14 DAY TRIAL // Although the PlayStation Portable is enjoying a very good period in Japan, with sales almost the double of those posted by long time rival Nintendo DS, the handheld is just not as popular in Europe. Clearly, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is just not happy with the situation.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, David Reeves has admitted that this might be an issue related to the relative lack of new content for the gaming system, while also saying that cultural differences can be partially blamed for the lack of success of the PSP. Reeves stated: "Hand on heart, would we like more PSP games? Yes, we would. We really would".
Only echochrome and Buzz!Quiz Master were announced at last week's PlayStation Day Europe as new games for the Sony handheld. Even the PlayStation 2, which is now a pretty old machine, got more announcements than this. Third party prospects are not more encouraging. LEGO Indiana Jones and a new WWE game will make it to the PSP but the very important titles that Japan is getting for the gaming handheld are not being ported to Europe as well.
The PSP is now on top of the console sales charts in Japan, mainly because of the exclusive release of Monster Hunter 2nd G for the system and because of the way the game was bundled with a specially themed PSP.
Reeves is counting on the fact that some of the games that make the PSP a success on the Japanese market will eventually be ported to Europe. But this is where cultural issues come into play. Some of these games have huge followings because of previous releases or because of their sources, which range from anime to manga. Western buyers might not be as interested in them because they don't have the cultural background required to enjoy them. So, the PlayStation Portable might find itself having a hard time when trying to appeal to European customers in the future.