Gamers down under, mark your calendars. Sony has finally given the Australian PS3 launch a date, and it's going to be on March 23. The company has also confirmed the launch price for their new console, which will be AU$ 999.95 (US$ 778). The price is a bit lower than the European price of GBP 425 (US$ 835), but it still makes the PS3 easily the most expensive console in the market.

Only the 60GB PS3 will be available initially, with the 20GB model becoming available later in the year if there is sufficient demand to warrant its inclusion in the line-up. That right there is your cue to start pestering your friendly neighborhood Sony representative about making the 20GB version available in your territory.

The PS3 will also launch in other PAL regions - Europe, the middle east, Africa and New Zealand - on the same day it launches in Australia. Sony says that around one million units will be available for the worldwide launch. That number will be accompanied by around 30 game titles.