It’s official: Japanese gamers are gobbling up the new PSP Slim. Sony announced today that the PSP-2000 has achieved sales of 580,000 units as of October 3 in Japan. Over the same 3-week period, Sony said in its press release that sales of the PSP Slim have eclipsed that of the original PSP launch back in December 2004.

It’s clear that Japanese gamers love the new PSP, but will the strong sales continue? Time will tell.

NEW PSP® (PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE) ACHIEVES 500K SELL-IN IN JAPAN

Remarkable Milestone Achieved In Only 2 Weeks From Launch

Tokyo, October 4, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that it has sold a total of 500,000 units of its new slim and light PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system in only 2 weeks from its launch on September 20, 2007. Adding the sales of 77,777 units of “CRISIS CORE – FINAL FANTASY VII – FF VII 10th Anniversary Limited” comprising the new PSP hardware and the new software title from one of the most desired franchise, that went on sale on September 13 from SQUARE ENIX Co., LTD. prior to the official launch of the product from SCEI, the new PSP has achieved a remarkable sales of 580,000 units in Japan as of October 3, 2007. Total unit sales in September 2007 alone have reached the highest record ever since the launch of the original PSP in December 2004.

The new slim and light PSP, with more convenience in portability, and more choice in colors by having the “Blume series” colors that appeal to wider user demographics especially to females, is gaining even greater support from the users. Also by having a strong line-up of attractive software titles and more variety in accessories such as the “1 Seg” tuner for new PSP, the world of PSP is further expanding. With the continuous strong support from the users and with the upcoming exciting new software titles, SCEI will make an aggressive foray into the holiday selling season.

Along with titles such as “Everybody’s Golf Portable 2”, “TALKMAN TRAVEL”, “PATAPON”, and “MyStylist”, demonstrated at the TOKYO GAME SHOW 2007 that are scheduled for release this holiday season and towards next spring in Japan, and many others of various genres from the third party developers and publishers, SCEI will further expand the world of PSP to offer a new handheld interactive entertainment experience to the users around the world.

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Read more: PSP Slim Sales Hit One Million In Japan,  PSP Sells Through 50 Million Units Worldwide,  PSP Sales Double In Japan,  Japan Gets Skype For PSP Later This Month, New Firmware Coming Soon,  PSP Shifts 10 Million Units In Japan