Video: PS3 Slim's Japanese commercials likely to cause fear, distress, and confusion

The folks at Palm may think they've learned how to make some creepy commercials, but let's face it, they've got nothing on Sony. The Japanese company has a long history of discomforting, unexplainable advertising that rivals a David Lynch movie -- in fact, Lynch even directed his own television spot back in the PlayStation 2 days, itself reminiscent of UNKLE's "Rabbit in Your Headlights" music video from years before. This latest set of videos for the PS3 Slim in Japan is no exception. Turn off all the lights, raise the volume of your speakers, and bow down before the masters of unnerving gadget promotion just after the break -- we included the Lynch ad, too, in case you were interested.





See more video at our hub!

[drkschmoog Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:20PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvYHLl9w5Tk#t=0m07s
^wouldn't want someone on-top of me in bed with that o-face =|

[hary536 Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:22PM]

Ad does make sense, if you have brains!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:25PM]

So.. All I keep thinking about was their teeth.
Maybe all PS3-slim-players have bad dentalcare!? low income == PS3-slim; low income == low dentalcare; PS3-slim == low dentalcare?

Really hope not.

[SilentMountain Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:34PM]

The David Lynch commercial reminds me of the final scene in the "Rabbit in Your Headlights" video (which is amazing by the way).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqkawrslzJA

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:52PM]

It seems they cut on commercial unit too... cheap plastic, bad commercials whats next?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:52PM]

O.o;;

[Nomi Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:55PM]

"The Third Place"

Right where Sony is now...

*ZING*

[jon Posted Aug 24th 2009 8:57PM]

Hey, maybe Sony can see the future.

How long 'til PS9?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 24th 2009 9:02PM]

This is good advertising because it makes people talk about the ad (which would then lead to people talking about the console). But it's not really that powerful because it won't make the most of us go buy a ps3 after seeing the ad. (Though it might be different in Japan)

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 24th 2009 9:07PM]

I would have left it on the first Chick the whole time haah..

[Poop Chef Posted Aug 24th 2009 9:23PM]

The last one isn't too shabby either. Much better than the Palm woman who keeps showing up in my sleep and turning happy dreams about kitty cats into insane nightmares from hell.

[lepton Posted Aug 25th 2009 7:57AM]

Makes a nice blipvert.

[ayle Posted Aug 24th 2009 10:14PM]

What's up with Japanese and crooked teeth?

[Yan Posted Aug 24th 2009 10:46PM]

こころは、もっと働く

I'm excited about the release in the coming weeks. However, I'm still waiting for the initial batch of units to be dispersed and all the minor kinks to (hopefully) be worked out.

[Dante of the Inferno Posted Aug 24th 2009 11:20PM]

Ugh, that was like watching the ring....only lame.

[makimak22 Posted Aug 24th 2009 11:34PM]

Seems like no one bothered to check the website (playface.jp). This is actually a competition being held in Japan. SCEJ is trying to capture real gamers' facial expression/emotional response during gameplay. They even made a 360 degree "Bullet Time" HD camera rig to do it. Starting Sep.3 the general public can go to one of 2 locations (Tokyo & Osaka) and get "captured", all the footage will be open for on-line viewing/voting later this year. The winner, runner-ups etc get prizes.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:05AM]

@ :38 looks like she says damn it.

[incorporeal Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:00AM]

Does nobody remember the amazing 9.9.99 Dreamcast ads? These were beautifully disturbing, created way before any of these so-called creepy commercials. These are classics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka-QB-L1Yqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1YOfHOSVrY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udzNPJrGrXw

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:39AM]

There is a Japanese artist who used electrodes to control his own face with electronic music
http://www.wikio.com/video/538545 I might imagine the same technique was used here but wires removed :)

[TankerZ Posted Aug 25th 2009 1:34AM]

This should be a commercial for an Orthodontist.

[chilko Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:02AM]

lynch has made a much better ad for ps2 - The Third Place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi4vjj1q7Ro

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:41AM]

And just like that Sony has shot themselves in the foot. With all the cluster ***** they've made with the PSP and PS3 you would think they've blown off all of their toes.

So my guess is for the U.S. commercial expect it to be some really hot model chick saying "I use to be overweight and now I've got PS3 Slim!"

[Beamo Posted Aug 25th 2009 3:22AM]

is this a newsflash? ALL PS3 OWNERS SHIT AT GAMING!

[Nerd With Out A Cause Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:06AM]

WTF

[Lateralus Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:22AM]

hahahaha.

[Lateralus Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:24AM]

Sony just took awkwardness to a whole new level.

[miendo Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:39AM]

Anyone remembers this PSX ad?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHCr3Np8F3c
That girl was creepy as hell...

[alberth Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:49AM]

To me the most important thing is Sony is advertising.
The only ads I've seen in the UK for the PS3 have been for a specific game, not the console itself.
I think a big part of why the PS2 did so well was the 'Third Place' ads as it got the console into the minds of people.

With some advertising and the new price this looks like a winner.

[meridimus Posted Aug 25th 2009 6:17AM]

I thought it was a pretty awesome ad. Sony advertising without showing the product they're advertising except for a split second. That's pretty good, I like it.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 26th 2009 5:41AM]

This Ads is awesome cause Sony wants to make people curious about their products and event is coming 3rd. Sep. Most people could get some interest which is good or bad, anyway.

[Pies Posted Aug 25th 2009 11:29PM]

I really don't see what problem do you guys have with those and Palm's ads... Both are mildly interesting and well executed, nothing really exciting, but nothing really wrong with them either. Maybe it's some US thing.

[Crazysamz Posted Aug 26th 2009 1:30AM]

Sony, they just don't get it, do they? Go back to your roots, none of this inasane reaction shit.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2009 1:47PM]

I don't make faces like that when I play video games unless I'm really into it. They're either actors or people who have never played video games before.

One other thing. Can I get the game or games that they are playing that make all those sounds and makes them make those faces?