PlayStation3 Prices & Date Revealed!!! [UPDATE] News
Jon Wilcox
09/05/2006
Sony confirms global prices for the two PlayStation3 SKUs; next-gen console to come in 20GB and 60GB versions...
At the pre-E3 conference, Sony has today unveiled that PlayStation3 will be launched as two SKUs with 20GB and 60GB versions, and confirmed that the next-generation console will be launching in Japan on November 11th 2006. In addition, the company also released its pricing structure for the system for Japanese, North American, and European gamers.
In Japan the 20GB version will retail for 59,800 Yen (£288) with Japanese retailers allowed to set their own prices for the 60GB version. North American gamers can expect to pay $499 (£268) for the 20GB and $599 (£322) for the 60GB version, whilst Europeans will be expected to pay a premium to experience the machine, with a price of 499 Euros (£341) for the 20GB and a whopping 599 Euros (£409) for the 60GB version.
With the PlayStation3 enjoying the rare luxury of region-free games, surely the question must be why would European gamers fork out an extra £87 to buy a European PS3 rather than just import one from North America? Surely another grey import race similar to the one surrounding the PSP is about to begin at the end of the year? Or are there barriers in place, perhaps within the online aspects of the console, which will stop such a thing from taking place?
We'll have more news shortly...
[UPDATE]
TVG has since learnt that Europeans will not have too long to wait after the Playstation3 is released in Japan, with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe confirming that a "Clear Black" model will go on sale throughout the region on November 17th. Can Sony avoid the struggles that Microsoft faced with a worldwide Xbox 360 launch, with a shorter launch window - we'll have to wait and see.
Additionally SCEE has also confirmed that the Playstation3 will also operate at a similar noise level to the current slimline PS2, great news for those that have to crank the volume to the max to counter the noise of an Xbox 360 in action...
Anonymous
Date Added:Sat 11th Nov 2006 11:28