So how do the European PlayStation announcements affect those of us living here in the U.S.? Well, a posting on the Sony PlayStation blog has all the answers. Here’s what you need to know:

The new 160GB PS3 system will be introduced in the U.S. as part of a limited edition “The Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” bundle which includes the console, a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller, the game “Uncharted:Drake’s Fortune”,  and a PlayStation Network voucher for PAIN. The 160GB limited edition bundle will launch in November for a price of $499.99.

Now with regards to the newly announce Sony PSP-3000, the portable game console will be introduced as part of two entertainment packs - the Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack and the new PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack which includes a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo card.

Additional info on the new PSP-3000 from the blog posting:

• “The LCD screen will have a wider color gamut and higher contrast ratio to deliver deeper, more vibrant colors, as well as anti-reflection technology so you can see the screen more clearly when playing outdoors. As you all know, the PSP’s screen is a key strength of the hardware, and this update adds an absolutely dazzling LCD screen to the handheld.
• A built-in microphone allows for Skype calls and multi-player gaming communication directly from the hardware - eliminating the need for attaching a separate headset. “

The Ratchet & Clank Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack will be launching in October for a price of $199.99 and will include a limited edition “Silver” PSP system, the game Ratchet & Clank Size Matters, a UMD movie, a PlayStation Network voucher to download echochrome, and a 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo card. The 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack will also retail for $1999.99 and later this year, Sony plans on releasing a standalone PSP in the PSP Core Pack which will remain at $169.99.

[Check it out]

[Check out the press release]

Technorati Tags: Sony, PSP-3000, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack, PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack, limited edition \"The Uncharted: Drake\'s Fortune\" PS3, PlayStation 3

Sony formally introduced the PlayStation Portable 3000 today at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany. The PSP 3000 will feature a new display which supports more colors and is usable outdoors. There will also be a built-in microphone which will make the device an even better platform for Skype users. The new PSP 3000 will go on sale in Europe for a price of EUR 199 ($294 dollars).

In other PlayStation related news, Sony announced two new storage SKUs for the PS3 in Europe - a new 160GB model and a new 80GB model. The 160GB PS3 will retail for EUR 449 and will be available starting on October 3rd. The 80GB PS3 will go on sale for EUR 399 later this month.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony PSP 3000, PlayStation 3 160GB

The FCC has published their latest testing information about the upcoming Sony PSP-3001 redesign on their website. There’s not much information on what this PSP really offers that’s different from the prior version although President and CEO, Jack Tretton of SCEA, did say that the new portable console would be cheaper to manufacture and harder to hack. From our standpoint right now - there’s really not much of a reason to upgrade if you already have a PSP.

[Check it out via New Launches, Gizmodo]

Technorati Tags: Sony, PSP-3001, PSP

EA’s given me a reason to consider picking up the upcoming “Need for Speed Undercover” action racing game -  the title will be featuring Maggie Q as the lead character in several live-action sequences for the story line. Don’t remember Maggie Q? She starred in Mission Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard and well yeah.. just do a Google image search on her.

Need for Speed Undercover will hit the U.S. stores on Nov. 18th and European stores on Nov. 21st and will be available for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC, and mobile platforms.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: EA, Need for Speed Undercover, Maggie Q

Ever wish your Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) had a bit more juice on hand for those long running games? Well, Sony’s got the perfect solution in the form of the new Sony Extended Life Battery Kit which contains a 2200 mAh battery pack for the PSP. The new battery kit provides up to 20 percent more power to the older PSP-1000 and up to 80 percent more power to the newer PSP-2000. The kit comes with two covers - a Piano Black cover and an Ice Silver cover - and will be available in mid-December for a price of $44.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony Extended Life Battery Kit, Sony PSP

In early 2008, owners of Sony’s PlayStation Portable in Ireland and the UK will be able to send video directly to their PSP via wireless or PC connections. Sony and BSkyB announced a joint partnership that will deliver entertainment content from Sky and third-party providers to the Sony handheld.

More at SiliconRepublic.

Technorati Tags: Sony, PSP, Playstation Portable, Video on Demand

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced a new version of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) which features a streamlined format and a new video out port. The new PSP will be offered in the PSP Core Pack as well as in two new PSP Entertainment Packs - a limited edition Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack, and a Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack. Not only does the new PSP sport a slimmer, lighter form factor, the new portable game console will be available in multiple colors including “piano black”, “ice silver”, and ”ceramic white”.

The first newly designed PSP will be made available in North America on Sept. 10th via the Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack. The package will include:

• PSP “Ice Silver” version
• Daxter video game
• Family Guy - The Freakin Sweet Collection on UMD
• 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo card
• MSRP of $199.99

The limited edition Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack will become available starting on October 9th and will feature:

• PSP “Ceramic White” version
• Silk screened image of Darth Vader on the back of the unit
• Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron video game
• MSRP of $199.99

The PSP Core Pack will feature the “Piano Black” version of the new PSP and will come with an AC adapter, and battery pack for $169.99. This will also be available in September.

Engadget has additional information about the new Sony PSP form factor that isn’t in the press release. According to the gadget site, the new portable console will feature:

• 4.3 inch LCD screen
• 33 percent lighter in weight 
• 19 percent slimmer in size
• Faster game load times
• Improved battery life
• Video output

Here are some pictures from Engadget:

[Check out the Sony Press Release]

[Check out Engadget's posting]

Technorati Tags: Sony PlayStation Portable, PSP,