Sony has taken the wraps off the launch titles for the much-hyped PS3 console and detailed how its online gaming network will work.

There will 21 games available when it ships in the US and Japan on 17 November, including Call of Duty 3, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, F.E.A.R, Resistance: The Fall of Man, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Sonic the Hedgehog and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas. Most titles will retail for around $60 (£30) but that price is expected to jump to £50 here when the console arrives in the UK next March.

Kaz Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said “We are pioneering a new era of true next-generation gaming through such titles as Resistance: Fall of Man, a visually arresting game that takes advantage of the large storage capacity and exceptional visual clarity offered by Blu-ray Disc (BD).”

Online gaming details were also revealed and users can expect the basic features for free, similar to the rival Xbox Live offering. The PS3 Network will use the XMB (Xross Media Bar), a navigation system created for use on the PSP handheld device, which will allow users to tap into three areas: gaming; network and web connectivity. There will also be the ability to preview and download music and high-definition movies.

Separate peripherals arriving on day one will include the Wireless Controller (SIXAXIS), a Memory Card Adapter for transferring game save information from PS1 and PS2 memory cards onto the PS3’s hard drive and a BD Remote Control. Read more here.