Lower-than-expected prices at PS3 launch.
by Anoop Gantayat
October 3, 2006 - Sony Japan decided to make clear its full launch plans for Japan today, with a set of accessory announcements and final pricing details for the system's launch titles. While Japanese game prices tend to have little to do with their US counterparts, there's been some concern that PS3 game prices would be on the high end, so it's worth taking a look. All prices include 5% consumption tax.
PS3 launch game prices range from the unexpectedly low to the slightly higher than expected. At the low end are two mahjong games. Konami will release Mahjong Fight Club National Competition Edition at 5,229 yen. This is slightly higher than Koei's Mahjong Taikai IV, which will sell for 5040 yen. The Koei title is, incidentally, a new entry to the PS3's Japanese launch lineup.
In the next bracket are two Sony Computer Entertainment titles. Both Resistance and Genji will carry a price point o 5,980 yen. As these are full games, most were expecting a price of at least 7,140 yen, which is the standard tax-included price for current generation games.
Sega's launch title, Sega Golf Club, has been priced at 7,140 yen, as previously reported. So has Sonic the Hedgehog, which hits Japan on 12/21 at 7,140 yen.
Finally, we come to the high end of the launch lineup. Ridge Racer 7 and Gundam Target in Sight will both carry price points of 7,329 yen. This is actually the price that Konami charges for most of its PS2 games.
From Software will follow launch with the highest priced PS3 game of them all. As previously reported, Armored Core 4 will hit Japanese retail on 12/14 carrying, a price point of 8,190 yen. PS2 Armored Core games have carried this price in the past.
We'll stress once again that these prices may or may not be reflective of their US counterparts. Stay tuned for US pricing details as the US launch approaches.
