Best Buy quitting the 80GB PS3?

According to a leaked internal Best Buy memo picked up by the fine folks at PS3 Fanboy, the 80GB SKU is going the way of... well, of every PS3 model that came before it. If the report is true, this means Best Buy will only have the 40GB PS3 on offer, and zero PS3s with any sort of PS2 backwards compatibility -- just like all of Japan. There's obviously no indication at this point if this has anything to do with the upcoming white PS3, or the vague -- and Sony discounted -- rumors of a $299 PS3 model, but we'll be keeping our eyes open.

[HD-DVD @ Jan 24th 2008 1:07PM]

Yet another nail in the Blu-Ray coffin...

[Seoultrain @ Jan 24th 2008 1:10PM]

You mean for when Ultra Definition-DVD comes out in 10-15 years?

[prateeko @ Jan 24th 2008 1:10PM]

Really, dude? I mean, REALLY?

[Nathan @ Jan 24th 2008 1:14PM]

You do realize that a smaller hard drive doesn't mean that they are removing BDMV support right? Right? Like, it will still play BR movies just like the rest?

[Adam @ Jan 24th 2008 1:26PM]

I STILL like your style funny man!

[rene siller @ Jan 24th 2008 1:46PM]

Are you living under a rock?

[h0mi @ Jan 24th 2008 2:20PM]

What?

[Technex @ Jan 24th 2008 2:22PM]

Hell, if HD-DVD looses then I'll be holding out until the next format. Anyone who buys Sony crap is a complete fool.

[Tony C @ Jan 24th 2008 2:25PM]

Please don't feed the trolls...

[teej @ Jan 24th 2008 4:19PM]

i roffled

[Kiwi616 @ Jan 24th 2008 1:12PM]

Hopefully this means a price drop for a new SKU.

40GB @ $400
20GB @ $300?

[MrFuNKy76 @ Jan 24th 2008 1:12PM]

LAWLALWLALAOL!!

[CosterMonger @ Jan 24th 2008 3:14PM]

introducing the new PS3 arcade with 1.8" 4GB HDD :)

[Kiwi616 @ Jan 24th 2008 3:20PM]

@ CosterMonger

Nahh, it has a 2.5 SATA HDD, so it'll have 20GB or so. But this is all speculation anyway.

But I don't see why the cost of the HDD will bring down the price $100, being that HDD's are so cheap already at that size at least.

They should have placed a 3.5 HDD SATA drive in it for the size of the PS3 :)

[CosterMonger @ Jan 24th 2008 3:43PM]

@Kiwi616
"They should have placed a 3.5 HDD SATA drive in it for the size of the PS3"

that's what I keep saying {typing}, cheap is cheap, a 3.5" HDD might even make PlayTV worth getting

1.8" jk :)

[CharlieX @ Jan 24th 2008 1:13PM]

For $100, who really needs 40GB more space on their video game machine and Ps2 compatibility? Don't you already own a PS2 and don't the games for it, well, kinda reek of old?

And for $399 it's a kickass blu ray player. 1080p/24 FTW

[Nathan @ Jan 24th 2008 1:17PM]

I bought the 80 GB version primarily for backwards compatibility however having an extra 40 GB has allowed me to play lots of games that take up a bundle of space (Oblivion @ 4.6 GB for example) and also be able to download games like Pain off the PS Network. I only have around 20 GB free as of now, so it has worked out for me quite well.

Of course you could always just buy the smaller one and upgrade the drive.

[John B @ Jan 24th 2008 1:21PM]

Uh huh. So ... because PS2 games are old they're no longer worth playing? Wow. Words fail me in the face of such asinine comments.

And, no, I don't own a PS2. Any PS3 purchase I would make would be to get PS3, BD, *and* PS2 access instead of a separate PS2 with another set of connections and another set of joysticks.

[Matthew @ Jan 24th 2008 1:38PM]

If my PS3 is set up to an HDTV, which it should be then PS2 games look like ass anyway. I'll stick to just blu-ray discs and movie DVDs on my PS3.

[CharlieX @ Jan 24th 2008 1:43PM]

I don't know about you John, but I haven't played a single PS2 game in about 1.5 years. My PS2 has just sat in the rack collecting dust. Unless you're a *heavy* gamer, why do you need backwards compatibility for games you might want to play once in the next five years?

[Zak @ Jan 24th 2008 1:59PM]

Charlie - you just spelled out exactly why backwards compatibility is important. If you're only going to play PS2 games maybe a couple times a year, why should you have to connect an entire other console to your TV to do it? Wouldn't it be much easier to simply pop the game into your PS3? There are a lot of really good games on the PS2, I know I keep going back to play a lot of them. If I get a PS3, I want it to be able to play them.

[Homeboy @ Jan 24th 2008 2:23PM]

I agree. Backwards compatibility is nothing to whine over. If you badly want to play PS2 games you already own a PS2, or can pick one up easily for $100 or find a used one for half the money.

[buzzbean @ Jan 24th 2008 2:19PM]

I'm with the bulk of your dissenters. I got the PS2 when first came out and it finally craped out on me 2 years ago, so I don't have a PS2. I got the 80gig precisely because I had a feeling something like this would happen. and PS2 games look better then Wii games on HDTV. I love my Wii but man they are jaggy. (note I still need to get the component cables for the wii, I hope that makes a difference.)

[aguiluz @ Jan 24th 2008 3:58PM]

@homeboy

Who would like a ps3 and a ps2 when you can have it all in one box?

So the PS3 was backward compatible, I would have a PS2 and a PS3 and a TV all on the same table? Can I have a single console which plays ALL of my games?

[Kris @ Jan 24th 2008 1:14PM]

I love not caring if I can see the pores on some actress' face. I'll buy a PS3 when it's $199.

[fistpittingnork @ Jan 24th 2008 1:20PM]

Her face?

[NHAnimator @ Jan 24th 2008 1:29PM]

That does it! Now I am definitely NOT buying my 80GB PS3 from Best Buy. I'll show them!

[tom @ Jan 24th 2008 1:32PM]

Honestly, sell PS3 without a hard drive! 40gig is just not enough, let me spend it on something else

[CosterMonger @ Jan 24th 2008 3:17PM]

cache.

[Brian B. @ Jan 24th 2008 1:34PM]

I think this is likely just a sign another SKU is on the way. I think the 2+ SKU console is a fact of life now.

[Ty @ Jan 24th 2008 1:59PM]

To me it seems like they will be introducing a bigger drive to replace the 80gb version. I got the 80gb version and until I run out of space I'm very happy with it.

[Matthew @ Jan 24th 2008 2:04PM]

Will it blend?
Well everything blends when it's in long enough but I really want to see someone blend a PS3 (just not mine). It feels heavy and sturdy and it would just be plain old-fashioned FUN TO WATCH.

[h0mi @ Jan 24th 2008 2:23PM]

This would mean that the 80gb ps3 probably hasn't sold very well, and if the model is discontinued, it also means no more BC (for the time being) for ps2 titles. So much for the "if you want BC, it's $100 more" talking point if this model goes away.

[snapplez @ Jan 24th 2008 2:29PM]

perhaps a new sku with the dual shock 3 controller?

i wonder what will happen when the current bluray promotion ends at the end of the month (the 5 free discs).

[buzzbean @ Jan 24th 2008 2:30PM]

The 80gig could very well be the white model.

[CosterMonger @ Jan 24th 2008 3:46PM]

overseas the white PS3 is still 40GB

[buzzbean @ Jan 24th 2008 5:03PM]

deeznutz, lol. Well maybe your right the white model will be 40 gig, and the black model will have the bigger hard drive!

[Trev @ Jan 24th 2008 3:12PM]

Sony needs to drive the price down so more average consumers will buy one for bluray. I have 2 family members who bought one primarily for its media center capabilites alone. I say white for $300, it will match my 20" imac!

[DJ @ Jan 24th 2008 3:24PM]

Gee, didn't I post this the week before Christmas after seeing HUNDREDS of PS3 80GB units lining the walls and shelves of our local BB? However, I bet Sony will not allow them to be sold below $399 and instead offer a promo & bundle that will include a an extra free controller, game(s) and 10, instead of 5, free BR movies.

[apeguero @ Jan 24th 2008 4:47PM]

Glad I kept my original 60GB PS3 and didn't return it once I heard of the 80GB coming out just a couple of weeks later.

[Alan @ Jan 24th 2008 7:05PM]

Glad I got a 60Gb, No backwards compatibility is a big mistake IMO

[Christian @ Jan 24th 2008 10:46PM]

I work at Best Buy and it is because Sony is taking out the Motostorm game out of the 80gb PS3 and eventually Spiderman 3 on Blu Ray out of the 40gb. This is similar to Xbox removing Forza Motorsports and Ultimate Alliance out of their 360s.

[xbox 360 @ Jan 24th 2008 10:50PM]

DUH

the 80 gb dosent say LIMITED EDITION for nothing

it clearly was going to end


But, go PS3

[Mog @ Jan 24th 2008 11:11PM]

The package says "Limited Edition Motorstorm PlayStation 3 Pack." It's the inclusion of Motorstorm that is "limited," not necessarily the 80GB system itself.

The 40GB PS3/Spider-Man 3 bundle is "limited," too. OMG ALL PS3S ARE LIMITED SONY WILL DISCONTINUE THEM.

My guess? Sony will take out Motorstorm when they replace the Sixaxis with the DualShock. This doesn't seem to be what Best Buy is implying, though - the leak claims that backwards compatibility will end in the PS3 line, or at least on the PS3 line that Best Buy is selling.

[god @ Jan 24th 2008 11:05PM]

DUH

the 80 gb dosent say LIMITED EDITION for nothing

it clearly was going to end


But, go PS3

[Matt @ Mar 31st 2008 1:33AM]

need...summer...job...need...the 80 gig!