PS3 to launch throughout Europe on 23 March

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe confirms the official PAL release date for the highly anticipated next generation entertainment system.

SCEE confirmed in a press release today that PlayStation®3 will launch on Friday 23 March. This date will see PlayStation®3 launch across all the PAL territories (Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia) with the retail price set at €599 for Europe (UK £425, AUD 999.95, NZ 1199.95).

Already a big hit in Japan and the US, the European launch of PlayStation®3 is set to be the best launch yet. With an expected one million units being available from day one, and an exceptional software launch line-up including Motorstorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Tony Hawk's Project 8, Virtua Fighter 5 and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, PS3 is set to be in high demand at launch.

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."