MCV understands that ‘version two’ of Sony’s PSP will arrive in British stores before the console reaches Japan in September – and will be priced at €169 (around £114).

Sony this week announced that the machine would be launched in Japan on September 20th, priced at Y19,800 (around £80).
And now both Sony Europe president David Reeves and reliable retail sources have revealed the details of the console’s UK launch to MCV.

“This is an important new model,” said Reeves. “Once people get it into their hands they will feel the difference. It will come out at €169 in all PAL territories at the beginning of September.

“In Leipzig there will be a big demo of the video-out function and of new colours which will arrive after launch.”

One senior retailer told MCV: “We haven’t had much information through about it, but we are aware that it will be coming into our stores at the start of September – maybe even late August.”

Black, silver and white versions of the console will launch PAL territories, whilst the US will miss out on the white edition.

The new PSP model boasts a 4.3 inch wide high resolution LCD screen and is 33 per cent lighter and 19 per cent slimmer than its popular handheld predecessor.