The 20GB PS3 is still alive ... in Japan

by Ross Miller { Apr 12th 2007 at 6:55PM }

Reports of the 20 GB PlayStation 3 SKU's demise are only partially true -- because, as you know, mostly dead is still slightly alive. There is still one very important country where gamers can choose their PS3 stylings: Japan.

Speaking to Famitsu, a Sony Computer Entertainment representative said, "We're currently not considering changes akin to North America. However we would like to react flexibly with the market." IGN also sought out some anecdotal evidence by checking a few Tokyo game shops, finding that both the 20 GB and 60 GB were in stock. Interestingly enough, the 60 GB used model is the same price as the 20 GB new model at 49,800 yen.

Interestingly, Sony UK has given a similar company line, telling CVG, "We'll continue to monitor demand for the 20GB model ... which will be factored into any future Euro launch plans." Of course, the 20GB model has never been in Europe anyways, so the chances of them bringing the second SKU in down the road are slim to none.

[Update: Fixed image.]

Tags: 20 gb, 20Gb, famitsu, ign, japan, ps3, sku, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Raynre @ Apr 12th 2007 7:06PM

That's a 60gig in the picture, so no, it's not dead...

..yet...

Joshua @ Apr 12th 2007 7:17PM

It's also still available in a bunch of Asian countries, and a bunch of European countries, according to Wikipedia.

And Japan only pays $420 for their 20 Gig version...

HeroOfTtime @ Apr 12th 2007 7:23PM

Yeah, you're totally right, that's a 60GB model, still, is nice to watch it saying is not dead yet 'cause it actually has sales issues.

BPM @ Apr 12th 2007 7:25PM

Wow, that's a savings of $85.45 for a used 60GB PS3 in Japan (based off of current exchange rates at XE.com).

Personally, I don't think "demand" was the issue with the 20GB model in the US, but "supply." The 20GB model was always outnumbered by a vast majority at every retailer. So, of course it sold less than the 60GB model.

The real reason the 20GB model was discontinued has to be that they were losing more money on it than the 60GB. I can't blame Sony for wanting to lose less money, but when they aren't the only game in town, they have to be more aggressive than this.

Pete @ Apr 12th 2007 7:29PM

If Sony only made 1 model PS3 they could have an even more streamlined supply chain. They might do that in the future, just offer the wifi ps3. Price won't be too big an issue, because they'll have carved out a new niche, the expensive hi-def one.

Who knows? Maybe Sony could be the Godiva of video games..

gir @ Apr 12th 2007 7:32PM

"I'm not dead yet..."

No, but your getting there.

Kye @ Apr 12th 2007 7:34PM

"Interestingly, Sony UK has given a similar company line, telling CVG, "We'll continue to monitor demand for the 20GB model ... which will be factored into any future Euro launch plans." "

Sony exec 1: Hey, since we axed the 20Gig model, people have still bought the 60Gig model. I guess we made the right move afterall.

Sony exec 2: Yeah, and since we'r still selling, that means that our product is in demand! Which means that we can therefore raise the price!

sony exec 1: Yeah! Woo Hoo! We are teh successfull! *hi 5*

GaryM @ Apr 12th 2007 7:36PM

Everything's smaller in Japan.

Otter @ Apr 12th 2007 9:31PM

.....I'm not dead, I'm just very badly hurt........Hello up there, I seem to have fallen down a cliff...I'm still alive, but I'm very badly injured. I think my legs might be broken but, I, I'll try to stand up-

darkdreamr @ Apr 12th 2007 9:38PM

they are keeping it there cause its cheaper.. japan really isnt adopting the ps3 so well so it would make sence to have the lower priced one still available. where here in the US we want the bigger one

Gronar @ Apr 12th 2007 9:59PM

The worse part of this article is the pointing to "used PS3's" are already for sale in the land of the rising sun.

AoE @ Apr 12th 2007 10:26PM

@Raynre/HeroOfTtime,

That's not the 20Gb model in the pic? I thought the 60Gb had silver touches and the 20Gb was all black... am I wrong?

WhatIsThatThing @ Apr 12th 2007 11:10PM

So when the 20 gig model totally dies, we go through its insides and look for loose...blu-ray disks?

BPM @ Apr 12th 2007 11:54PM

AoE, the chrome-trimmed PS3 WAS originally up there, but they since fixed it (note the UPDATE at the bottom of the blog post :P).

EdZ @ Apr 13th 2007 6:17AM

It looks like everyone's missed the Princess Bride reference.

Rob Holiday @ Apr 13th 2007 6:36AM

"If Sony only made 1 model PS3 they could have an even more streamlined supply chain."

I wasn't aware of any supply issues with the PS3. Contrary to what Sony would like us to believe. The PS3 demand is not like the Wii demand. You can get a PS3 almost anywhere.

We all know that there was a demand for the 20GB. Sony doesn't want to sell a model they loose even more money on. What made it even worse was people who wanted a cheap Blu-ray player would buy a 20GB. Sony looses even more money on that deal because thats a PS3 sold, but very few, if any, games sold with the cheap Blu-ray player.