14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Computer Entertainment of America has announced two initiatives that are set to help the sales of both the PlayStation Portable handheld in its traditional configuration and the Go version, which lacks a UMD drive and gets all its content via digital distribution. A new line of videogames, featuring the label “Favorites,” will be sold for just 9.99 dollars, while new Go buyers will get some titles for free.
Sony itself is putting out the bulk of the videogames that are part of the “Favorites” initiative, including: Ape Escape: On the Loose; Buzz! Master Quiz; Hot Shots Golf Open Tee; LocoRoco 2; Patapon 2; PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe; Socom: Fireteam Bravo; Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow and Twisted Metal: Head On.
There are also games coming from other publishers, like: Justice League Heroes from Warner Bros; Manhunt 2 and The Warriors from Rockstar; Pinball Hall of Fame: Williams Collection from Crave; Silent Hill: Origins from Konami; the Sims 2 from Electronic Arts, with other announcements set to come soon.
Those who buy a new PlayStation Portable Go will need to provide en e-mail address where they will receive a voucher that can be used on the PSN in order to download three free videogames, the options including Little Big Planet and Ratchet & Clank. A similar program run by the European division of Sony grants access to ten free titles.
With the new moves, the Japanese giant is aiming to boost the profile of the PSP, which has been eclipsed on the North American market by Nintendo and sales of its DS line up. The Sony platform has been hit hard by piracy and uninspired ideas on the part of its creator and there are rumors that it is preparing to unveil a new device, the PSP 2, with a touch screen and powered by a tripped down version of the PlayStation 3 Cell processor.