The PlayStation Portable handheld game machine from good old Sony will be launched in North America next month, and will sell for $249. For that small sum, you get a 32MB Memory Stick Duo, headphones with remote control, a battery pack and an AC adaptor, as well as a universal media disc (UMD) with non-interactive game demonstrations. The first 1 million packs shipped will include a UMD video release of Spider-Man 2, and Sony has said that 24 titles will be available for the system upon launch, including offerings from Activision, Capcom, Eidos Interactive, Electronic Arts, Koei, Konami, Sony and Namco.
Sony said it hopes to ship 3 million units globally by March 31, of which 1 million units are for sale in the North American market. Since the PSP's release in Japan on Dec. 12, a total of 800,000 units have been shipped.