The long-awaited PlayStation 3 (PS3) will launch across Europe and Australasia on March 23, Sony has confirmed.
Sony, the world's second-largest consumer electronics maker, also announced that initially only the 60GB model would be available, with the basic 20GB version to follow later in the year.
The console will cost 599 Euros (£425) in Europe and $999 in Australasia.
Tokyo-based Sony had originally planned to launch its next-generation console in Europe last November.
But problems in mass producing a key component for the machines Blu-ray high-definition DVD player caused Sony to postpone the launch.
The PS3 will go head-to-head with Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was released in November 2005, and Nintendo's Revolution, which went on sale last November.
Sony has dominated the games console market for many years with the success of its PlayStation 1 (PS1) and PlayStation 2 (PS2).
The firm has sold more than 90 million PS2s and over 100 million PS1s.
According to Sony, the next-generation PS3 will be able to play existing PS2 and PS1 games.
The console is compatible with a variety of TV sets currently out in the market, including standard-definition and high-definition models.
Users can also connect the PS3 to high-speed broadband networks through Gigabit Ethernet and enjoy a range of content and services over the network.
Sony also announced that more than 30 games would be available for the European and Australasian launch of the machine.
Top titles include Resistance: Fall of Man, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Call of Duty 3, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007, Need for Speed Carbon and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
The PS3 has already been launched in both North America and Japan.




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