With Sony's answer to the next-generation of videogaming (or Game 3.0, as Phil Harrison might have us calling it) now out in PAL regions, Europe, the middle-east and Australasia now finally have the chance to discover what North America and have been enjoying since last November-December.

The first thing those investigating the plucky young debutant will discover, as American and (to an infuriatingly lesser-extent) Japanese gamers have, is that the don't come cheap. In the UK, where only the top-end model of the console is available thus far, the console costs a bank-breaking 425 GBP. This already prices the system beyond much of the pocket-money / impulse purchase market. The console costs 599 Euro across the continent, while Ireland have to fork-out 629.99 Euro for the privilege of being there from the start.

Sony are of course gesticulating wildly in the direction of the disc drive, the PS3 being the cheapest way to own the next-gen DVD format from the off. The jury however is still out on the appeal of Blu-ray as a whole, but more worryingly whether gamers are taking its inclusion on board when comparing the PS3 to the and the Wii.

The power of the CELL CPU driving the system unquestionably makes the console the most mighty of the next-gen trio, though once again it's going to take the evolution of time for us to witness quite how important this technology is - as debut titles fail to out-shine rival 360 offerings - despite the at their disposal. That said, can't be faulted for ambition, having taken their third-gen system in an entirely different direction from the mass-market bating PS2, opting instead for a system which will appeal to technophiles and those looking to be first with Blu-ray - rather than the gamers, people with girlfriends, and hooded teenagers which fell in love with the PS2.

For those of you deliberating at your desks today about whether to hot foot it down to your local game shop after work, one of the most important factors to consider is whether you will buy or already own a HD set, and whether you'll also therefore be interested in taking advantage of the Blu-ray drive. If you do want to be an early-adopter of the new DVD format, then the PS3 could be your best route in, especially if the array of games out or forthcoming on the system also appeals.

Then there's the PlayStation Network to consider - it may be in its early stages, but the service of the PS3 is completely free - unlike Microsoft's rival Live service - and that includes online gaming too. Today's 1.6 update also ushers-in background downloading, and with HD free to download fans of the genre may feel this is incentive enough. The range of titles heading to the PS3 Store also looks set to grow at pace, with Sony promising more original games alongside conversions, as opposed to the retrograde ports favoured by and Nintendo.

The PS3's future is about that ultimately... the future. Without exclusive games like IV and Assassin's Creed, and now even XIII a doubt, Sony's ability to secure or develop compelling games will be vital to justifying the system's high price-point. That and Blu-ray's victory over HD-DVD, we'll wager. A smorgasbord of multiplatform and move tie-ins is unlikely to be giving Microsoft execs the shivers any time soon. But then there is of course 4... can Kojima's return elevate the PS3 single-handedly?

Lest we forget, Sony have unveiled plans for the PS3 and in recent weeks, both of which could easily entice the MySpace-generation of games players so enamored with the PS2, though can such sociable gaming experiences persuade people to part with 425 GBP, when the also appeals to the party crowd but costs under 200 GBP?

While you deliberate over whether to make the investment in Sony's ambitious next-generation vision (belief in the console's future perhaps being the strongest draw at present), here's a few 'day one' facts about the new machine.

PS3 PAL console
Price: 425 GBP / 599 Euro
Cell CPU / RSX GPU / 256 MB RAM / 256MB video RAM
60GB HDD / Dolby 5.1 surround sound
Ethernet / Wi-fi / Bluetooth support
SIXAXIS Wireless controller
HDMI output / 1080p max resolution
CD / DVD / Blu-ray supported
Weight: 5kg

PAL region availability: 1 million units (200K in the UK)

Launch Games

  • Resistance: Fall of Man (Sony)
  • MotorStorm (Sony)
  • Genji: Days of the Blade (Sony)
  • Formula One Championship Edition (Sony)
  • Ridge Racer 7 (Sony)
  • Call of Duty 3 (Activision)
  • Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision)
  • Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Activision)
  • Gundam: Target in Sight (Namco Bandai)
  • Full Auto 2: Battle Lines (SEGA)
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (SEGA)
  • Virtua Fighter 5 (SEGA)
  • Virtua Tennis 3 (SEGA)
  • World Snooker Championship 2007 (SEGA)
  • NHL 2K7 (2K Sports)
  • Blazing Angels: Squadrons of (Ubisoft)
  • Enchanted Arms (Ubisoft)
  • Def Jam: Icon (EA)
  • Fight Night Round 3 (EA)
  • NBA Street Homecourt (EA)
  • Need For Speed Carbon (EA)
  • The Godfather: The Don's Edition (EA)
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 (EA)
  • Tekken: Dark Resurrection (PlayStation Network)
  • Blast Factor (PlayStation Network)
  • Lemmings (PlayStation Network)
  • Gran Turismo HD Concept (PlayStation Network)
  • GripShift (PlayStation Network)

By Luke Guttridge