Report: PlayStation 3 to cost £425 in UK

UK price of high-end version of Sony's next-gen console may cost $200 more than US counterpart; no-frills 20GB model may not be option in region.

Sony Computer Entertainment UK has confirmed that the retail price of the 60GB PlayStation 3 is currently planned to be £425 ($799) in the UK--although there is still a possibility that this will change before November's launch. SCEUK MD Ray Maguire told industry magazine MCV that the "60GB version looks like £425 in the UK at the moment".

However, there is no guarantee that the cheaper 20GB console will be launched in the UK. "The lower-end 20GB version of PlayStation 3 has no Wi-Fi, no HDMI, and none of the other slots in it, so it's really a question of where we would position it. It's more likely that we will only launch the 60GB version," Maguire told MCV.

A price point of £425 would, at current exchange rates, make the UK console over £100 more expensive than a direct conversion from the $599 US retail cost, and about £10 more than a direct conversion from the European price of 599 euros announced at E3. The 20GB version will retail for $499 in North America.

Online retailer GameStation has closed its preorders for the 60GB console "until Sony are in a position to confirm initial allocation volumes".

The PlayStation 3's chief rival, the premium Xbox 360, currently sells for £279 ($525) in the UK. The same unit costs $399 in the US.

596 Comments

  • Gamejunkie1

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 3:55 pm PT

    For the same price as a Ps3 you can get an Xbox 360 (Not fully moded with one or to games) and a WIi, or just blow it all on the Ps3 with no games?

    Which option would you pick

  • craig828

    Posted Aug 13, 2006 9:00 pm PT

    i want the 20gb version!!!!!!

  • XBLdiesel05

    Posted Jun 8, 2006 3:26 pm PT

    i mean WTf im from the UK and im definetly not buying it for that price and i live im a nice part of london and i dont know any ym ym mates that would spend that ammount of money on a consol if anything im gonna spend my money on a HDTV for my Xbox 360.

    £425 is $790.33 at the current exchange rates to give you guys an idea.
    and the xbox 360 was £280(premium) thats $520 thats still $125 more than the u.s but everthing is more expensive here anyway but sony's just taking the piss.

    i dont get it why rip us off, i swear were not even generally richer than the u.s

    theres no way im buying the ps3 get Wii insted

  • 3D-spudboy

    Posted Jun 1, 2006 10:47 am PT

    Its easy to say sony have put a big price tag on the PS3 on both versions but if you say to yourself what i am i geeting compaired to the xbox 360. Also if you compaired components the price tags are the same like Included Hard-drive, free online service, free HD movie player, wireless to the net plus aload of goodies so they even i would say. In my view PS3 and sony just have a better line up of game and thats what really matters

  • craig_cbr400

    Posted May 30, 2006 5:32 pm PT

    i think its far too expencive after all it just plays games. ok in 1080p but how many people have a tv that supports 1080p?

  • PhillipsJ2

    Posted May 30, 2006 1:53 am PT

    I think this sucks, big time. I like the games Sony do, and I have a PS1, PS2, and a PSP. The games they do for them are really good, but I think the PS3 will flop. We have to pay £100 more than the rest of the world, for the privilege of having a PS3. I could live with the 20 GB version, but that's not being released. The only things that still makes me want to buy one are a few games which aren't available on the Xbox 360 or the Wii. Nintendo are good at making games etc, they don't rip you off that badly. I used to think that Microsoft were the biggest bunch of crooks in the industry, but now Sony definitely are.

  • DarkStreetDev

    Posted May 29, 2006 3:54 pm PT

    This is not good. Thing is, people will still buy it regardless.

  • cbb14

    Posted May 29, 2006 11:50 am PT

    Sony have always been my favourite to by consoles off and teh ps3 wont be an exspection. I love ps consoles there just so brilliant but sony are being very cheeky. They know that people love them so they put up the price knowing that most of us will still buy it.

    It is 4x more powerful than the 360 for only 167 pounds more that is alot but for how powerful it is then i couldnt care.

    I will buy the ps3 on the day it is realesed and i wont be teh only one because how good it is. THe price may still cahnge and i think it will change before 17th november comes.

  • mango-boi

    Posted May 26, 2006 5:36 pm PT

    O...M...G....

    Man, am I glad I moved to Australia! O_O

  • axelone

    Posted May 25, 2006 5:59 am PT

    Ah, what a shame. Sony's gone a bit overboard with this. Im sure the R&D costs for the PS3 must have been high, but a price like this is simply just absurd. Market forces are going to settle this: people wont be queing up (except for the technophiles with deep, deep wallets) and Sony's eventually going to have to reduce the price to increase demand and gain some revenue. What a pity, I was planning to get one, but once I saw the pricing in the UK; oh go f**k yourselves Sony, I'm getting an X360.

    P.S And for the people that say that these posts dont represent the opinion of the populace, check the polls on the Gamespot main page. A lot of people aren't liking what they're hearing...a lot.

  • BlackKyo20

    Posted May 25, 2006 4:55 am PT

    200$ more. not 100. And yeah it's stupidity. There's no way in hell I'm blowing 800$ on a game console.

  • Tommi88

    Posted May 24, 2006 11:53 pm PT

    wtf how are they thinking if they get massive critics that says that the prices is to high even in the us how the hell is 100 dollars more gonna fix that how the hell are they thinking

  • BlackKyo20

    Posted May 24, 2006 8:18 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • nikefreestyle

    Posted May 24, 2006 11:33 am PT

    ps3 should come down on the price cos not a lot of poeple will buy as u all know but there u go making it more expesive for us english ohh well im still getting C U Next Thursady

  • ymcop

    Posted May 23, 2006 12:05 pm PT

    that is ridiculous! I like playing games on PC, I really love the PS 2, but that price of PS 3 is still so high.

  • PazUSA

    Posted May 23, 2006 10:31 am PT


    mgsseries4life - you are so transparent! You either work for or know someonw who works for Sony - how else would you continue to put out this biased spiel! I've even seen you claim that you own a 360 which I don't believe for one single second. All you've done is rip the system unfairly while glorifying the PS3. IF you own a 360, why don't you prove it and post your gamertag right here? If you can't do that (as I suspect), then I suggest you keep your posts to the Sony Fanbot / girl forums.

  • LordAndrew

    Posted May 23, 2006 10:14 am PT

    Wow. What the hell were they thinking?

  • trax0r1990

    Posted May 23, 2006 7:55 am PT

    Playstation 3 is just getting worse and worse the more I read up on it. The Playstation 3 was shown to have all of these features, a lot of which are no longer going to be on the console...

    Ketan, not sure what you're talking about there... The products are being made at the same price worldwide, so the price shouldn't change anywhere... The price for them creating something may cost $50 in America, it's not going to cost £50 for them in England or they won't pay the price, it'd cost about £30 in Europe.

    The xbox 360 (a great machine) costs £280 for the full package, EXACTLY the same price in America.

  • s1monh

    Posted May 23, 2006 7:17 am PT

    The proofs in the pudding - Sony are going to have to have some amazing launch titles (both games and movies) to shift consoles for that price. They haven't shown the killer app that warrants the price tag so far,

    I hope they have got something up their sleeve coz the no rumble tilting pad looks well dodgy. I'd gladly trade my 360 for the PS3 if they gave me a good reaon too, blu-ray isn't one though.

  • TheTrooperUK

    Posted May 23, 2006 6:45 am PT

    mgsseries4life....my God you are rather dedicated to the cause......albeit a bit on the wacky side.

    I will once again repeat myself as you have done....only this is what i have to say......YES ME MR CASUAL GAMER these are my opinions not the biased opinion of some analyst or person that is TRYING to justify the COST of a popular franchise that is Sony Playstation.

    And again i will go on the record as saying that the PS3 looks like a nice bit of kit.....BUT please try and look at our point of view (the many gamers not convinced).The asking price does not justify the cost of this console....YES READ THAT LINE AGAIN...CONSOLE IS THE KEY WORD HERE.

    This is no super computer - in fact it is no computer at all.....a modern computer is the pinnacle of what i would call a multi media hub/device -
    I seriously do not need to explain myself in that regard.Lets also take into account that you can purchase a modern PC at almost the same price these days (while atleast in the UK).

    The fact that the justifications you wrote or quoted are so biased hardly lays the foundations for a good argument because they where....well....biased.

    True HD starts at 720p and that is fact....nothing more needs to said about that....also the fact that no mention of anyone who backs HD DVD is even mentioned in your post is laughable as if you actualy took the time to look up the true facts of the matter....you would be most suprised as to who is backing HD DVD.....among that list is Microsoft....and wheather you hate or love em.....Microsoft backing HD DVD is of great importants as,you may have forgotten their influence stretches way beyond CONSOLE gaming.

    While many may regard the BLUE RAY as a means of price justification....I seriously have to disagree........BLUE RAY is an unproven quantity no matter what is said now.....and like the XB360 vs PS3 - HD DVD and BLUE RAY are going to have a long battle....however HD DVD in my opinion seems more logical as its based on existing technology and will be far cheaper to produce and develop (increase storage capacity)...but again thats just my opinion.

    PS3 is ultimatley a Games console no matter what anyone says.....and yes the Playstation name is now an icon anongst gamers of all types....however the fact is that the price is staggering and the cheaper alternative (watered down PS3) is as ironic as the price justifications.....NEED I MENTION THE EXCLUSION OF HDMI.......er is it me or is that defeating the objective......what is the the point of driving for true HD statistics (which according to some is 1080p) when its not an option at all...?

    Sony will have a big fan base...however their biggest FLAW with PS3 is the price and LACK of cunsumer CHOICE (options).Microsoft have opted to do the exact opposite and although many will argue that XB360 price is relative to PS3 - Please remember that its only once the consumer has decided to purchase the OPTIONAL EXTRAS.

    That is my opinion as a casual everyday gamer that has bills to pay and a real grasp on fact and reality

  • tomjonny123

    Posted May 23, 2006 5:22 am PT

    ive been a playstation fan since the begining but balls to that idea me payin £425 for a next gen console coz im british im buyin a xbox 360 after hearin that garbage

  • crashmasters

    Posted May 23, 2006 4:00 am PT

    Is there is a flaw in the pricing strategy?
    As the dollar is worth less then the pound you would expect the prices to be lower in the UK.

    There is a difference in the amount of tax you pay in the UK, but it's way less then you would expect. Thus Sony are *****ing the UK gamers (again) as far as pricing is concerned.

    Oh wait, maybe they have to translate the interface for the PS3. Color in stead of colour, that kind of stuff.
    Yes, that would explain it. A 100 pound extra is a bargain if you look at it that way.

    Keep up the good work Sony! You have a sure winner at your hands!

  • NFunspoiler

    Posted May 23, 2006 3:30 am PT

    HOLY CRAP!!!

    Man, not Americans/Japanese have it so hard in the gaming world.

    And they wonder why the gaming industy isn't as big as it could be.

    That's just insane, those prices.

  • boba_fett22

    Posted May 22, 2006 10:05 pm PT

    if thats how much its going to cost in the us and britian can you imagine poor Africa! the consoles and games here are already sky HIGH! but to all you guys that think third world you are sadly mistaken! (first world baby!)

  • mrcanfwhoopass

    Posted May 22, 2006 8:36 pm PT

    haha sonyland no more

  • Silent_X

    Posted May 22, 2006 8:13 pm PT

    Mgsseries4life, have a look at this, this was taken from the-magicbox.com. Here is a poll taken for the:

    P L A Y S T A T I O N 3

    - Yahoo! Japan recented surveyed 20,000 users for their opinions on the PS3 retail price:

    * 8% (1548 votes) - I will buy the console on the launch day even if the price is high
    * 19% (3725 votes) - Undecided due to the high price
    * 25% (4814 votes) - I will buy when the price is reduced
    * 26% (5171 votes) - Plan to buy when price is reduced
    * 24% (4742 votes) - Presently have no interest to buy

    As you can see over there in it's own country the price isn't doing the PS3 any favours.

    Now some time ago a poll was taken on which console the Japanese people would buy when released, the PS3 came out right on top with around 70%, now look at how crushing that price point is.

    Over here in the UK we have to pay £425 for a machine that isn't any better than the Xbox 360 (looking at the E3 Sony section)...forget about the Blu-ray, 3 extra joypads and 1080p, it's silly to think that someone is going to go out of there way to get hold of a TV that can display 1080p and hopes that Blu-ray is the winner. Sorry, at that price is ain't happening.

  • smokinspazz

    Posted May 22, 2006 7:42 pm PT

    Why the deuce would they do that?! I dont care how amazing that system is going to be. If i cant afford it it doesnt make any difference how awesome it is! I feel bad for sony cuz this is a very bad marketing decision......but alas i will still buy it. But i will be very angry!

  • ApocalypseBlue

    Posted May 22, 2006 6:28 pm PT

    I believe this is going to hit Sony hard. They'll still be around to fight the next round, they're too big to go down on one failure (betamax showed that ;-), but I think they're going to take notice of this one.

    But let me put it this way, what would you rather do mgsseries?

    Give your opinion on the matter and back off, then if Sony win (which, again, in my opinion they wont) come back and say "I told you so"?

    or

    Rant on and on at people about how great the PS3 is (even though it's yet to be released and no-one knows how the HD/BD war is going to go), then if Sony lose, have to face people telling you how wrong you were?

    Everyone's entitled to their opinion but no-one has the right to shove it down anyone elses throat. So rather that all these little idiots acting like children and giving all gamers a bad name, wouldn't it be better if people brought to the table reasoned arguments and "real" facts (i.e. not biased info a company has spouted to try and persuade people to buy their product) and had real, intelligent discussions?

    For instance, and I admit I have only scanned through your longer posts so correct me if I'm mistaken, but I notice you haven't mentioned anything of the low yields with the Cell, which will also factor into pushing up the price of the console in all regions never mind the extra we'd have to pay here in the UK.

  • paulyfknt

    Posted May 22, 2006 6:03 pm PT

    i agree with mgs dude to a certain extent, but the more he posts the more angry other ppl will get.

    not to be mean dude but like i said before you cnt change ppls minds, they have opinions to dude.

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 22, 2006 6:01 pm PT

    whatever... but anyways check out my blog to see why it isn't a bad deal buying the PS3. and ApocalypseBlue: we can't talk about something that we don't know that's why im only taking the real facts on consideration. (what employers? what the hell r u talking about hehe)

  • ApocalypseBlue

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:54 pm PT

    mgsseries4life, you seem to have very little grasp on any fact other than the ones on the "spec sheet" your employers gave you.

    I don't mean to be rude, but maybe you should take your head out your ass and look around a little before blindly repeating yourself time and again. You posted your opinion, then let that speak for itself, because blindly irritating people isn't going to help you in any way, shape or form.

    In your opinion, the PS3 is the be all and end all. Fair enough. Don't start trying to cram your Sony bias down others throats just because they don't agree with you.

  • TheSilentShark

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:49 pm PT

    Shipping costs is a poor excuse. Most things don't cost more here than elsewhere. Why should the PS3? Sony sell loads of things here, so just stick the PS3s in the same shipping containers. Problem solved.

    I've no doubt the PS3 will sell out on launch, and there will be a waiting list... it just won't be as long as it could have been.

  • dhmy2kgto

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:39 pm PT

    this is a lousy pieace of news..... I'm really doubting Sony will last...

  • ZeldaMaster32

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:30 pm PT

    P$3 is even worse in UK.

  • paulyfknt

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:27 pm PT

    oh than wtf some ps3 fan site is wayyy off. i forgot wich one i read that on tho

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:16 pm PT

    flyfltch: why is it more expensive in the UK?
    well for the very simple reason that UK is far from where the PS3 is manufactured. Thus, it will cost those more to ship the PS3 to the UK. Don't forget that the UK is a Pal zone, Pal zone is always more expensive than NTSC zones.

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 22, 2006 5:04 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • puppiemaster

    Posted May 22, 2006 4:59 pm PT

    TheTrooperUK, I must congratulate you on your reasoning, Very nicely put,

  • puppiemaster

    Posted May 22, 2006 4:56 pm PT

    we dont have Euros in the UK,

    I have a big HDTV plasma screen, no way I'm buying Blu-ray for it, I'm gonna wait and see who wins the war first.

  • TheTrooperUK

    Posted May 22, 2006 4:50 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 22, 2006 4:43 pm PT

    READ PLEASE!
    Playstation 3 Demand Still Strong Despite Announced Price
    Calls placed to over twenty small-town retail outlets reflect demand ranging from lukewarm to red hot.
    By Carl Bender - May 18, 2006

    One of the themes trumpeted recently by analysts and gaming media following the end of E3 has been the concern that with an entry point of $499, Sony may have priced itself out of the console market. At a 20% premium to it's nearest competitor, the reasons for worry seem obvious enough; but yet the situation as reflected by retail outlets seems to paint a different picture, and indicates that at least for the launch window, Sony has little to worry about.

    Looking to get a feel of how demand for the Playstation 3 has been holding up post-E3, PSINext placed calls to over twenty-five gaming stores in smaller towns across the United States; EB Games and GameStops for the most part, in order to keep it simple. Smaller towns were used on the assumption that they would more accurately reflect 'Middle American' willingness to spend up to $600 on a console, and the idea that figures taken from larger urban centers such as New York or Los Angeles might provide unusually inflated levels of interest in the system relative to the rest of the nation.

    In this completely unscientific survey, roughly a third of the stores contacted - in towns such as Seaford, DE and Brookhaven, MS - were not keeping lists at all, mindful of avoiding the fiasco that was the XBox 360 pre-order situation. For the other two-thirds of the retail outlets, recorded interest since E3 seemed quite strong indeed. Although two towns contacted were decidedly lukewarm at best - Gilford, NH and Petaluma, CA had roughly a dozen names each - for the most part stores contacted had consumer callback lists in the vicinity of fifty to sixty names; well above expected launch day availability.

    Some towns exceeded even those figures, with standouts like Wooster, OH and Houghton Lake, MI quoting numbers in the range of one hundred listed individuals.

    If Sony were able to sustain these levels of demand, sell-through could be ensured not only through the launch period, but into the following year as well. But as a cautionary note we should mention that although these gaming-specific outlets presently reflect a strong interest for the upcoming Playstation, the Playstation Portable was in a similar situation approaching it's own US debut. And though gaming stores all over the nation were sold out of the portable at the launch, ample supplies still sat untouched on the shelves of Targets and Wal-Marts.

    It stands to reason, however, that the above will not be the case for the Playstation 3.

    Not only will the November launch position Sony for Christmas shopping, but demand for the console seems like it will readily outstrip the US allocation of Sony's 2 million console launch figure. And though launch quantities will ultimately form a very small percentage of total shipped units over a consoles life, an early show of strength can still be crucial in allaying developer concerns and getting third-party support onboard.

    As time goes on, we will contact some of these stores again to keep a finger on the 'pulse' of PS3 consumer interest, and add others to the list to broaden the sample size

  • paulyfknt

    Posted May 22, 2006 4:30 pm PT

    wait a min why are you guys complaining about the price no offence.. im not trying to sound mean, i jus thought you were paying more than us americans

    we have to pay 600 for the 60 gb configuration. uk only has to pay 545 euros

    ur saving money, unless im missing something

  • jcalpha

    Posted May 22, 2006 4:26 pm PT

    I think Wii agree PS3 is not wort it.( until they lower the price) I really was looking to buy a PS3 but the price and the Wii-mote have change my decision.

  • mccoy26

    Posted May 22, 2006 3:54 pm PT

    No way. Having a price tag like is only going to cripple the market for "average" gamers. Seriously, Sony is straying away from the grassroots originality that game systems should have. And that is to have decent, affordable games that have a long replay value. Graphics, video and sound will only carry you so far before it becomes redundant.

    Too real = Non-Videogame

  • thekey

    Posted May 22, 2006 3:24 pm PT

    Sony is stupid and those that would spend $200 more than the over priced high end version of the console is more foolish. Thats why they would never do this in the US because we wouldn't stand for this foolishness.

    You British people should demand that they lower the price or don't buy it.

  • flyfletch

    Posted May 22, 2006 3:20 pm PT

    mgsseries for life, i have to ask you something. Why is it that we in the UK are paying more for the PS3 than people in the US? This is the reason that i dont want to buy the machine, there is no excuse for this price difference, as i have said previously, the price should be around £320 to bring it in line with the US price. The fact is is can afford it, but i wont pay it as i am being ripped off. I think you will find this is the reason for most people in the UK are complaining about the price. If Sony where to see the light and reduce the price to bring it in line with what everyone else has to pay for it, then it would be fair, but right now its not. And just to make it worse Sony dont even have descency to try and explain the reason for the difference in price.

  • LIGC

    Posted May 22, 2006 3:13 pm PT

    The only people who'll buy a PS3 are those who own those massive HDTVs and can actually see the benefit of owning an HD console. For the rest of us, unless there is a game for the PS3 that blows everything else out of the water, there is no reason to justify buying it.

  • sasuke55

    Posted May 22, 2006 2:46 pm PT

    I like playstation but that is outrageous for a game machine that will be outdated in 5 years. I almost didn't get the 360 but I got a bigger bonus so.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted May 22, 2006 2:16 pm PT

    pwned

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 22, 2006 12:28 pm PT

    READ PLEASE!
    Playstation 3 Demand Still Strong Despite Announced Price
    Calls placed to over twenty small-town retail outlets reflect demand ranging from lukewarm to red hot.
    By Carl Bender - May 18, 2006

    One of the themes trumpeted recently by analysts and gaming media following the end of E3 has been the concern that with an entry point of $499, Sony may have priced itself out of the console market. At a 20% premium to it's nearest competitor, the reasons for worry seem obvious enough; but yet the situation as reflected by retail outlets seems to paint a different picture, and indicates that at least for the launch window, Sony has little to worry about.

    Looking to get a feel of how demand for the Playstation 3 has been holding up post-E3, PSINext placed calls to over twenty-five gaming stores in smaller towns across the United States; EB Games and GameStops for the most part, in order to keep it simple. Smaller towns were used on the assumption that they would more accurately reflect 'Middle American' willingness to spend up to $600 on a console, and the idea that figures taken from larger urban centers such as New York or Los Angeles might provide unusually inflated levels of interest in the system relative to the rest of the nation.

    In this completely unscientific survey, roughly a third of the stores contacted - in towns such as Seaford, DE and Brookhaven, MS - were not keeping lists at all, mindful of avoiding the fiasco that was the XBox 360 pre-order situation. For the other two-thirds of the retail outlets, recorded interest since E3 seemed quite strong indeed. Although two towns contacted were decidedly lukewarm at best - Gilford, NH and Petaluma, CA had roughly a dozen names each - for the most part stores contacted had consumer callback lists in the vicinity of fifty to sixty names; well above expected launch day availability.

    Some towns exceeded even those figures, with standouts like Wooster, OH and Houghton Lake, MI quoting numbers in the range of one hundred listed individuals.

    If Sony were able to sustain these levels of demand, sell-through could be ensured not only through the launch period, but into the following year as well. But as a cautionary note we should mention that although these gaming-specific outlets presently reflect a strong interest for the upcoming Playstation, the Playstation Portable was in a similar situation approaching it's own US debut. And though gaming stores all over the nation were sold out of the portable at the launch, ample supplies still sat untouched on the shelves of Targets and Wal-Marts.

    It stands to reason, however, that the above will not be the case for the Playstation 3.

    Not only will the November launch position Sony for Christmas shopping, but demand for the console seems like it will readily outstrip the US allocation of Sony's 2 million console launch figure. And though launch quantities will ultimately form a very small percentage of total shipped units over a consoles life, an early show of strength can still be crucial in allaying developer concerns and getting third-party support onboard.

    As time goes on, we will contact some of these stores again to keep a finger on the 'pulse' of PS3 consumer interest, and add others to the list to broaden the sample size.

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