Sony Shocks With PS3 Price

It was a pleasant surprise to get launch details, though the actual details aren't quite as pleasant.

Many people were expecting Sony to reveal more launch specifics for the PlayStation 3 at its briefing ahead of this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo but no one thought that we would get everything. And yet that's what we got. With six months to go until the global launch in November, Sony has unveiled the final launch dates and prices for the PlayStation 3 around the world.

The console will launch first in Japan on 11 November in two configurations - one with a 20 GB hard drive for ¥59,800 (£290) and another with a 60 GB hard drive, which Sony is allowing retailers to sell at their own price.

The console will come westwards soon afterwards. The PlayStation 3 will launch in North America, Europe and Australasia on 18 November in the same two configurations for $499/€499 (£341) and $599/€599 (£409).

Sony has shown off the PlayStation 3 in a range of colours over the last year but initially it'll only offer it in so-called Clear Black.

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The price comes as a shock to the many people that thought Sony would offer its new console at something closer to what Microsoft is charging for the premium Xbox 360 package. Outside of the ill-fated 3DO console, it's also the most expensive console ever.

Sony is showing off the PlayStation 3 and some of the games it has coming for the new system this week at E3. Check back later this week with much more on the system as we report straight from the show floor.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games