Sony Launches the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in Japan

Sony Computer Entertainment released the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in Japan. The handheld system marked Sony’s entry into the portable gaming market, competing directly with Nintendo’s long-established handheld platforms. The launch model, PSP-1000, featured a 4.3-inch widescreen LCD display with a resolution of 480×272 pixels. Unlike most previous handheld consoles, the PSP used optical discs known as Universal Media Discs (UMDs) for game distribution and multimedia playback. In addition to games, the system supported music, video, and photo viewing through Memory Stick Duo storage. The PSP launched in Japan at a retail price of ¥19,800. Sony reported that approximately 200,000 units were made available for launch day, and initial shipments sold out at many retail locations. The Japanese launch lineup included titles such as Ridge Racer, Lumines, and Vampire Chronicle: The Chaos Tower. The PSP later launched in North America on 24/03/2005 and in Europe on 01/09/2005. Over its production lifespan, the PlayStation Portable sold more than 80 million units worldwide. The 12/12/2004 launch in Japan marked Sony’s expansion into the handheld gaming sector, adding a portable platform to its existing home console lineup. #PSP #PlayStationPortable #Sony #VideoGameHistory #2004