PSP In Australia

Well, the system has been selling, or not selling to be precise, for the past 3 weeks here in Australia, and the first set of sales statistics are rolling in. Here is the first article I came across regarding PSP sales down under:

Please click here

Almost 40,000 Sony PSP"s have been sold in Australia in the past 2 weeks. Launched late last month the PSP is set to be a "Must Have" this Xmas.

Sony Computer Entertainment Australia has almost met an ambitious target of selling 40,000 PlayStation Portable handheld games machines within two weeks of the devices' local release, with sales monitoring agency GfK Marketing confirming yesterday that some 34,172 units were sold in the 14 days to September 11, 2005.

Some 20,000 units were pre-ordered before the Australian launch on September 1. According to SCE's Adrian Christie, "a few"customers did not pick up their pre-ordered units, but the launch had nevertheless been more successful than any other gaming device launch in recent years. The 34,172 confirmed sales represent retail-level revenue of more than $13.3 million, within sight of the forecast $16 million.They cast some doubt, however on SCE Australia's forecast of 250,000 sales worth $100 million by Christmas, aided by a $5 million promotional blitz (CDN Aug. 11).

Sony badly wants the PSP to outsell Apple's iPod in Australia this Christmas, after the iPod stole No 1 retail spot from Sony last year.

One rival the PSP won't have to face at Christmas is Microsoft's new Xbox 360 console. Microsoft yesterday confirmed that it would not be launched in Australia until 2006, despite announcing a November 22 date for the UK release and December 2 for Europe. The PSP will still face new competition at the lower end before Christmas, with Nintendo launching its $179 dual-screen DS handheld on September 22, and the $150 Game Boy Micro on November 3.

Undeterred, Sony is looking to 330-380,000 PSP unit sales in Australia by the end of March. The company claims the PSP is much more than a games machine, since it can also play music, show photos and full-length Hollywood movies.

The PSP weighs 280 grams, has a 4.3-inch wide-screen high-res display, built-in stereo speakers and 32 megs of main memory.

Should be a great little stocking stuffer.

Now, obviously this article was written by another clueless Sony fanboy. And as usual, it is time for me to cut him down.

"Sony Computer Entertainment Australia has almost met an ambitious target of selling 40,000 PlayStation Portable handheld games machines within two weeks of the devices' local release"

Notice. ALMOST. In other words they FAILED to meet their sales target.

"sales monitoring agency GfK Marketing confirming yesterday that some 34,172 units were sold in the 14 days to September 11, 2005"

I have no idea where they got 14 days from, the PSP was released on september the 1st. And a little over 34 thousand units a FAR off 40,000. Using the term ALMOST to describe these sales is plain sad.

"a few customers did not pick up their pre-ordered units, but the launch had nevertheless been more successful than any other gaming device launch in recent years"

A FEW, as in over 7,000 people, according to other sources. A FEW people have brains as well. And what is this about being the most sucessful gaming device in recent years? The Nintendo DS broke all records to become the fastest selling console EVER in Australia. In the first weekend of release, that is, 3 days including friday, the DS sold a STAGGERING 19,100 units. Check sources for proof, or ask me for a link. Now lets compare the numbers.
DS: Almost 20,000 in 3 days
PSP: 34,000 in 14 days
enough said.

"Sony badly wants the PSP to outsell Apple's iPod in Australia this Christmas, after the iPod stole No 1 retail spot from Sony last year"

STOLE? Since when did Sony own the electronics market? And that being the case, then Sony STOLE Nintendo's ideas, Sony STOLE Nintendo's market, Sony STOLE Nintendo's fans. Can't you take some of your own medicine for once, Ken? Or is it so bad that you have to tell bullcrap to the media to make it sound like your little PSP is selling better than it actually is?

It seems to me that Nintendo and Apple have reached an unspoken agreement to team up against Sony's PSP. Nintendo are lowering the price, bringing out kick as titles for the DS, and releasing a Gameboy Micro in Novmeber. Apple are launching their iPod Nano, which is as slim as a pencil, has a colour screen and plays photos, and only costs a tad more than a Mini. For music and photos, the iPod will pwn PSP. And for games and movies, we have the DS and Micro (with Play Yan Micro or Movie Player). PSP is in it, deep.

"One rival the PSP won't have to face at Christmas is Microsoft's new Xbox 360 console. Microsoft yesterday confirmed that it would not be launched in Australia until 2006"

Well enjoy the time you have, Sony, because by the start of next year, you will have the 360, Gamecube, Xbox, Micro, Mini, Nano, GBA SP, DS and original iPod whipping your behind. These will be your last days.

"with Nintendo launching its $179 dual-screen DS handheld on September 22, and the $150 Game Boy Micro on November 3"

OMG this guy must have been sleeping for the past year.
The DS was released on February 24th, it will only be having a $20 pricedrop on the 22nd of September. And the GB Micro will be release on November the 2nd, they are about to take pre-orders at EB.

"The company claims the PSP is much more than a games machine, since it can also play music, show photos and full-length Hollywood movies"

"The company"? My god Sony is desperate, they must think the public are idiots. Then DS will be MUCH MORE than a gaming machine too, since it can play movies, music, e-books, photos, fc games, watch TV with tuner, player homebrew GBA and DS applications, voip, Wi-Fi, run Linux, and even a GPS system is in development. So Sony, what do you have to say to that?

"Should be a great little stocking stuffer"

Should be would be could be but isn't. Well, unless you take the other interpretation of "stocking stuffer".

Sorry for making this a long post, I just love cutting down Sony fanboys :P. If anyone knows a Sony fanboy who pays out Nintendo, please, give me his email :).