Sony cuts PS3 price to $499, introduces new 80GB model at $599


by Omar Jul 9, 2007 fileunderFound in Sony Playstation 3


Well the rumors, speculation, hopes and wishes have finally come to pass. A scant 8 months after launching in North America Sony is slashing the price of the PS3 by $100, from $599US to $499US. Some of the savvier people will note that the $499 price point is where the rare 20GB version was available at before being phased out a few months ago. Sony claims that they want to double their sales with this lower price point.

At the same time as the price cut, Sony is introducing a new model to the North American market for $599. This new model comes with an 80GB hard drive, and a copy of MotorStorm. Some reports are saying that this new version is a limited edition only, so it remains to be seen whether or not this becomes a permanent part of the lineup.

It should be noted that an 80GB version of the PS3 was launched in South Korea earlier this year, so it's most likely the case that this NA version is the same one. This means that alongside the increased hard drive capacity, this new PS3 features another change in the form of software backwards compatibility. Without getting into the technical details, this new version should be able to enhance the visuals of PS2 games, but supports a fewer percentage: 75% down from 99%.

Press release follows below

Sony Computer Entertainment America Introduces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 Announces New Price on Current 60GB Model
Monday July 9, 12:35 am ET

80GB System Designed for Today's Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499

FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStorm(TM). In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price.

By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast, providing ample storage space to download more games and other entertainment content from PLAYSTATION®Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION®Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.

Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3 users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), LAIR, NBA '08, Ratchet & Clank® Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), SingStar(TM), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Warhawk(TM).

Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be available such as Devil May Cry®IV, Dynasty Warriors®:GUNDAM®, Grand Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma®, SEGA Rally® Revo, Stranglehold(TM), The Darkness, TimeShift(TM), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter(TM) 2.

Additional games and services will also be available for PS3 system owners through the PLAYSTATION Network including PlayStation Home, a state-of-the-art 3D online community that serves as a meeting place for PS3 users around the world, as well as numerous downloadable games including the highly-anticipated title PAIN.

"As we move into the next phase of PS3, it's important that we continue to evaluate our product line, offering consumers the technology and features that meet their growing needs for new forms of media and the way in which it is delivered," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA. "The introduction of the 80GB PS3, the new pricing for the current 60GB model, the availability of more than 100 new software titles this fiscal year and, finally, the expansion of services for PLAYSTATION Network, will provide even more options for users and will help bring new consumers into the PS3 fold."

Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) mobile entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com

"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP," "PS one" are registered trademarks and "PS3", "Cell Broadband Engine" and "SIXAXIS" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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7 comments

1.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Jul 09, 2007 1:36pm

They should make it free, that about all it's worth.
2.  avatar HK-47m4  Jul 24, 2007 3:08pm

They should put the Xbox 360 in the trash. It is just going to break when you turn it on. Why bother paying $300, $400, or $480 when you can get a reliable system with many more features for $500. Plus it actually works! (I'm not biased but I'm just trying to balance everything around here lol)
3.  avatar silence omo7  Jul 30, 2007 10:45pm

The price drop is great and all, but from what I'm hearing they're phasing out the 60gb unit and replaceing it with the 80gb. So the price drop is fake, get the cheap(er) one while you can (if my sources are correct). It's just like how they phased out the 20gb PS3. Oh well, the price drop is moving consoles, so Sony is happier than it has been.
4.  avatar HK-47m4  Jul 31, 2007 12:34pm

Well I bet that once all the 60GB versions are sold out then they will cut the price of the 80GB version because Sony knows they would go back to selling badly. But you should get the 60GB version because the new version will come with software emulation for backwards compatibility instead of hardware. The Hardware in the current model is 99% compatible while the software is only 75%.
5.  avatar Omar  Jul 31, 2007 12:42pm

it's a tough choice for people though. If they buy the 60GB version now they get better hardware compatibility but less hard drive space. If they wait then they can get the 80GB version for the same price (maybe) but have to wait, and it's software emulation. It's a pretty crummy choice either way and one that people shouldn't have to make! If I was in the market for a PS3 I wouldn't know what to get. The fact that people think the 80GB version will drop in price means that they won't buy the 60GB version. But if the 60GB version isn't selling, then the 80GB version won't drop in price! Sony should've been much clearer on things, and if they're going for 2 versions, KEEP 2 versions. The only thing worse than having multiple SKUs is having a variable number of SKUs!
6.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Jul 31, 2007 1:25pm

Or they could get a 360 and pretend to brake every year and get a new free one because it's warranty is 3 years long.
7.  avatar HK-47m4  Jul 31, 2007 5:36pm

Well the 80GB version will also come with MotorStorm, but as for hardrives you can always take the preinstalled one out and replace it with one you own without voiding the warranty.
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