Retailers threaten to take PSP off shelves – DS reins supreme
A few big name retailers are telling Sony to reduce the price of their PSP or they’ll remove the system from their stores, according to a report by 1up.com. Sales of the PSP are rapidly dropping, with a 72% decrease in just a year; but, according to Sony, we shouldn’t expect a price decrease any time soon.
So what is Sony to do? If they do not plan to lower the price any time in the near future, what tricks may they have up their sleeves to convince consumers to buy the PSP instead of its the rival, Nintendo DS?
The Nintendo DS is has been proved an excellent system, with over 40 million units sold globally and 26 DS games remaining in the top 40 software sales, compared to the PSP’s one game. And the launch of the PSP in Japan? Forget about it; Nintendo’s DS is outselling the PSP 3 to 1.
Quite possibly, Sony may be relying on their new video download service to save the PSP; however, this move cannot come quick enough, and consumers are getting quite impatient while waiting for this service.
John Koller, the Senior Marketing Manager for the PSP, told 1up.com that Sony did share plans with retailers that made them excited; although, details on these plans were not released.
Whether it be one of Sony’s options such as the release of a PSP camera, GPS software or an 8 Gigabyte flash module, they’re sure to do something, and soon; of course, unless it is a price break, we shouldn’t see it beating out the DS anytime in the near future.
Sony has, however, officially announced that they are working on the PSP’s successor, tentatively named the PSP2, which will have a slimmer profile and a lighter weight. The screen size will remain the same, and other details have been kept secret.
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March 16th, 2007
From what I’ve seen, it’s somewhat of an unsubstantiated report and 1UP isn’t revealing their so-called “source”. It would be the death of the PSP for sure if it were pulled from retail shelves and I don’t think Sony would let that happen, even IF they had to cut the price, 75% of a sale is better than nothing. Sales have slowed significantly BUT the PSP doesn’t have any must have titles either. All it needs is one “killer” title… say… Resistance Fall of Man ported to it and all would be right with the world.
March 15th, 2009
Where are any of your sources coming from? Where is this PSP2 announcement? This article seems like total bs to me, seeing as the PSP has out sold everything in Japan, not DS outselling it 3 to 1. Get your facts straight…