Playstation 3 price: 500 euros ($600 U.S.)
by Richard Lawler 
posted Apr 5th 2006 at 11:06AM
That's what a few French websites
are reporting, apparently stated by Sony Europe boss George Fornay in a radio interview. That would convert to
roughly $613 American dollars and make the PS3 the most expensive videogame
console out by quite a bit. He apparently confirmed that the Playstation was delayed to work out Blu-ray copy protection issues (that we still haven't seen a final design
for the controller, system or a finished game does not appear to have been a contributing factor), and that it should
launch in the range of 499 to 599 euros. He justified the high price by saying it was cheap for a platform capable of
reading Blu-ray discs.With no confirmation or official announcement from Sony U.S. or Japan this is still in rumor territory, but its a little late for an April Fools. Their main competitor, the Xbox 360 Premium system, launched at 399 euros. Well, I guess we'll ask you again, is around $600 your price for PS3 Blu-ray? Personally, I'm not buying one until they announce a Bob Ross videogame.
Previous Playstation 3 price news:
Filed under: Sony
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kraig @ Apr 5th 2006 11:23AM
Too rich for my blood, if true. I'll wait for E3 to confirm prices before I worry about it too much, but $600 is going to be a hardsell for the average American, the vast majority of whom have never heard of BluRay, nor do they own an HDTV to take advantage of it's capabilities.
EdwardA @ Apr 5th 2006 1:07PM
Ok, but on the other side, assuming you were already interested in Blu-Ray, would you pay $600 for it? Especially if it also played Playstation Games? I don't think $600 is an unreasonable price point from the perspective that this device does two new things.
However, I doubt it will do both things well. I have to see what the gen 1 Blu-Ray players from Samsung and Sony do to make a fair comparison, but I would bet this Blu-Ray implementation will be slightly less featured.
This isn't the same as Sony using the DVD format to leverage the PS2 in the console wars; this is Sony using the PS3 to leverage Blu-Ray in the format wars.
So, lets assume that the gameplay aspects of the 360 and the PS3 are equal(Yes, an assumption). If we price those aspects the same, the Blu-Ray portion of the PS3 costs you $200.
Would you pay $200 for the least feature set first gen Blu-Ray player? And since we're here at HDBeat, let's assume that you have an HD set.
David @ Apr 5th 2006 1:37PM
To counter this rumour go ahead and read up on another saying the thing will only be $499
http://news.spong.com/article/9854?cb=705
FYI I'd be hardpressed to buy a $600+ PS3 even though I reeealy want to play the games, I don't see the price as reasonable. I'd expect most of americas ps3 potential buyers to stray to nintendo at that point.
Daniel Clausen @ Apr 5th 2006 1:49PM
I think Sony is trying to do too much with the PS3. People are looking to buy a gaming machine not a Blu-Ray player. I'm going to hld out on HD movies and see how the format wars plays out. They are focusing too much on Blue-Ray and I'm afriad they are forgetting about the games. I'm a hardcore gamer but I don't know that I'm willing to spend $500-$600 for a gaming system. Even if it includes a movie player that I may/may not use.
TL @ Apr 5th 2006 2:52PM
Bring on the PC drives already & keep the games out of my living room! I don't own a 360, but the only reason I'm considering one is the HD streaming capabilities, not the games.
I've have my share of hardcore gaming, but really.. $600 for a movie player (if you're uninterested in the games, and who cares what the stand alone players cost if this price is bothering people)!?!?
Leon @ Apr 5th 2006 6:08PM
I think that all of you have been slightly misguided on the price. Europeans always get screwed when it comes to pricing. I think $499-$599 is a better conversion of the european price stated.
nmkbsdfjk @ May 8th 2006 4:54PM
this is some fucking bullshit its too expensive for poor people you fucking bitches cook suckers.
Jules @ May 10th 2006 7:54AM
I own a Xbox360 and plan to also buy a PS3. I live in Canada so lets compare the systems by price
I bought Xbox360 Prem......$499.00 (all in Canadian funds remember!)
wireless ethernet adapt....$129.00
Total for the Xbox360 $628.00
Playstation 3..............$699.00 (Canadian Price)
This premuim package of the PS3 has all the features built-in plus a bigger hard-drive so for $70 more, you are getting a much better system so the price point is just right. As to rumours about the price drop of the Xbox360 as time goes on, all consoles will sell cheaper. I paid over $500.00 for my first PS2 so if you are a avid gamer like myself you will bear the cost.
Andrew Holt @ May 16th 2006 1:15AM
Sony's PS3 is going to be the best value on the market. The addition of Blu Ray is worth the wait if you are a grown-up and not some high school kid. I have owned a HDTV for years, and own more than one. I am not a kid, and I know the value of a dollar. I can honestly say that Blu Ray brings a lot to the table, making this system the only one I am considering. For people that dont know, Blu Ray disk's are almost impossible to scratch, hold consideribly more data, and provide HD presentation. The games, movies, and experience can only be appreciated by the consumer with enough money to couple the system with other HD components. I have HD surround, HDTV, and I now only await the Nov. 17th release of the ultimate home game/movie system. For all you "KIDS" complaining about the price, wait until you can afford an HDTV before you even consider the PS3... TILL THEN, STICK TO THE ORIGINAL XBOX.
jezza @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:24PM
Hi im from Australia yeh we do have playstations and Xboxes here to :) The only reason why people buy playstations is for there games. I think sony are forgetting about there games and consentrating on all the other stuff that we dont need. All the new features we really need in the playstation is a larger memory and better graphics and video cards.