Attention Europe: How to Buy American PSN Content, Safely
A post specifically for frustrated EU dwellers this morning…
All too frequently, one territory’s PlayStation Store gets something our territory’s PlayStation Store does not. A PSN game hits the US network, for instance, and we have little option but to wait on an EU release. Case in point, Bomberman Ultra has been available for download in America for months now and, to our knowledge, there is no confirmed European release date. Last Thursday, America received Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Re-shelled, and guess what? There is no confirmed European release date. Naturally, we do recognise that the EU occasionally gets content the US does not, but for once let’s be selfish.
It is possible to create an American PSN account, but complications concerning credit card use, exchange rates and billing addresses prevent you from directly purchasing American content. One option is to acquire a $20 or $50 US PSN card, via eBay or other means, and add credit through the US PlayStation Store’s ‘Redeem Code’ section. Though, depending on delivery time, source and shipping costs, getting hold of a physical card can be an inconvenient (and sometimes costly) affair. Alternatively, you can purchase PSN codes online, which are then emailed to your account to be redeemed in the same manner – a risky business when you don’t know to whom you’re disclosing your credit card details.
PS3Vault.com can recommend (based on first-hand experience) one company that has proved reliable and trustworthy in distributing US PSN codes for use on the American PlayStation Store. iTunes Express offer codes for both $20 and $50 denomination, priced respectively at $24.98 (£14 / €17), or $59.98 (£36 / €41). All transactions are carried out using the ever secure PayPal method, and within 15 minutes of payment, your 12 character alphanumeric Store code is emailed to your PayPal email address, or an address you stipulate (non-PayPal account holders). Simply sign in, access the American PlayStation Store, redeem your code, and hey presto: US Store credit, to spend however you choose!
Now, do excuse us; we’re off to batter Shredder’s foot soldiers…
Filed under: B, Deal of the Day, Game Download, Games, Playstation Network, Playstation Store, T, Tricks
Brilliant, thank you for this – I’ve been using a similar system to get XBOX LIVE credit cheaply, but I havent used it to get PSN credits, great post.
@ Captain:
You are more than welcome. My impatience got the better of me last night, so I took the plunge with iTunes Express and I’m very pleased I did. A great service, run by a very pleasant gentleman indeed, and not expensive. No more waiting for EU releases…
Happy downloading my friend
I know it took many weeks before Worms reached EU psn.
Now it’s the same thing with Bomberman Ultra and The Turtles. Can somebody make a list of all the good games in the US store, we didn’t get in EU stores?
Excellent, though there is nothing I want on the US store that is not either out in the EU store or available on XBLA, so it’s not too useful to me.
Captain, how exactly do you get cheap XBL subscription?
I bought USA codes from http://www.4saleusa.com/ internationally without any problems, I guess US store has cheaper prices for apps & sitcoms.
@ manbot:
You can never have enough trustworthy sources from which you can purchase US PSN credit. Thanks for commenting.
I am from the US and I need European credit for PSN. Can someone open an account in europe and put credit on it and I will pay you.
libs only 50 buck cards available!! only 20 sold out how can a virtual card sell out! what a swizz
So, do I still need to create US PSN account? Can’t I somehow add US exclusives to the account I already have (registered for EU?
@ Europe user:
Yes, you will need to create a US PSN account. US credit can not be used with the EU store, and vice-versa.
Does this also work for a European PSP? Having the Resident Evil trilogy (battle-game, mercs O_o) everywhere you go would be very, very… convenient :3