Sony cutting 80GB PS3 price to $400 in September, ditching backwards compatibility

Sony just announced at E3 that it's cutting the price of the 80GB PS3 to $400 in September, and that the new model will have the "current functionality" of the 40GB PS3. So it's really more like the 40GB PS3 is getting a capacity bump, since we're taking that to mean backwards compatibility is going out the window. That also means that the 80GB PS3 now costs the same as a 60GB 360 and an Xbox Live membership, which should make the decision a little harder for some people. We're also wondering if that's the end of the line for PS3 backwards compatibility entirely -- we have a feeling launch consoles are about to get a little more precious.

[Chino B @ Jul 15th 2008 3:49PM]

How's Xbox360 gonna catch up. I expect low ranked :)

[steve @ Jul 15th 2008 3:52PM]

my guess would be charging $100 less.

[JerkfacedFed @ Jul 15th 2008 4:37PM]

ps3 was never ahead, so your comment is just dumb. 360 costs $279 for the tard pack and $300 for the normal version. ps3 costs $400 for the tard pack and $500 for the normal one.

point is ps3 is still just a bluray player. software sales are crap, dominated 3:1 by xbox and 5:3 by wii

[Tyler Ransom @ Jul 15th 2008 4:50PM]

Tard pack. Best way i've seen that put. Good thing I have a 60gb PS3 and a 360 Pro as well as XBL Gold. I've found out once you've purchased all of them, (yes I have a wii as well) then there is no need to bicker and fight about which one is better. Just go buy them all or be quiet.

[CharlieX @ Jul 15th 2008 5:03PM]

360 still has WAY more exclusive games.... My PS3 is a glorified Blu Ray player.... my 360 is battle scarred and well worn from use. Sony is not yet a threat

[Jared @ Jul 15th 2008 7:03PM]

When you can fill up your PS3 with80 gb of data email me, until then I will be using my 360 120gb to download movies, tv shows and upload games onto oh and stream netflix movies onto. I have to say, Microsoft kicked everybody elses ass at E3 in terms of major announcements.

[Jonas @ Jul 16th 2008 1:33AM]

PS3 "tard" packs are still more worth it than 360's unless you have your cable modem right next to your main TV in your living room. Personally I don't want to have to pay 100 dollars for wi-fi when both PS3 and Wii have it built-in. PS3 is for people who can afford the whole package and not have to wait for add-ons to come out and slowly drain their wallets. Though the way the economy is, the US dollar is worth less and less, so maybe it's smarter to buy things in pieces until Bush is out of office. Also, can anyone clarify the backwards compatibility differences between the models? I thought the current 40gb and the 80gb PS3's still have backwards compatibility, just software-based, meaning less supported games, not none at all...?

[kal326 @ Jul 16th 2008 6:20PM]

@Jonas
Well I saved myself the $100 dollars by running network line to my entertainment center. Put a switch up there and that way I can run my sat box, 360, and laptop of ethernet. Faster and a lot easier to setup.

Also good thing you prefaced your last comment with "I think" because the 40GB PS3 does not have backwards compatibility and the 80GB soon will not either, which is the whole point of this posting.

[James @ Jul 29th 2008 2:37PM]

@JerkfacedFed

If you buy the add-ons required to match the PS3, it comes out to about the same cost as the 40GB model. When the price drop goes into effect the 360 is probably going to have a little more competition.

[Guy @ Aug 8th 2008 12:31AM]

@Jared You can download TV shows and Movies on the PS3 as well, from the PSN.

[erhan @ Jul 15th 2008 3:49PM]

And I quote cartman "Sweeeeeet".

[Krush @ Jul 15th 2008 4:20PM]

Shut up fata$$
Oh my God - they killed Ken...ummm....Backward Compatibility!!
You B@$tards!!

[Nate the Prophet @ Jul 15th 2008 5:35PM]

Engadget: Sony IN NO WAY said that they were ditching backwards compatibility, that's a bad inference.

RATHER, the current 40GB non-BC sku is getting a hard drive bump to 80GB. That is all the announcement said.

It's much more likely to assume that what is now the "big" system" (80GB) will get a hard drive bump as well (120GB or even 160GB). Otherwise, why would they call their new version the "Core" system?

'Come on, gang.

[Jon @ Jul 15th 2008 3:50PM]

Rockin.

[Zeal @ Jul 15th 2008 3:51PM]

No price cuts eh? Too much MS pressure?

[Pochi @ Jul 15th 2008 4:29PM]

"Too much MS pressure?"

...wha? So much pressure that.. they DIDN'T respond? I don't get it.

[Dave @ Jul 15th 2008 4:45PM]

@Pochi
MS already cut prices BEFORE Sony.
MS was and still is WAY less expensive.

[Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Jul 15th 2008 5:59PM]

Is the 360's wireless adapter still $100?

[Pochi @ Jul 15th 2008 6:17PM]

@Dave

Good point? No wait, that makes no sense.

[PCIV @ Jul 15th 2008 7:06PM]

He was referring to the fact that Sony was saying that they won't cut prices.

[Idiots @ Jul 15th 2008 3:52PM]

Awesome!

[Hunts314 @ Jul 15th 2008 3:52PM]

so whats the new premium SKU going to be? 160GB with BC?

[Alan Strangis @ Jul 15th 2008 4:06PM]

Maybe they could add IR to the package... :/

[smash579 @ Jul 15th 2008 5:07PM]

IR is a dinosaur. its a shame the industry hung on to it for as long as it has. with bluetooth availability everything developed from this point on should be BT or at the very least dual compatibility to encourage eventual drop of IR entirely.

[Saad Rabia @ Jul 15th 2008 5:58PM]

Or, they could add IR to the package.

[Jaws @ Jul 15th 2008 6:31PM]

If IR is such a dinosaur, why are all TVs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, stereos, and such shipping with it still....

Hmmm... looks like have a little Jurrasic built-in would go a long way in making people happy... isn't that the end result of a company's efforts with products... making their consumer's happy?

Get off of the BT high-horse, and come down here with the rest of us and sniff a little reality.

Besides... I'm more than a little choked my Harmony and my PS3 don't like playing nice with each other... and in no way do I blame my Harmony for that situation. :P

[Ignatius @ Jul 15th 2008 10:02PM]

Yeah.. I wish both the Wii and the PS3 both had IR inputs. They're drop-dead cheap and of course, they'd be compatible with my Harmony 550... love that damn remote.

[smash579 @ Jul 16th 2008 11:04AM]

@jaws, that is why i mentioned dual compatibility.
At least this would encourage evolution. current method if including IR hinders that.

Ideally there should be a BT device positioned in view of the IR-only gadgets, receive the commands from the forward-thinking BT remote, and then relay them in IR accordingly. with this you could trash all those extra remotes AND improve effectiveness of your one controller. technology is available to make this possible.

[haX0r @ Jul 15th 2008 3:53PM]

and that's about the best Sony has to offer.

[Hunts314 @ Jul 15th 2008 3:54PM]

have to say I've been underwhelmed so far too....nothing really big announced yet, other than the price cuts and the movie store.

[Sarig @ Jul 15th 2008 3:58PM]

The big stuff always comes at the end :)

[haX0r @ Jul 15th 2008 4:06PM]

...like I said, and that's abou it. Nothing really cool. Maybe next year 8(

[Outinthedark @ Jul 15th 2008 3:54PM]

Sigh...every time I hope for a price cut [even $50 would get me to purchase one!] so I can actually buy a PS3 they drop backwards compatibility. Why Sony? Why?

I still play some of my favorites on my PS2 and I play Xbox titles on my 360 why does Sony want the PS2 to live forever?

[bib1234 @ Jul 15th 2008 4:40PM]

suck it up and just get the damm thing. They still make the ps2 so what the big deal.
I mean xbox360 backward comp suck too, because it is software power.

Or be like me an find a first gen ps3 like the 60 gb that has the full backwards comp.

[Darkest Daze @ Jul 15th 2008 7:19PM]

I personally will not buy a PS3 without backwards compatibility. I don't have room for a PS2 and a PS3 and I still play most of my PS2 games that I haven't beaten yet, or that I really like. Same with my 360...sometimes, they just baffle me.

I guess they think if they drop BC, I'll buy more PS3 games, but unfortunately for them, I'll be buying less..as in none, since I don't want to keep 20 systems under my TV.

[Not a band geek @ Jul 15th 2008 3:54PM]

Memory reader? USB slots?

[h0mi @ Jul 15th 2008 4:08PM]

Thats what I wanna know. I'd consider buying a newer ps3 (ie- if it ran cooler and the fans werent so loud) but I want the memory cards and usb ports. otherwise I'll keep my 60gb. (I dont need BC).

[ChillyWilly @ Jul 16th 2008 12:17PM]

So glad I bought the 60gb last September when I did. Memory card reader, the backwards compatible chip plus all of the PS3 and Blu-Ray that current models have. Best. Decision. Ever.

[Rob @ Jul 15th 2008 3:54PM]

Like they say "if Sony denies the rumor, then assume the rumor to be true." It's been proven time after time.

[Sarig @ Jul 15th 2008 3:55PM]

The curious thing here, is that they're cutting backwards compability while saying they're wanting all the ps2 people to upgrade.

[Jonathan Tyler @ Jul 15th 2008 4:06PM]

They want PS2 users to upgrade to the new 'old' slim models, and also get a PS3! :P Come on now!

[Katelinn @ Jul 16th 2008 1:35AM]

Yeah, those tiny little PS2s could fit right on top of your PS3. :P

[frantona @ Jul 15th 2008 3:57PM]

So the 40gb will cut price too?

[Hunts314 @ Jul 15th 2008 3:58PM]

I think this 80 GB SKU is replacing the 40GB one. Its basically the same system with a bigger HDD

[vangl76 @ Jul 15th 2008 5:02PM]

The 80gb "core" ps3 -is- the 40gb version with a 80gb harddrive

[Matthew @ Jul 17th 2008 3:52AM]

I think what he's asking is if they will drop the price of the 40gb model to clearance them out.

[Seanross @ Jul 15th 2008 3:57PM]

What happened to no price cuts sony?

[quomen @ Jul 15th 2008 6:36PM]

Hey Sean Ross, I'm not sure. How's your face doing today?

[Seanross @ Jul 15th 2008 8:21PM]

O.o Buh?

[Jonathan Tyler @ Jul 15th 2008 3:58PM]

I don't know about other parts of Northern America, but here in Alberta in Canada there is not an 80GB PS3 to be found. All the stores have 40GB models. I have a good collection of PS2 games I would rather not have sit in a box in storage just so Sony can save a penny by releasing the 40GB and the soon 80GB models.

Either release more expensive PS3s with the ability to play more than PS1 games, or just take the damn hard drive out of the 40GB models and put in the damn EE chip! I can put in my own damn hard drive! I'd even settle for software emulation at this point.

I crave MGS4 goodness. (And yes I forgot about the MGS4 PS3 bundle and they were sold out within a day. :( )