The new model, first unveiled in Leipzig in August, comes with a built-in microphone and advanced LCD display that is better suited for use outdoors.

It will sell for 19,800 yen ($182), the same price as the current PSP model and compared with 16,800 yen for the DS.

Sony sold 3.72 million units of the PSP in April-June worldwide, while Nintendo's DS sold 6.94 million units.

The PSP, however, has outsold the DS in recent months in Japan, helped by Capcom Co Ltd's popular hunting action game "Monster Hunter Freedom 2G", designed for the Sony machine.