Sony officially bringing 40GB PS3 to US
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Oct 18th 2007 at 5:10AM }
Also announced is a price drop for the 80GB PS3, bringing it down to $500 USD from $600.
Sony Computer Entertainment of America president Jack Tretton tells Reuters that they hope to continue focusing on the strong PS2 software market with the PS2 alone, and that backwards compatibility is a "secondary consideration" and not a "number-one priority" for the Playstation 3 (at least not anymore).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ipodfanboy @ Oct 18th 2007 5:20AM
wow I got first post to this blog. 400 dollar ps3 is still expansive to the average american gamer!
Mr. P @ Oct 18th 2007 5:26AM
Who cares if it's expensive to the average gamer. I don't want an experience that's catered to the casuals. Just look at the Wii. Best selling console ever, and the game line up is mostly comprised of titles only kids and grandmas could enjoy. I'm finally going to eBay the thing once people get worked up over Christmas. Then it's just me and my PS360.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 18th 2007 5:49AM
Hey Mr. P., were you still spitting out that FUD when you had a PS2? It had the weakest graphics, the weakest power, and the most casual games of any console last gen. Remember remember huh huh huh??!??
Mr. P @ Oct 18th 2007 6:17AM
I'm not basing my judgment of a console on it's clock speed or anything like that. I'm basing it on the games. This year I had the most fun with PS3's games (namely Folklore, Heavenly Sword, and NG Sigma). I enjoyed BioShock and DOAX2 on the 360. But on the Wii, the only games I enjoyed were RE4 and Twilight Princess, both of which are also Gamecube titles. Everything else I tried suck, and the rest didn't interest me. PS3's future looks brightest right now, too.
Sidepocket @ Oct 18th 2007 6:23AM
Question? Is that a pyramid on your head or is that your head being shoved up Sony's asshole?
the_game_master @ Oct 18th 2007 6:39AM
$399 is sort of expensive.
That price tag didn't work for Saturn and every other high priced console that flopped. Don't expect it to work for PS3.
360 FTW! and its only $279 ;)
(yeah its a core, but so what, the PS2 & Xbox was a core at $299, so was Dreamcast, N64, etc.)
the 20GB HDD is dirt cheap off ebay.
WedgeTalon @ Oct 18th 2007 7:27AM
tgm - Actually, the N64 was $199. The Wii is the first Nintendo console to launch in the states for a higher price tag than that.
ForcedSterilizationsForAll @ Oct 18th 2007 9:31AM
I love how you douches are like "oh, $399 that's too expensive. I'm gonna go play my XBox 360 Elite now." $399 is the same damn price the 360 was. Now the 360 is $50 less and has the same games as the PS3 only without an HD player.
Do you all practice being morons or are you trying to be like everyone else by jumping on the "Hate Sony" bandwagon?
I understand you're pissed about their rootkits, but how can you overlook the underhanded tactics used by Microsoft but not Sony?
Stop being such hypocritical assholes.
B1gC72 @ Oct 18th 2007 9:51AM
dude. whoever said that the PS2 only had casual games, slap yourself please. now go sit in the corner and think about what you said. it had over 8,500 titles! how can they all be casual?
and thank you ForcedSterillationForAll. me and you seed to be the only ones that can Microsoft's underhanded tactics. its the same microsoft everybody loathes normally but they make a console and you fall for it again.
anyway, this is good for Sony. the PS2 sold 120 million units, so basically anyone who wanted a PS2 already has one so BC isnt "completely" necessary. im sure Sony will see a very nice jump in sales. i think $400 starts to enter the buyer comfort zone (cheaper is better but the 360 sold fine at $400 with less stuff)
FrankTheCrank @ Oct 18th 2007 9:54AM
This is a good deal. You get a PS3 and a Bluray player for $399...and you get a Bluray copy of Spiderman3, which by itself is probably worth $25.
40GB drive and wireless....sweet.
B1gC72 @ Oct 18th 2007 9:54AM
o and the 80GB to $500 is a steal. you get a PS3 and a game. im glad sony is finally starting to wise up and stop making stupid decisions.
AL Sharpton @ Oct 18th 2007 10:15AM
Makes sense to leave out the BC; let's look at this from a different angle.
The Xbox 360 core model has no Backward compatibility; you have to spend 100.00 (20gb) or more (179.00 for 120gb)for a hard drive in order to be able to have Backward Compatibility. You have to spend extra money or upgrade to a new model because the xbox 360 core IS NOT CAPABLE OF BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY. 279.99 = 100.00 (for 20gb) is 379.99. For an Xbox 360 with BC. OR you can buy the 349.99 add to that 50.00 to play online.
The PS3 40GB model has no BC (for now)BUT if you spend 100.00 more you get BC with the 80GB model OR you purchase a new lower priced PS2 (which the blog world says is coming)for 100.00
If you already own a PS2 you are not concerned about BC because you will just keep your PS2 to enjoy the library.
This is a razor sharp move by Sony.
399.00 for 40GB, Blu-ray, Wi-Fi, Internet browsing, mouse and keyboard support (via bluetooth or usb), Free online play and expandable non proprietary hard drive storage via internal or USB (where you can add a very inexpensive memory card reader).
499.00 adds double the hard drive space (still expandable) Backward Compatibility and More multimedia options (memory card reader and extra usb ports)
PS3 is the better overall value hands down; it's only 20.00 off from competing Xbox 360 models and All of the 360 models CANNOT play HD-DVD nor do they have WI-FI or Free ONLINE PLAY!
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 18th 2007 10:15AM
@P
So apparently it's possible to ignore all the shit that the ps2 had(because it has alot of shit, much more than the Wii)yet you can't ignore the crap that's on the Wii?
hydralisk456 @ Oct 18th 2007 10:28AM
And Al Sharpton, the 40 gig PS3 will NEVER have backwards compatibility. Sony said so themselves.
Farseer (GDI) @ Oct 18th 2007 10:54AM
Al,
List all the tech specs you want, until the PS3 has exclusives, it will not outsell the 360. Period.
I would love to buy a PS3, and the price is getting into a good territory, but I can't find one reason as a gamer to add it to my collection. Exclusives speak the loudest in this business, and Microsoft has figured that out.
blooh (CDF - Nipple Ring) @ Oct 18th 2007 11:18AM
cheap blueray player if you care about that. expensive gaming console with very few good games if you care about that
Matt @ Oct 18th 2007 2:46PM
In other news, the price is the same in Canada and the US, at $499.
Gaddes @ Oct 18th 2007 5:21AM
The sad thing was, I was almost sold on getting that 60 gig model when they had dropped its price... because I thought Sony was doing the decent thing and reducing the damn thing finally. ... but with each new SKU I am more disgusted with them, and this is something I'm honestly amazed about, since I had been a solid Sony gamer with my beloved PS1 and PS2.
I don't see how anyone should buy this model, when you consider that when you compare it to the original 60 gig SKU, you are losing not only the Emotion Engine and any backwards compatibility, but even 20 less gigs on top of that. I think it's the principle of the thing that bothers me the most. Jesus, Sony, enough with all the bait-and-switches.
I'd love gamers to rebel and just completely ignore Sony so they'd see that they shouldn't be able to get away with all this. :\
Blast Processing Megadrive @ Oct 18th 2007 5:37AM
FYI, the Emotion Engine (PS2 CPU) was dropped in the 80GB model. It emulates that. The 40GB model drops the Graphics Synthesizer (PS2 GPU), which given all current official statements, will NOT be emulated. As backwards compatability is "not a priority."
Jon @ Oct 18th 2007 5:41AM
Then stop moaning and buy the 80gig model. Jesus. The 40gig model also cost less than the 60gig model.
Gaddes @ Oct 18th 2007 5:47AM
jon, why the hell would I want to buy the 80 gig model, when it's still had something removed? As I said before, the principle of the thing (meaning Sony removing working elements of a system just to save themselves cash) is what's turned me off to getting a PS3, not just the price.
They just seem very shady to me now. Who knows what's next on their agenda of yanking along gamers?
phattie @ Oct 18th 2007 7:49AM
Somehow i doubt that you've ever considered a PS3.
Intentless @ Oct 18th 2007 9:31AM
I have considered purchasing a PS3 and I hear ooo a cheaper version... But instead of following the industry tradition of improving on the technology producing things for cheaper they are instead actually removing parts to make it cheaper... So yeah I'm thinking about it but now I'm playing the game of should I wait for a better price or do I risk getting a version missing things I wanted... And I wanted BC...
FrankTheCrank @ Oct 18th 2007 9:59AM
"I'd love gamers to rebel and just completely ignore Sony so they'd see that they shouldn't be able to get away with all this. :\"
You want to take down Sony because they took out BC and are trying to make PS3 more affordable....but at the same time, you support a company that has a console with a failure rate as high as 33%. RROD is so bad, M$ won't even give real numbers. Gamers are having to send in their boxes MULTIPLE times.
How about we take a stand against RROD.
Jouten @ Oct 18th 2007 11:02AM
Sony's SKU issues, MS's RRoD... People seem to forget about Wii's video card problem. Maybe not so major an issue, but still a problem none the less.
I still am getting a PS3, probably the 60g model though to have the BC. It's better to have and not need then to need and not have...
Count Noobula @ Oct 18th 2007 12:32PM
I agree with FrankTheCrank on that point. I have now sent my fifth xbox 360 to M$, and I haven't even been an owner for a year yet. I bought my 360 when Gears came out, and I've been through 5 systems. I am at the point now where the PS3 is actually looking pretty good.
Gaddes @ Oct 18th 2007 1:46PM
frankthecrank, I never said I was a Microsoft supporter either. I'm well aware of the hell people are going through with RROD, and haven't bought a 360 either.
caramelzappa @ Oct 18th 2007 5:36AM
Well, seeing as though that's how much I payed for my premium 360, and you get blu-ray playback which I guess is a nice bonus. I'm still not sold on the PS3 though, because there are no games that really draw me in. Some of the most attractive games for the PS2, guitar hero and katamari, now have 360 versions. All the PS3 needs for it to be attractive is some strong system sellers.
Blast Processing Megadrive @ Oct 18th 2007 5:39AM
I still think the 40GB model is worthless without PS2 playback (and don't say to me "well, how often do you play PS2 games?" which is quite often; or have you forgotten how many awesome games are in the PS2 library?), but at least the 80GB model is $100 cheaper. And most good PS2 games work with emulation.
I wonder, though, if this means any 60GBs left will get a price drop as well?
caramelzappa @ Oct 18th 2007 5:49AM
Ever consider just keeping your ps2?
Gaddes @ Oct 18th 2007 5:51AM
I totally agree with you on that. I wonder how many 60 gig systems are actually left?
Christopher7xii @ Oct 18th 2007 10:29AM
caramelzappa, don't be naive.
Sure, you can plug your PS2 in... But if you have a PS3, you probably have an HDTV. Most PS2 games without upscaling look like complete ass on an HDTV. I've seen Shadow of the Colossus on an HDTV with a PS2(component cables) and a PS3, and it's well worth paying the $100 extra.
CGamble20 @ Oct 18th 2007 12:36PM
If you want the BC get the 80GB! Sony is not taking away the option, its more expensive because its more expensive for them to put it in!!!
You guys are trying to find something to poke fun at for Sony, but you fail. They never took out BC completely, if you want it...pay for it!
Brandon Johnson @ Oct 18th 2007 6:04AM
Does that mean the 20gig PS3s they still haven't sold are getting a price cut too. And who want to takes bets on how long before they announce that they are discontineing the 80gig.
FrankTheCrank @ Oct 18th 2007 10:11AM
dude...where the hell ya been...the 20GB boxes are all gone. I doubt you can still find one at retail.
It's only 40 and 80 now. I'm sure some 60's are around.
Scott @ Oct 18th 2007 1:34PM
http://www.ebgames.com/productmerch.asp?groupid=635
Funny.....
20gb is still there?
and someone needs to explain those price points to me
CGamble20 @ Oct 18th 2007 3:32PM
The 20GB are still in VERY few warehouses at places like GameStop...
Sony could care less at what price those are, thats up to the retailers who haven't sold them yet.
and its no surprise why they haven't sold them, GameStop is putting the price at 399, nobody wants that, try 199 fools!
Shattercross @ Oct 18th 2007 6:11AM
With more games, the burn of losing ps2 support will fade...because people will actually be playing ps3 games. Hard drive's not that much of an issue since it uses off the shelf serial ata laptop harddrives. I plan on turning my 60 gig into a 120 or more because of all the downloads I buy. 400 bucks for blu-ray with wi-fi in the box ain't bad, I think it comes with the blu-ray of Spiderman 3 too...wish they'd throw in a component cable, though.
FrankTheCrank @ Oct 18th 2007 10:03AM
Agreed. The deal is very sweet. So what BC is out?
How long after buying the PS2 were you still playing PS1 games? Usually the older games look like shit compared to the new stuff you end up ignoring old stuff all together, with the exception of strolling down memory lane.
daddycool @ Oct 18th 2007 6:11AM
This is just symbol of Sony's failure due to their arrogance. They put out this over-developed, over-hyped console which causes it to be over-priced. Then less then a year later the only thing they can do is start ripping out features (one of the important ones, not the bullshit ones they forced in for their own purposes) to get the price down so people will buy it, still mostly off the name.
I hope they learn from this. If not, I at least hope WE learn from this.
FrankTheCrank @ Oct 18th 2007 10:07AM
Yeah, cause BC was so important to the future of the PS3. Bullshit.
BC means nothing. The PS2 is still selling like hot cakes. Everyone and their brother has a PS2.
The PS3 is so going to overtake the 360 next year. First generation games on the PS3 look awesome...second generation will look insane. Ratchet and Clank looks amazing.
Ethan @ Oct 18th 2007 6:14AM
I think Sony is anticipating that everyone has a ps2. However, the market they're aiming at (in America at least) most likely had an xbox.
When Sony drops the the ps2 price as well, you can just buy both though. I do really want to play Final Fantasy versus XIII (yes, off one video), but it would make things a heck of a lot easier if they could just put it on xbox 360 on a gazillion disks or whatever they need.
FrankTheCrank @ Oct 18th 2007 10:09AM
No. Sony KNOWS everyone has a PS2. And Sony KNOWS that the PS2 is still selling at a high rate.
Their going to continue to milk the PS2 at the low end and the PS3 at the high end.
Martin @ Oct 18th 2007 6:14AM
And people were mad about the 200 dollar iPhone price drop....
Mr. P @ Oct 18th 2007 6:20AM
For $50 more than Xbox 360 you get most of the same games, exclusives like MGS4, GT5, FF13, games that are actually not sequels (Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, Folklore, Rat Race, Little Big Planet, etc etc), included Wi-Fi, twice the HDD capacity, and Blu-ray...
Not that I have anything against MS (actually I kinda do after they sent my repaired 360 to the wrong person), but I wonder what will happen to the sales figures as a result of this little price change. I think people who don't own a next-gen console yet will choose the PS3.
GamerG @ Oct 18th 2007 6:45AM
I disagree, I believe the 360 will continue to out sell the PS3 in the US especially, the momentum and games are all with 360 and its still cheaper. Bluray and wifi are simply not on people's radar so those features are irrelevant for 90% of people. Those people will see a premium 360 with a games bundle for $349 with a big library of games and a PS3 with no games nor big hitting games available for $399.
Result 360 continues to outsell PS3
Mr. P @ Oct 18th 2007 6:56AM
PS3--no games? Sorry but your opinion is irrelevant.
Psaakyrn @ Oct 18th 2007 7:14AM
For $50 less than the PS3, you get most of the same games, exclusives like Halo 4, PGR4, Saints Row, games that are actually not sequels (Chromehounds, Blue Dragon, Gears of War, Crackdown, Dead Rising, etc etc), basic XBox Live access, (and all the functionality which comes with it)...
And not to mention all the games I said ARE ALREADY OUT.
Come back when you've a better arguement which I can't replace word for word to make a better counter-arguement.
Intentless @ Oct 18th 2007 9:13AM
Americans are known more for their need of instant gratification... They will look at the two systems and go, Sony says buy one now because look at the games coming... (don't get me wrong... I want the games that are eventually coming... Note eventually coming)... Or you can buy a 360 that already has plenty of great, awesome and even some half-way decent games.
I was going to get a PS3 when a version got down to 400 but now I'm going to wait and see because I want the Backwards Compatibility to tide me over till the games I wanna play finally come out... I still have to finish FF12 and God Of War 2.
upz @ Oct 18th 2007 9:59AM
Halo 4 is already out? How did I miss that one?