PSP Slim & Lite sales get Sony's handheld 'back on track'
17,000 UK units sold in first week while 'old' PSP beats DS in Japan
Sony has revealed the first-week UK sales figure for its new Slim & Lite model (check out our review), released last Friday.
In total, the 17,000 units that have ended up in players' hands represent a four-fold increase on the week prior to the new model's launch.
However, this figure should be put in context. The week prior to the Sim & Lite launch actually represented the worst ever sales performance by the handheld, largely as a result of reduced available stock of the original PSP as retailers prepared for the arrival of its successor.
Speaking to trade publication MCV, a Sony spokesperson stated that the company expected this and is happy with the performance of the new model, which apparently puts it back on track as it now shifts its focus towards the forthcoming Go! range of products.
In related news, figures from Japan show a six-fold increase for PSP sales for the week ending September 16th, with the handheld managing close to 100,000 units – uncharacteristically displacing the Nintendo DS into second place in the process.
The increase is attributed to the release of Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII, which has managed a rather impressive 487,000 units in its first week.
