Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that the launch of the PlayStation 3 in PAL territories has been delayed until March 07.

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When Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 in the back end of 2005, they were praised for achieving what was close to a simultaneous launch in the three main gaming territories. A matter of weeks separated the console's debut in North America, Europe and Japan, and until this morning it appeared Sony was going to better the Xbox 360 launch with the PS3 launching in Japan, North America and Europe all in the space of a week.

PAL territories of Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Australasia will no longer be seeing the PlayStation 3 on November 17, instead, the next generation PlayStation is to arrive in March 2007. Sony's reason for the delay is as follows:

"The revision of the launch date in the SCEE territories is caused by the delay in the mass production schedule of the blue laser diode within the Sony Group, thus affecting the timely procurement of key components to be utilised in PlayStation 3."

The previously announced November 11 release date in Japan, and November 17 release date in North America are said to be unaffected, and Sony still expects to ship 6 million units globally within fiscal year 2007.

This gives the Xbox 360 and the Wii (assuming it arrives in Europe this year) a free run over the lucrative Christmas period.

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User Comments

badger's Avatar
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badger@ steven l.o.l

ha ha ha the ps3 is out in the usa and jap and us in the uk still have not had a sniff of it lol o well seems like an good excuse to get a xbox 360!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! stop moning and get an xbox 360!!!!! we have gears of war!!!! ha ha ha and halo 3 oh ye and gta 4 at the smae time as the ps3!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 20:55 on 08 December 2006
ps3100's Avatar

ps3100@ Tomarlyn

when is the 2nd shipmentof ps3? im getting angry, adn you wount like me when im angry, so give me a ps3
Posted 19:22 on 01 December 2006
Andy's Avatar
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Andy@ steven l.o.l

It may have escaped everyones attention but sony have said they will sell the ps3 with processors with 1 failed core! Im not sure i would pay £500 for somthing the manufacture is telling me isnt fully functional!
Posted 22:09 on 29 November 2006
kiwie_sa's Avatar

kiwie_sa@ Tomarlyn

ps3 rocks im already geating it the day it comes out its better than the xbox 360 ive played the xbox360 i thougt the graphics are ok but sence i know a lot about the ps3 i sugest ps3 is better i would advice u to buy it
Posted 12:09 on 26 November 2006
babysupertrousers's Avatar

babysupertrousers

they've lost a lot of customers by delaying the release. and to make matters worse the graphics are virtually the same as the 360's
Posted 18:25 on 23 November 2006
leon's Avatar
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leon@ Tomarlyn

its ****ing sht i went on one in the usa and its just the same as the x box 360.
Posted 16:47 on 23 November 2006
andy's Avatar
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andy@ steven l.o.l

Have an 360 and very impressed. The online gaming is very good, with the exetion of pes6. ang graphics have amazed me. the ps3 mabee slightly better but such a small margin is not worth the astronomical cost difference
Posted 21:49 on 21 November 2006
acey's Avatar

acey@ Tomarlyn

it is good but the xbox360 is batter to me
Posted 17:13 on 21 November 2006
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kazman@ Tomarlyn

Yes its a w8, but one well worth it i believe, i wont touch an xbox, not a chance, play station for me, make me a happy boy sony.
Posted 09:21 on 21 November 2006
babysupertrousers's Avatar

babysupertrousers

i'm dissapointed in europe. they should of been prepared for the launch date rather than messing people about and losing sales at the same time. and now they're not even letting us import them either
Posted 23:01 on 19 November 2006
3m3ka's Avatar
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3m3ka@ Tomarlyn

I have waited for so long to grab that PS3 console,not untill now i heard this heartbreaking news."it absolutely nonsense".For heaven sake we have waited so long for its official lauching in Nigeria.Infact we need not wait any much longer,cos am sure PS3 would be a flop, i can bet that for sure...
Posted 16:14 on 19 November 2006
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eric@ Jimbo

i dont like x box so im whaiting for a ps3, and if you say the xbox is cheaper it is but if you like to play online just whait for the ps3
Posted 05:34 on 19 November 2006
steven l.o.l's Avatar
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steven l.o.l@ Tomarlyn

xbox 360 and the wii combined arent as good as the ps3 the ps3 has better graphics,games and better free online play.what you should do is get more money and when it comes out again in march buy alot of games and accessories but dont buy the 360 if you dont buy the ps3 buy the wii
Posted 23:39 on 18 November 2006
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Cheesy@ cutter193

Yeh i agree with themutsnuts, sure the wait for the ps3 is a bit of a p*** take but when it come out for Europe we will have a larger amount of launch date games compared to Japan or America. Plus look at some of the ps3 launch date and upcomin games, they look epic. xbox 360 has been out since 2005 and the only game tht shows next gen quality on it is tht new game Gears of War.
Posted 11:19 on 18 November 2006
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themutsnuts@ Tomarlyn

looks guys theres no need to worry. ye so japan and america get it first. all the gd games arnt gonna come out till next year anyway. im not sayin the launch titles aint gd but u got MG4 for example comin out next year and Grand theft auto IV. i know everyone is eager to get it but just wait. if u want buy an xbox 360 but i tell you it dont even scratch the surface of wot a ps3 can do. so i say dont waste your money on it
Posted 13:37 on 17 November 2006