You should always take overseas prices with a grain of salt, but if this report about the average PS3 game price in Japan being higher than the average Japanese PS2 game price is true, well, I'd get a little worried.

The story claims that the average PS3 game in Japan will cost between $75 and $84, compared to an average price of $58 for PS2 games. Granted, almost everything in Japan is more expensive than in the U.S.

But that's a big price jump. Assuming a similar percentage increase in the U.S., don't be surprised to see $70 pricetags on a regular basis for PS3 titles on the shelves of your local Wal-Mart.

You know, this is getting a little depressing. At what point do gamers throw up their hands -- or just plain throw up -- and say enough is enough? Yes, inflation, Blu-ray, whatever. Games cost more to make. That's fine. But eventually most gamers are going to realize that the entry fee for next-generation gaming is about $1,000. How many other entertainment industries have the gall to make that claim?

At that price, you're not a mass market entertainment medium. You're a niche, like mountain biking or paragliding or some other nonsense. If game companies are happy with a niche audience, then by all means, go ahead and raise prices.

UPDATE: Never mind!