Who would have thought that with the PlayStation 3 hitting the $249 price point, the PS Vita being released in Japan for this holiday season (February for the States) and the continued growth of smartphones, which have cannibalized a portion of the handheld gaming market, that the PSP could stand a chance. However, that’s exactly what has happened for the system that was launched way back in 2004. The now 7-year-old portable system has seen a surge in sales in the last year, despite the mentioned odds against it.

2011 Q1 sales were up by 600,000 to 1.8 million units sold while Q2 sales were ahead by 200,000 at 1.7 million units sold, compared to 2010. In fact, you would have to go back all the way to 2008 to best the PSP’s Q1 sales (3.7 million). Now, Sony is entering the crucial Holiday season (Q3) where a majority of the yearly sales are achieved. Will Sony be able to top last year’s 3.6 million units sold? It’s hard to tell, but with the recent PSP E-1000 available in Europe for $99 and the more-functional sibling, the PSP 3000, priced at $129, it seems that the little portable that gave us such amazing games on-the-go like God of War: Chains of Olympus, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 isn’t going down without a fight.

After the jump; PSP sales chart for the last 6 years.

Discuss:

Do you have a PSP unit and if so, which is your favorite game? If not, are you considering purchasing a PS Vita?