LONDON (Brand Republic) - Consumer groups have attacked Sony over its plans to sell its PlayStation2 in Europe for up to 50% more than in the US.
The games console, which is scheduled for launch in the UK in November, will be sold for £299, compared with £199 in the US and £240 in Japan.
In Germany, PS2 will be priced at £269 and in France it will cost £275.
Sony is expecting high demand for the new console, which is being sold only to customers who order in advance. In Japan, 2m have already been sold. Sony has sold 5.6m original PlayStations in the UK since its launch in 1995.
The company said its UK price of £299 is fair because of UK VAT rates, and higher property and transport costs. However, the Consumers’ Association has criticised Sony, saying that while it accepts that VAT is higher than US taxes, it believes Sony is charging UK customers more simply because it can.