Sony Computer Entertainment UK today announced the availability of a Starter Pack for PLAYSTATION 3, comprising a PS3, two first party games and two SIXAXIS™ wireless controllers, at £425.

Available in the UK from 18^th July, and across all European territories by 1^st August, the new Starter Pack represents exceptional value for money when compared to the current Playstation 3 of the same price, which comes with only one controller and no games.

“With sell through of over 1.2 million units in the SCEE territories to date, PLAYSTATION 3 has proved to be an instant and huge success”, said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

“The exceptional value of the new Starter Pack will bring the excitement of PlayStation gaming to a much wider audience. Add to this a stellar lineup of software titles for the second half of the year and we are confident that this amazing value Starter Pack will encourage many more keen gamers to join the PLAYSTATION 3 community”.

It is unclear to us what cost the current model will now retail for and if indeed the Playstation 3 will still be available as a standalone unit at perhaps a cheaper cost, however we do still expect to see a price cut around Christmas time.

*Update, once the current PS3 is out of stock it will no longer be available, it has also been confirmed by David Reeves, president SCEE, that Sony will look at the cost of PS3 at Christmas just as we thought.