PS3 Launch Trails Wii, 360 Down Under

First PAL-region figures point to a meek debut.

Photographers and film crews went to the official Australian PlayStation 3 launch event at retail chain Myer in Sydney looking for the kind of frothing demand that impresses commuters. Instead, for most of the night, they outnumbered the punters.

But going from the first sales estimates, people did eventually turn up, even if it wasn't as enthusiastically as they did for the Wii or the Xbox 360.

Around 20,000 Australians bought a PS3 between Friday and Sunday, according to numbers from Sony relayed by The Age. Industry watchers are still waiting for the official numbers from tracking firm GfK.

"The combined sales of hardware, peripherals and software generated in excess of $25 million [£10.3 million] of retail spending," reads a statement from Sony Australia.

In comparison, the Xbox 360 launched exactly one year before the PS3, on 23 March 2006, and in the four days between Thursday and Sunday the console sold more than 30,000 units. The Wii, which was released in Australia in December, did better still, selling just under 33,000 units in its first weekend.

One reason for the slower uptake of the PS3 is undoubtedly the price. While the Xbox 360 debuted at $649 (£267) and the Wii at $399 (£164), the PS3 sells for $999 (£415).

Sony has also taking a drubbing in the press following its decision to delay the launch of the PS3 in Europe, Australia and elsewhere around the world.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo