Sony has hailed the launch of PSP Slim & Lite as a success after the relaunched console notched up a four-fold increase in portable hardware sales.

The revamped system launched across retail on September 14th. And ahead of the release of a range of lifestyle software under the Go! brand, Sony is confident that the new model can really make the multimedia handheld space its own.

“We are very happy with the launch of Slim and Lite,” a Sony spokesperson told MCV. “The first week sales have come in at 17,000, so around a four-fold increase on the previous week.

“We expected sales in previous weeks to be low as we moved old stock through the channel. But now we are back on track and preparing for new products such as Go! Explore and Go! Messenger which illustrate the PSP’s unique offering. Retail has been very supportive. The introduction of PSP Slim & Lite – and the moving through of stock of the previous PSP – has been a very smooth transition.”

PSP suffered its worst ever sales period in the week before Slim & Lite’s launch – which Sony said was a direct result of retailers ‘thinning’ stock levels in preparation of receiving the new console.