Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Eight Top Selling First Party Franchises for PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable)

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the North American first party software launch details for its highly anticipated PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system. Sony Computer Entertainment America's PSP launch titles include blockbuster franchises developed specifically to provide consumers with a completely unique and unparalleled portable gaming experience. Ape Escape®: On the Loose, ATV Offroad Fury®: Blazin' Trails, Gretzky™ NHL®, MLB™, NBA, Twisted Metal: Head On™, Wipeout® Pure and World Tour Soccer will be available during the launch window and will be priced at $39.99 (SRP)

With PSP graphics rendering capabilities comparable to the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP provides 3D games with high-quality, full-motion video and high-fidelity audio. PSP features an unmatched 4.3-inch, 16:9 wide screen TFT LCD and is complete with built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector and diverse input/output connectors such as USB 2.0, and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN, enabling users to connect to the Internet and play online via a wireless network.*

*Certain game restrictions may apply. Access may be subject to Wi-Fi fees

"We are proud to present eight great PSP titles at launch from our internal studio groups at Sony Computer Entertainment," said Jack Tretton, executive vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "By taking the best of our franchises and making them truly new and unique on PSP, we are able to deliver stunning visuals and excitement never before seen. With many other innovative and original products on the horizon, consumers can expect March 24 to be the beginning of an unprecedented year for gaming and a revolutionary leap in the portable space."

Inspired by hit franchises, all eight first party titles are being specifically developed and optimized for the PSP by Sony Computer Entertainment America's group of elite developers in an effort to ensure that PSP will launch with a broad cross section of entertainment genres. Consumers can find the following titles during the launch window (listed in alphabetical order):

  -- Ape Escape: On the Loose
     Genre:  Action Platform
     Developer:  Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity
     Rating:  "E" for Everyone
     Featuring multiplayer functionality and a wide variety of mini-games
     for players of all ages, this imaginative game provides players the
     challenge of capturing more than 200 monkeys in eight vibrant worlds
     spanning across over 20 levels in order to prevent them from changing
     history.

  -- ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails
     Genre:  Racing
     Developer:  Climax Group Incorporated
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (4) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and
     Infrastructure Mode
     Rating:  "E" for Everyone
     Intense, free-roaming, off-road racing takes on a whole new meaning, as
     gamers will be able to blaze their own trail, anytime. Riders will be
     able to choose from more than 24 highly detailed ATVs as they tear it
     up on more than 30 unique environments with six distinct terrain types.

  -- Gretzky NHL
     Genre:  Sports
     Developer:  Page 44 Studios
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and
     Infrastructure Mode
     Rating:  "E" for Everyone
     Officially licensed by the NHL and NHLPA, Gretzky NHL offers the
     Gretzky Challenge with unlockables from his past days as an Edmonton
     Oiler, Los Angeles King or New York Ranger. Combining authentic
     gameplay and intuitive play controls, Gretzky NHL for the PSP delivers
     the look, feel and passion of hockey with a true-to-life simulation.

  -- MLB
     Genre:  Sports
     Developer:  989 Sports®
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and
     Infrastructure Mode
     Rating:  "E" for Everyone
     Featuring the all-new Playmaker Fielding Marker, Release Point Pitching
     with Confidence Meter, and Branch Point Technology (BPT).  MLB for the
     PSP promises to provide gamers with a true-to-life experience from the
     diamond.

  -- NBA
     Genre:  Sports
     Developer:  989 Sports®
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and
     Infrastructure Mode
     Rating:  "E" for Everyone
     NBA for the PSP will provide gamers with all the fast-breaks, precision
     passing, and above the rim action as it test the skills of all players
     with a variety of gameplay options including Full Season Mode, Paint
     Mode and the PlayStation Skills Challenge Mode.

  -- Twisted Metal:  Head On
     Genre:  Car Combat
     Developer:  Incognito Inc. Entertainment
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (6) via Ad Hoc Connectivity and
     Infrastructure Mode
     Rating:  "T" for Teen
     Complete with all the fast-paced vehicular combat and destruction that
     gamers have come to know and love, Twisted Metal: Head-On allows gamers
     to strap themselves into one of 14 lethal machines, equipped with
     machine guns, turbo boost and a special attack, unique to each vehicle.

  -- Wipeout Pure
     Genre:  Action-Oriented Racing
     Developer:  Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (Studio Liverpool)
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (8) via Ad Hoc Connectivity
     Rating:  "T" for Teen
     The latest edition to the popular anti-gravity racing series provides
     intense, anti gravity combat racing as players choose from five
     different speed classes and numerous weapons, and race relentlessly
     around 16 futuristic, race environments.

  -- World Tour Soccer
     Genre:  Sports
     Developer:  989 Sports®
     Players:  Single-player, Multi-player (2) via Ad Hoc Connectivity
     Rating:  "E" for Everyone
     Featuring 128 club teams, 86 international teams, nine international
     and nine classic club teams from the past, seven league all-star teams,
     six international super teams and eight different stadiums, World Tour
     Soccer for the PSP provides gamers with the ultimate soccer experience.

The company will release a single-SKU configuration called the PSP Value Pack for a suggested retail price of $249.99. In addition to the revolutionary PSP hardware, the PSP Value Pack contains an unprecedented added-value package of accessories and entertainment content, including 32 MB Memory Stick Duo™, headphones with remote control, battery pack, AC adaptor, soft case, hand strap and cleaning cloth, movie/music/game video sampler UMD disc including multiple non-interactive game demos, and for the first one million PSP Value Packs shipped, a special UMD video release of the feature film Spider-Man™ 2 from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

About PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable)

PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. With graphics rendering capability comparable to that of PlayStation 2, PSP features a 4.3 inch widescreen, high-resolution TFT display. PSP also adopts a newly developed compact but high-capacity (1.8GB) optical disc, Universal Media Disc (UMD™), as its storage medium. With a wide range of accessories and connectivity options, including Memory Stick, USB 2.0, IR port and Wi-Fi wireless LAN, PSP is the new entertainment platform from PlayStation.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era. PSP is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP handheld entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/ .

NOTE: PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, ATRAC3plus and MagicGate are trademarks of Sony Corporation

SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Jennifer Clark, +1-650-655-5994, or
jennifer_clark@playstation.sony.com, or Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585, or
ron_eagle@ playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/