Sony has confirmed that its upcoming PSP handheld device will be delayed in Europe an the U.S. but claims it will become available in Japan around the end of 2004.
This announcement, released during SCEA's Destination PlayStation conference, puts an end to any "global launch" speculation and confirms that software support for the device is moving on at a slower pace than initially expected.
The hyype surrounding PSP has come at us thick and fast since the New Year but the device hailed by PlayStation guru Ken Kutaragi as the Walkman of the 21st century, seems to be styruggling with analysts claiming even a Japan-only 2004 launch is unlikely.
A new date for the European, U.S. launch has not been set but the device will surface between January and March 2005 with official sources claiming that current planning calls for a simultaneous U.S. European launch. The reason for the delay is stated as the need for more time for US/European third parties as well as SCE first party to develop launch titles.
The delay will give Nintendo's GBA a final holiday season to monopolize the handheld but expect a variety of pre-order offers and packages for the PSP.
One of the possible reasons for the delay may be that Sony has not yet finalized the hardware specs for the handheld. Issues like the memory capacity have already been discussed extensively but now there seems to be some doubt as to whether PSP will even support mp3. PSP's ability to deliver what it has promised will greatly depend on how Sony will reach a balnce between hardware specs, content and price, industry experts claim that titles for the device will cost from USD 30 to 40 and that the unit itself will sell for USD 199 to 249.
