Source: PSP Go Could Get Price Cut Before Release

Kris Erickson • Sep 10, 2009 • Comments (14)

Two hundred and forty-nine dollars! That was the price announced for Sony's new portable hardware at E3 this year. The handheld, which features 16 GB of on-board flash memory and a sliding screen, will go on sale this October 1st for the price of $249 USD and 249 Euros. Or will it? A corporate source at Best Buy has told us that there "is likely to be some wiggle-room in pricing for Sony's PSP Go," and that they expect the company will announce a slight reduction in price before release. This could bring the price as low as $199 USD, a much more attractive price point for consumers.

The reason for a price cut is obvious: Sony's PSP Go is simply priced too high compared to competitors in the portable media space. Yesterday, Apple Corp. announced sweeping cuts to its iPhone and iPod Nano lineup, which brings the feature-rich 16 GB iPod touch down to $249. The company even took aim at Sony specifically, calling out the PSP for it's high-priced games saying "We're talking about 25, 30, 40 dollars a title. The kids can't afford those titles. Worse isn't the price, it's the buying experience.". Microsoft has also introduced its new Zune HD device at the more competitive price of $219.99. Sony could signal to its competitors that it means business by dropping the price of its flagship digital media device below $199, essentially blowing both of them out of the water. This is what Sony has already done by dropping the price of its home console at $299. A one-hundred dollar difference between the more powerful PS3 hardware and the portable device might also sit better with consumers, many of whom have expressed discomfort with the near-equal pricing of both systems. A lower-priced PS3 console might bring more people to the Playstation brand this holiday, but paradoxically kill the chances of the PSP Go as more consumers opt for a powerful home console instead.

That is why our source at Best Buy says they would be "astonished" if Sony didn't opt for a lower price point before launch in October . Our source told us that product displays for the PSP Go (which feature the price) have not yet been finalized.

Comments

spencer

- September 10, 2009 2:44 PM

I want the psp go so bad.

Ashling

- September 10, 2009 3:53 PM

I know that i've been having a hard time deciding if it's worth it to get the psp go!. the only perk that keeps me coming back is that it is portable... and i don't like umd's... but i've been seriously thinking of a psp 3000 because, although i can afford the go! I'd rather spend my money on things like my relationship, or bettering my apartment.

LDuB

- September 10, 2009 6:24 PM

I Don't think i need a PSP Go. I know they said they wouldn't,but im still afraid that they will eventually discontinue the older PSP models

OVERPRICED

- September 10, 2009 7:57 PM

200 dollars? STILL OVERPRICED! 150 dollars and that would be a fair price. 250 dollars was WAYYYYYYYY OVERPRICED and it's like asking 15 grands for a 1990 car but 200 is still OVERPRICED! even at 150 i don't know if i'll consider buying one even though i am very interested in one; point is, they're fucking overpriced, don't buy one.

J

- September 10, 2009 9:49 PM

I don't think I'll be getting the PSP Go... I'm still more than happy with my PSP 1000, and the price is too high (while i understand they don't want it to be the same price as PSP 3000) considering they took the UMD out and replaced it with 16 gb memory...

Michael

- September 11, 2009 1:31 AM

I was ready for Apple to drop some great news on the iPod Touch this week, needless to say it didn't happen, no mic, no camera. Now I'm afraid the PspGo is so expensive, the whole portable digital experience seems a bit tarnished, neither of my favourite manufacturers are delivering the goods. Crazy thing is, we know the psp hasn't changed greatly apart from an industrial redesign, so the expense doesn't seem logical and Apple, oh Steve, you know you've got the magic, probably stashed away in the back of your desk drawer, c'mon already, don't be such a milk weasel!!!

Robert

- September 11, 2009 9:25 AM

@LDuB Don't worry, they're not discontinuing the "original" PSP line. In fact, a respected 'insider' says they're currently working on a PSP 4000 model. I'm not giving up MY PSP 3000 model either. There's absolutely nothing they could add to the current gen system to get me to buy it yet AGAIN. I've owned all three of the current models, but I'm sticking with the 3000 indefinitely this generation now. No more incremental updates Sony! Get to work on a brand new system! PSP 2 FTW! =D

ali

- September 11, 2009 2:57 PM

i was gonna get the new ipod touch (3G) but since its the same crap as 2G (they didnt even add a mic and camera!) I became more interested in PSP GO my only concern was its price tag which is gettin fixed! Now im most probably gettin it! :)

KNRasengan

- September 13, 2009 1:22 AM

Right now I plan on selling my PSP 2000 and buying a 3000. If they lower it to $200 I'll just buy a Go instead.

Travian Guide

- September 13, 2009 4:15 AM

Hardly supprising as it is so expensive at the moment almost as much as the ps3 !!

Dreya

- September 14, 2009 3:05 PM

hmm well lets see i have wanted the psp go for a while now. i do own both previous models but i still want itt.

Black magic

- September 21, 2009 2:29 PM

Okokok if thay dont drop the price to $199 im getting a a a a *crying* I POD TOUCH (^n^)

Mintmochawhip

- September 27, 2009 10:09 AM

Here we go doods, release date about 4 days away, Sony has nooo intention of lowering price of entry, didn' t really expect it too much did we? Hell, us NYers' ll be paying north of $270 after sales tax! Is it really worth it?? hmmm...

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