tax + higher wages + increased cost of a split market (higher cost of distribution, legal affairs, customer service, etc), Federally mandated warranties that exceed those in north america, etc

after taking away the tax in france as an example the euro cost is 208 --->>> that has already knocked the difference in half ($89 dollar difference)

we've been screwed with the video download service. We still havent got it yet!!!

I wouldn't call that being screwed when north america doesn't even have that yet either.

Well the US has a different economy than Europe. Its always cheaper to buy electronics in the US. I imported a 10.2mega pixel EOS 40D Camera from the US at a price of 400 Euro. Here in Sweden the same model without all the extras i got form the US (memory card, cleaners, case etc.), cost 600-700 Euros.

I'm more upset about not getting Final Fantasy7 >.>

yes u have (well not canada), but the u.s. does for nearly a year now!

Tax in the Uk is ridiculous, its like petrol its about £1 a liter about 60p of that is tax, robbing bastards and they spend our tax money on paying for their second homes as we found out this week lol sorry rant over

The problem is, European prices include taxes while American ones don't.

So at a VAT of 20% (it's around that in most European countries), 250 € is actually $300 before tax. Still a difference, but not that big.

It also needs to be said that currencies are very volatile lately, and this can quickly change.

Its because I hate you damn euro's and I called Sony. :p

Also, here's a hint for any European who wants to buy a console:

http://amazon.co.uk

That's it... Buy your PSP GO, or Wii, or whatever on that site and take advantage of the weak British Pound. A while ago it was even cheaper to buy consoles from there than from USA, though the Pound recovered a bit since then.