Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbum publishes the supposed Japanese launch price of the PS3.

Even though Sony haven't even announced an exact release date for the PlayStation 3, Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbum have published what they have been told to be the price of the console when it is released in Japan next year. According to the paper, Sony officials told them that the console will cost 50,000 yen ($465/£255). Many day-one purchasers may not mind paying £250 for a console, but actual prices are never as simple as a price conversion.

The Sony PSP can be bought for approximately £130 from the US, but the console will debut in the UK on September 1st at a cost of £180. If this supposed price for the PlayStation 3 is correct, UK gamers could be paying anything from £350 to £400. This would be considerably more than the rumoured price of the Xbox 360, which people expect to be released at a much more affordable price; as will the Nintendo Revolution.

Of course, this is all speculation and rumour. We'll let you know if we hear any more.