ICO to be re-released in Europe

by Alan Rose { Nov 4th 2005 at 3:45PM }

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced plans to re-release the cult PS2 classic ICO in February. When the original European PAL version launched back in March 2002, it had limited availability and is currently fetching over $100 US on eBay.

Although ICO never attained "Greatest Hits" status and is somewhat scarce in US stores, the North American release enjoyed a larger circulation and abundant used copies can be had for much less. If younger sibling Shadow of the Colossus does as well as expected and demand for ICO increases again, SCE could always issue a double pack at some point in the future for more PS2 mileage - especially if the PS3 late launch rumors turn out to be true.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

EnLiven @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Good news. I'm one of many who didn't pick up this title when it was first released.

Much as I love games i'm not shelling out 100 notes for any game. Definitely going to pick this up when it gets a PAL re-release.

Shane @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I loved this game and I rented it the day it on the Friday it came out and beat it Sunday evening. Played it all weekend. Of course this was years ago, I'd like to play it again.

Shane @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I loved this game and I rented it the day it on the Friday it came out and beat it Sunday evening. Played it all weekend. Of course this was years ago, I'd like to play it again.

ALH @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Totally gutted. I saw a slightly beaten-up copy of the limited edition version (+art cards) of ICO about 2 months ago and shelled out �40 for it, knowing that this would be the only chance to grab it without entering a crazy online bid-war..

Now they say i could have waited and bought it brand spankin new for a fraction of the cost? I bet this makes my copy near worthless now too ;_;

Its good news but it makes me cry on the inside :)

Luke @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Marvellous news, I've been looking for a second hand copy of this for under �40 for the last month now

Sean @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Well, one reason the PAL version fetches such a price: it had some nifty extras that weren't included in the US release (not sure about Japan). After beating the game, you were treated to translated dialog from Yorda, a different secret weapon (where you found the mace the first time around, there was a light-saber type sword), and finally, the icing on the cake was this: plug in a second controller, and a buddy (or girlfriend) could play as Yorda.

Scarcity alone never did anything for a product's price: the real key here is demand that exceeds supply at a lower price. And the reason for this demand is not only that it is a phenomenal game, but also that it is a premium edition of a phenomenal game. So if Sony does re-release it, I'd like to see the special featured edition appear stateside, or at least in some NTSC format.