European PS3 Launch Delayed

Sony's highly anticipated Playstation 3 console won't be released in Europe until 4 months after the US and Japan release dates, leaving disappointed gamers and revised Christmas lists in Europe.

The news follows Sony's problem in mass-producing the blue laser diode component of their Blu-ray disc drives. This is not the first delay Sony have experienced because of problems with their brand new Blu-ray technology; in March earlier this year, Sony encountered problems with the Blu-ray disc copy protection technology and had to postpone their launch date to Spring 2006.

Because of the shortage of PS3s with working Blu-ray drives, Sony said it would focus the Christmas launch on the US and Japan, with Europe not getting its hands on the PS3 until March 2007.

Sony's delayed launch and high price for their PS3 console in Europe almost certainly means Nintendo and Microsoft will dominate the European market this generation, with what they're calling the Wii60 - that is, the expected combination of Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360 in most households with more than one console.

Ken Kutaragi, head of Sony's global computer entertainment division, said "I am so sorry not to be able to answer all the expectations,"

The news leaves many anticipating gamers frustrated, and with the Wii's release still looking very likely for before Christmas 2006, how many original PS3 buyers will instead opt for something a little more released in Europe?