PSP Slim to arrive in UK before Japan

We've already told you about the Japanese redesigned PSP launch details. In fact, we were a little disappointed to learn the date – September 20th – because it would inevitably mean that a European launch would follow the Japanese event. At least that's how things have worked traditionally.

We had hoped Sony would aim for a September 1st date, because that is the day Europe first got the PSP in 2005. And Sony has on several occasions since launching the PlayStation shown that it likes to echo certain dates. But we figured it was an unlikely scenario.

Well, it seems we spoke too soon. September 1st hasn't been officially mentioned, but Sony Europe president David Reeves has confirmed the new PSP will hit UK shops before the Japanese model and will come in Ceramic White, Piano Black and Ice Silver.

Reeves said: "This is an important new model. Once people get it into their hands they will feel the difference. It will come out at EUR 169 (£115) in all PAL territories at the beginning of September," reports trade publication MCV.

Given that hardware and software in Europe typically appears on a Friday, and with September 1st this year falling on a Saturday, our money is actually on August 31st. Failing that, we should be looking at September 7th.

Place your bets now.

Update: According to industry news site gi.biz, Sony has confirmed the price of the new PSP will be identical to the current cost of the UK model, £130. Disappointingly, this effectively represents a £15 surcharge over the EUR 169 price announced for the rest of Europe (again, a reflection of the current situation affecting the 'old' PSP model).