Sony Gets Set For Game Console War

Shops are taking their final pre-orders for the PlayStation 3 ahead of Friday's launch of Sony's next-generation console.

But the PS3 has come under fire because of its ??425 price tag - around ??120 more than its US retail price.

It will compete with the hugely successful Nintendo Wii console and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

The PS3 launched in Japan and the US in November, but its European debut was delayed due to problems with manufacturing its blu-ray disc.

It goes on sale in the UK this Friday, with the official launch taking place at midnight in Virgin Megastores on London's Oxford Street.

Sony said around 220,000 consoles would be available for sale.

Michael Brook, the editor of gadget magazine T3, said: "The real techies are going to love it and I think will bear the cost straight from the offset.

"But for it to go really mass market I think it will be Christmas when the price drops."

Sony said 30 PlayStation 3 titles would launch on Friday.

All PlayStation 1 and more than 1,200 PlayStation 2 games will be compatible with the new console.

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