PSM claims the final PS3 price will be USD 399 and that will include a 60 GB hard drive while the magazine also suggests the console will launch in the first half of November 2006.
Sony has kept its pricing plans for PS3 secret although a recent statement by Sony Europe President George Fornay had suggested that a Euro 499 price (about USD 630) was likely. Sony had reacted, following Mr. Fornay's comments, suggesting that his comments were meant to indicate the possible price of a Blu-Ray playback device and not the PS3.
The independent Playstation magazine now claims that a reliable source has indicated that the Playstation 3 will cost USD 399 and will include a 60 GB hard drive while in Europe the same rig will set you back Euros 322. If the price mentioned by PSM is confirmed it will mark a significant advantage for Sony over Microsoft's XBox 360.
It is anticipated that Microsoft will lower the price of its XBox 360 console this coming fall in order to prevent a sales drop due to the release of the rival console. Even following an X360 price cut however, a USD 399 PS3 will be an extremely enticing proposition for consumers as it will bring them a Blu-Ray playback device and a video game console in one economic package.
Microsoft's XBox 360 core package (without a hard drive and wired controller) currently costs USD 299 while it was recently reported that Microsoft plans to reduce the price to USD 219 this fall. The price of the X360 premium package (including 20 GB Hard Drive and wireless controller) is also expected to be cut by USD 100 to USD 299 this fall.
Stay with MegaGames for news on PS3 pricing from E3 2006.