au.playstation.com has a report on the just announced release date for the Playstation 3 in PAL territories, including Australia and New Zealand. It's heading our way on the 23rd of March for the price of AUD $999.95 or NZ 1199.95 per unit. The 60 gigabyte HD version will only be available first off, and the 20 gigabyte HD version may appear later, depending on demand...
Announcing the launch details, David Reeves, President of SCEE 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 SCEE territories. To be able to launch with over 30 titles across every genre shows that this is our strongest launch line-up in the history of PlayStation, and is what PlayStation fans in Europe have been crying out for.?
au.playstation.com has a list of titles and peripherals that will be available for our launch, so head on there and have a look!
HAHA! What a joke! 60 gig only and a choice of games, most of which are already (or will be) available the other console that is $350 cheaper.
WHOLLY CRAP THAT'S EXPENSIVE!!!
How is that a surprise, EB have been taking preorders for 6 months now at $1000.
Anyway, some good games there, maybe Motorstorm and Resistance are worthwhile, the better games come out later this year.
I hear Resistance is. Bit put off by the price tag and wonder if it is at all realistic and reasonable for Sony to ask that of consumers.
I'll be waiting until the price comes down however... I still get a lot of milage out of my existing console ;).
Over 30 titles? They all say that, I'll be counting :)
The surprising part is that you can only get the 60 gig console, and not the slightly more reasonable 20gig. If you want a PS3 they force you to pay $1000, not the possible $700~ (as was assumed for the 20gig). You'd either have to be a hardcore fanboy or a total idiot (actually they're synonymous) to spent $1000 for a PS3 with the list of games. I've played the demo of Resistance and Motorstorm. Resistance was rubbish, it felt terrible. Sure many people like it, but many people liked PDZ. Motorstorm was fun but nothing astounding, not worth the $1000 price of admission. Oh, and the controller is a flimsy POS. Not only it's the dual shock design, it's far too light and the new R2 L2 analogue triggers slip from your fingers if only slightly sweaty or if not careful.
The only games that will make me think about getting a PS3 is Ninja Gaiden Sigma (HUGE NG fan), Devil May Cry 4 and God of War 3, and i'm holding out hope for NGS and DMC4 to come to 360. If not NGS, Ninja Gaiden 2 will be on 360. For now (most likely for this entire generation), I'll stick to my PC, 360 and Wii.
Most of what you said is a matter of opinion though. Some people like resistance, some people like the controller, some people don't like Halo, everyone has an opinion.
I agree the price is very high but personally i'm the kind of gamer that can't wait to play new games, so waiting for a price drop (which could take well over a year) is not an option. And anyway, i've spent over $1000 already on my 360, what with the games +subscription+microphone so I don't really have a problem paying more for a new console. To me its more of an investment, for the games that will come out in the next 6-12 months and thereafter.
What DOES annoy me though if the terrible price difference between Europe/AU and USA/Japan, we are paying approximately $200 US more. This has happened on all 3 consoles so far and its kind of frustrating living in the ass end of the gaming world. You can import a PS3 from Japan and pay up to $300- 400 less as it is region-free for games and online play, only problem is that DVDs and movies in general will be locked.
But with your $1000, you got a lot of extra stuff with your 360. With the PS3, you pay $1000 and get just the console. If Sony weren't such morons, they'd also offer the 20 gig which in my eyes is a far more worth while investment and lets face it, it's a much better offer than what the Core 360 offered in difference to the Standard 360. If they had some killer apps within the launch window, i may have even gotten one (20 gig). But they don't now and it's unlikely they'll ever get killer exclusives in the amount they used to for the PS2. Sony are letting them slip right through their open hands and don't seem to even realise how much it'll hurt them. When you've got the exact same game on two consoles, one costing $1000, the other $650 (not gonna mention the Core version cause frankly, it was a stupid idea), it's easy to see which the common person will likely choose.
If you have the money to spare, no reason why you couldn't get a PS3. However, a lot of us can't afford both and i think it's a mistake to choose the PS3 if you can only get one.
Also, i agree about the pricing. We're constantly getting shafted left, right and centre. 120 f*cking dollars for games like Burnout Revenge and Far Cry Instincts?! This comes from the time with the AUD was around 0.50 USD, but now it's around 0.75 USD they simply ignore that fact and still just double the f*cking US price of games. I got Gears of War and Call of Duty 3 from play-asia, with expedient shipping, cheaper than to buy them here.
There sure are a lot of ports in that launch title list.
I don't even want a PS3. BUT if I did, it'd suck to have to pay 1000 AU... christ... the balance of payments just aren't fair to you guys are they?
Back in 1988 I bought an Amiga 500 for $1498. A PS3 for much less is a comparative bargain.
They should bundle a game with the thing. Do one of those PSP deals they had: "buy the console and get one of these games of your choice for free!"
That would perhaps be more incentive for some. I'm still waiting for the base unit price to come down though. Too old to want the "new" games that come out on the console in the first year that play exactly like the "old" games but just with better graphics.
F-that!
Dunno if a $70 game will make the ps3 that more attractive. Still way too expensive
Europe is being screwed even worse than us - 425pounds = almost $1100. Sony also have just *upped* the price in Canada (by $50) - probably the first price increase in the history of consoles ;)
Motorstorm completely flunked in Japan - where PS3 sales have (almost) been terrible.
They will sell as many units as they can at this price point, then watch the price plummet until sales pick up.
Just a reminder that every console is more expensive in Australia compared to the US, not just the PS3
PS3
1,000.00 AUD
785.485 USD - 600 USD = 185 USD
360
650.00 AUD
510.629 USD - 400 USD = 110 USD
Wii
400.00 AUD
314.233 USD - 250 USD = 64 USD
Games are also more expensive on average
The Nintendo Wii is the best value for sure