PSP Core pack unsurprisingly falling to $169.99

Although the PSP Core pack isn't dropping to the lows in which we had hoped it would, the stripped-down package is getting a slashing nonetheless as it attempts to attract buyers who still aren't down with a $200 Value pack. Apparently, GameStop / EB Games locations have already received displays and instructions (posted after the jump) to lower the Core's price down a few notches starting on April 3rd, which means that you should put your PSP shopping trip on hiatus until tomorrow rolls around. Of course, this leveling out of pricing doesn't come to anyone's surprise, but if you've managed to both hold off on a PSP until now and still have an urge to pick one up outside of the used market, Wednesday's your day.

[TheGuy @ Apr 2nd 2007 6:30PM]

Hmm... not a bad price. If they reduce it $20 more or give-me a good trade-in option I'll buy a PSP now. If not, I'll bide my time to see how well God of War turns out for the PSP before deciding to buy it or not.

[kingofwale @ Apr 2nd 2007 7:09PM]

I don't know what the fuzz about, Core price of PSP has been around 199 Canadian for 2 weeks now. You will probably see an increase in number of units sold, Sony's pushing pretty hard on PSP front, I see PSP commercials more often that DS's

[Standingfast @ Apr 2nd 2007 7:24PM]

Its still not as cheap as the DS...

[dgoak @ Apr 2nd 2007 7:43PM]

This is not surprising since the PSP can be hacked and requires older versions, with older firmwares....the used ones are more vaulable. doesn't matter how low the price is or goes.....i'd like to see some data on the sales via craig's list and ebay...no point in buying brand spankin new if you have to wait until a downgrader is produced. buying used just makes sense...

the only way to get new ones to sell at any price is to secure them from being hacked.

[Scott @ Apr 2nd 2007 7:55PM]

you obviously do not have any idea about homebrew development, or even have a PSP...

Newer firmwares can be downgraded, its only a matter of time... this has been proven true, time and time again... Buying new means wait alittle longer, but still a good multimedia console,even if you want to be a cheap skate and play isos...

[brandon @ Apr 2nd 2007 8:05PM]

If you read his post, you'd understand thats exactly what he was saying, that you just have to wait. He's just saying you might as well buy a used one and not wait.

[Scott @ Apr 2nd 2007 11:55PM]

but the thing is, where will you buy it used? Ebay? PSPs can be bricked and sold as scams, are you willing to throw in that risk?

Don't forget, Core packs have been around, and the old stocks will use old firmwares, if you're smart, you can still pick out some 3.03 PSP easily, that's why I think buying used PSPs is not a good idea at all, especially when prices come down to this level

[dgoak @ Apr 4th 2007 9:14AM]

what i was saying is that the risk of bricking is high, if you're an idiot....however better to brick a used one for less cash then a new one. Plus and this is the important part....used PSP's are older by definition of being used. the older the better. while all can / will be hacked, the older ones are easier.

[kingofwale @ Apr 2nd 2007 8:04PM]

>you obviously do not have any idea about homebrew development, or even have a PSP...


Obviously true,

and keep in mind that the FIRST thing when someone got a new console, isn't to just hack/mod it, it's to play a game. I took me about 3 months to start to explore the idea of customer firmware.

so, I think this is a good price point. a lot of PSP games here in Canada are selling for 29 dollars, even newer games like Killzone and GTA Vice City. (of course, GTA Liberty City is selling for 19 bucks). I think that's a very positive thing for any people ready to go into portable console market.

[Grey Acumen @ Apr 2nd 2007 9:58PM]

actually, I have to admit to being tempted. There are only a few games that actually interest me for the PSP, but I will admit that the homebrew options are intriguing. I'm also rather interested in playing Crush when that finally becomes available.

Still though. My funds aren't ready to support all that right now, and there are plenty of DS games that I want but still haven't gotten yet, so I'm not sure what I'll be doing.

[Scarpad @ Apr 3rd 2007 12:50PM]

I picked one up again, had one a while ago. There are some very good games out now, the prices on used titles are very good, plus they've opened up the video Resolution to the native screen support and to say it's a huge improvement is a vast understatement.

[anonymous @ Apr 5th 2007 12:18AM]

I truly, truly feel sorry for Sony. When I grew up, my dad and I always bought Sony stuff because it was the best back then (2 Trinitron tv's still going strong after 13 years). Now they are suffering horrible losses, their quality is not what is used to be, and everyone hates them. I a Sony fan, one of the 5 out there, but I doubt they'll ever go back to being the giant they once were. Look at the PSP... it's amazing and has a ton of potential when running homebrew, but it is still a failure, most games for it suck. On the other hand, I have had a DS since launch and recently got a DS lite. the games are great and I have only bought 2 games I didn't like for it, as opposed to the PSP... most games were remakes of games I'd already played on the PS2.

from one of the 5 remaining fans of sony

[stevieb @ Apr 3rd 2007 7:50AM]

Still not enough to compete with the DS. Euro drop as well?

[Zaki @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:43AM]

That's great that the price is going down, but $169 is still not enough. I paid $130 for my DS Lite on the day that it came out last year in USA.

I wish the PSP went to that same price. Sure it's technically "more powerful" than the DS Lite, but the PSP has been out for a long time now, and if they plan on releasing a PSP2, they may as well make this model much cheaper to get it flying off the shelves, because it is clearly not doing that right now.

[fastm3driver @ Apr 8th 2007 11:18PM]

what am I going to do with one of those?

[Gelo @ Apr 5th 2007 5:07PM]

Does anybody know what kind of software (I mean the system version) comes with the newly $169.99 priced PSP's?

[David @ Apr 5th 2007 12:20AM]

FINALLY, we're paying the price Japanese are paying since launch day!