40GB PS3 announced for Japan, Sony introduces white PS3

124 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Oct 9th 2007 7:55AM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

Sony announced today the 40GB PS3 will go on sale in Japan beginning Nov. 11. The 20GB and 60GB models, both still available in Japan, will have a 5,000 yen ($43) price cut next week. This means that the prices for the PS3 in Japan will be 20GB at 44,980 yen ($384), 60GB at 54,980 yen ($469) and 40GB at 39,980 yen ($341) yen. The 40GB is cheaper than the 20GB version, however it will lack backwards compatibility, memory card slots and a couple USB ports.

Sony is also unleashing a white version of the 40GB PS3 model for Japan in ceramic white. It will cost the same as the regular black PS3. A white DualShock 3 controller will also be available to purchase beginning Nov 11. If Sony can't offer consumers backwards compatibility, might as well razzle dazzle 'em with new colors.

Tags: 40gb, drop, europe, japan, pricecut, ps3, reduce

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

License to ill: Oct 9th 2007; 8:06AM

Please no more yanky my wanky...

Poisoned Al: Oct 9th 2007; 8:10AM

I must say it looks nicer then the black one.

Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING): Oct 9th 2007; 12:07PM

It went from looking like a grill, to looking like a mini fridge. Awesome, but it better be able to hold at least a 6 pack...

Dannybuoy: Oct 9th 2007; 8:13AM

Look Mom we made a wii... desparate times call for desparate measures eh Sony!?

blooh (CDF - Ass Ring): Oct 9th 2007; 11:29AM

i voted you up :) i can't compensate for all the sony fanboys tho

Thaddeus: Oct 9th 2007; 8:16AM

If they bring this out in the US with a game, a rumble controller and the 5 free blu-ray offer, it just might be worth a purchase at 400 bucks.

upz: Oct 9th 2007; 9:52AM

I'm sure they'll get right on it, cheapskate. You do realize Cell processors don't grow on trees?

baby sea tuna: Oct 9th 2007; 10:49AM

Yeah, don't you know that the miraculous Cell Processor is made of phoenix tears and unicorn hair and are individually hand-fashioned by albino leprechauns in the bottom of Mt. Vesuvius?

Geez, what are they teaching in school these days?!

the_game_master: Oct 9th 2007; 8:17AM

I want the silver PS3 with the new concept controller design that had the jeweled buttons shown at the 2005 E3. That's the real PlayStation 3 and it has yet to be released.

Come on SONY!

Colin: Oct 9th 2007; 8:23AM

No it isn't a 'Wii'...Sony has made white PS1/PS2 and PSP and also had a white concept PS3 on display years back.

Jtenma: Oct 9th 2007; 8:36AM

I think that was sarcasm...if not, he needs to die.

Also, sour gummies.

DBX00: Oct 9th 2007; 8:42AM

We'll see just how important BC is to people when these things go on sale around the globe. Either way, all of the SKUs have seen a price drop, so one SKU not having BC isn't going to kill the fact that you can get the best version for cheaper than you could before.

FOXHOUND: Oct 9th 2007; 8:46AM

It's just weird to me that Sony would dip out on the whole BC usage, considering that's what helped the PS2 get a big push out of the starting gate versus the Dreamcast. :\

The1: Oct 9th 2007; 9:00AM

Yes, and this move better work for Sony this Holiday season or they will be in big trouble. The PS3 needs to see big numbers all over the world, regardless of what the analyst say. It will be hard for the PS3 to gain more traction without games. Yes, we know the PS2 did something similar without any competition; this time its a different story.

I need games for my PS3.

DBX00: Oct 9th 2007; 9:00AM

You still have the BC option if its important to you, but like everything in the world it will cost you money. My point is that they still gave everyone a price drop on the existing models, but people want the cheapest model to have everything, which would essentially make the premium model pointless. I'd rather have a $100 price drop now, then have them leave the PS2 chip inside. I wouldn't be surprised if Sony builds an emulator in response to the outcry (like the rumble controller) but these things take time and it is more important to drop the price now and add that feature later.

Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring): Oct 9th 2007; 10:58AM

Kotaku asked them just that question: a possible software emulator.

Sony's response: due to the size and complexity of the PS2 library, it aint gonna happen.

Never mind they only have to emulate ONE hardware configuration. If its well emulated, then all the software should work with it. See PCSX2 and the like on PC.

Cellien: Oct 9th 2007; 11:52AM

It's because of Blu-Ray. The most important factor to them about the PS3 is that it puts Blu-Ray players in homes. What do I mean? Sony didn't expect sales to be so low on their $600 console so now they are scrambling looking for ways to cut costs to make the console cheaper to increase sales. The hardware used for PS2 BC gets the axe.

Gangsta Smurf: Oct 9th 2007; 8:48AM

Now if they only introduced more games...

JodyAnthony (FDF - Hedonism Bot): Oct 9th 2007; 8:48AM

god that looks like pure sex. make a 60gb or 80gb in white with backwards compatibility and I will be all over it

maxamillion92: Oct 9th 2007; 8:52AM

Finally, Sony realizes what Nintendo figured out this generation a long time ago... white! People want white! It'll look so much better than the 80's-porn mirrored-black.

Now release a PS3 in a different font, I'd like either The Dark Crystal, Blade Runner
or Star Trek.

And for the guy who's gonna say those aren't Sony properties, I know... it's a joke... go with it.

Vidikron (FU): Oct 9th 2007; 10:16AM

White sucks. How many white TVs do you see out there? White home theater equipement of any kind? Everything else is my entertainment center are black and/or silver. My Wii and 360 look out of place.

baby sea tuna: Oct 9th 2007; 10:52AM

White sucks?

I know someone who would disagree with you...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Power_Bill#White_Power_Bill

NATO_Duke: Oct 9th 2007; 11:17AM

Id rather have white. Looks wierd to have the other consoles sitting there in white with the super large black one next to them. I rather have some uniformity.

Hell, lets find someone rich enough to buy all three console makers and then make stackable versions of them. Like building a gaming Volton!

God, you listening? You have the money right?

James: Oct 9th 2007; 8:52AM

Much better than the black one, but no B/C? Sorry then.

VerdigriS: Oct 9th 2007; 8:54AM

I'm sorry, but the whole SKU thing on this is turning into one big clusterfuck. Imagine working at an electronics store...

"So, you thinking about buying a PS3?"

"Yeah! But, what's the differences in these models, and why is this one bigger (HDD) but less expensive?"

"Oh, that's simple really. You see, this one is the most expensive, cause it's got the biggest hard drive. This one is a little cheaper cause the HDD is smaller, less space. Umm, this one... well, you lose some USB ports, you can't play PS2 games... but PS1 games work! Yeah, I think that's it. Oh yeah um, your memory cards don't work in there either. I think that's the gist of it."

"So, why did they do it that way?"

"Well, you know Sony, they just want to keep it simple for the consumers... yeah, simple... that's it."

Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring): Oct 9th 2007; 8:54AM

Note: The following is satire of curmeo et al

LOLOLOLERCOPTER: Look they made a white PS3 because their trying to be like the 360. Always a day late to the party eh Sony. LOLOLOLOLERS!!!

End Satire.

They look nice (as nice as a PS3 can, I suppose), but its the shape thats pure trash, not the color.

To bad almost nobody will buy them because of lack of BC. It might not be a feature many people use after the fact, but its a bullet point that needs to be there to move them off the shelves because consumers don't know at purchase they're never going to use BC. Its a security blanket, and without it, the unwashed masses won't be as willing to drop 400 bones for one.

Especially since 7 years ago a 400 dollar console had "Neo Geo" or "3DO" written all over it.

upz: Oct 9th 2007; 10:20AM

I'd argue otherwise. It's mainly us, the self important Joystiq reading elite, that care about backwards compatibility enough to let it affect our console buying decisions. I do agree that it would've served them better to remove BC later in the game, but with people screaming price left and right, they had to take some drastic steps to cut costs before the holidays.

upz: Oct 9th 2007; 10:22AM

These things will likely still not fly off shelves, but it'll be for the lack of current gen, not last gen content.

Laaaa: Oct 9th 2007; 8:57AM

"If Sony can't offer consumers backwards compatibility, might as well razzle dazzle 'em with new colors."

Does Microsoft offer backwards compatibility?

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 9:00AM

Yes it does, on a couple of hundred of its games.

The point you're missing though is that even if it didn't, the 360 has dozens of great games worthy of your time and money, while the PS3 has Motorstorm and an average fps called Resistance:FoM.

I guess you can watch a few blu-ray movies while you're waiting for some decent games though, eh?

Konny: Oct 9th 2007; 9:05AM

CORE 360 has ZERO BC.. thanks, try again.

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 9:16AM

I don't have to "try" anything. You can add a HD to the core model and then you basically have the premium one and you will have BC. No amount of adding stuff to this butchered PS3 will give you BC.

And like I said, not many people care about BC on the 360 anyway because we're all too busy playing its AAA games while you watch Spiderman 3 on your blu-ray players.

LOL!

Laaaa: Oct 9th 2007; 9:25AM

A dozen games lets see:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
Resistance: Fall of Man
Virtua Fighter 5
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Warhawk
MotorStorm
DiRT
Heavenly Sword
F.E.A.R.
Fifa 2008

Lets go to the upcoming games:

HAZE
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Ratchet

Thats more than a dozen, I can't afford to buy all of them and I have a job. And before the next idiot goes but you can get those on the 360. Some people actually want to play GT5 and MGS 4, and some people believe it or not don't care for HALO 3.

The PS3 doesn't have any games argument is as stupid now as the PSP doesn't have any games argument.

Optimaximal: Oct 9th 2007; 9:59AM

Of all the games you just listed, 7 are cross-platform (and some arrived on the PS3 much later than the competitors, sometimes with less features) and another 2 have been slated as 'horrible disappointments'. Hardly the best examples...

Haze is also shaping up to be FPS-Generica and is Ratchet and Clank *REALLY* going to do anything to invigorate the genre? (plus the developers are so high on something they think Nintendo poached the concept of spheres from them)

Optimaximal: Oct 9th 2007; 10:08AM

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 8:57AM

Ok so in a few years when the PS3 is at a price that it can justify on eBay, I need to get a 60GB model from the USA that was launched before they butchered the spec, then get some joypads that were released after 2008 so I can have rumble.

Yeah, I can see how Sony doesn't want to release multiple SKUs to confuse its customers.

Deezul: Oct 9th 2007; 9:11AM

Yes, Core doesn't have BC. But slap a Hard drive on it and you get it. Add a Hard Drive to the new 40GB PS3, and you get more space. No BC.

Matt B: Oct 9th 2007; 9:23AM

But I thought you guys didn't want to pay extra for BC?!?

Phranctoast: Oct 9th 2007; 9:24AM

Instead of spending money on that HDD, why not buy the more upgraded version and you get the BC.

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 9:27AM

Not sure what you guys are smoking to be honest. If someone wants BC on the 360 they buy the premium one. If they don't they buy the core one.

I didn't say people should buy the core and then get the HDD to get BC. Look up a little and you can see that I'm actually replying to some moron who claimed there's no BC available on the core model.

Sorry guys, I forgot I was posting on Joystiq and that everything has to be explained in layman's terms.

Kola: Oct 9th 2007; 9:35AM

"Not sure what you guys are smoking to be honest. If someone wants BC on the 360 they buy the premium one. If they don't they buy the core one."

If someone wants BC on the PS3 they buy the 80GB model. If they don't they buy the 40GB.

Do you see how your just being biased now? I can keep this up ALL day.

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 9:39AM

Whoa, are you genuinely this stupid?

Ok let's see your games list:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - was on the 360 a year before.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 - on the 360 first, and running much better.
Resistance: Fall of Man - got 6/10 on Eurogamer and pretty much every other gaming site thought it was pants too.
Virtua Fighter 5 - also on the 360 with better graphics and online mode.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma - a polished Xbox game. 360 is getting the actual SEQUEL.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas - again, also on the 360 and again, running faster with more effects.
Warhawk - OK, a decent game that I forgot about. So you have 3.
MotorStorm - I've already said that this is pretty decent.
DiRT - already on the 360.
Heavenly Sword - is pretty crap according to EVERY review on the net.
F.E.A.R. - already on the 360 and MUCH, MUCH nicer and smoother.
Fifa 2008 - also on the 360 and running smoother if EA Sports games are anything to go by.

I must say I am completely unimpressed by your efforts.

Lets go to the upcoming games:

HAZE - Also on 360...
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Might be good, not sure. Let's assume it is and that you have *a* game to look forward to...
Ratchet - not my kinda game, but again could be good for some.

Thats more than a dozen... blah blah blah...

Yes but most of them are just shitty ports of 360 versions, or are games that have superior alternatives on the 360.

If you don't believe that the 360's versions of the above games are running faster and smoother, please read these articles before you make an even bigger fool of yourself:

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84655
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=78963
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75856

Why do you choose to pay at least £100 more for a console to play shitty ports of 360 games that mostly don't have online multiplayer and not much else with joypads that don't rumble?

I can play 75% of your games and have them looking much nicer and running faster, AND I can play the 360 exclusives that piss all over anything you've listed here.

Bioshock, Mass Effect, PGR, Forza, Halo, Too Human - 6 games that just came from the top of my head that you won't be able to play in ANY FORM AT ALL, much less shitty ports like the ones you listed above.

> The PS3 doesn't have any games argument is as stupid now as the PSP doesn't have any games argument.

Listing shit conversions of 360 games doesn't really count.

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 9:42AM

"If someone wants BC on the PS3 they buy the 80GB model. If they don't they buy the 40GB."

I know that as an American you believe that the USA is the only country on earth, but here in Europe there is no such thing as the 80GB model, and the 60GB model is also being phased out. Only the 40GB - butchered model - will be on offer.

Being an American isn't really an excuse for you though because the Joystiq post that confirms all of this is available to anyone who can read.

Kola: Oct 9th 2007; 9:45AM

"And before the next idiot goes but you can get those on the 360. Some people actually want to play GT5 and MGS 4, and some people believe it or not don't care for HALO 3."

Wow I said the next idiot, but it turned out to be the same one. Bravo 10 points for you.

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 9:53AM

Kola, the fact that you are now resorting to school yard "wit" instead of defending your point pretty much confirms that you have nothing of any value to add. Not that you did in any of your other posts anyway.

Anyone still choking on Sony's cock should take a look at these links before posting:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84655
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=78963
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75856

Kola: Oct 9th 2007; 9:59AM

Ok Gareth this was fun have a meeting to go to now can't stay here making fun at you all morning. Point is until Microsoft, Sony And Nintendo, starts to pay me for playing their systems I really couldn't care less who sells the most, which system is best nothing.

You children get so emotional when someone doesn't care to be an owner of you're respective system it's just plain stupid. It matters not where you are located in the world they take your money regardless but thats life. I own a 360 elite which I play on weekends when I have the time on my 46" BRAVIA in my living room. I not sure how old you are but the first games I ever played was Pole Position and I fell in love with games since then.

I don't need my mother to buy me a PS3 but what you need to read and understand here is GET A LIFE. Who cares if the XBOX "wins" this generation. I don't and by the way I live in the Caribbean, Barbados to be exact. They sell 360s and PS3s here for more than $2000.

timnc: Oct 9th 2007; 10:00AM

While I agree with 95% of what you said Gareth in the comparison between the two systems, you forgot about Tekken 5 online gameplay which is actually pretty good. Between that and Warhawk, I like my 60 gig PS3, and I'm looking forward to GranTurismo 5 HD (could care less about MG:S after the last 2).

I'm suprised in all of these 360 vs PS3 debates no one ever mentions the online store. The Playstation Store SUX big time. Microsoft really has Sony by the balls when it comes to downloadable content and ease of use. The only thing that could make the Playstation store worse is if it just didn't work at all.

I am not a fanboy of any system, I use the appropriate system for the appropriate game. I would like to see the PS3 do better, especially when I know it could.

--tim
http://timnc.com

Emophia: Oct 9th 2007; 10:13AM

Gareth, why don't you out of Microsfts ass?

Half those games you stated that got bad reviews, didn't go look at Gamerankings... Fucking Duh...

And I could list a lot more PS3 exclusive above 80% gameranking games, go look on the site...

And slapping a hard drive onto a core is the same difference pricewise as getting a 80gig PS3 compared to the 40gig one...

You really are the worst type of fanboy, an unintelligent one...

Gareth: Oct 9th 2007; 10:15AM

> Ok Gareth this was fun have a meeting to go to now can't stay here making fun at you all morning.

Translated: Ok Gareth you kicked my sorry little ass here and I now realise (sorry it took so long) that I have no hope of pulling Sony wool over your eyes because you know your stuff. I'm gonna disappear now before I make myself look so lame that my head explodes.

> Point is until Microsoft, Sony And Nintendo, starts to pay me for playing their systems I really couldn't care less who sells the most, which system is best nothing.

Translation: Even though I just spent the last 15 minutes on here flying Sony's flag as I swing on their balls, I am now going to pretend that I am above all this and I don't care who wins, because Sony is obviously getting the kicking of a lifetime here.

> You children get so emotional when someone doesn't care to be an owner of you're respective system it's just plain stupid.

Translated: I actually quite enjoyed pretending that I'm too old for this and that I can rise above it, despite you obviously only having to look up a little to see how much of a twat I am, so I'm gonna continue my bullshit some more.

> It matters not where you are located in the world they take your money regardless but thats life.

Translation: I'm preaching some bullshit like I think I'm a player, when everyone already knows from the way I've been acting for the past 15 minutes that I actually lick a poster of Phil Harrison every night before my mom tucks me into bed.

> I own a 360 elite which I play on weekends when I have the time on my 46" BRAVIA in my living room.

Translation: I hope that by claiming I have a 360 I will look like less of a douche. I wanna appear like I'm on the winning side so I'm selling out to Sony (Phil, if you ever read this I don't mean it ok? Seriously i love you xxx).

> I not sure how old you are but the first games I ever played was Pole Position and I fell in love with games since then.

Translation: Even more bullshit to try and make it look like I know what I'm talking about.

> I don't need my mother to buy me a PS3 but what you need to read and understand here is GET A LIFE. Who cares if the XBOX "wins" this generation. I don't and by the way I live in the Caribbean, Barbados to be exact. They sell 360s and PS3s here for more than $2000.

Translation: Yeah, they have douches in Barbados too!

FYI: My first game was pong, I have 19 games consoles, and I have a 50 inch 1080p display in my living room where my 360 allows me to play some of the most incredible games of the past 20 years.

I entertained the idea of buying a PS3 for about 2 seconds, until I realised that:

a) There are only 2 games worth buying.
b) 75% of its library are 360 conversions that suck really hard, with low frame rates and cut effects.
c) There's no rumble because Sony got raped by Immersion.
d) Sony then went out of their way and make themselves look like twats by lying through their teeth, blaming lack of rumble to a disinterest in the technology to it being impossible to have alongside motion sensitivity.
e) Every other mistake Sony has made since E3 2005.
f) Really, really, stupid fanboys like you.

Emophia: Oct 9th 2007; 10:19AM

And before you go off calling me a fanboy, I'm not like you...

I'll concede that the 360 is a better games console for now... The main reason I bought a PS3 was because I import my consoles and the 360 is so unreliable hardware wise I'd be screwed if it broke down... So I got a PS3, and only for $450 CAD...

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