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Sony Computer Entertainment will begin selling color models of its hit PlayStation 2 games console in Japan in February, the company said Thursday.

The machines, which the company says are being released to mark production hitting 50 million earlier this month, will be available in silver, "sakura," and aqua. Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossom, and the color is similar to pink, while aqua is a light blue.

The silver machine will go on sale from February 13, while the other two will be available from February 20.

Special Editions

It's not the first time SCEI has sold color versions of the usually black games console. The company did so in 2001 to mark sales of 20 million units and also issued special color editions in 2002.

Nintendo and Microsoft have also produced similar special-edition consoles. For the companies, it means a chance to perhaps increase sales a little and also sell what is otherwise a standard console for a bit over the usual price.

The new consoles from SCEI will cost the equivalent of $211, while a conventional black PlayStation 2 currently costs about $192.

An SCEI spokesperson said there are no plans to put the machines on sale outside of Japan.

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