PSP Gets 24 Percent Price Cut in Europe but Not in the UK

After slashing the price of the PlayStation Portable, more specifically the PSP-3000 version, in North America, Sony has now announced that the price of the portable console will also be cut in Europe by 24 percent.

Sony has been trying to make its PSP more attractive these days, especially since the Next Generation Portable, its replacement, was already revealed at the beginning of the year.

The new suggested retail price of the PSP is €129.99, instead of the older €169.99, and is effective immediately across Europe.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe hardware marketing manager Isabelle Tomatis said, "The console's new recommended retail price, complimented by a whole host of affordable games in the Essentials, Platinum and minis collections, opens up a world of portable gaming for less - particularly for our younger audiences. Along with the entertainment services available to all PSP owners on PlayStation Network, there is no better value portable entertainment system around."

Sadly for UK gamers, the discount won't be made in their own region, as Sony has cited unfavorable exchange rates as the main reason for such a decision, in a statement made to CVG.

A UK spokesperson said, "The price drop in continental Europe has been made possible by favourable fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Euro and the Yen. Since we in the UK are vulnerable to two exchange rate calculations, pounds into Euro's and Euro's into Yen, we are not in a position to offer a similar cut in PSP for the UK."

Considering the PSP Go version also received a discount last month in North America, European gamers should also expect one for the device in the following weeks.

Sony dropped the price from $250 to $200 last month, even if, for a small time, it was displayed as costing just $150 on the company's website.

Despite these price cuts, the PSP is nearing the end of its lifecycle, with Sony focusing on getting the Next Generation Portable platform, aka the PSP2, ready for its release at the end of the year or beginning of 2011.