So I've decided to head to Tokyo to pick up a Sony PSP when it is released on Dec. 12th.

I've been following developments on most of the gadget blogs, but there is a lot of info out there that is in Japanese only, and I'm afraid that it might be important stuff, like rumors regarding availability, pricing etc...

I'm wondering, where would be the best place to go to pick one up on debut day? Should I expect lines? Should I expect shortages? How much above the ~19,000 Yen MSRP should I expect to pay, tax in? I have been to Akihabara before... will those little shops have PSP's or should I stick to the big retailiers?

I hope to be on a 6 pm flight back to Canada on the 12th... think this is too optimistic?

I've heard that it was pandemonium at the Ginza Apple Store launch... I'm hoping to avoid a scene like that.

I'm also looking for a complete list of game titles available on launch day... I have heard anywhere from 12 to 20...

All I'm going to say is good luck getting one as initial supplies WILL be limited...very limited. I wish I could be more help, honestly...I think going to Japan just to pick one up is a little crazy considering no one knows the future of the system, the TRUE battery life, if movies will be region-free with the systems, etc. You know how they camp out in lines for games/systems....

http://psp.ign.com/ for info on the PSP, hopefully that site can answer your questions including release information. The only things I can remember off the top of my head (i'm a Nintendo fanboy, :P) is that you need a memory card to save games, and Puyo Puyo and Ridge Racer are both launch titles.

Regardless, good luck on your quest and I hope it's worth it for you.

Forget it.

It'll be impossible to find one unless it's been pre-ordered.

Just get a Nintendo DS, it'll more then tie you over untill the domestic release of the PSP.

Only a few more days

Do you have one preordered? I have to admit I slacked and will do some store hopping that day to pick up my DS and Mario. We'll be the one's smiling when our batteries are doing laps around the PSP's -- seeing as we're probably the ONLY two people in the USA that know that the DS is NOT the successor to the Game Boy Advance SP, but a totally sperate product.

Is it too late to do this?

I was actually heartened by the eBay scuttlebutt regarding this device... if you believe the news, the retail on this thing is $185 or so... eBay has preorder offers going on now for ~$270 with deliviery on or near the 12th... I thought that if demand was really outstripping supply, the markup would be far higher (assuming of course, that the offer is not a scam to begin with).

When is the PSP coming out?

Btw the Nintendo DS, isn't bad....

Well You would have to pay 19,800 YEN, about $228 Cdn....

There is no date for the US release

If you're interested in buying a PSP, I'd be happy help you get your hands on one before xmas. Though, there will be a surcharge of $100 per PSP and $30 per game all excluding shipping. The MSRP for the PSP is USD $210 and about USD $50 a game. They also have a value pack for about USD $260, but it's not really worthwhile (just a memory stick, a headphone remote control, and a sleeve)

You may be better off at eBay, but I'm offering my services while I'm in Asia.

Cheers,
ktp