PS3 Budget Game Line Planned In Japan, Western Version 'Likely'

Online reports have revealed that Sony is readying a PlayStation 3 budget re-release range, under the now familiar “PlayStation the Best” name - also used for systems including the PlayStation 2 and PSP to re-issue top-selling first and third party games. News of the Japanese “PlayStation 3 the Best” range was first translated by consumer website IGN, with five titles due to launch on March 19th for ¥3,800 ($36) each. Gamasutra understands that an official announcement is expected imminently, but IGN suggests the five initial games are Resistance: Fall of Man, FolkSoul, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Gundam: Target in Sight and Ridge Racer 7. The games are priced at ¥1,000 ($9) more than the equivalent PlayStation 2 range, although this is in line with third party prices for new PlayStation 3 titles in Japan. When contacted by Gamasutra, officials from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) commented specifically about the extension of such a line to the West: "We have introduced a Platinum range of best selling titles for all of our platforms to date, and it is likely that we will do so in the future for PS3. However, no decisions have yet been made on timing or line-up".