Revenues generated by Sony’s PSP handheld appear to be grinding to a halt as consumers save their pennies for the new Slim & Lite version of the console.

According to ChartTrack statistics, last week was the worst sales period for the handheld since launch.

Sony blamed the slowdown on anticipation for its new, sleeker version of the console, which will launch on September 14th.

The firm told MCV that retailers were ‘thinning out’ stock of the original PSP to accommodate its revamped model, and that it will ensure that there is enough Slim & Lite hardware to satisfy demand at launch.

ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch added: “There are probably a lot of consumers who are now waiting for Slim & Lite to arrive. The fact that kids are returning to school is also sure to have had a marked effect. There are always bad words to say about a dip like this, but there may well be a sales spike in week 37 after the new console is launched.”

According to ChartTrack data, like-for-like calendar year sales of PSP are down 32.1 per cent – and Sony will be Slim & Lite’s launch will give the format the sales spike it needs.

Codemasters’ Brian Lara: Pressure Play took the number one spot in ChartTrack’s PSP chart this week, but didn’t manage to break into the All Formats top 40.

Triple-A titles still set for release on PSP this year include Konami’s Silent Hill: Origins, as well as first-party titles God Of War: Chains Of Olympus and Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow.

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