Brazil finally getting PS2, costs lotes do dinheiro

By Stephany Nunneley

SCEA announced today that Brazilians will finally be able to get their hands on a PS2 along with 14 gaming titles.

Get this – the console will run folks R$799 ($445) and games will cost R$119 ($66) and R$99 ($55).

Why so much? According to 1UP, the import taxes have been set at are around 60 percent since the mid-1990s.

No wonder piracy is rampant there.

Full PR through the break with thanks to mojo as well.

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 computer entertainment system, 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.