PS3 to launch in Australia on 23 March

Gamers in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Europe eagerly awaiting the local launch of the PlayStation 3 finally have a firm date to mark in their calendar. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has confirmed that the PS3 will hit the aforementioned PAL territories on 23 March, four months after the console's release in the US and Japan.

But those keen on purchasing the 20GB model of the PS3 will have to wait a little longer, with Sony only releasing the 60GB version. In a statement, Sony said the 20GB model would be made available later in 2007 "dependant on demand". The 60GB PS3 will retail for AU$999.95 in Australia, 599 euros in Europe, 452 pounds in the UK and NZ$1199.95 in New Zealand. Sony says one million PS3 units will be made available for the PAL launch. More than two million PS3s have been shipped so far.

Close to 30 games have now been confirmed as launch titles, as well as eight games which will be made available through the PlayStation Network. Sony has also said that a new System Update will be released to coincide with the 23 March launch.

The full list of launch titles is provided below.

Activision
Call of Duty 3
Tony Hawk's Project 8
Marvel Ultimate Alliance

Electronic Arts
Def Jam: Icon
Fight Night Round 3
NBA Street 4 Homecourt 2007
Need for Speed Carbon
The Godfather: The Don's Edition
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom Namco Bandai
Gundam: Target in Sight

Sega
Sonic the Hedgehog
Virtua Fighter 5
Virtua Tennis 3
Full Auto 2: Battle Lines
World Snooker Championship 2007

Sony Computer Entertainment
Formula One Championship Edition
MotorStorm
Genji: Days of the Blade
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7

Take 2
NBA 2K7
NHL 2K7

Ubisoft
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent
Enchanted Arms

Vivendi
F.E.A.R.

PlayStation Network games
Tekken: Dark Ressurection
Lemmings
Go! Sudoku
Go! Puzzle
Blast Factor
flOw
Super Rub'a'Dub
Gripshift