SCEA: 160GB PlayStation 3, Uncharted, Pain, DualShock 3 for $500
by Christopher Grant 
{ Aug 20th 2008 at 12:44PM }
Picking our way through the system's specs, it looks like the 160GB PS3 offers only 2 USB ports and no flash card readers, leading us to believe its functionally identical to the 40GB (now 80GB) low-end model. To put it another way: it appears the 160GB model will not have backwards compatibility for PS2 games. As for availability, the press release vaguely states "November." We'll try to get something definitive on the backwards compatibility situation.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
koehler83 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:48PM
I preferred the MGS4 bundle. Maybe this is somehow trying to promote the trophy system with 2 trophy enabled games in the box.
How about you just bring out trophies for MGS4? I like that idea better.
Fenix @ Aug 20th 2008 12:56PM
I'm with ya.
Jakka @ Aug 20th 2008 12:51PM
In other news, the Avatar System is now broken too.
Al2x @ Aug 20th 2008 8:46PM
?
Besides sometimes my own icon doesn't show up, everyone else's is fine.
LordChimp @ Aug 20th 2008 12:51PM
This is such a good deal, I could throw up. My 60GB only has 25GB of free space left!!!
Zertoss @ Aug 20th 2008 1:01PM
So buy a bigger HDD. The PS3 uses 2.5" SATA drives, so it should be pretty easy to backup everything on the old drive using a PC (if you don't have SATA on your PC, a SATA docking station can be had for $30 or maybe even cheaper) and drop it all on the new drive.
Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 20th 2008 1:10PM
@Zertoss
It's even easier than that. You just need an external USB hard drive that you can plug into the PS3's USB port. When you run the built-in back-up ultility on the PS3 you can select the USB drive as the back-up location. Then you just turn the system off, swap the drives, and then run the restore from back-up option and select the external drive again. No PC required.
FOXHOUND @ Aug 20th 2008 1:13PM
» This is a nice deal for any of the following:
A) Those who don't own a PS3 but have a PS2
B) Those who don't own a PS3, enjoy action/adventure games(UNCHARTED is a lot of fun), and too wary to mess with upgrading the SATA2.5 drive themselves
C) The impulsive, "GOTTA BUY'EM ALL"-spender that companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, & Sony truly love.
» For those that have a PS3... just buy it seperately(60GB obviously being the best model to date). Nearly all that's featured above(I didn't like PAIN much)is worth the cost. I still await news of an UNCHARTED sequel or prequel.
LordChimp @ Aug 20th 2008 1:14PM
I have a SATA external that I have from my old desktop that died on me. So I just back it up to that and then buy a bigger HDD to put in the PS3??
Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 20th 2008 1:26PM
Yes, that should work. It actually doesn't even matter if the external drive is SATA or not, it just needs to be USB so it can plug into the PS3. The replacement drive does need to be a 2.5" SATA drive though. But, yeah, you just plug your USB drive into the PS3, run the back-up utility, swap the drives, and then run the restore from back-up utility. Super simple.
LordChimp @ Aug 20th 2008 1:32PM
Sweet. Thanks for the info and help. :)
Zertoss @ Aug 20th 2008 1:33PM
@Vidikron
I forgot the PS3 has a backup function and supports external drives. My way should still work for people who have SATA ports in their PCs and huge, cheap internal HDDs and no external drive. ;)
@LordChimp
Yeah, that will work fine as long as that external drive supports USB. I don't think the PS3 has an eSATA port, though I'm sure someone has a product that can add one.
Fenix @ Aug 20th 2008 12:54PM
"160GB model will not have backwards compatibility for PS2 games"
Why?
"$500"
:(
Looks like Sony ISN'T going to do a price drop. Instead offering more geebeez and more bundles at high prices. Its a gamble IMO. Especially when MS drops all 3 skus on teh 7th next month.
Hyams @ Aug 20th 2008 1:01PM
Sony says, "People don't *really* want a cheaper PS3 console. They want a more expensive one!"
Bluebrake @ Aug 20th 2008 2:24PM
With less features!
xGeneral DEATHx @ Aug 20th 2008 3:02PM
"People will get a second job for one of these babies!"
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 20th 2008 5:49PM
i too am missing the logic in Sony's PS3 strategy. shouldnt they be dropping the price and letting people upgrade their HDD's themselves? every time they make a little progress, they do something like this. i have never seen a company so set on self-sabotage. if Microsoft and Nintendo dont beat them, they have no problem beating themselves.
juju187 @ Aug 20th 2008 12:57PM
are the Early ps3 adopters made about these "deals" i would like to kno...
j.howlett @ Aug 20th 2008 1:01PM
glad i got my 60gig last year
Gaddes @ Aug 20th 2008 1:02PM
mad? probably not, considering that their SKUs are probably packed with more stuff compared to these stripped down newer models.
Hyams @ Aug 20th 2008 1:03PM
Nope. I've had my PS3 two years longer than anyone who buys the above deal. Plus I get BC and four USB slots.
Zertoss @ Aug 20th 2008 1:04PM
The early adopters have almost full to full backwards compatibility. This bundle is only BC with PS1 games, so I don't see what early adopters would have to be "made" about.
juju187 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:54PM
yea yea made... my kid was jumpin on me thanks for not ripping me a new one...
Bluebrake @ Aug 20th 2008 2:26PM
Are you kidding? The early adopters got the best deals of anyone. Specifically the ones who bought the 60gb after the first price drop.
This has got to be the first time in history an electronics manufacturer has actually *dropped* functionality from a major product as time went on rather than added it.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 20th 2008 6:02PM
well i have a 60GB PS3 i bought a year ago and i am not upset at all about these deals. i bought mine when it dropped to $500 and it was well worth the investment considering they dont make a model now that has all the features mine has. i mean i just bought Final Fantasy XII today and im going to be playing it on my PS3 instead of having to whip out my PS2. also i can easily install a new HDD later. sure it will cost me more in the long run but not having to wait (and the now discontinued features) is worth it for me.
so that said, i just really feel bad for you guys that dont have one yet since Sony is trying their hardest to jip you all.
MC Double Def DP @ Aug 20th 2008 12:59PM
$500 will be a hard pill to swallow come christmas time when even the 360 elite will be $400. Sony really needs a $300 bundle to push sales.
A $300 bundle w/ Little Big Planet could really push systems.
Moptimus Slime @ Aug 20th 2008 1:01PM
Sony needs to get their shit together. How hard can it be to give me high gigglebytes AND Backwards compat? The latter is more important than the former
Nightvortez @ Aug 20th 2008 1:05PM
That's actually an amazing deal, it's too bad to see the backwards compatibility be dealt this way though, I truly hope they find a way to software emulate PS2 games on these units in the future.
teknomusik @ Aug 20th 2008 1:14PM
$500 & no BC? ROFL I'll keep waiting...
teknomusik @ Aug 20th 2008 1:16PM
What they should have done is make this $400 without including any games and add PS2 BC; I'd actually want one then.
FOXHOUND @ Aug 20th 2008 1:31PM
They did that last year with the 60GB closeouts, man. :\ You missed out.
Spartacus @ Aug 20th 2008 1:15PM
I thought MS was being pretty ridiculous with their product only dropping $50 in 2 years, but Sony takes the cake.
They have managed to strip feature after feature from their flagship product, from E3 '05 to post launch, and STILL charge more than their competitors. Yes, it still has blu-ray. Yes it has wi-fi. So yes, it's still a competitive product. But let's list everything it either did have or was promoted to have:
Built in router
Dual 1080p output
Dual HDMI out
4 USB ports
Multi card reader
PS2 BC
Am I missing anything?
Killjebus @ Aug 20th 2008 1:28PM
Those "specs" that were announced at E305 were for a PROTOTYPE PS3. Sony even said that final specification are NOT final and that later revisions may take place b4 launch.
Prototypes are NEVER the same as production models. But screw facts...let us just continue to hold Sony to a different set of standards than ANY OTHER company out there.
As for BC? If you REALLY WANTED backwards compatability...you would have BOUGHT a PS3 with it LIKE I DID.
As for using BC? I use it for Worms and my wife uses it for Singstar...that's it. And I thought I would use it more...but playing PS2 games just does not do it for me anymore. I am spoiled by the ultra clean lines and beautiful graphics that the PS3 is starting to show.
Killjebus @ Aug 20th 2008 1:31PM
Typo:
Sony even said that the specifications are NOT final and that later revisions may take place b4 launch.
philmcphail @ Aug 20th 2008 2:06PM
@ killjebus
Yeah, the I'm only using BC for RE4 on my 60 gig now. For my 15 run through, its getting boring now. LOL im starting to see how jaggy and slow the game is compared to what we have now.
Spartacus @ Aug 20th 2008 2:27PM
Killjebus,
Please show me a press release from MS or Nintendo that advertised specs or features for their respective current consoles which either never made it into the production model or were cut shortly after. You act like Sony is following a tried and true model for consoles when in fact they are unquestionably the company everyone knows for "over promising and under delivering".
If I REALLY wanted a PS3 with BC I'd buy one like you? From where? Ebay? You know, I could probably find a betamax player at a garage sale too, that doesn't mean they're still on the market, convenient to purchase or under manufacturer's warranty.
I personally don't care about BC. I never have. But the point is Sony railed MS for not having full BC and then removed ANY BC from their own machine. That's called being a hypocrite.
But you're right, Sony is definitely looking out for the better interests of their customers and you would be crazy to not give them your unquestionable loyalty.
Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 20th 2008 2:42PM
@Spartacus
You're still going overboard. I mean, no one but hardcore geeks have any idea what some prototype shell featured at a trade show. Showing a prototype at a trade show isn't the same as advertising features to the general public.
samfish @ Aug 20th 2008 1:24PM
NO! BAD Sony! You package this with LittleBIGPlanet!
totoro @ Aug 20th 2008 1:28PM
If they release a LittleBig Planet deal like this, I will finally break down and get a PS3.
Warzone @ Aug 20th 2008 1:25PM
$300 worth of fun for $500! A bargain at half the price!
jswanson @ Aug 20th 2008 1:25PM
Gah, why can't they get with it on the BC. This is seriously annoying how they continue to make new SKUs that keep leaving it out. I would have gone for this deal if it had it. Both 360 and Wii have it standard, Sony is dropping the ball. As it is I'll keep waiting, or end up getting the MGS4 bundle.
Pip @ Aug 21st 2008 10:36AM
I don't understand, either. Some of the best RPGs are still coming to the PS2 this winter. I've been playing Persona 3 FES, Nocturne, Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 on my PS3 pretty much non-stop since I bought it. The upscaling is pure bliss. I had component out on my PS2 but it doesn't hold a candle to how great PS2 games look on the PS3.
I really don't get it. There is so much stuff to be played on the PS2 still! I'd definitely prefer to be playing PS3 games, but none of the really good RPGs are on it yet!
Ghaleon @ Aug 20th 2008 1:27PM
Sony sure are dumb. People want a CHEAPER ENTRY PRICE, not MORE shit they don't care about.
Bleu @ Aug 20th 2008 1:53PM
Yea I just upgraded my 60gb to a 200gb and now enjoy a shit load of space. OOO gosh I love my ps3.
pavs @ Aug 20th 2008 2:22PM
This is the reason why sony (especially sony) and MS wont beat ninty this generation... all their stupid SKUs.
All those retarded moms and dads who don't know sh!t about games wont be able to pick between 80gb, 160gb, BC and no BC, 2USBs or 4USBS etc.
Why put all that extra crap in there? Just give people a basic 40GB PS3, with BC, HDMI and a f*#king controller for 350-450bucks. Let them buy their own games, let them buy their own HDDs, let them buy their own Blu-ray movies. Buy doing this bundle sh!t they are just seperating people and giving them headaches.
If you really want to, throw in a disk that demonstrated the beauty of Blu-ray, gives a few mini-games with the Sixaxes, or give a coupon for 1 free anygame download from PSN or XBOXlive, and a free month for XBOXlive. But stop making decisions for people. Sure the MGS4bundle did great for a while, and so did Motorstorm and Halo3 bundles last year, but both system would be kicking ass if it wasnt for all the confusion.
List (please add if you know more)
PS3: 60/20GB launch models
40/80GB xmas07 models
40/80GB summer08 models
80/160gb xmas08 models
talladega nights box. motorstorm box. spider-man 3 box. MGS4 box. Basic lowest end boxes. Uncharted box
XBOX360: 0GB/20GB launch models
0GB/20GB with updated hardware for less failures.
120GB Elite
0GB Arcade
Dunno the specs for Halo 3 bundle
60GB Pro
core box, pro box, pro 60Gb box, halo box, elite box, arcade box.
Sean @ Aug 20th 2008 2:41PM
Good move... bundle the only game I want to play with a giant hard drive... though I'd prefer backward compatibility as well... I'm going to finish Final Fantasy XII one of these days.
Remember when they chastised Microsoft for their backward compatibility? They are such ass holes.
Hunts314 @ Aug 20th 2008 2:54PM
dont like this one. sony needs a premium and a core. while this one has more space, losing 2 USB ports and the card readers is lame. I'm not a proponent of BC so that part doesn't bother me, but losing the other stuff sucks.
Pureshooter @ Aug 20th 2008 2:56PM
I think I'll wait for the 500 gb model for $1000 with no PS2 BC and no PS1 BC.
AwesomeTown @ Aug 20th 2008 3:10PM
Good deal, but I think price drops would attract more people.
Genji @ Aug 20th 2008 3:14PM
All ppl really need is a way into this f'n generation that wont cost an arm or leg.
PS3:
60GB (cheap and good space, upgradable if needed)
Dual shock 3
2 USB
BC with PS2 & PSone
All for $399
Walah! Instant sellout. No one care for the packin shit or the hard drive war etc. And if you need more f'n USBs get externals. Shave the junk that can be upgraded later and add the stuff that can't be done easily like PS2 BC.