Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

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  • CaptainZombie
    Brains
    • Jul 2003
    • 37851

    #1

    Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon



    August 11, 2006 - With the Nintendo DS rocketing upward in popularity -- especially given its Lite facelift and popular titles like Brain Age and New Super Mario Bros. -- many are wondering whether Sony's PSP still has a chance to overtake the portable market.



    Sony may be wondering the most -- and planning action. According to Chris Morris in his latest CNN/Money Game Over column, analysts are suggesting that Sony is planning a PSP price cut as the holidays approach.

    The prediction is prompted by Sony apparently stockpiling finished gaming systems, which are likely PSPs -- suggesting Sony is ready to move a bunch of units. P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research predicts Sony will knock $50 off the PSP price, bringing the system to $149.

    The Nintendo DS, now available in a slicker, slimmer Lite iteration, retails for $129.

    "There is a price cut coming in the second half of the year," McNealy told Chris Morris. "[The PSP] has lost momentum. Nintendo has had a great run since it launched the DS Lite and Sony needs to regain some ground."

    When contacted, Sony declined to comment on rumors or speculation.

    Sony's portable system has hardly slouched at stores; 20 million PSPs have shipped worldwide, including 8 million in the U.S. The Nintendo DS is managing a thin lead with 21 million shipped.

    Surely Sony isn't giving up on the PSP. A price cut, combined with a confirmed plan to let owners buy downloadable PSone games for the system, could be enough to boost sales as the weather cools off. Add Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories in October, and Sony's little system may bite back.
    HDMovie Room
  • Victor99
    Living The Dream!
    • Mar 2005
    • 1230

    #2
    Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

    I've been waiting for this to happen. I'm interested in the PSP, I just think it's too expensive right now.
    How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year. Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.

    Comment

    • Rodster
      Banned
      • Mar 2003
      • 5709

      #3
      Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

      I would buy one at $99, and that's what I think they're really worth.

      Comment

      • Misfit
        All Star
        • Mar 2003
        • 5766

        #4
        Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

        I'd be more inclined to buy one if it were 99 or 150, but since I have a DS and enjoy it I have no use for a PSP. I'm not going to be able to devote enough time to playing two handhelds to ever justify owning two.

        Comment

        • CaptainZombie
          Brains
          • Jul 2003
          • 37851

          #5
          Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

          Originally posted by Rodster
          I would buy one at $99, and that's what I think they're really worth.
          $99 would be a steal for this machine. Figuring in that you have to spend anywhere from $50-$80 on a memory stick depending which size you want, it jacks up the cost even higher. SONY should have made it standard and had this thing come with 128 or 256 mb of internal memory, but there is an opportunity for them to make money off the sales of memory sticks.
          HDMovie Room

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          • andayaman
            Pro
            • Sep 2003
            • 859

            #6
            Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

            Originally posted by Rodster
            I would buy one at $99, and that's what I think they're really worth.
            If you knew the true capabilities of this piece of electronics, you'd probably change your tune. For me, I wouldn't mind paying the original $250 for it.

            This system and a 1 or 2gb memory card, and you've got one of the best systems out there.

            Comment

            • Rodster
              Banned
              • Mar 2003
              • 5709

              #7
              Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

              Originally posted by andayaman
              If you knew the true capabilities of this piece of electronics, you'd probably change your tune. For me, I wouldn't mind paying the original $250 for it.

              This system and a 1 or 2gb memory card, and you've got one of the best systems out there.
              I know the true capability of the PSP. The problem is Sony's defination of capability means paying more for the machine. The PSP has a limited battery capacity which is due to design problems of the machine i.e. the screen and the UMD drive. Extra batteries and features add up and before you can blink the machine can break the $400 mark and i'm not exaggerating.

              I'm not sure if the PSP still has dead or stuck pixel problems. Trust me i've kicked the idea around because I did want one. Factoring into the purchase additional battery, memory card screen protectors, case, games and an extended warranty adds up.

              OTOH I bought a DS and the total cost was about $140 not counting games. I think for playing games the DS is the best bang for the buck.

              Comment

              • pk500
                All Star
                • Jul 2002
                • 8062

                #8
                Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                UMD movie support for this thing already is dying, and it's been out for less than a year. Thankfully, there are apps that allow you transfer either PC video rips or TiVo rips to the PSP.

                As a game machine, it's port city, with a few exceptions such as Lumines. I don't see the point of owning one if you already own a console -- especially a PS2 -- unless you travel a lot or have a long commute on public transportation. Then it's a pretty nifty purchase, especially at $149.

                Take care,
                PK
                Xbox Live: pk4425

                Comment

                • pk500
                  All Star
                  • Jul 2002
                  • 8062

                  #9
                  Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                  Originally posted by Rodster
                  OTOH I bought a DS and the total cost was about $140 not counting games. I think for playing games the DS is the best bang for the buck.
                  Agreed, man. Completely.

                  Nintendo gets it: Most people buy gaming machines so they can play games -- GASP! They don't want to pay for a Swiss Army knife disguised as a gaming machine.

                  It's one of the reasons I'm leaning toward the Wii for the next generation. It's cheaper, has a very innovative controller, and Nintendo's philosophy -- gameplay and control innovation over graphics -- matches mine better than those of Sony and MS. They both seem to want to bowl over gamers with graphical technology and a lot of expensive and somewhat frivolous doo-dads -- Blu-Ray for the PS3, anyone? -- that, at least in in MS' case, so far haven't translated to quantum leaps in gameplay and control.

                  But day-um, it looks purdy. For some people, that's enough. It's not for me. It just seems that Nintendo is advancing the breed through innovation more with the DS and Wii than MS and Sony are with their machines.

                  Take care,
                  PK
                  Xbox Live: pk4425

                  Comment

                  • Rodster
                    Banned
                    • Mar 2003
                    • 5709

                    #10
                    Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                    Yeah PK I know what you mean. I fired up Animal Crossing today on the Gamecube and it's really all about the games. When it comes to game innovation and creativity Nintendo still has "IT".

                    I'm definately adding Nintendo's next machine to my collection.

                    Comment

                    • ddtrane
                      Pro
                      • Jul 2003
                      • 633

                      #11
                      Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                      Originally posted by pk500
                      UMD movie support for this thing already is dying, and it's been out for less than a year. Thankfully, there are apps that allow you transfer either PC video rips or TiVo rips to the PSP.

                      As a game machine, it's port city, with a few exceptions such as Lumines. I don't see the point of owning one if you already own a console -- especially a PS2 -- unless you travel a lot or have a long commute on public transportation. Then it's a pretty nifty purchase, especially at $149.

                      Take care,
                      PK
                      Wow, less than a year. I really feel special that I was able to get mine in March of 2005.

                      But for people like me who travel on their job, this machine is godsend. I've had gameboys and they just didn't make my gaming time seem all that fun. But since I'm a sports gamer, the PSP is the only portable system worth having.

                      Comment

                      • Beantown
                        #DoYourJob
                        • Feb 2005
                        • 31523

                        #12
                        Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                        If anyone wants a PSP...Ill sell mine.

                        Comment

                        • TJdaSportsGuy
                          Hall Of Fame
                          • Dec 2002
                          • 11146

                          #13
                          Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                          Originally posted by Longhorn
                          If anyone wants a PSP...Ill sell mine.
                          I'll trade you my Intercooler for your PSP...

                          Comment

                          • Beantown
                            #DoYourJob
                            • Feb 2005
                            • 31523

                            #14
                            Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                            Originally posted by TJdaSportsGuy
                            I'll trade you my Intercooler for your PSP...
                            I'll throw in Socom and GTA if you throw in a play 'n charge kit

                            Comment

                            • andayaman
                              Pro
                              • Sep 2003
                              • 859

                              #15
                              Re: Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon

                              For those who want to sell their PSP or don't think it's "worth it", you really can't tell me you know what this thing is capable of. It's all about the functions you CAN'T talk about. It's really unlimited with this machine. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're not looking in the right places.

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