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Gamers Hit Stores For Release of 'PlayStation Portable' As Reported in Mainichi Daily News 2004.12.12

Computer-game enthusiasts flocked to software retailers across the country to buy "PlayStation Portable" (PSP) that hit store shelves Sunday.

PSP, produced by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE), allows users to enjoy computer games with graphics as high quality as PlayStation 2, can play music and DVDs and is equipped with a radio communications system.

At Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, more than 1,000 gamers had formed a line since Saturday, forcing it to open at 6 a.m., earlier than scheduled.

The store also delivered to 1,500 customers numbered tickets as they arrived. Three hours later, the PSPs were sold out.

A shop employee said it could not take any more orders for PSPs because it does not know when it can receive additional PSPs from the manufacturer.

"I heard rumors that Yodobashi would receive more PSPs from the manufacturer than other retailers. I like the PSP because it allows you to enjoy not only computer games but also video and music," said a 22-year-old company employee from Musashino, western Tokyo, who had waited in front of the outlet since 11 a.m., Saturday.

About 700 people, 600 and 400 people lined up in front of Big Camera's Ikebukuro outlet, the LaOX Akiharaba district outlet and Tsutaya's outlet in Shibuya, respectively, before they opened Sunday morning.

SCE officials said the company has shipped 200,000 units, but it was far from enough to meet the demand at each retailer, adding that it will additionally produce and ship another 500,000 units by the end of this year.

Early next year, SCE will begin to sell PSPs in Europe and the United States, with the goal of selling 3 million units globally by March 2005. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, Dec. 12, 2004)