You want to preorder a PS3? - Better get a PSP then.

Mike Bantick
Tuesday, 06 February 2007 05:34

Opinion and Analysis

In the UK it would seem that the best way to get your name on a preorder list for the soon to be released PlayStation 3, is to buy it with a PSP.

Gamespot is reporting on UK HMV store’s approach to the now ubiquitous preordering system that surrounds game console launches.

To place a preorder, the customer must opt for the bundled pack of a PS3, PSP (PlayStation portable) and two PSP games (Killzone:Liberation and Gangs of London).

The resulting cost is around £250 (approx A$490) more than the Sony quoted cost of the PS3 alone.

A HMV spokesperson commented, "The reason we went down this route, which has met with a mixed response, is in order to maximise the number of consoles to as many as we can get from Sony. Inevitably, there's a limited number, and we decided to do it this way to ensure we could meet as many of our preorders as possible."

I am not surprised at the “mixed response”.  Obviously there was a Sony deal done, to push the flagging PSP.  The only thing this does though is further alienate a PS3 demographic from the great unwashed masses.

Price is a sore point for PlayStation fans, to make the cost of obtaining the prized item further from reach only inflames the issue.  If it is successful, it does mean more “bums on seats” ready for the linkage of PSP to PS3 features to follow.