80gbPs3
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80GB PlayStation 3 on the outs in Japan, PS3 Slim looking all the more likely
We know the whole "where there's smoke, there's hotness" argument is played out, but it sure feels like the pieces are coming together here. With Sony's 20GB, 40GB and 60GB PlayStation 3 already a part of history, it's just the 80GB and 160GB models holding down the fort. After August 9th, however, it seems that just the latter will be representin' in Japan. The notice above essentially informs retailer 7-Eleven (don't hate) that no more orders for the black, white and silver 80GB PS3 will be accepted after Sunday due to a request from "the manufacturer." The note also instructs store owners to take down the in-story displays for the 80GB model, giving us all the reason we need to believe that a slimmed down version of the console is within reach. Of course, that's just whimsical speculation, but we just can't talk our hearts into listening to our heads on this one.[Via VG247, thanks Hawk]
Killzone 2 / Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle hitting Best Buy now
As Sony shoves one more PlayStation 3 bundle down our throats while we anxiously await the appearance of a slimmed-down version of the console, we have to admit that the game choices here are really top shelf. After catching wind of the Killzone 2 / Metal Gear Sold 4 PS3 bundle yesterday, we now have all the confirmation we need to believe that such a bundle is indeed filtering out to Best Buy stores. The image above shows an internal memo sent out to alert employees that the new package could start arriving as early as July 6th, with the official announcement coming in the July 12th ad. If you're actually in the market for a non-discounted, thick PS3, we'd say a phone call or two is in order, no?[Thanks, Anonymous]Update: The $399.99 bundle is now live on Best Buy's website and available for in-store pickup in select locations.
Best Buy set to offer 80GB PS3 bundle with MGS4 and Killzone 2?
Well, it's not a price cut, but it looks like Sony could be about to offer one of its best deals to date to potential PS3 customers, with a little help from Best Buy. Apparently, in an effort to clear out the 80GB PS3s once and for all (to make way for... something), Best Buy will soon selling a bundle that includes said console, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Killzone 2 -- all for the usual price of $399.99. Better still, that bundle is supposedly set to go on sale as soon as next Sunday and, as you can see above, at least some of 'em have apparently already made their way into the stores' back rooms.[Via Joystiq]
80GB PlayStation 3 arrives early at Best Buy, Friday in Europe
Lookie, lookie, an 80GB PS3 snapped up for $400 from a local Best Buy. Although not officially due until September, reports are trickling in from around these United States of Gaming of an early release. Not too much of a surprise, we guess, what with European retailers all showing a Friday retail launch. One interesting thing to note is the SKU: at least one of these early rigs reads CECHK01, not CECHL01 as seen in the FCC... hmmm. SKU pictured after the break.[Thanks, Mr. Abulia] Read -- early 80GB Core PlayStation 3 Read -- CECHK01 SKU [Warning: sub req'd]Read -- Europe release on Friday
New 80GB PS3 headed to Europe, Australia on August 27
Although Sony announced that the updated 80GB PS3 "Core" configuration would come to the States in September, it looks like other parts of the world will be getting it a little earlier -- Sony Computer Entertainment Europe chief David Reeves told reporters last night that the new SKU would hit Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand on August 27th. Worldwide pricing wasn't announced, but Sony confirmed that the new model would cost £299 in Britain and €399 in Europe. Sadly, it doesn't look like the Playstation Store's new video service will be making the trip anytime soon, but Reeves said that Sony is "working on it." That's great -- we're still more interested in a 60GB launch console, though. [Thanks, Matt]
Tretton financial math: New PS3 + PS2 < Old PS3
In an interview with Newsweek, Sony America CEO Jack Tretton explains why the 40GB PS3's lack of backwards compatibility with such simple math, it's hard to argue. Tretton breaks down the math all fancy like and makes intelligible that which we've been missing this whole time. The old 60GB PS3 with full BC was $600. The new 40GB PS3 with no PS2 BC is $400. By adding the cost of a PS2 at $129, the total for the two consoles is $529 ($70 less than the original 60GB price). Tretton says, "I've got two machines that do everything the same machine did a year ago at $599. So it's hard for me to see that as a negative for the consumer." That may be some fantastic spin, but at least it's not a lie. Of course, the math would be easier to swallow if the 60GB wasn't really $500, and if said consumer hadn't come to depend on the PS3's upscaling of old games.Tretton goes on to avoid answering any questions regarding the 80GB PS3 model (now dropping to $500) and its chances of getting roped into the same clearance sale the 60GB model was. He goes on to say that the framerate issues in Madden 08 were simply due to the system's newer technology -- the same complaints heard from developers on every PlayStation system so far. Tretton concludes that "at the end of the day, the developers got up to speed, the consoles enjoyed an extremely successful long ten-year road map." With any luck, the 40GB PS3 will finally reveal the road map Sony needs for the PS3's next ten years.
Sony finally gets official with 80GB PS3 availability
Hey, we can't blame the folks at Sony for not wanting to write up the obvious on a Friday afternoon, but the firm has stormed back fresh today and doled out the official details regarding the pricing and availability of the 80GB PlayStation 3. As we all expected knew, the 80GB iteration is available en masse for $599 (or $659 CND for those to the north) and comes bundled with MotorStorm. It's also noted that this higher-end edition joins the recently reduced 60GB model, and while Sony didn't mention the deals you could get on any remaining 20GB units, they're certainly out there.
80GB PS3 takes a step back on backwards compatibility
It looks like gamers stuck in the past may want to think twice before throwing down the $600 for a shiny new 80GB PS3, as it's now been revealed that the system has dropped the PS2 "emotion engine" chip in favor of the software-based solution currently employed in the 80GB Korean PS3 and existing Euro PS3s. As you can sort of make out in the image from the 80GB box above, that means "limited backward compatibility" with PS1 and PS2 games, not to mention a likely endless series of software updates to slowly expand that compatibility. No word if the 60GB PS3 will also be going the software-only route, although that $100 price drop could possibly be a sign of things to come. On a side note, our pals at Joystiq also got the official word from Sony on that mysterious red light emanating from the SIXAXIS on the 80GB PS3 box. According to Sony's Dave Karraker, "it is just a lighting trick. Nothing different or new about it."[Via Joystiq]
Sony survey says: selling 80GB PS3 in Europe isn't necessary
Sony CEO and President of the European side of things, David Reeves, recently issued a statement regarding the potential release of a new, 80GB, model of the PlayStation 3 in Europe. You may recall this version of the Sony mammoth device is getting released in Korea, along with other special features like downloadable content. Well, Mr. Reeves has pointed out that such a model will not make its way to Europe any time soon.His reasoning behind such a decision is this: "there are markets like Korea where there's very high broadband penetration and the people there are used to downloading content, so they require a certain size hard drive." True, but does this mean we'll never see a higher storage capacity in our PS3's in Europe and the Americas (plus Canada)? Not for a while. If you really need the storage space, though, you can stick any internal hard drive you want in there. So long as it's a 2.5" SATA drive. If we start getting downloadable content like HD movies or TV shows, it'd be a worthwhile investment.
80GB PS3 -- US bound?
While it's not exactly confirmation of a US-bound 80GB PS3, Sony is providing a glimmer of hope this morning for a beefier domestic release. Satoshi Fukuoka, spokesman for Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said that they are considering the 80 gigger specifically for the US and "other markets." He also shed light on the decision making process which includes the popularity of online gaming coupled with the availability of broadband connectivity. Fine, but considering the dismal performance of Sony's gaming division last quarter, you'd think they'd also be slathering some preferential treatment onto their largest marketplace(s). After all, gamers are nothing if not a fickle bunch and we wouldn't them feeling slighted now would we? Hey Sony, why not drop in a 120GB disk and we'll call it even.
