Sony Confirms PlayStation 2 Price Drop For Japan

In anticipation of the worldwide November release of the PlayStation 3 console, Sony has issued a statement indicating that it plans to lower the suggested retail price of the PlayStation 2 in Japan to ¥16,000 ($138). The price drop will take effect on September 15. Sony currently sells the console for ¥19,800 ($171) in the region, though it is marketed with a “open price” in Japan, a policy that lets retailers set their own price. A similar price drop was recently announced by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe at the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany, a cut the company noted was made possible through advances in manufacturing efficiency and economies of scale. The price of the PlayStation 2 console in that region was cut from €159.99/£104.99 ($194/$199) to €129.99/£94.99 ($168/$180). Likewise, the price of memory cards dropped as well, falling from €29.95 ($39) to €19.99 ($26). Sony also notes that worldwide sales of the PlayStation 2 console have surpassed 106 million units. The console first launched in Japan in March 2000, followed by launches later that same year in October for North America and November in Europe. The PlayStation 3, which will feature two separate retail SKUs and price points, is currently scheduled to launch in Japan on November 11 in Japan, with releases in Europe and North America planned just days later on November 17.