Sony PS3 to launch at $499 in U.S. on Nov. 17

LOS ANGELES, May 9: Sony Corp. said on Monday it would begin selling its next-generation PlayStation 3 video game console on Nov. 11 in Japan and Nov. 17 in the United States, where an entry-level machine would cost 9.

The same unit, with a 20-gigabyte hard drive, will retail for 59,800 yen in Japan and 499 euros in Europe, where it also will debut on Nov. 17.

Sony, coming to market about a year after its rival Microsoft Corp. began selling its Xbox 360 next-generation console, will also sell a unit with a 60-gigabyte hard drive for 9 in the United States.

Video game fans have been waiting to see what Sony would offer, and especially at what price, in order to decide whether to wait for the PS3 or buy an Xbox 360 now.

Sony also introduced a bluetooth-powered motion-sensitive wireless controller that was a surprise to many at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, where the Japanese giant made its announcement.

REUTERS