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The PlayStation 3 (PS3) games console will go on sale in Australia on March 23, but only the more expensive $999 model will be offered, Sony said today.
Sony had previously promised also to offer a $829 bundle, which had similar features but lacked memory card slots and wireless connectivity and included a smaller hard drive.
Additionally, Australians buying the $999 model will pay more than Americans, who have been able to buy the console for $US599 ($770) since it was launched in the US in November last year.
In choosing not to sell the cheaper model, Sony said it was "responding to retail and consumer demand", and would consider introducing it later this year.
The Australian launch date coincides with that of the other PAL territories - Europe, Africa and the Middle East - and Sony expected 1 million units would be available to these regions at launch.
Sony Australia managing director Michael Ephraim would not say how many of these units had been earmarked for Australia.
"We'll get a reasonable amount, whether there will be enough for everyone, time will tell," he said.
"Day one is important but it's important to plan a continual flow of supply as well."
On launch day, Sony said more than 30 PS3 games would be available for purchase, at least eight of which could be downloaded to the console from the internet.
The list of launch titles includes Resistance: Fall of Man, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Call of Duty 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
The PS3 was originally scheduled to launch in Australia on November 17 last year, but this was pushed back because of production delays relating to the Blu-ray player that is included in all PS3 models.
It has allowed the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360 to gain a significant head start in what is sure to be a fierce battle between the big three games console producers.
But Mr Ephraim was confident that the higher price of the PS3 and its delayed launch would not have a considerable impact on sales.
"I know it's a high price ... but for the product, when consumers understand what they're getting, they will realise that it is a great buy," he said.
He said a main advantage of the PS3 was its ability to do more than just play games, such as accessing and storing digital content and browsing the web.
David McLean, regional director of Microsoft's home entertainment division in Australia, welcomed Sony's announcement.
"After all the talk, Australian gamers will finally have the chance to compare the consoles side-by-side and more importantly decide for themselves what's the best all-round experience," he said.
Is $1000 too much for a console? I think it is.
When the 1st Playstation came out, there were few decent games and a lot of bad ones, hopefully this will change
