PlayStation 3 UK specification announced

Sony has announced that its forthcoming PlayStation 3 console will utilise a new hardware specification for the UK and European market.

The system will feature a Cell Broadband Engine, 60G hard disc drive, Blu-ray Disc player, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, SIXAXIS wireless controller and it will also embody a combination of hardware and software emulation enabling it to be compatible with a broad range of PlayStation titles and a limited range of PlayStation 2 titles.

David Reeves, President of Sony, said, "PS3 is first and foremost a system that excels in playing games specifically designed to exploit the power and potential of the PS3 system. Games designed for PS3 offer incredible graphics quality, stunning gameplay and massively improved audio and video fidelity that is simply not achievable with PS and PS2 games.

"Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3, truly taking advantage of this exciting technology.”

Additional PS2 titles will become compatible on the PS3 system through regular downloadable firmware updates, which will be made available through the PlayStation Network or via PS3 game discs, with the first update planned for the launch date of March 23.

Users will also be able to check whether their titles are compatible with PS3 at the official website from March 23.