3-price/

[Rickstilwell1]

huh, but it only talks about in New Zealand. I wonder if that is only for over there?

[kupomogli]

I had four PSPs, three now. Even though it's my favorite system this gen, no need for another one unless cutting the wifi adds a huge amount of battery life to the system. It does look pretty good, though.

[Gamevet]

You can turn off the wifi with current model, so I don't see how removing it would improve battery life.

[goatdan]

I had four PSPs, three now. Even though it's my favorite system this gen, no need for another one unless cutting the wifi adds a huge amount of battery life to the system. It does look pretty good, though.

Yeah, I don't get this -- it seems like stores around here can't move them at all, and $180 NZ is about $150 US, so it doesn't seem like much of a savings. If it was like $75 I could totally see it catching on, but not for that price.

Also, where do you put the UMDs on that mock up?

[Leo_A]

I hadn't heard about New Zealand, they talked as if this was a European exclusive.

I think it makes sense. The PSP's online capabilities were underused from day 1, many servers have already been turned off and many of those that remain have long been ghost towns (Or were from day 1), the internet browser and the music streaming wasn't very useful, remote play with a PS3 was underused by most, etc.

The type of individual that would've likely gotten a lot of use out of the Wifi capabilities of the PSP are the type that would've entered the PSP world years ago, not in late 2011. Seems like stripping WiFi to release a budget model is a good idea at this point. Makes the system cheaper and makes the system lighter without sacrificing much functionality that was likely to be used by a new customer these days. These are the PSP's twilight days where bells and whistles are less important than getting the MSRP as far down as possible. And they'll still be able to access the PSN store just like every PSP owner did before getting direct access.

The PSP must have a good bit more life left in it in Europe then it does over here (It seems pretty dead over here). And it's thriving in Japan, so they probably feel like WiFi is still too important to their healthy PSP market in Japan to release this stripped down model.

I wish they'd of done the opposite though and shocked us by releasing a new model with additional features instead of less. I'd really like a PSP with both a UMD drive and Blue-Tooth so I can play all my UMD games with the tv/out feature while using my PS3 controller (And perhaps keep that 16 gigs of built in memory the Go had). Or a $50 Playstation 2. That's one price drop I'd love to see.

[Sonicwolf]

It appears that this is European only.

http://gamescom.gamespot.com/story/6329177/new-budget-line-psp-model-coming-to-europe-only/?tag=newsticker%3Bheadline%3B2

Interesting. Must be an attempt to buff up sales in that region.

[j_factor]

Does the model number "E-1000" mean that it will have a PSP-1000 style screen and lack TV out? What about IRDA and/or Bluetooth?

[geezuzkhrist119]

Does the model number "E-1000" mean that it will have a PSP-1000 style screen and lack TV out? What about IRDA and/or Bluetooth?

I don't know why Sony even bothers anymore. Let the psp die.

I like the look of the new model. I hope the battery life is much better and the system is hackable. If not ill just go buy a psp go.

[Edmond Dantes]

Does the model number "E-1000" mean that it will have a PSP-1000 style screen and lack TV out?

I thought it meant it would be made of liquid metal and be able to take the form of any solid object of equal mass.

On a serious note, what's with the PSP hate in this thread?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Hmmm ... no online, no multiplayer ... this is the PSP "forever alone" edition.

[substantial_snake]

I kinda feel like a consumer whore saying this but I will probably eventually pick one of these up.

I've been a huge fan of the psp and have about 30 UMD games. I've picked up every version at some point outside of a 3000 and I really like the look and matte finish of this redesign. The lack of wifi seems like a weird cost reduction but even then its a feature I seldom used on my console. If I find one being sold in a year or so for a hundred bucks or less on amazon or something I would jump on board.

[GameNinja]

Honestly this might be pretty sweet for anybody looking to pick one up-it will undoubtedly drop in price fairly sharply and the PSP is a really underappreciated system with a lot of fantastic games for it that you can't get anywhere else.

It does seem awkward to remove the multiplayer functions but eh, who used them really anyways? And like somebody said those who would be hungry for multiplayer action probably got one years ago.

Also about it being more popular here in Europe, I am overseas right now (france specifically) and I don't see any obvious signs of it being more popular here than the US. I have seen people playing DS on the streets/metro but I have never seen a PSP. The stores all carry PSP stuff just like any other game console.

[Trebuken]

There are less than 10 PSP games scheduled for release the rest of the year. Seems like a really weird decison with the Vita in the pipeline. Developers will are abandoning PSP projects for Vita projects.

[The 1 2 P]

Hmmm ... no online, no multiplayer ... this is the PSP "forever alone" edition.

After Duke Nukem Forever and Batman Forever I think they should really stay away from the "forever" title unless they want this thing to.....oh, now I see where you were going.

[kedawa]

Why drop the wi-fi when everything is going to digital distribution?
It just doesn't make any sense.

[Leo_A]

Why drop the wi-fi when everything is going to digital distribution?
It just doesn't make any sense.

Everything isn't moving to digital distribution, for starters.

And they can still access the store just like every PSP owner did before direct access started. I believe you still had to access it via a PS3 or PC even as recent as when the 3000 was new, if I'm remembering right.

[maxlords]

I would buy this in a heartbeat if it was coming to N. America and looked like the mockup. I really like the design modifications...