It was heralded as the next big driving force behind PS2’s entry into the mass market, but retail has reacted angrily to the launch of the Pink PS2 earlier this week after Sony chose to limit its availability.
GAME, Woolworths, Argos and Toys R Us were the only retailers offering the machine this week.
A Sony spokesperson told MCV: “These four retail partners have been asking us to supply a Pink PS2 for some time – thus they are the route we have chosen to trial with.”
However, other major retailers were only recently told of the move.
“Sony told consumers about it but we weren’t given any information,” CHIPS joint MD Don McCabe told MCV. “Customers asked us about it and we simply didn’t know what to tell them.”
Indie retailer Simon Gough of Media Entertainment added: “Every website and magazine told us that the ‘Pink Pound’ would save Christmas. Little did we know that we would be shafted by Sony yet again.”
But Sony’s chosen retailers are still endorsing the product. Woolworths trading manager for games Gerry Berkley told MCV: “Pink PS2 is an item that will help increase the mass-market appeal of the games industry and we’re very pleased to support it.”