Sony Europe announced today via press release that they have received timed exclusive rights from Atari for the upcoming Ghostbusters games for all Europe and PAL regions.  Release dates for the PS3 and PS2 versions of the game is still expected on June 19th, 2009, with the PSP version coming later in the Fall.  This means that Xbox360 owners in the European and PAL regions are completely out of luck when it comes to playing this game, based on the 1984 film of the same title.  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the film's release, which it and its sequel has earned over $500 million world-wide.  Launching along side the game will be a remastered Blu-Ray version of the 1984 film.

“With our colleagues at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe publishing Ghostbusters: The Video Game, we are thrilled by the dynamic new Ghostbusters game. We think it will have tremendous appeal to gamers and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this beloved franchise.” said Mark Caplan, Vice President of Licensing-Interactive for Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. “With this superb game launching alongside the Blu-ray release, we will reach existing fans and the next generation, bringing them all into the irresistible Ghostbusters universe.”

The game has so far received lots of press coverage, with many who has played early version of the game walking away impressed with both gameplay and production quality.  With Atari being a company that's not exactly swimming in money, one has to wonder how much money Sony had to pay to secure an exclusive deal with Atari for its European distribution rights.

“Atari is committed to maximizing the launch of the Ghostbusters videogame across Europe,” Said Jim Wilson, VP Worldwide Marketing, Atari. “In partnership with both Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Inc and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, we have a unique opportunity to add new game products and expand marketing opportunities to reach Ghostbusters fans in Europe.”

Ghostbusters is being published by Atari here in North America with an all platform release on June 16th, 2009.  Terminal Reality has the honors of bringing the PS3/360/PC versions while PS2/Wii versions are being done by Red Fly Studios.  Terminal Reality is probably best known for their work on the BloodRayne series for the last generation of consoles, while Red Fly is relatively unknown and has only one other game under their belts.

The strongest draw of Ghostbusters is definitely its source material.  Especially when Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, both Ghostbusters Alumni and original writers of the movie, collaborated again to write the game.  The original cast also returns to lend their voices and likeness to the game.  However, this is all moot since European players are relegated to either import their copies for play on the Xbox360 or to play it on the PS3/PS2.