This is the Offical Press Release from Sony America:
May 16,1996: Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today a NEW retail price point for the Sony Playstation. Effective today, Playstation will retail for $199 in North America. In a separate anouncement at the E3, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe stated that it is reducing the price of Playstation in Europe. To 199 in the UK,FF1499 in France and DM399 in Germany.
April 23,1996: After less than a year on the market, Sony has all but cornered the Canadian videogaming market with the Playstation. And now the company is set to raise the stakes. The Canadian headquarters for Sony is based in Toronto. And a strategic Canadian advertising and marketing campaign will be launched sometime after the E3 trade show in Los Angeles.
May 16,1996: Gen X'ers beware, as Sony Autosound and Playstation stomp through your city. It will be at more than 70 consumer lifestyle events through the year. Some of the HOTTEST games that will be there include- 2 Xtreme, Battle Arena Toshinden 2, Crash Bandicoot, Jumping Flash! 2, MLB Pennant Race, NBA Shoot Out, and Twisted Metal 2: World Tour. Reaching fans nationwide, the Playstation/Autosound tour will be at various locations through out the United States. Like college campuses, retail locations,sporting events, and beach volleyball tounaments, such as the summer long Bud Light Pro Beach Volleyball League and Championship (Various cities through out the year), the Warped Tour (July 3-Aug. 31 in various cities) and the National In-Line Skate Series and Pierfest in Huntington Beach,CA (Sept. 7-8).