PSP Launch: Full Report from Tokyo

Japanese punters have mastered the art of waiting for a new console launch. Some brought fold-up chairs and card games.

When stores finally opened at 9am, the behaviour of those in line was typical of any Japanese product launch -- there was no pushing or shoving, and shop assistants calmly guided them to the counter in small groups. We were impressed by the orderliness of this launch -- it was a far cry from the atmosphere during sales festivities in western markets.

On the software sales front, Ridge Racers unsurprisingly seemed to lead the way while Armored Core Formula Front and Minna No Golf (Everybody's Golf) also proved to be very popular.

Elsewhere, in Nintendo's stronghold city of Kyoto, the main Sofmap store had (inevitably) sold out immediately after opening its doors at 9am. However PSP games remained readily available throughout the day, which suggests that the software-to-hardware sales ratio could be lower than expected.

Everywhere in Japan, it seems, the story was much the same. Even the Jusco supermarkets that we visited had sold out immediately. The question that will be on many Japanese gamers' lips is "When will new stock arrive?" While many retails are still in the dark ("Sony doesn't know," claimed one), the latest word is that fresh stock will arrive before Christmas, reportedly shipping on December 20.

Ridge Racers and Armored Core are popular launch titles.

But Christmas could still bring disappointment for many looking to nab Sony's portable console. The original plan was for 200,000 units at launch -- which have now all gone - followed by 100,000 each week thereafter. Whether Sony pulls through with this promise remains to be seen.

Full statistics and concrete details of the launch's success will be available on Thursday. Check back as we continue to bring you coverage of the PSP's Japanese introduction.

See also: PSP Set for Launch in Japan
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