SCEE Reveals Plans To Re-Release ICO

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has confirmed, via its official website, that it plans to re-release Fumito Ueda's cult classic action adventure title ICO for the PlayStation 2 in February 2006, largely due to increased interest in the title over time, and to coincide with the release of spiritual sequel Shadow Of The Colossus in Europe early next year. With the limited-edition PAL version of the original ICO currently selling for as much as UKP65 ($114) on eBay, it seems that Sony are responding to customer demand to the ethereal Sony Japan-developed title, which had relatively limited sales and distribution on its March 2002 release in Europe. Although 'Greatest Hits' re-releases of popular titles at budget prices are common in all three territories, re-releases of formerly limited-distribution games are more scarce, with relatively few examples in existence. In one similar occurrence, hardcore gamer-friendly RPG Disgaea from publisher Atlus and developer Nippon Ichi saw a North American re-release in May 2004, following the sell-out of an initial pressing. There is currently no information on whether ICO will also receive a North American re-release, but with a larger amount of copies in U.S. circulation, and second-hand prices under $20, plus Shadow Of The Colossus already released in the States, the prospect seems relatively unlikely.