by Playfuls Staff |
23rd February 2007
As if it wasn’t enough that the European launch of PlayStation 3 is marked by delays and insanely huge prices compared to Japan or US, Sony announced that PS3’s backwards compatibility with PS2 games is limited.[more]
After all that Sony did until now concerning the European launch, I still have this dilemma: will anyone buy a PS3 here in Europe on March 23?
Think of this: if Americans are able to buy a high-end PS3 for $599 and the Japanese gamers can even acquire it for ¥49,980 (US$412)- the low-end version, Europeans will have to pay for it € 599 (US $779) or £425 (US $840) respectively, while Australians and New Zealanders will pay A$1,000 (US $785) or NZ $1,200 (US $839) in their respective markets. By comparison, PlayStation 3 with the 60 GB hard drive costs ¥59,980 (US$494) in Japan…
The cheaper version, which is available in Japan and the U.S. for ¥49,980 (US$412) and US$500, respectively, won’t be offered in PAL countries due to "retailer and customer demand," according to SCEI.
Now, Sony announces the modification of the hardware and software specifications for the European PS3 launch, meaning that the PS3 in Europe will be different from the one sold in US and Japan. Ok, fine with me, they’re probably making it better, considering the fact that they release it on the market when the hype is gone. But listen to this: the PS3 will have a "new combination of hardware and software emulation" which will only enable the new PS3s to be compatible with a "limited range" of PS2 titles, and a "broad range" of original PlayStation games.
Reuters quoted a Sony spokesperson saying that indeed "the backwards compatibility is not going to be as good as the US and Japan models."
In addition to that, SCEE president David Reeves said that: "PS3 is first and foremost a system that excels in playing games specifically designed to exploit the power and potential of the PS3 system. Games designed for PS3 offer incredible graphics quality, stunning gameplay and massively improved audio and video fidelity that is simply not achievable with PS and PS2 games. Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3, truly taking advantage of this exciting technology."
Sony added that "some additional PS2 titles will become compatible on the PS3 system through regular downloadable firmware updates, which will be made available through the PLAYSTATION Network or via PS3 game discs, with the first update planned for the launch date of the 23rd March 2007. “
Users will be able to check whether their titles are compatible with PS3 online, however Sony has said that this site won’t be available on 23rd March to meet launch day.
So let’s revise the facts: I spend almost $800 on a console that costs others even half that sum and I don’t even get to enjoy the same software package?! Not to mention that the software package that I’m being offered is considered so lame that the entire press and industry insiders declare PS3 a disaster?
Just a reminder for all European gamers: a total of 36 titles will be made available on March 23. Most of them will be on traditional disc but some will be available via network download.
Launch titles available on disc: Resistance: Fall of Man; MotorStorm; Genji: Days of the Blade; Formula One Championship Edition; Ridge Racer; Call of Duty 3; Marvel: Ultimate Alliance; Tony Hawks Project 8; Gundam - Target in Sight; Full Auto 2: Battle Lines; Sonic the Hedgehog; Virtua Fighter 5; Virtua Tennis 3; World Snooker Championship 2007; NBA 2K7; NHL 2K7; Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII; Enchanted Arms; Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent; The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion; Def Jam: Icon; Fight Night Round 3; NBA Street 4 Homecourt 2007; Need for Speed Carbon; The Godfather: The Don's Edition; Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007; Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom; and F.E.A.R.
Titles available at launch via network download: Gripshift; Tekken: Dark Resurrection; Lemmings; Go! Sudoku; Go! Puzzle; Blast Factor; flOw; and Super Rub’a’Dub.
How many of these games haven’t you already played on your PC or Xbox 360 and how many of those specially designed for PS3 are attractive enough to make you gather in front of stores?
I really don’t know at what in God’s name is Sony thinking when it is launching the PS3 at these sky rocketing prices, but I sure do hope they’ll come to their senses by March 23. They’ll be launching the console in a period where all the hype for it is gone, when everybody in Europe owns a DS or a Wii or an Xbox 360 (all packed with great games and which are also a lot cheaper) and with a price for which you can get a decent laptop! Not to mention that among the games readied for launch only a few of them support online play and none of them is enticing enough to make you really want a PS3! Remember the Gears of War/Halo3-Xbox 360 duality?...
