Sony Reveals New 'Carnival Color' PSPs

Four new colors of PSP hardware will be released in Japan this month, as SCEJ unveils a new set of "carnival colors". "Vibrant Blue" and "Radiant Red" PSPs will launch on March 5th, and "Bright Yellow" and "Spirited Green" colors will follow with a March 19th debut. All four systems will be priced at a standard ¥19,800 ($222) each. Sony Computer Entertainment Asia launched the Vibrant Blue and Radiant Red models in January, but there is no indication of if and when any of the new colors might be available in the West. All four new SKUs are for the third-generation PSP-3000 model, and will launch alongside a new PSP Carnival Colors Value Pack. This new bundle will include the hardware, a 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, a colored pouch, wrist strap and cloth, priced at ¥24,800 ($278). At the same time, new Battery Pack bundle will become available, featuring a battery cover in one of the four new colors, priced at ¥5,500 ($62). New handheld colors have consistently proven an effective way of boosting sales in Japan, for both Sony and Nintendo's portables. In addition to the standard "Piano Black", "Pearl White" and "Mystic Silver" PSPs, a large number of limited-edition PSPs have also been released over the years, many branded to promote a specific new game.