Sony has said it will launch its delayed next-generation PlayStation 3 console in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia on March 23, with only its costlier version available.

The electronics giant released the PlayStation last year only in the key North American and Asian markets where it was delayed about six months due to a glitch with the high-definition DVD player.

Sony also pushed back the rollout in Europe until March due to production problems.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe said in a statement Thursday it expected one million PlayStation 3 consoles to be available for the launch on March 23.

The system will sell for 599 euros (780 dollars), 425 British pounds, 999.95 Australian dollars and 1,199.95 New Zealand dollars.

Only the advanced 60-gigabyte model will go on sale, "with the 20-gigabyte model to follow later in the year dependent on demand," the statement said.

The 20-gigabyte model costs 49,980 yen in Japan and an equivalent 430 dollars in the United States.

Even the 20-gigabyte model is costlier than next-generation machines by rivals Nintendo and Microsoft.

Japanese rival Nintendo's next-generation Wii costs 25,000 yen in Japan. Nintendo on Thursday reported strong profits and said it was well on course to its Wii sales target.

Sony slumped into the red in the second quarter on the back of a costly recall of defective batteries.

Provided by AFP.