Sony PS3 launch delayed in England

Sonys next generation console, the PS3, is expected to be released this March in Europe. It is still going to be launched in November everywhere else. This falls right into Microsofts plans of releasing Halo 3 at the same time, as that is the expected launch month for Halo. The plan being that shops like game will split the advertising between them, and a game getting the same amount as a new console is good for any company, even Microsoft. It might tip people towards getting a 360 as they think "I really liked that game" and not take a second glance at the huge PS3 poster.

However, it is a gamble, as they forget that, although Microsoft have a huge fanbase for Halo. Sonys is unbeatable at the moment so it may just be shooting them selves in the foot. Only time will tell.

Finally, shops like Game will know they are making a bigger profit on the PS3 so might just advertise that.

In conclusion, I think this will not work for Microsoft because shops are out to make money and Sonys fan base in only revealed by Nintendos, but Sonys covers more than one type of person.

Wii Launch Center - Wii arrives in Europe on December 8 for £179 - News at GameSpot

Wii Launch Center - Wii arrives in Europe on December 8 for £179 - News at GameSpot

Update: WII £179 in England, however we will have to wait till December. This staggered launch should hopefull reduce over-demand, not that I think that is going to be a huge problem in the UK.

Wii launch title and price announced

Gamespot repor Wii launch details.

It is offical. Nintendo's Wii will be coming out this November the 19th for $249.99 dolars; £159.06. More than I first anticpated, but still significantly cheaper than the X360 and pocket money compared to the PS3, although I would like to not that Sony have made no offical announments, although I suspect one in imminent.

In other Wii news released today, the Wii will NOT be able to play DVDs. Although you make think this is bad, I personally don't think it will make any difference. The poeple who are going to puchase the Wii aren't the kind of people who want their console to do a hundered and one different things. So disappointing yes, suprising sort of, a major problem no.

Final Specs:
WII Launch Date and MSRP: Nov. 19, 2006, in the Americas at an MSRP of $249.99.

Color: White.

Size: About 8.5 inches long, 6 inches wide and less than two inches thick (157mm x 215.4mm x 44mm).

Controls: "Up to four Wii Remote controllers can be connected at once using wireless Bluetooth technology. The wireless signal can be detected within 10 meters of the console. Both the Wii remote and Nunchuk controllers include a three-axis motion sensor. The Wii Remote controller also includes a speaker, rumble feature and expansion port, and can be used as a pointer within 5 meters of the screen. The Wii Remote controller has a power switch, plus pad, A, B, Minus, Home, 1 and 2 buttons. The Nunchuk controller includes an analog control stick and C and Z buttons."

The Look: "The Wii console features a compact design that...can be displayed either vertically or horizontally."

Media: "A single self-loading media bay will play single- or double-layered 12-centimeter optical discs for the Wii console, as well as 8-centimeter Nintendo GameCube discs."

Channels: "The Wii Channel Menu is the main gateway for a variety of...interactive multimedia, entertainment and communication functions."

Communication: "The Wii console can communicate with the Internet even when the power is turned off. The WiiConnect24 service [content and game updates] even if the system is idle. Users can connect wirelessly using IEEE 802.11, or with a USB 2.0 LAN adaptor. The Wii console also can communicate wirelessly with the Nintendo DS."

Virtual Console: "The Wii console will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The Virtual Console also will feature a 'best of' selection from Sega Genesis titles and games from the TurboGrafix 16 console. It also will be home to new games conceived by indie developers."

The Specs: "The Wii console has 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi capability. A bay for an SD memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory. Design was optimized with state-of-the-art processing technologies that minimize power consumption, keep the console compact and enable the 'sleepless' WiiConnect24 mode."

CPU: "PowerPC CPU (code-named "Broadway") Made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process, jointly developed with and manufactured by IBM."

Graphics Processing Unit: "Being developed with ATI."

Other Features:"Four ports for Nintendo GameCube controllers. Two slots for Nintendo GameCube memory cards. An AV Multi-output port for component, composite, or S-video."

For complete list of upcoming games check this out