Mass Effect 2 requires 4.5 GB install on PS3

Mass Effect 2 hits US PlayStation 3 consoles today, but unless you've managed to wheedle a copy ahead of street date you won't be firing it up at midnight. You'll need to factor in some sandwich time for the game's 5.3Gb mandatory install.

TheSixthAxis reports that despite the packaging's claim, the install is only 4.5Gb in size.

The discrepancy may be explained by Cerberus Network DLC such as the interactive comic Genesis, which allows PS3 players to play through key moments from the PC and Xbox 360 exclusive original.

The Sixth Axis suggests the process takes "thirty minutes or so". Recent vocal outrage at Gran Turismo 5's extravagant mandatory install has demonstrated varying performance times from console to console, so expect results to vary.

Mass Effect 2 PS3 arrives on January 20 in Australia, and January 21 in Europe.