Sony has told GamesIndustry.biz that sales of PSP hardware are up over 120 percent in the UK, following the launch of the PSPgo.

Sales of the PSP-3000 have also grown, as the hardware benefits from the release of the long-awaited Gran Turismo for PSP on UMD and EA’s FIFA 10, which this weekend broke records for the franchise.

“PSPgo has performed in line with our expectations, driving 100 per cent incremental volume for the category and has benefited the broad PSP portfolio with PSP-3000 also enjoying a big lift,” said SCEE in a statement.  “PSP software sales also having been a standout with both new releases GT PSP and FIFA 10 performing well.” The new PSPgo launched last Thursday and sells in the UK for around GBP 224.99.

Early adopters are able to download a free copy of Gran Turismo PSP until October 10, and UK consumers can also access a deal which allows them to download another three games for free if they register with Sony online.

When contacted by GamesIndustry.biz this morning, Chart-Track in the UK said it would not reveal any independent sales data for the PSPgo. “It’s a new format and we are simply not revealing the figures for public consumption,” said director Dorian Bloch. Update: Sony has clarified that sales of the PSP hardware are up over 120 percent compared to the previous week.

The PSPgo sold as many units as the PSP-3000 during the period.

Yet another successful hardware launch from Sony.   2010 is going to be a great year for the company.

The groundbreaking PSP Go has been released today and the portable gaming industry has been changed forever.

Below are all the details you need on the new PSP Go:

Key Features:

• 16GB built-in memory.
• Bluetooth support.
• Slide out control design.
• Ultra-portable entertainment.
• All digital content – no UMD disks required.
• Download games and movies directly from the PlayStation Network.
• Ultra-crisp 3.8″ LCD screen.
• Built-in microphone for Skype communication.
• Memory Stick Micro support for added memory.

The Most Portable and Powerful PSP Yet
The PSP Go, has all the functionality that older PSP hardware versions had, but includes many important and exciting changes. Unlike previous versions whose primary means of playing media was via a built-in Universal Media Disc (UMD) drive, the PSP Go does away with UMDs altogether and instead relies on a media solution combining download functionality via Sony’s PlayStation Network, larger onboard storage capacity and removable Memory Stick Duo support. This major change allows for a slim design, quicker access files and a much more quiet, energy efficient gaming experience since there are no longer any spinning UMDs.

Other major changes include: Bluetooth support, allowing Internet Skype calls to now be made using compatible headsets; and more importantly, a change to the control scheme. The PSP Go features convenient slide out controls. Although these are consistent with historical PSP controls–featuring four directional arrows, the four familiar Sony face buttons and a left-oriented analog thumbstick–their ability to be placed out of view when not in use allows the PSP Go to maximize the use of its screen and your viewing pleasure.

A Full Entertainment System in Your Hands
The PSP was designed to handle all varieties of applications and entertainment — music, video, communication, wireless networking, and, of course, gaming. PSP Go users will enjoy topnotch 3D games with high-quality, full-motion video, and high-fidelity audio. Its ultra-crisp 3.8-inch wide screen LCD display is bright and beautiful, and works well under many different lighting conditions.

A Wealth of Games to Choose From
The PlayStation Portable gaming library is hundreds of titles strong and covers a wide variety of genres. The PSP Go is compatible with all PSP formatted games and Sony has pledged to have all these available for download via the PlayStation Network’s PlayStation Store. Whether you are seeking the hard knocks of football or other sports games, the strategy of a puzzle games, or the action and adventure of shooters and racers, there’s sure to be many games in your future with the PSP Go. Via the PlayStation Store users can also download an assortment of PS One games ported over to the PSP format. The PSP Go is capable of graphics quality that is comparable to the PlayStation 2 console, but in a pocket-sized package, so whatever your game is you can be assured of a quality experience.

Watch Movies and Videos on the Go
When you just want to sit back and enjoy a movie or video on a long plane trip, or anywhere else, the PSP Go has you covered. It offers two options to do this: you can either transfer media ahead of time to a Memory Stick Duo, or using the PSP Go’s Wi-Fi functionality, your free membership to the PlayStation Network and access to a hotspot, you can download movies, TV shows, game trailers and more directly to your PSP Go. If users prefer they can also download content ahead of time to a PS3 or a Windows-based PC, via Media Go software, for faster transfer to their PSP Go, and can also watch recorded television content downloaded to a Memory Stick Duo with the TiVo-To-Go service. (additional fee and a TiVo Series2 connected to your home network also required).

Music and Other Functionality
With the ability to play MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3+, and MP4 files, you can easily use your PSP Go as an audio player. Simply place your music on a Memory Stick Duo, and you can navigate your collection using the PSP Go’s XMB (XrossMediaBar) to select your song to play.

Built-in Wi-Fi Allows for Internet Browsing, Online Gaming and More
With built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, you can access the Internet from any accessible hotspot. Once connected, you can surf the Web, check e-mail and visit the PlayStation Store to download games, exclusive demos and game content and even update your system and game software in seconds. The PSP Go is first and foremost a gaming device though. Ad hoc enabled multiplayer games allow PSP players in close proximity to play together, but your PSP Go’s Wi-Fi connection also allows you to battle other gamers anywhere in the world over the Internet, in online infrastructure multiplayer games. Other functionality available remotely via a broadband connection includes: Internet radio; LocationFree TV, allowing you to view your home media setup from anywhere; RSS feeds; Remote Play, which gives you access to your PS3; and more.

Source:  Amazon.com

PS3 continues to dominate the Wii week after week in Japan and last week was no different.

PS3　50000
PSP　20000
Wii　13000
360　3700

01. [NDS] Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver (Pokemon) – 166,000 / 2,068,000
02. [NDS] Tomodachi Collection (Nintendo) – 90,000 / 1,156,000
03. [PS3] Tales of Vesperia (Bandai Namco Games) – 45,000 / 272,000
04. [PSP] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu Portable 4 (Konami) – 43,000 / 151,000
05. [WII] Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo) – 34,000 / 1,194,000
06. [NDS] Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no Mamoribito (Square Enix) – 34,000 / 3,925,000
07. [360] Halo 3: ODST (Microsoft) – 33,000 / NEW
08. [NDS] SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu – Goddess of Destiny (Square Enix) – 29,000 / 30,000
09. [PSP] Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 4 (Konami) – 14,000 / 66,000
10. [PS3] Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (BEST) (Square Enix) – 11,000 / 41,000
11. [PSP] Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (BEST) (Capcom) – 11,000 / 1,007,000
12. [PSP] Ys Seven (Nihon Falcom) – 10,000 / 53,000

inFamous, Uncharted 2, God of War 3, exclusive Modern Warfare 2 DLC, PSP Go…

2009:  It begins, the Year of the PS3

The next iteration of Sony’s PSP handheld will feature a sliding screen, will no longer carry a UMD drive and will allow shoulder button-only games to be played when the screen is in its ‘closed’ position.

That’s according to a development source close to Sony, speaking to Eurogamer on condition of anonymity. We first broke the news of a new update to the system late last year, revealing that PSP-4000, the third incremental hardware revision of the console, is planned for release later this year.

While Sony has refused to comment so far, further rumours have emerged in the past week claiming that 4000 will represent the first major overhaul of the system, with a sliding screen added and the UMD drive removed.

Our development source today confirmed these reports, adding: “The screen is basically the same as the one in the 3000 – except it slides.” When ‘closed’, we were told, the screen won’t cover the entire face of the console, but the unit will be “significantly smaller in width” as a result.

With the console in its ‘closed’ state, most controls will be inaccessible. However, our source claims that games which use the shoulder buttons exclusively – such as LocoRoco – will be playable, as these inputs will still be accessible. It’s expected that the unit can also be used for media playback in this configuration.

Eurogamer further understands Sony is approaching developers for ideas for games that only require the shoulder buttons.

Sony said this afternoon it does not comment on rumour or speculation.

Well the DS and iPhone had a good run but it looks like, with this iteration of PSP, Sony will deal a crushing blow to both platforms.  Stay tuned to SDF for further developments.

Just got a phone call from SDF’s London correspondent:

Ghostbusters
Siren
Motorstorm Pacific Rift
HOME
PSN Stuff
LBP
MySingstar Online
PS Eye
Killzone 2
Mirror’s Edge
Resistance 2
Socom Confrontation
HAZE
Go Messenger/Skype
Play TV
Eye Toy Pom Pom Party
Eye Toy Heroes
Secret Agent Clank
Play TV PSP
Photo Application
Movement
Singstar Summer Party
Super StarDust HD Team
Kung Fu Panda (for 360 fans looking to jump ship)

Japanese gamers, fed up with mind numbing pet simulators, are returning in droves to traditional games and gaming devices. The question now is can anything stop the PSP juggernaut apart from the impending release of the PSP Walkman?

DSL 74000
PSP 99000

Source: Famitsu Magazine

The August game sales NPDs are out and things are looking very good in the Sony Camp. The Playstation Brand tops the charts yet again with 484,000 units sold and 4 hit titles in the top 10 games sold. The sales breakdown is as follows:

Hardware Unit Sales
PlayStation Family 484 K
Wii 403.6 K
Nintendo DS 383.3K
Xbox 360 276.7K

Top 10 Games
360 MADDEN NFL 08 896.6K
PS2 MADDEN NFL 08 643.6K
360 BIOSHOCK 490.9K
PS3 MADDEN NFL 08 336.2K
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE 256.8K
WII METROID PRIME 3: CORRUPTION 218.1K
WII MARIO STRIKERS: CHARGED 147.4K
PS2 GUITAR HERO 2 W/GUITAR 145.4K
WII MARIO PARTY 8 138.3K
PS2 GUITAR HERO ENCORE: ROCKS THE 80S 127.1K

Source

More charts:

Source

‘I’ve recently just setup a local wireless connection at my apartment. I’m thinking of purchasing a gaming system but I want to hook it up to the internet for online play and downloads but I don’t want a mess of wires from my living room running to my modem. Can you tell me which current consoles and handhelds support wireless?’

Good question Quintus, and no doubt one that is on the lips of many people wanting to enjoy their consoles online from the comfort of their living room. Luckily for you we have a list of consoles that have WiFi (wireless) built in out of the box:

- PS3
- PSP
- Wii
- DS

Yes that’s right even handhelds like DS and PSP have WiFi built in.

XBox 360 doesn’t have WiFi built in but all you have to do is give the world’s most profitable corporation another $100 and this elegant item could be hanging out of your 360 in no time:

Oh and look at that – you get a nice $5 discount from Amazon.