Sony Cagey on PSP Launch at CES

Kaz Hirai's CES stage presentation for PSP demonstrated the machine's features with the assistance of rapper Xibit, but kept quiet on western release specifics.

Sony's eagerly awaited PSP press conference at this week's 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has failed to deliver concrete North American and European release details for the handheld.

Kaz Hirai at the CES 2005 PSP Presentation

Many were expecting Sony to use the CES briefing in Las Vegas to lay out its launch strategy for the PSP, which is scheduled for release in North America and Europe by the end of March, but the company seems to be using the same low-information approach it took to the system's Japanese debut in December.

Sony preferred to keep more detailed announcements for closer to the PSP's launch. The presentation did reveal sales figures, though, confirming that the handheld has now shipped 510,000 units in Japan.

The majority of the presentation by SCEA president Kaz Hirai, focussed on using the multimedia functionality of the machine, something we have recently detailed in our massive PSP hands-on.

Xibit joined the stage to demonstrate PSP's music capabilities

Hirai, in a more comformatble presentation than we're used to seeing from him at E3, cracked a few jokes during the event and also welcomed onto stage rapper Xibit to demonstrate some of the audio aspects of the gorgeous device.

Impressively, there were PSP units for many of those in attendance, which could simply be turned on from 'Sleep Mode' before sampling titles including WipEout Pure and ATV Offroad Fury.

The company also used the event to flag up some of its upcoming PSP titles, which included the recently announced RPG Untold Legends: Brotherhood Of The Blade, anti-gravity racer WipEout Pure, first-person shooter Coded Arms and Ape Escape P (a platform game, not to be confused with the recently released mini-game compendium released in Japan).

The PSP is still set for release in Europe in March and Sony should unveil its final launch plans shortly. Kikizo anticipates a release in the final week of March at a price point of £179.99, based on information from sources. In the US, a similar time frame and price point of around $200 is widely expected.

Kikizo Staff
Everything Kaz said about PSP is true!