PSP prices persist
Not cuts, say Sony
Speculation has rumbled throughout the week that Sony are planning a price-cut for the PSP handheld, with some experts suggesting a cut later this year that could see prices fall from 199 USD to 149 USD, closing the gap on Nintendo's rival DS system. For their part, however, Sony are denying everything, telling the media that no price-cut is in the pipeline.
Games industry analyst PJ McNealy had told CNN Money that "there is a price cut coming in the second half of the year." He suggested that the PSP was losing ground to the DS and would use the price-cut to reinvigorate interest in the Playstation Portable. "Nintendo has had a great run since it launched the DS Lite and Sony needs to regain some ground," McNealy added. The DS currently costs in the region 129 USD.
"Currently we have no plans to cut the price of the PSP at this time," Sony told GamesIndustry.biz, though much could still depend on how the console fairs with Christmas approaching, not to mention whether Nintendo opt to cut the price of their own wares. Meanwhile, speculation suggests the PS2 could be cut in anticipation of the PS3's arrival... a move which seems a case of when, rather than if.
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