PS3 to launch Spring 2006 for $400?
by Ross Miller 
{ Oct 26th 2005 at 2:45PM }
1up is very trusting of Japanese blog CoolGamer: "not once has their
news turned out to be a false lead." It's that kind of statement that adds validity to CoolGamer's latest
claim
(
translation), citing the latest issue of Famitsu, that the PlayStation 3 will launch in Japan sometime
this spring for less than 40,000 yen, or about $400 in the United States.
Back in the day (5 years prior), the PlayStation 2 launched in Japan for 40,000 yen and later in the US for $300.
These price figures would put the console in direct competition with the Xbox 360, which will likely cut its price
around the time of PS3's launch. This is still speculation, as Sony will not announce an official price until sometime
next year, a couple of months prior to the console's launch.
Most important of all, however, is the knowledge that GameStop's PS3
Omega bundle will likely sell for only $2000 with a dozen
games, extra controllers, and your very own
Ken Kutaragi bobble head doll.
[via 1up and Thanks, Mark]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
babu @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
$400... If this is true than sony might not end up killing themselves with a $500+ price. This is good news!
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
http://game-science.com/news/001249.php
Diamond reports developer discontent with PS3 tools
The latest issue of Japanese economy magazine, Weekly Diamond, reveals that developers are unhappy with the state of PS3 development tools, and software is likely to be late in coming for the hardware. The article states that PS3 dev tools have only just started shipping to developers this month, while 360 tools were shipped last summer. Furthermore, SCE has not yet announced the price of the console, so developers are unable to predict what audience they are targetting games at. President of Enterbrain, Hirokazu Hamamura, says "We are unlikely to see games exhibiting a level only PS3 can achieve until the end of 2007."
The article goes on to compare the benefits of PS2 as a cheap DVD player when it launched in 2000, with PS3's Blu-Ray playback capabilities, the main difference between then and now being that the industry is currently deep in a format-war for next-generation video, and that Blu-Ray movies still don't exist. It is therefore deduced that the number of users who will pick it up as a cheap Blu-Ray player at launch is somewhat smaller, and that sales of game software will be key for the system.
Source: Shuukan Diamond
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Mmm. Wait, I cannot (using Yoda style of speaking just to hype up Battlefront 2).
Having already dropped my 360 and rev plans (which pissed off alot of my friends), selling my PS2, selling my DS, selling ALL the games.
Obtaining the upcoming PSP bundle, and then getting my PS3, are just a few of the plans I have to look forward to.
Ken Kutaragi is just the guy who makes the company look 90% perfect, instead of 100.
Masaki @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
That's not the real Dmitri o.o
Henning Hoffmann @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Rumours. Hearsay. Etc.
I'm going to wait until it comes from the horse's mouth before coming to any conclusions.
But I guess I can still speculate! ;)
A $400 price would be great, if they can pull it off. Goes against what Mr. Ken has been saying about the PS3 being expensive, though. Smokescreen?
Kendal @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Ken saying there would be expensive was probaly just a marketing tactic. They announce it will be expensive, then when it comes out it's actually not, makes them sell more i suppose. I dunno.
soco @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
this wouldn't be too surprising. raise people's expectations and then cut through them with a lower than 'expected' price and suddenly you're the hero of the day! unbelievable power at an unbelievable low price! it's a bad tie and a few cars away from a cheezy used car commercial.
i've never beleived the whole 'save your money' thing. i won't be surprised if they came in at 300$ just like the last two versions.
babu @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
A 400$ price will make me buy the ps3 over the xbox 360 for sure. As long as the ps3 is still fundamentally a good system with good online functionality.
Blue Balloon @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Too expensive but anyone still would buy it. Sony is like Tommy Hilfiger.
But, what about food and dating with girl?
(JD)XeqtioneR @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
One thing is for damn sure fellas'... While there's all this guessing as to how much the PS3 will be, and people just waiting for it... You all enjoy doing that, while I am kicking back playing my XBOX 360 in just 26 days, and not waiting till... MAYBE spring of next year just to find out how much the PS3 is gonna cost, let alone when it'll even be launched.
ill trooper @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
This would be nice. Something to save up for while playing the 360.
zero2dash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
If they don't fix that janky @$$ batarang controller they could sell it for $20 and no one would buy them.
If they fix the controller shape and get rid of the rubber buttons and *then* sell it at or near the 360 price - Sony's gonna kill Microsoft. Don't get me wrong...I hate Sony and their $#!tty "falls apart after two days worth of use" hardware, but...there's too many things about the Ps3 that they hold over the 360 hardware and can say "look what we've got that they don't have" that will make the Ps3 more ideal to people who have to choose between the two.
Aegis @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Huh!?!?
40,000 yen isn't $400!!! It's $346 in today's exchange rate.
http://www.google.com/search?hs=aWW&hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=40000+yen+to+dollar+conversion&btnG=Search
Ice Raider @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
$400*
*Cell Processor and Blu-Ray drive not included :-)
Rabiddog @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I just don't see this price happening with everything that was shown and promised at the E3 convention. Something must give. If they can pull it off, I would definately consider selling the 360 that I have preordered.
babu @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
well first of all, the xbox 360 is selling their complete symtem at $399.99 and if I'm going to buy the 360 I'm not going to buy the $299.99 one because its worth the extra 100 for a hard drive and wireless controller. The sony being released at $399.99 would be the same thing no doubt, a complete system with the neccessary bells and whistles to get playing right out of the box.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Posted Oct 26, 2005, 4:09 PM ET by (JD)XeqtioneR
One thing is for damn sure fellas'... While there's all this guessing as to how much the PS3 will be, and people just waiting for it... You all enjoy doing that, while I am kicking back playing my XBOX 360 in just 26 days, and not waiting till... MAYBE spring of next year just to find out how much the PS3 is gonna cost, let alone when it'll even be launched."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, there is not much merit to this post as you are a rabid microsoft fanboy. The xbox was released a year after the ps2 and it was technically a better system, so why not wait for the better system... Or just buy both - instead of being a fanboy.
jo bob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Im a bit dissapointed in all the gaming prices. First the games up to $60 !!!!! and now the new systems (360 and ps3) at $400!!!!!! If you ask me, the whole "next generation" will fall and bomb. nobody in their right mind would buy a xbox 360 for $400. Nintendo will eventually win out of all systems because its price is estimated at $250.
xbox CRAP...PS3 CRAP...Nintendo...hmm...hmm...WINNER.
PS3. The ps3 controller SUCKS ASS. How the hell are you supose to hold that. at least nintendo revolution has a cool controller. and microsoft a ok one.
jo bob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
At least nintendo has somthing New. Xbox 360 and PS3 are basicly the same... nintendo revolution is way different then any system ever made.
The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I will believe this when I see it.
thetrash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I'm gonna buy all three, no problem. If you buy only one console you lock yourself into buying the good games AND the shitty games for that console, since good games for any console I can count on one hand. It's expensive, but it must be done, at least for me. Besides it's the only way I will get my halo 3/zelda revolution/kingdom hearts 3 action I assume.
Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I think #2's post (Scott's) is the most telling. Even IF it comes out in the spring, the FACT that few developers have had time with development tools means I can wait until a few price drops happen and then pick up some exclusive games.
In the mean time, I'll enjoy the Xbox 360 and Revolution.
The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Another thing..I do not believe the pic show is of the PS3 or the controller. Where are the air vents? The heat has to escape somewhere.
ulis @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
SUREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
If some one believe the microsoft rumors that the ps3 will cost more than $600, has a mouse brain.
Of course the PS3 will sell it for the same price that the Xbox 360 or less, even if sony lost $1000 on each console.
Its a console war, what the hell you expect, even the super extra playstation fan boy will not bought a ps3 at $600 or more, that price is just ridiculus, $600, lol , men the people believe all they read, our dear not think tv generation.
J @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Rev at approximataley $200 definitely sounds like a great price. As for sony making crappy products, my PSP isn't falling apart and I happen to like every aspect of the system. Only flaw is the LCD pixel issue which no one can control (including nintendo and other cmpanies) and the square button issue which is really not a big deal and fixed. Blue-Ray and Cell Processor for under $500...... that'll be the day. Guess we will have to wait and see. It revooution for me though b/c I like something new and with all the fun that DDR can be I think the new contrler for revolution is a great idea. Just waiting to see the "shell".
vblidl @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
a $400 PS3 will be the same as the $299 xbox. console and a controller that is it. The premium 360 is a much better bang for your dollar than the $400 ps3. Ken saying that it is going to be expensive may backfire on him in the end cause i know many people that were on the fence really wanting to know the price of the ps3 so they can decide which to buy.
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
SWEET. You know I'm in line for one.
kb8618 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
the reason y ken said it would be expensive was cuz MS said they would make it affordable for everyone :S (core system). So ken thought the x360 would be selling for the 300 not 300 and 400. also for those ppl who think Sony would be loosing too much money on the PS3; when PS2 came out they were losong about $100+ per PS2 and still made a profit. Xbox lost like $5billion, and Right now i think the PS3 cost 480 to manufacture so i'm sure it wont be over 400.
Reid @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Damn. I wish I had a Ken Kutaragi bobble head doll.
Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Whenever I read about 'news' like this, I always think of the Dreamcast.
Every time Dreamcast did anything in the news, Sony came around with 'bigger and better news' in order to prevent people from buying the Dreamcast.
They launched a year later instead of the 4 months originally speculated and their games didn't start to look as good as the Dreamcast's until a year after that. Dreamcast was online and kicking ass but people passed it by waiting for a supercomputer from Sony. It turns out the PS2 didn't do HALF of what it was promised to do. In fact, if you look at the reported specs for the number of polygons it was supposed to push, it didn't do 1/7th of what it was reported to do.
The FACT of the matter is that not ONE playable game has been shown.
http://www.gametab.com/news/402438/
The FACT of the matter is that in a matter of weeks you WILL be able to get a Next Gen console that has an online infrastructure to put all others to shame. There is NO WAY Sony can match LIVE.
http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6392&highlight=survey
The FACT of the matter is that Nintendo will launch a console that will change the way people play games forever.
Sony is showing up late to a party with nothing to bring to the table except a lot of hype and spin.
If you want to put your money on hype and spin, go for it.
In the mean time, I'm not letting a ton of good games pass me by. I'm going to enjoy my gaming to the fullest and get the games of TODAY. If the PS3 eventually comes out with good stuff, I'll get that too. Until then, they have to PROVE it and not feed me another sack of lies.
Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
And J (#24):
You say people can't control the 'dead pixel problem'.
They can.
It is called Quality Control.
People make sure the device has no dead pixels before it is sold. Other companies do it. In fact, Nintendo states that if you DO have a dead pixel, they will replace the unit for free, no questions asked. Nintendo even pays for shipping.
If you believe that the dead pixel problem is only in the hands of God then you've had too much purple Kool-Aid from Sony and their shitty service.
mike @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Sony is showing up late to a party with nothing to bring to the table except a lot of hype and spin.
If you want to put your money on hype and spin, go for it.
---
Anyone who thinks you can release the same games over and over with slightly updated graphics should really take a look at reviews for GTA:LC
Great technical accomplishment, but pretty much a ho hum game (that you've played before, I suspect).
That is exactly what Nintendo has been talking about. I own a DS and know the Rev will bring the same refreshing fun games (yes, they'll look good too *rolls eyes)
Isurus @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I'm not so sure I believe this price tag, although it would be nice. My guess is Sony is letting this rumor spread because they think it may get people to wait for the PS3 instead of purchasing an Xbox 360 right now. In the end, I'm still expecting a $500 price tag, unless of course they eliminate some of the PS3 features that they have been touting.
ZeroCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Also, take note that the spring `06 launch is in Japan. America won't see it until FALL of 2006. Don't you doubt it! Sony LOVES to have Xmas rushes on their consoles!
RM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Just wondering.....If the post later in this site says Developers are JUST NOW getting the Dev kits, how the Hell you gonna Launch in the SPRING ? And with developers also saying it has POOR Dev tools, how are they going to do this?
getluv @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Kamalot: who cares about internet gaming. Its still a small market and are only for hardcore Halo virgins.
And we all know, that all PS3 games are in development. So of course, you can't play it yet.
Trailers are trailers. Its like movies
Hype and spin are just forms of advertising. I know for a fact that PS has more "better" games. Mario, Zelda, Yoshi, Wario. Yet most of them come from the same brand. And most things are overhyped. I mean Joystiq went ballistic for Doom. Turned out it was piece of shit, and even Resident Evil 2 is better.
So go and sit on you innovative Rev controller, and rotate.
.
soco @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
@Kamalot:
i think that should be:
Nintendo's controller _could_ change the way people play games forever.
be careful because we've been hearing things that "will change gaming forever", pretty much forever. things like VR, for example. VR as an example had similar ways of controller games to the new Nintendo joystick, and yet, it didn't catch on. since the SNES we always seem to gravitate back to this standard controller with at least 8 buttons. yes, the shoulder buttons were probably one of the greatest and most overlooked innovations in gaming.
Avinash Tyagi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
So Sony will take a big hit on PS3 sales to maintain Market share, sounds like Sony and MS are switching roles this gen, with Sony taking a huge loss in favor of market share