It's official: PlayStation 3 price drops to $299

by Randy Nelson on Aug 18th 2009 1:40PM

As foreshadowed by retailers and called for by analysts (it's pretty nice for us lowly consumers, too), Sony has officially cut the US retail price of the PlayStation 3 by $100, effective ~~tomorrow~~ immediately. This new pricing affects all PS3 systems currently in the retail stream, and will carry over to the just-announced PS3 Slim.

So, now that it's finally happened, the waiting game to see just how much the drop actually helps PS3 sales begins. Take our poll below if you've been sitting on the fence, waiting for Sony to lighten the load on your wallet.

Will PS3's new $299 price entice you to buy one?
Yes	6830 (37.9%)
No	3255 (18.1%)
I already own a PS3	6804 (37.8%)
I'm a fanboy who can't see past my irrational hatred	1113 (6.2%)

Tags: finally, gamescom-2009, price-cut, price-drop, sony

Reader Comments (159)

ummm how is that dumb?? the slim will be out in almost 2 weeks...a LOT of retailers have been running low on 80GB models for a while now....I'm sure @$299 the remaining 80GB ones will be gone in a week or so

Why would you get the 80gig when the slim is 120gig for the same price... That's why it's dumb.

ummmm the HDD is no biggie....hell 120GBs isnt enough for me anyways....so I would be popping that out day one and putting in a 500GB....

The feature-set is still not fully revealed. Not to mention the fact that new revisions are complete unknowns in terms of reliability.

The Slim could be a fantastic little machine or it could be a cooling nightmare with sub-par parts. We simply don't know and won't know until after they've been in the wild.

But they are just so new and early adopters will do what they always do and roll those dice on something shiny, new, and expensive. *readies dice*

"Why would you get the 80gig when the slim is 120gig for the same price"

Simple. Because I don't feel like waiting for the slim (even if it's two weeks from now) and I won't really need the 120gb anyways.

My point is why would anyone buy the 80gig when the slim is the same price and 120gigs!

It's that simple, less space/bigger system should be cheaper then the slim.

I'm guessing that when the slim comes out, if any retailers have the original PS3 in stock, the price on that one will be reduced even further. If they've got the 120 GB slim for $300, they'll probably be trying to move the 80 GB model for $250...maybe less.

Has everybody forgotten the problems with the PS2 slim? There were all sorts of bugs and hardware issues associated with that change. Why not buy the existing technology right now (that has an exceptionally clean track record, YLOD included) and take a wait-and-see attitude to the slim? It's not going to get more expensive the longer you wait, and you'll let everyone else work out the bugs for you!

I'll finally be buying my second one....pretty sure it wont be that ugly ass slim tho....even if it is just going in my bedroom....

Hehe see dude! My patience paid off! See ya on PSN . ;)

lol...

You know, you have to give Sony some credit. They have dropped $300 in two years.

No you don't; they shouldn't have had such a high-priced console to begin with!

This price drop is just the thing I needed to put the PS3 within my price-range. I had to vote no, however, because there still aren't enough games that I'm excited about to entice me to drop $300 on the system. By holiday 2010 there should be enough games out there, that I absolutely need to play, to justify the spend.

Thanks Sony!

Well, the games is all a matter of opinion. I personally see only two games worth the purchase of a 360 (Fable and L4D, which I bought an arcade for) and about 3 or 4 for Wii. So, I think paying the extra is worth the value, and you don't have to buy $50 internet, wireless adapter, batteries, etc.

But now you don't have too buy all that extra stuff, so it's actually cheaper :)

True, it is a matter of opinion. I'm really excited about playing some Infamous and MGS4, as well as LBP once I get a PS3. I just want to make sure that when I get my PS3 I have enough games that I want to play to last me quite a while!

Oh look, I got down voted by fanboys. Gotta hate those people that have their own opinions!

In case you didn't finish reading my comments, I'm actually really excited about getting a PS3; I'll just be waiting a year or so.

This would have been nice about 6 months ago. :(

Good timing! I got the Yellow Light of Death on my 60GB launch model this weekend.

in before "why not bring it down to 249.99!!"

That's still the price of the Wii :P

That's ominous, these were the vote totals after I voted:

http://shoestringtheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/screenhunter_02-aug-18-1244.gif

They totally added two questions after I took that screenshot.

I can wait; great that you guys have time to play games, but I still have titles on my 360 that I haven't started yet and look forward to those. Anyway, by the time I do get a PS3, all those great games will be discounted. Already have a blueray player so that's not a factor.

Can i has $100 back please Sony??
K thx.

I bought my 1990 Chevy Cavalier at full price. I must have a really nice refund coming from Chevy.

That's so not the same =\.

I've always liked companies that reward their customers for buying early. Maybe give owners of non-slim PS3's a couple free avatars or something random.

pweeeeease.

I bought a Mustang new and 2 years later it had lost 50% of its value AND gas prices soared... I never whined about that.

Game consoles are different damned! I wants money back or candy.

No, they're not different.

Caveat emptor.

Whoever answered "No", you have a serious problem, Seriously..

like a lack of funds maybe? Could that be the mysterious problem?

I think the PS3 is a pretty good deal for $299, but I answered "No" in the poll. Reasons? I already own a decent PC and a 360 which are "good enough" for my gaming needs. There's some great games on the PS3 I'd like to try, but I frankly don't have time to play all the PC/360 games I want to as it is. The other reason is that to get the most out of the PS3 you really need a HD tv, which I don't own, and so that $299 quickly increases by another $1k or so (for a decent size/model HD tv) to get good use out of it. In the current economy it's hard to justify that.

Can this degree of idiocy be criminal? Criminal enough to merit a batarang between the eyes? Please?

I voted no, I cant see much on the ps3 that differentiates it enough from the 360 I already have, other then LittleBigPlanet. Which may entice me to buy one some day.

Finally, maybe now I can play Metal Gear Solid 4 and Infamous this holiday season

I'd almost say to skip Metal Gear, it was a letdown for the most part. InFamous is cool though. Definitely check out Uncharted moreso!

Damn, my brother just bought a PS3 on saturday

Return it with receipt/ask for a price match on the drop. All you need to do is back up the harddrive and you're set.

I already own 1 but ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!

So all the versions of the ps3 are $299?

brb going to buy a ps3 nao!!!

they dont drop until tomorrow.....

Aaah it's tomorrow. Fuck. I'll probably buy one on impulse anyways.

Ahh i own one but i already voted yes lol

will I buy A PS3? Yes

will I buy the PS3 slim? Hell naw. That thing is an abomination to god

I dunno man, personally I think the phat PS3 looks like a huge goofy looking pile of ugly shit. I'll probably buy one by the end of the year, depending upon which options/bundles are available at that point.

PS, Mop, my new shirt http://93133.spreadshirt.com/us/US/Shop/Article/Index/article/Fuck-You-Brett-Favre-4641403

still rocking with my 07? 60gig, but i might pick up another for a different room around the holidays

I thought about it but to be honest I have invested so much money in games on the 360 that I barely have time to play anyway so why would I buy another system when I just dont have the time to play the one I have now.

Right now its a pass for me I think the price is just right for the system its just not the right time for me.

Only 18 votes for irrational hatred? I think this is the first poll if seen where the stupid answer didnt win!

People can't complain about price now. They also can't complain that the PS3 "has no games".

What will they find to bitch about now?

Don't worry... there will still be complaints.. but they are unjustified now.

People will always be able to legitimately say that they already have one current gen console, whether it be 360/Wii/PS3, and that they don't need another one, whether it be 360/Wii/PS3.

Previous 50 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments

It's official: PlayStation 3 price drops to $299

Reader Comments (159)

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:46PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:51PM whylekat said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:56PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:20PM FOI said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:10PM Vegeta has a ps3 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:15PM whylekat said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:18PM Troy Powers said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:39PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:44PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:49PM Obienator said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:57PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:45PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:49PM BigDaddyBooth said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:56PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:27PM BigDaddyBooth said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:29PM BigDaddyBooth said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:45PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:45PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:45PM ChiTownRuler23 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:06PM Berzerk said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:46PM Courtney said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:59PM Courtney said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:47PM TastyBread said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:46PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:01PM Maulok said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:37PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 10:25PM Fane1024 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:47PM Vongola X said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:54PM TheDarkWayne said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:59PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:00PM MarkezJM said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:10PM TwEE said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:48PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:15PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:48PM Ty said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:07PM Berzerk said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:49PM MLC said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:54PM Vegeta has a ps3 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:55PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:59PM Vegeta has a ps3 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:54PM AlexFirth91 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:55PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:07PM MarkezJM said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:21PM MarkezJM said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:56PM jhowlett said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:56PM shimrra74 said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:57PM TheDarkWayne said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 1:57PM dogmaticatheist said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:04PM abelpc said

Posted: Aug 18th 2009 2:27PM MarkezJM said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Silver Lining: I Am Alive's unfeeling world

Game Of Thrones and the paradoxes of adaptation

Super Joystiq Podcast 004: 38 Studios meltdown, Gravity Rush, Civilization 5: Gods & Kings, Dragon's Dogma

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW