Sony announces new budget PSP, sans wi-fi

With the release of PlayStation Vita, you'd think that Sony would give up on the PSP, right? Well, you'd be wrong. Sony announced a brand new budget model of the PSP at Gamescom.

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With the release of PlayStation Vita, you'd think that Sony would give up on the PSP, right? Well, you'd be wrong. Having sold 71 million units worldwide, Sony announced a brand new budget model of the PSP at Gamescom, one that would be an "entry" alternative to the fancier, pricier Vita. Coming to Europe this Fall is a "E-1000" model for only €99. The only caveat? It drops wi-fi support.

Unlike the digital-only PSPgo, the new budget PSP will be compatible with "all" PSP games--provided you have a Windows-based PC or PlayStation 3. Without wi-fi, the system is incapable of getting downloadable games without connecting to one of these devices.

While PlayStation Network exclusives, such as PSone games and minis, may be harder to access on the wi-fi only device, it will be compatible with camera-based games, like EyePet and Invizimals. Given the system's low price point, these kid-friendly titles are likely to be the biggest draw for the redesigned handheld.

But will this redesigned system hit the US? "Not everything mentioned or shown today will necessarily apply to those of us in North America," SCEA's Jeff Rubenstein reminds us.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    August 16, 2011 11:15 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Sony announces new budget PSP, sans wi-fi.

    With the release of PlayStation Vita, you'd think that Sony would give up on the PSP, right? Well, you'd be wrong. Sony announced a brand new budget model of the PSP at Gamescom.

    • reply
      August 16, 2011 11:41 AM

      Only 99 euros? jesus crap, that's a deal?

      Sony is so left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing

    • reply
      August 16, 2011 11:44 AM

      I find this intriguing and may pick one up.

    • reply
      August 16, 2011 12:03 PM

      Why do companies purposely cripple something to make a difference in features? A Wi-fi chip is dirt cheap. Having a mobile device that doesn't have at least wi-fi in 2011 is retarded.

    • reply
      August 16, 2011 12:04 PM

      The only PSP games I care about are getting the PS3 treatment soon, so pass.

    • reply
      August 16, 2011 12:35 PM

      This article is confusing.

    • reply
      August 16, 2011 1:07 PM

      "Coming to Europe this Fall is a wi-fi only "E-1000" model for only €99." is this an error? or a different one that does have wifi?

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