Sony Says NGP Will Be "Affordable"

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Last night's PlayStation Meeting, in which Sony introduced the world to the PSP successor code-named the NGP (Next Generation Portable), was heavy on details. The company laid out hardware specs, games, and a release window for the new device -- pretty much everything but a price.

That might make you understandably nervous, but Sony promises it won't break the bank. Speaking to Eurogamer, SCEE head Andrew House said, "I can't put a ballpark on it in terms of figures, but what I would say is that we will shoot for an affordable price that's appropriate for the handheld gaming space."

It's some small reassurance, but Sony's idea of affordable and appropriate for what is said to be a portable PS3 might be a tad off of ours. Current and upcoming handheld systems cost $149.99 (Nintendo DSi), $199.99 (PSP Go), and $249.99 (Nintendo 3DS). We'll probably have to wait until E3 to find out about the NGP, when the company is likely to unveil a price tag and a more specific release date.

Editor-In-Chief
From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 27, 2011 8:03 AM

    I don't think it'll be less than $249, considering the tech they exhibited, but this seems like an attempt to stave off another potential "Five hundred and ninety nine US dollars!" moment. It would be funnier if it was Kaz Hirai making the statement.

    • reply
      January 27, 2011 8:15 AM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        January 27, 2011 8:21 AM

        I don't think the PS3 is going to stay around for 10 years, between the system resource limits (256 MB system RAM, a slow Blu-Ray drive, and an annoying update process are getting old) and the firmware update arms race they're in (3.56 was released a day or so ago, and it's already hacked).

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