While Czech gamers are screwed regularly by pricing of games and hardware in Europe, Brazil is the new target of total extortion by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

They have just launched the Playstation in Brazil and it will be $445 US.

No not the Playstation THREE but the Playstation TWO (PS2). Check out this press release:

Sony Computer Entertainment America, through its exclusive distribution partnership with Sony Brasil Ltda., is expanding its business in Latin America with the launch of PlayStation in Brazil. Starting this November, Brazil’s gaming and entertainment enthusiasts can snap up the PlayStation 2, the best selling system in the world, and dozens of PlayStation 2 software titles for purchase at over a thousand retail stores across the country.

The launch highlights SCEA’s commitment to expand the PlayStation business in Latin America and marks the beginning of a two-phase operation to roll out PlayStation products and services to consumers across Brazil. Brazil is home to a large community of gaming enthusiasts, making the country an ideal opportunity for SCEA to introduce the PlayStation experience to a new legion of fans.

Over 14 hit software titles are available for purchase in Brazil, covering genres from sports to first-person shooters to action adventure. This includes PlayStation 2 titles such as Gran Turismo 4, one of the most successful game franchises for PlayStation 2, and the acclaimed God of War II. Brazilian users will have the opportunity to test out these and other software titles at special PlayStation displays at select retailers, offering them full view of the unique entertainment experience that only PlayStation offers.

PlayStation 2 will be sold in retail stores across Brazil for R$ 799 (USD$445). New release and catalogue games for the PlayStation 2 will be sold for R$ 119 (USD$66) and R$ 99 (USD$55), respectively.  Select accessories for PlayStation 2, such as DUALSHOCK 2 Analog Controller and Memory Card, will also be available for purchase.

 $55-66 US dollars for a PS2 game?! That's ridiculous. How ridiculous?

The cost of living in Brazil is one of the lowest in the world: a non-specialized worker on a 50hs/week job makes something around R$500-R$1500/month (=US$250-US$750/month) in São Paulo which is the most expensive city in the country (Source)

So a Playstation 2 in Sao Paulo would cost roughly a half-month's wage. A nine-year-old game console. The new Playstation 3 can be purchased in most other countries for the same price.

Brazil runs the same problem that many countries do, like the Czech Republic, imported goods are much higher than locally produced goods because companies like Sony try to recoup cost of manufacturing, R&D, etc by charging the same price around the world ,or in this case, a much higher price.

The launch price in America in 2000 was $299

So what is Sony hoping to accomplish with this? Are they thinking they'll create a whole new area to dump their over-produced PS2 consoles and games? Is Brazil Sony's new landfill? Why throw something away when you can export it to South America and charge almost double what it originally cost consumers nine years ago right? Plus, you're sort of saving the rain forest since all those Brazilians will stay at home and play games instead of doing anything else, like eating... because they won't have enough money to eat.

Now, aren't you glad you don't live in Brazil? I am because apparently, they never had a Playstation before. Well, at least Microsoft has been there for some time and you can get an Xbox 360 since December 2006 even if they do cost $1799 (roughly $875 US!!) No wonder companies offer 10 month payment plans on them in the country.

Perhaps this will prompt a cost cut on the Xbox 360 in Brazil which up til now seems to have had a stranglehold on the market. If they drop the price to $450 US they would still make a healthy profit and crush any hope that the PS2 could have in the country.

I wonder if Sony is actually manufacturing brand new PS 2's to ship down there or if they're selling refurbished ones that have been part of a GameStop exchange program to get people moved over to the PS 3. That would certainly be a bit piece of news if it were the case, now wouldn't it?

Sounds to be like Brazil needs CraigsList, Amazon and eBay.