Rantpiece - (proper title not decided)
Yet again, we European gamers have been well and truly screwed by these two Japanese giants of gaming
| 13 Oct 2006
In all the excitement with regards to the imminent release of Nintendo's revolutionary Wii and Sony's credit card maxing PS3, we seem to have all failed to notice that once again we've been well and truly screwed.
Firstly, let's go for the Wii. We're all well aware that the system is little more than a tweaked Gamecube, but it's the revolutionary control method, allowing you to swish the TV remote-a-like Wii Remote instead of jabbing away at umpteen buttons, and manipulating analogue sticks that's got our collective juices flowing. Despite its lack of power, it seems to be the more anticipated between the two next generation consoles we're still yet to see sat under our TVs.
But looking at the prices – now all release dates and launch day costs have been announced – we're paying over the odds. Again. The US gets the exact same package as us, yet receives this glorious bundle including the delightfully titled 'Wii Sports' at a mere $250. So taking into account the current exchange rate and good old VAT, we should have been looking at a launch price of £150, right? Wrong, we're set to splash out £180 for the privilege of receiving our consoles a few weeks later. Nice.
Add that to the rumour of only the PAL systems being region locked (keeping us from importing those quirky Japan only titles, and hardcore RPG's that never seem to be released in the West in a timely manner) and we've taken a severe kick to the collective nut sack.
As for Sony and the PS3, not only has our (and only our) particular release date been pushed back to Spring-time, but we're looking to be paying at least £100 MORE than our friends over in the US for our systems, never mind an extra £10-£15 per game too.
Yet again, we European gamers have been well and truly screwed by these two Japanese giants of gaming. But hey, why should they break the habit of a lifetime, right?
Firstly, let's go for the Wii. We're all well aware that the system is little more than a tweaked Gamecube, but it's the revolutionary control method, allowing you to swish the TV remote-a-like Wii Remote instead of jabbing away at umpteen buttons, and manipulating analogue sticks that's got our collective juices flowing. Despite its lack of power, it seems to be the more anticipated between the two next generation consoles we're still yet to see sat under our TVs.
But looking at the prices – now all release dates and launch day costs have been announced – we're paying over the odds. Again. The US gets the exact same package as us, yet receives this glorious bundle including the delightfully titled 'Wii Sports' at a mere $250. So taking into account the current exchange rate and good old VAT, we should have been looking at a launch price of £150, right? Wrong, we're set to splash out £180 for the privilege of receiving our consoles a few weeks later. Nice.
Add that to the rumour of only the PAL systems being region locked (keeping us from importing those quirky Japan only titles, and hardcore RPG's that never seem to be released in the West in a timely manner) and we've taken a severe kick to the collective nut sack.
As for Sony and the PS3, not only has our (and only our) particular release date been pushed back to Spring-time, but we're looking to be paying at least £100 MORE than our friends over in the US for our systems, never mind an extra £10-£15 per game too.
Yet again, we European gamers have been well and truly screwed by these two Japanese giants of gaming. But hey, why should they break the habit of a lifetime, right?