PlayStation 3 launches March 23 in Europe, £425

66 Comments by James Ransom-Wiley Jan 24th 2007 6:28PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business

Sony has settled on a date. PlayStation 3 will (finally) launch across Europe on Friday, March 23, confirmed the console maker in a statement to-be-released at midnight (GMT), and posted (a bit early) on semi-official Sony blog Three Speech. As expected, only the 60GB HDD model will be available during the initial launch window. The 20GB model will eventually arrive "later in the year."

Sony plans to ship 1 million units during the European launch. Three Speech speculates that 300,000 units will go to the UK alone, where PS3 will retail for £425 (except in Ireland). Although not explicitly detailed in the official statement, it was confirmed last week that PS3 would retail for 599 Euros throughout the rest of Europe. Resistance: Fall of Man, MotorStorm, and flOw (downloadable) headline a list of 36 expected launch titles (including downloadable games).

Sony also confirmed that a worldwide firmware update would coincide with the launch in Europe. The official press release follows...

SCEE press release:

London, 24 January 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 will be launched in the PAL territories including the United Kingdom on 23rd March 2007 at a price of £425.

Responding to retail and consumer demand, SCEE confirmed that initially only the 60GB model would be available, with the 20GB model to follow later in the year dependent on demand.

An expected one million PS3 units will be made available during the initial launch period to all SCEE territories.

SCEE also announced a stellar launch line-up of over 30 game titles for PS3, including eagerly awaited titles published by SCEE such as Resistance: Fall of Man™, MotorStorm™, Genji™: Days of the Blade, FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION and Ridge Racer™ 7. An exceptional range of titles in every genre will also be available at launch from the world's leading third party publishers, including Electronic Arts, Activision, Namco Bandai, Sega, Take 2, Ubisoft, Vivendi Universal, and Sony Online Entertainment.

In addition to games on disc, an exciting range of fully-featured downloadable games will debut on the PLAYSTATION®Network. These will include gaming icons such as Tekken®: Dark Resurrection and Gran Turismo® HD Concept; the fully-featured PS3 debut of the best-selling franchise Gran Turismo, realised with full HD (1080p) visual quality. Created by Polyphony Digital Inc and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Gran Turismo® HD Concept has been downloaded by more than 350,000 users since it was released in December 2006 in North America and Japan.

Also available on the PLAYSTATION®Network will be brainteasers such as Go! Sudoku and Go! Puzzle, and innovative games such as Blast Factor™ and flOw™, designed exclusively for PLAYSTATION 3 and delivering on the promise to provide original content created by non-traditional developers and publishers.

Concurrent with the European launch, a new System Update to further enhance the entertainment potential of PS3 will be issued.

Announcing the launch details, Ray Maguire, SVP and MD of SCEUK said, "Following the hugely successful launches of PS3 in Japan and North America, we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring significant numbers of PS3 to the UK. To be able to launch with over 30 titles including retail versions and great downloadable gaming experiences across every genre shows that this is our strongest launch line-up in the history of PlayStation, and is what PlayStation fans in the UK have been crying out for."

PLAYSTATION 3 LAUNCH TITLE LINE-UP

Resistance: Fall of Man™ - SCEE - Disc
MotorStorm™ - SCEE - Disc
Genji™: Days of the Blade - SCEE - Disc
FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION - SCEE - Disc
Ridge Racer™ 7 - SCEE - Disc
Tekken®: Dark Resurrection - SCEE - Network
Lemmings™ - SCEE - Network
Go! Sudoku - SCEE - Network
Go! Puzzle - SCEE - Network
Blast Factor™ - SCEE - Network
flOw™ - SCEE - Network
Super Rub'a'Dub - SCEE - Network
Call of Duty 3 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Tony Hawk's Project 8 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Gundam – Target in Sight - Namco Bandai Games - Disc
Full Auto™ 2: Battle Lines - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Sonic the Hedgehog™ - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Virtua Fighter™ 5 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Virtua Tennis™ 3 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
World Snooker Championship 2007 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
NBA 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc
NHL 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWll - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Enchanted Arms - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Def Jam: Icon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Fight Night Round 3 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
NBA Street 4 Homecourt 2007 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Need for Speed Carbon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
The Godfather: The Don's Edition - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
F.E.A.R. Vivendi - Universal Games Intl SA - Disc
Gripshift - Sony Online Entertainment - Network

PLAYSTATION 3 Peripherals Available at Launch

Peripheral - RRP in £ Sterling

SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller - £34.99
Blu-ray Disc Remote Control - £17.99
HDMI Cable - £17.99
AV cable - £17.99
Component AV cable - £17.99
S Video cable - £12.99

Tags: Europe, Launch, PS3, SCEE, Sony, UK

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

H�vard: Jan 24th 2007; 6:35PM

Ehm... Midnight GMT is still half an hour away. :D

mushiking: Jan 24th 2007; 6:43PM

now if they would have done this in the first place, they would be lapping the 360 right now. hopefully this goes well.

Simon: Jan 24th 2007; 6:44PM

Whilst it's good to hear Sony has settled on a date, £425 is vastly more expensive than the Xbox 360 here, and even more so than the Wii.

Sony will have a tough job convincing people here in the UK to buy one, especially considering many of the launch titles are ports that can already be found on the (cheaper) 360 or Wii

wigglesxjr: Jan 24th 2007; 6:50PM

Doesn't the 360 have some exclusive on some football games there? I know it was some huge convoluted deal when it was announced at X06 last year, but does anybody have that situation straight? If the 360 does in fact have winning 11 exclusively, I think that is a great boon in Europe, yes?

DeltaP42: Jan 24th 2007; 6:55PM

The funny thing is, that picture of the PS3 and Europe is to scale.

Chocolate Starfish: Jan 24th 2007; 6:57PM

Wow. People bitch about Wii game releases, but if you take out the ports, sports, sequels, and pen'n'paper games there are what, 4 games left? Save your pounds, gents, and go spend them on a pint instead.

daniel: Jan 24th 2007; 7:00PM

#11 winning eleven is pro evolution here and pro evo 6 is i think next gen exclusive to xbox 360 ie its not on ps3 or wii but is on ps2 and will be on ds

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 7:03PM

This is good news, theres been quite a bit of talk in London about it, hope that means a good launch.

Adam: Jan 24th 2007; 7:09PM

lol good luck with that one, you have just priced yourself out of the average 0 - 18 year old.

Spore: Jan 24th 2007; 7:09PM

Why doesn't Sony just come pick up all the unsellable consoles here in the states, ship 'em to Europe, and throw in a free power adapter?

Josh: Jan 24th 2007; 7:13PM

Jeez, like $800 in either currency. Whether they want it or not, I feel sorry for all the Europeans who have to pay so much for gaming...

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 7:15PM

I think thats a reason why lotsa people just stuck wit Pro Evo on thier PS2s here, sports are quite popular, especially footie / soccer.

mushiking: Jan 24th 2007; 7:15PM

#8

that's been confirmed as false: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/728/728561p1.html

slydawn: Jan 24th 2007; 7:17PM

"except Ireland" is kind of superfluous since it isn't part of the UK territory and will *obviously* not cost 425 English pounds since its in the eurozone.

stiill: Jan 24th 2007; 7:18PM

425 British pounds = 842.43500 U.S. dollars

lolz?

Rubang B: Jan 24th 2007; 7:21PM

Damn, and I thought 599 US dollars was funny. After reading those prices, I almost threw up a little.

why not the LS2LS7?: Jan 24th 2007; 7:25PM

There's some kind of shenanigans around Pro Evo and 360 exclusive. I don't have all the info at my fingertips, but the practical upshot is Konami kind of took MS for a ride on this one, that 360 has an an exclusive to Pro Evo 6 but not 7 or only during 2006 (when PS3 isn't even out in Europe) or something.

See update in link. It's kind of confusing.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6156646.html

Pro Evo 7 is supposed to be out next month, and it isn't on the PS3 launch lineup, that might mean something.

Motorstorm is still there. Is is still supposed to make launch? I thought it got shot out to 2Q. March 23 is at least a week short of 2Q.

daddycool: Jan 24th 2007; 7:27PM

All that and no soccer(football) game? That's all they play in Britain. I don't know. Then again the media and the retail chains seem pretty biased towards Sony though. Maybe less now though because of the Wii.

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 7:29PM

Didn't I say you American's complain over nothing, everything thats expensive to you lot is dirt cheap to us, and what is expensive over here you lot will never be able to afford if you are complaining about a console that is the equivalent of Xbox or Wii's price over here. Unlucky you lot, I can see a lot of Europeans importing thier PS3's from you lot, you don't want it, we'll have it.

Sigh, if it isn't PS3, its fuel prices or something. You do realise that the price of a flat over here could get me a nice 3 bedroom house with a pool and spa over there, I dunno why you lot moan. Everything is so cheap there, lol

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 7:33PM

Daddycool, we love footy, but we love good footy, Fifa is getting pathetic, it used to be a high favourite over here, but more or less the urge to play it is diminishing, its all about Pro Evo now.

We play other genres, but sports is probably by far the favourite :) Like FPS is the favourite in America and RPG is the favourite in Japan :)

Windmill: Jan 24th 2007; 7:37PM

If the PS3 had been launched now worldwide, I'm sure it would've been recieved MUCH better. I understand sony wanted to capatalise on the holiday season- but really, its put such a negative spin on it. If it'd been released during March it wouldn't have looked like it was competing with the Wii, plus it would've had more games.

alienclay: Jan 24th 2007; 7:39PM

there should be streeks on the image to really make it look like sony is dropping high def bombs on those euros.

Godson: Jan 24th 2007; 7:41PM

Finally, I have saved £1000 for the PS3. on launch I am getting PS3 console, Resistance, Motorstorm, F.E.A.R, Tekken 5, Virtua Fighter 5 and Virtua Tennis 3, 1 extra SIXAXIS controller, HDMI cable and a Blu-ray Remote.
I'm so happy that the PS3 is finally here. its a lot better than Xbox 360. I hate Xbox 360's game line up.

Arno: Jan 24th 2007; 7:42PM

#21, you complain too much about us complaining. And what's up with your use of the word "lot?"

Arno: Jan 24th 2007; 7:44PM

#25, you're a tool.

Godson: Jan 24th 2007; 7:48PM

Arno. you are also a tool.

Wiggydee: Jan 24th 2007; 7:49PM

At 425£ sony can say goodbye to there chav demographic.

playclever: Jan 24th 2007; 7:49PM

I was about to defend the UK's reputation against wild accusations of football-game buying, until I realised I've been through some 5 Fifas, 2 Pro Evos, 6 (original) Championship Manager titles and 2 Footy Managers... not to mention such delights as Premier Manager, Tactical Manager, Player Manager, Sensible Soccer, and the first game I ever spent my hard-earned cash on, Striker...

But I'm clean now! Honest! Not touched a sports game in months!

Oh yeah.. and PS3. Won't be getting one of those. Not for a long while, anyway.

Kayzai: Jan 24th 2007; 7:53PM

IN UK,

THE LOWEST YOU CAN PAY FOR X360 =199 Pounds

THE LOWEST YOU CAN PAY FOR PS3 = 425 Pounds (OVER TWICE THE 360's PRICE!!! AND NO PACK-IN GAME!!!)

FOR Wii = 179

SONY, WHY NOT RELEASE THE 20GB PS3 AT LEAST???

NO WAY, AND I MEAN ... NO F.ING WAY AM I PAYING 425 Pounds for another Boys Toy.

THINK PS3s not selling in US and Japan look bad? Wait till it is released in the UK.

RIDICULOUS!!!

fragglefart: Jan 24th 2007; 7:53PM

So a PS3 + 2nd pad + HD cables + remote = £490.97?

How much are games, £50? So getting a PS3 up and running with just one measly game costs £540?!

HAHAHA Sony, fuck you.

kayze: Jan 24th 2007; 8:12PM

Spending 425 GBP on a PS3 as a christmas present would be high.
Spending that amount in March (of all months)...UNBELIVEABLE!!!

PS3 is the New N64. all because of that frigging BLU-RAY!!!

Neil: Jan 24th 2007; 8:15PM

The price difference of the PS3 over the 360 in Europe is the same as it is in the US folks - it equals about $200 US.

Allen: Jan 24th 2007; 8:16PM

Can't wait!! i'm buying it. PS3 + Motorstorm. I think it should receive a better reception coz it has a load more launch games and PS1 + PS2 bc fixed.

EVERYTHING in the UK is expensive. Damn, i'm originally from Australia, and i thought US was expensive. Come to the UK and everything is a friggen rip off! Ah well..

Matthew Walsh: Jan 24th 2007; 8:21PM

@34

What? Since when did [£425 - £280 =] £145 equal $200? It's almost $300 difference off the bat, and anybody that spends £280 on a 360 that doesn't have free games and accessories bundled is an idiot. The PS3 gets you nothing but the system and the right to be labelled a tit.

sp: Jan 24th 2007; 8:22PM

We knew it was going to be expensive, but Sony's blown it. Bluray or not, 425 quid is ridiculous, ive bought good cars for less than that! 360ftw.

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 8:34PM

Since when do you get nothing, last time I checked, the package came with the console, a sixxaxis controller and a game or your choice from the launch line up.

But hey, the PS3 launch line up here is a lot more appealing then 360 was at launch with a mere 2 or 3 games even remotely worth picking up. Back then I knew no one stupid enough to have picked one up just yet. In fact, unlike the Wii and people waiting outside to get it, I don't even remember how well the 360's launch went over here. I don't even remember them announcing it on the news like they did Wii :S

Meh, lack of concentration I suppose. Or the fact that PSP and DS casted a shadow over it.

csc: Jan 24th 2007; 8:38PM

Matthew walsh has it, ober here £300 can get you a nice bundle with extra controller, about 4 games and a year of live. for 125 pouns more you get one Ps3 and a controller, no games......? thats aBIG difference.

And remembering that the ps2s major fanbase was the chavs (english urban rednecks)425 quid is going to cut them right out of the picture. so no go.

We always get the shaft...........

nick: Jan 24th 2007; 8:44PM

The game lineup is nice [for a launch], but it doesn't erase the high cost of purchasing the system.

kelekod: Jan 24th 2007; 8:49PM

Better start lining up outside the stores now.

I wonder how bad it'll be.. I guess we'll have to wait.

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 8:53PM

Major fanbase was the chavs? WTF? And your kidding right, get cut out? Not with EMA dishing out the cash, the chavs have more money to spend on expensive clothing, new mobiles, cars and other things then I do :( In fact, its the non chavs that will suffer more for the price. I already know that with the EMA that ppl get at my college, all chavs and gangsta's will be the first to have PS3, lmao. Not to mention the fact some of them have part time jobs on the side.

When PSP came out, who had it first, the chavs, when 360 came out, who had it fisrt, the chavs, when PS2 came out, who had it first, the chavs. The chavs will have the iPhone and the PS3 no doubt.

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 9:01PM

Like they say, the proof is in the pudding, a girl I know bought a 5 Mega Pix cam, with all the accessories for 800 pounds from a mate, despite how great the phone is, no phone is worth that price, but she bought it, and she lives in Hackney in a council flat :S Reported the worst place to live in Britan, she isn't rich or wealthy, but gets EMA which she saved up to buy that phone as well as a part time job at DFS. (Heard the salary is quite good there, but the tasks are braindead boring). Anyway, if she is an example of what they can make, then the price of the PS3 is a minor, the chavs are already talking about getting a PS3, they spend more of thier time surfing gamespot for PS3 news then getting on with thier bloody work, lmao.

Maximus: Jan 24th 2007; 9:19PM

I love my PlayStation 3, can't wait for the Europeans to take part in Resistance online, welcome aboard fellow gamers.

*Fuck Nintendo

Revo: Jan 24th 2007; 9:45PM

"As expected, only the 60GB HDD model will be available during the initial launch window."

Huh. I wasn't aware of that. That really sucks for Europeans though. Not only do they pay a higher price, but they don't even get the consolation of the lower-priced 20GB version at launch.

maverick_saturn_626: Jan 24th 2007; 10:01PM

Who actually bought the 20 gig anyway? :S

As far as know, 60 gig has been the most popular of the 2, chances are that even if there were 20 gigs available, they'd be disregarded, I mean, if you are going to pay that kind of money, might as well buy the best hey :)

Evan: Jan 24th 2007; 10:22PM

Europeans are generally more energy-conscious than Americans. I'd like to see their reactions when they learn the PS3 consumes over 300 watts.

Jihad: Jan 25th 2007; 12:05AM

Oh and #44...They will not be playing on the same servers as the US on resistance, just like you don't see any japanese in Resistance right now, different servers

Marc: Jan 25th 2007; 12:07AM

I enjoy my Nintendo Wii and I'm also looking forward to what it will have in store in the future. Right now, the PS3 just isn't doing anything for me that the 360 can do as well. The $500-600 price tag here is already high enough for me and although the pound trades at a higher exchange rate as does the euro, the price is still pretty high from my perspective.

Although I do not own a 360 or PS3, if I was to choose between the two I would go for the 360 personally. I still think the PS3 is a great work of technology, but it feels like it is up against some tough competition between the 360 which seems more than capable of doing the PS3 can do graphically thus far, and the Wii, which is the most affordable and seems the most fun to me.

Steve: Jan 25th 2007; 12:18AM

425 British Pounds comes to $984.56 Canadian or $835.91 U.S. For the rest of Europe that means 644 Euros and even at that it's STILL $834 U.S.
Good fucking luck Sony.