Sony has confirmed that it's PSP handheld console, due to go on sale in Japan on December 12, will cost only 19,800 yen (£100), a lot cheaper than most analysts predicted.

The console, which has been cause for much speculation over its price will go up against Nintendo's latest handheld console - the DS.

The price, which was expected to be a lot higher, means that Sony is unlikely to make a profit on the hardware for sometime, but it does mean that for the consumer getting the latest portable games console when it launches in the UK next year will be more affordable than ever.

The PSP is slated for a March 2005 launch

>> Sony - Official website of Sony