NGP will most likely be priced at $299.99

...and here's why:

Lets go back to 2006 for a second. We all know what Sony has learned that year. But, one can argue that they havent learned anything, because to be honest, they most likely knew what they were doing when they priced the PS3 at 599.99. If you look at the sales of the PS3 compared to the PS2, its pretty much on track to deliver over 100 million sold within the 10 year plan they promised, and i strongly believe they will succeed and exceed their goal by at least 20 million.

                                               (for 599.99, it BETTER do EVERYTHING)

Sony knows business, you cannot argue there. Alot of gamers believe Sony isnt doing well because their in the so called "last place", but something tells me they knew this before they even released the PS3. Go back to the release of the PS2...it started out exactly the same as the PS3 did. Alot of hate from all over the place, yet it prevailed and destroyed the competition. Now, i know this generation isnt the same, but truth be told, i have a feeling the PS3 will stand at the top once it becomes discontinued. If the PS2 to this day sells a few million each year, im pretty sure PS3 has legs stretching out about 1.5 times more then the PS2, mainly due to being an actual computer/blu ray player. Just imagine 4-5 years from now, when the price is sitting at 149.99 to about 199.99 along side the PS4.

Now back on topic... recently, its been said that the price point and battery life of the NGP (codename for PSP2 for the uninformed) will not be published untill the current prototype is complete. Supposedly, the NGP presented to us is only in the Alpha stage.

Price point has been announced to be "affordable". What does that mean? Its simple.

Sony knows that pricing this thing at 399.99 would get them sales regardless. But this wont be the case because of the tainted infamous launch price of the PS3.

299.99. That is the "affordable" price they are speaking of. Why am i so sure? Dont know, i just am. Every other price point just doesnt make sense to be honest :-/ Technology improves every day. As new tech arises, older tech becomes cheaper. Technology happens to grow exponentially, thus it is safe to say what we managed to achieve within last year may be twice as much this year.

Many argue that the specs of the NGP wont be up to par with the competition come next year because of this, but this only further confirms the 299.99 price point. Yes, new phones will have new tech, Ipads will improve, ipods will improve, and i think this will be competition to the NGP the most. I believe the NGP will greatly impact the shares of Apple. Reason why, the NGP will come with the 3G option. Again, another reason to further confirm the 299.99 price point, at least for the cheapest model.

Be sure the 3G model will be at a higher price, and 3G is a perfect excuse. I wouldnt call it an excuse because it is a great feature to have, but its more appealing to the customer when they have a choice between a few products, to get what they want out of a grade A handheld experience.

Be sure the 3G model will cost an additional 49.99 to 79.99.

How it will stack up against the 3DS is irrelavent really. I believe Nintendo and Sony are aiming at two different crowds. Majority of real handheld gamers will most likely purchase both, where the casuals will go for the 3DS, and the hardcore for the NGP. Where Sony has the edge however, is that it now appeals to the phone crowd as well, the ipod lovers, and tech addicts. Something about that touch screen on the buttom just screams "buy me". I wont even mentioned the rumored Play Station Phone by erricson, but im sure it will be somewhat compatible with the NGP, trust me on that. If anything, if it isnt, im sure it will play PSP games at least.

Do you agree with me? Does 299.99 seem too cheap? too affordable? i dont think so, but again, this is an opinion piece so have all the right to diagree or agree in the comments below :)