CyJen - Odds and Ends

Sony released the third series of their PlayStation Portable (PSP), the PSP-3000, dubbed as "PSP Slim and Brite ".  The hand held device is now available in the United States and across North America starting October 14 and in Europe starting October 15, there’s also a scheduled release in Australia and Japan on October 16.  There will be bundle packs and core packs coming out for the PSP-3000 series.

In comparison to the PSP-2000 Slim and Lite, the PSP-3000 has an improved Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen with an increased colour range, five times the contrast ratio, half the pixel response time to reduce ghosting and blurring effects, and anti-reflective technology to improve outdoor playability.  It has an integrated microphone, the goal of which is to establish the PSP as "a viable communication device".  PSP games will now be playable on interlaced (non-progressive scan) televisions via composite video cables.  The Start and Select buttons have changed from semi-circles to ovals, with the home button being replaced by a "PS Button" similar to the PlayStation 3’s DualShock 3.

In North America, the first PSP Brite bundle comes in Silver with a copy of Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, National Treasure 2 UMD movie, 1GB memory stick and and a voucher for a PS Store download of Echochrome.  The PSP 4GB Entertainment Pack (Core Pack) includes a Piano Black PSP-3000, one 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a PS Store voucher for Everyday Shooter.  The price for the bundle will be the same as the PSP-2000 Bundle Pack at a retail price of $199.99 and $169.99 for the Core Pack which is scheduled to be released on November 9, 2008.

In Europe, the handheld will have eight €199 bundles.  FIFA 09, Harry Potter, and Buzz! Master Quiz are three of the eight games that are rumored to be included in the bundle packs.  Bundle packs are priced at €199 in the Eurozone and £149 in the United Kingdom.

For the Japan release, it will be priced at ¥19,800 ($184) and will also have two more bundle packs to be released for the holiday season.  Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam priced at ¥24,840 ($227) on November 20, 2008 and Patapon 2 Donchaka priced at ¥23,800 ($218) on November 27, 2008.

Australia, will not be receiving any bundle packs, just the core packs that will be sold at AU$299.95.