Sony have launched the playstation 3 console a week early in the UK apparently to push sales. It was released on Friday the 22nd of August. The console goes head to head with Microsoft’s 120GB 360 Elite and newly launched 60GB Xbox 360 Pro. Sony’s announcements at the Leipzig Game Convention on the 22nd of August included SCE UK boss Ray Maguire saying that PS3’s “easily removable” hard drive sets it apart from its competitor, and claimed that PS3’s downloadable content is second-to-none.

“Our operations department in Japan managed to deliver the 80GB PS3 a week earlier than was originally anticipated in order to maximise the Bank Holiday weekend,” Maguire said. “In terms of demand, we expect this to increase.

As the battle of the consoles commences Sony plan to launch a 160GB version of the Playstation 3.