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Sony quietly gets PlayStation 3 certification in China, we hope for a few more Dynasty Warriors players
Ever since 2000, game consoles have effectively (if not very assertively) been banned in China. There's already been signs of a warming attitude with official plans for the Nintendo 3DS XL coming this December, but Sony may have slipped out hints of a fuller thaw without anyone noticing until now. A Sina Weibo user just discovered that the 160GB and 320GB versions of the previous-generation PlayStation 3, the CECH-3012, passed through China Compulsory Certificate approval in July -- an odd move when the console couldn't actually go on sale in an official capacity in current conditions. Certification is still far from a guarantee that Sony will actually sell the PS3 in the country, most of all when it's a slightly outdated model of a console line that's edging ever nearer to a replacement. The government certainly hasn't commented on what the regulatory clearance means. If it ultimately leads to more gamers in Chengdu or Shanghai, however, we're all for it.
Sony announces a slimmer PlayStation 3, 250GB bundle launches September 25th for $269
A few years ago, Sony pulled the curtain back on a slimmed-down version of its PlayStation 3, and yet another Japan-only version since then. Today at the company's pre-Tokyo Game Show press event, the latest rumored redesign to the PS3 was announced. The new duo gets even smaller in stature and will arrive in stores with both black and white offerings, available in 250GB and 500GB models. The "charcoal black" option has a September 25th launch date for the 250GB bundle (with Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception "Game of the Year Edition") and a $269.99 price tag, while the "classic white" model arrives on November 22 (at least in Japan -- this is a TGS presser after all). For those looking for more storage space, the 500GB, charcoal-only option will be available on October 30th in conjunction with the Assassin's Creed III release -- no word on pricing just yet, though. Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House introduced the new model, calling it 50 percent smaller than the original (rather large) PS3, and 25 percent smaller than the previous slimmed-down version. Sean Buckley and Ben Gilbert contributed to this report. %Gallery-165870% %Gallery-165860% %Gallery-165859%
Did Sony's latest PlayStation 3 redesign just get outed by Brazil's Anatel?
Remember that mysterious new PS3 variant that passed through the FCC not too long ago? Although that listing didn't have photos to confirm a redesign, a new one has hit Anatel (essentially Brazil's version of the FCC) with a quartet of pictures in tow. Specifically, it cites models CECH-4011A, CECH-4011B and CECH-4011C, matching up well with the 4K labeling from the aforementioned FCC visit -- if you'll recall, the current PS3 Slim has a 3K model number. According to Tecnoblog, the the three models point to a shockingly storage-cramped 16GB version, along with 250GB and 500GB variants. While this Anatel document appears to be from Sony, we'd be remiss not to mention that we haven't been able to load the photos as Tecnoblog has. In terms of looks, apart from appearing extra slim -- and decidedly less attractive -- the system notably seems to be rocking a top-loading disc drive (this would be a first for the PS3). For now, we'd advise taking this potential leak with a grain of salt, but rest assured that we'll inform you if we hear anything official from Sony.
Rumor: New PS3 model photographed [update: more pics]
What seems to be a picture of a weird-looking new PS3 popped up on the site of Anatel (the Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications). The image depicts a PS3-labeled device with a ridged texture and what appears to be a sliding panel on top – perhaps indicating a cheaper top-loading disc drive.We can't access the image directly – the above version is from Tecnoblog – but the database does bring up a document from Sony Brasil making reference to products CECH-4011A, CECH-4011B and CECH-4011C– which Tecnoblog says corresponds to systems with 16 (!), 250, and 500GB storage. The latest PS3 Slim is the CECH-30xx seriesRecently, diagrams popped up on the American FCC website also suggesting a new model of the PS3. Sony declined to comment following that discovery, but we're checking in again today.Update: Tecnoblog has updated with more photographs of the device from different angles. We've got one more after the break, but head to the site to see the rest!
New PlayStation 3 model may be in the works, FCC filing suggests
A new filing on the FCC database shows what appears to be a new model of PlayStation 3. Most of the information is confidential by request, but a diagram showing the location of the FCC ID (above) suggests a hardware configuration that is shaped differently from the existing PS3 Slim – in fact, it's closer in shape to the original PS3.From the diagram alone, it's impossible to tell how this potential model differs in size. Perhaps it's tiny like a PSOne. Or perhaps it's just a slight cosmetic modification that will result in a functionally identical system. Develop reported rumors that this new model will be officially revealed at Gamescom; we're checking in with Sony, but it's likely we won't hear anything official until the convention.
Sony PlayStation Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition hands-on
Aside from the PlayStation Move Racing Wheel and Wonderbook, Sony has one more accessory to show off at E3 -- the Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition. Naturally, we hunted down this peripheral aimed at all-things audio to check it out for ourselves. The PWSHEE is the company's second full-on PS3 headset to date, expanding on what it offered with its Wireless Stereo Headset from last year. As we're told, the headset is also ushering in a new Pulse moniker for its PlayStation oriented ear-blasters, although there's no word on what we can expect down the line. For now, this unit packs a lot on paper for its $150 price, touting key features like 7.1 virtual surround sound, PS Vita and cellphone compatibility (thanks to a detachable cable with inline remote / mic), BassImpact technology for massive low-end pulse (get it?), audio profiles, higher-fidelity drivers than the WSH and hidden noise-cancelling microphones for chatting. Does it have the potential to live up to its hype and one-up its $80 predecessor? Join us past the break for our initial impressions. %Gallery-157587%
Sony's latest PS Move Bundles let you go Medieval, get your groove on
Good ol' gaming bundles can be enticing when you're on the prowl for a new console or accessory set, and we have to admit, we'd be excited to lay some motion-controlled moves down with Sony's latest PlayStation offerings. Back at E3, we had a chance to slice enemies with virtual swords in Medieval Heros: Deadmunds Quest, thanks to the PS Move's 1:1 tracking abilities. With the game releasing next week, Sony's decided to offer it in a $100 bundle, packing a PS Eye, Move controller and a copy of Sports Champions (which Deadmund shares its gameplay mechanics with). If you don't already own a PS3 -- and love getting your groove on -- the Everybody Dance bundle may be your $300 ticket to the wand-waving fun; it features a 320GB PS3 Slim, PS Eye and Move controller, along with a DualShock 3 for when Duty Calls. These likely won't be Sony's last PlayStation-related bundles to hit shelves before the year's through, but if it sounds like your kind of party you'll find more info at the source link below.
Sony drops PS3 price to $250 in US, €250 in Europe
Sony just wrapped its Gamescom 2011 keynote with this juicy nugget: base PlayStation 3 models will run you just $250 in the US, €250 in Europe, and ¥24,980 in Japan. Announced at the same show two years ago with a $300 price tag, the base PS3 Slim model includes a 160GB hard drive. A lower price will provide a nice cushion for that $299 Call of Duty: Black Ops bundle, which just hit stores earlier this summer. Meanwhile, the 320GB model will see a $50 drop as well, with new pricing for both models kicking in immediately in the US and Europe, and August 18th in Japan. Sony also lifted the curtain on a €99 (about $140) budget PSP model, which adds a slick new design while dropping WiFi functionality. Because, really, who needs their handheld console to connect to the web? All that internet gaming stuff was so 2011.
Sony intros new PS3 Slim in Japan: lighter, consumes less power
Fresh from the Land of the Rising Sun comes news that Sony has updated the original PS3 Slim (CECH-3001B) with a lighter, less power-hungry model. The new Japanese PS3 CECH-3000B weighs in at 5.7 pounds -- as opposed to its 6.6 pound elder brother -- and even lowers its wattage to 200W from the previous 230W. Based on information handed to us by SCE in February, we're surmising that you'll need HDMI / HDCP in order to get 1080p video playback from Blu-ray Discs; otherwise, it'll be limited to 480i over piracy concerns. Other non-AACS content -- games included -- should be exempt from the restrictions. The unit will retail at the same ¥34,980 price point (or $435 for the Yanks) as the original Slim, and while a relatively plain 320GB flavor seems to be on tap for now, a 160GB Tales of Xillia bundle will purportedly hit this September. No announcement has been made for its North American counterpart, but with the system already in the FCC's clutches, you can bet it'll be making an intercontinental trek in short order.
Special edition Tales of Xillia PS3 bundle coming to Japan
Japanese PS3 buyers have the choice of another special-edition console, should they decide to give their Gran Turismo 5 blue or Final Fantasy XIII white systems a rest. The "Tales of Xillia X Edition" PS3 system is the usual "Charcoal Black" PS3 color, but with metallic red and gold artwork on the top depicting the characters Jude and Milla. The PS3 logo is also red, which does more to make the thing seem "special-edition." Maybe we're just weird. The 160GB system will be released in Japan on September 8, bundled with a copy of Tales of Xillia for ¥37,980 ($470). While it's no longer completely ridiculous to think a Tales game will be localized, don't expect to see this one in American stores anytime soon. Of course, PS3 games are region-free, so you can totally import one of these and play American games on it! [Thanks, Morgan]
PlayStation now offers customer service via Twitter, probably won't help you jailbreak your PS3
Got a question about a PlayStation product? Have a Twitter account? If you answered yes to both, then you'd be interested to know about @AskPlayStation -- the official account for all of your PS concerns. They'll assist you via tweets Monday through Friday from 9:30AM - 5:00PM PST and will answer in real-time between the hours of 2 and 5 PST. Hit up the source link to get all of your inquiries answered -- just behave yourselves, OK?
GAEMS Xbox 360 traveling case gets sleek redesign, still won't help you spell correctly
The last rendition we saw of the GAEMS console-carrying case looked more like a giant lunch box than a solution to your portable gaming needs. If you're still interested in bringing your Xbox 360 on the road, the company has redesigned the case and it now supports the fat and slim versions of the 360 and even the PS3-skinny. What's new in this compact carrying case is the fact there's actually room to store the console, controllers and power brick. It comes bundled with a remote, HDMI cable and power supply to power the speakers and LED screen. If you're road trippin' any time soon and want this beast, you can save yourself 20 bones by pre-ordering before April 20th and you'll receive the $300 case come June.
Satin Silver PS3, new Blu-Ray remote announced for Japan
Sony has revealed a new color variation for the PS3 Slim in Japan, the lovely "Satin Silver." It will be released on March 10 in 160 and 320 GB models for ¥29,980 ($368) and ¥34,980 ($429), respectively, and in "limited quantities." The bundles will include a USB cable, an AV cable, and a Satin Silver DualShock 3. Hardcore coordinators will be able to pick up a silver vertical stand for ¥2,000 ($25). Sony is also releasing a new version of its Blu-Ray remote on March 31 in Japan, which includes controls for the Torne DVR, IR functionality to control TVs and other devices, and a smaller, lighter design. However, it's not silver, so who cares?
Gran Turismo 5 launches in Japan November 3 with blue PS3
Gran Turismo 5, the racing game with the most ironically slow development ever, will arrive in Japan November 3. It'll be available not only in a ¥7,980 ($93) standalone pack, but in a first-run Limited Edition with five DLC cars and a 308-page book, for the same price. Sony is also releasing a ¥35,980 ($421) PS3 bundle, called the Gran Turismo 5 Racing Pack, including the LE of the game and a special "Titanium Blue" 160GB PS3 Slim. This joins the recent white version and the Final Fantasy XIII Lightning edition in the set of awesome PS3 Slim variants unavailable to most of us.%Gallery-99681%%Gallery-99682%
160GB PS3 Slim, 320GB Move bundle coming to US and Europe this fall
The leaks weren't wrong, they just weren't the whole story. A 160GB PlayStation 3 Slim is indeed coming to the US -- Europe, too -- but additionally, there's a heftier 320GB Sports Champions Move bundle. The former standalone console is available now stateside for $299, and according to the GamesCom press conference, Europeans will have to wait until October for 299 Euros. As for the biggie, which includes the game and one-player Move package, that's due out September 19th in US (or September 15th across the pond) for $399 and 349 Euros, respectively -- just in time for holiday shopping sprees.
160GB PS3 bundles appear on GameStop
A PlayStation 3 Slim with a 160GB hard drive has mysteriously shown up on GameStop's site, available right now for the same $300 price as the standard 120GB model. Previously, the 160GB model has only been available in Japan. Further adding to the mystery is an image on the GameStop front page touting this model of PS3 as "Just Announced," even though it hasn't been officially announced by Sony. "Just announced privately to GameStop," maybe. This new model is available through GameStop in a standard hardware bundle ($299.99), as part of a $404.97 God of War 3 bundle containing the game and two controllers, and in a $379.97 Accessory Bundle with two controllers and a Bluetooth remote. We're checking in with Sony about this (sort of) announcement, about its possible retail exclusivity, and about whether the 320GB model will also become available. [Thanks Maverick!]
Hori's mesmerizing PS3 Slim LCD dock now available for import
Love at first sight may be debatable, but we had a feeling we'd be into Hori's PS3 Slim LCD dock just as soon as we laid eyes on it. A few months after first appearing overseas, the simplistic device -- which mounts an 11.6-inch LCD atop your PlayStation 3 Slim console -- is ready to be imported into these great States of America. Play-Asia is coming through in the clutch once more, offering the gizmo to those situated far, far from the Land of the Rising Sun for $259.90. It's in stock and ready to ship within 24 hours, so we'd get it on it if you were planning to get on it. Just sayin'. [Thanks, Craig]
Sony: PS3 retail shortages have been 'resolved'
According to a statement issued by Sony yesterday alongside the publication of the NPD Group's June sales report, the PS3 shortages cited by GameStop in its Q1 earnings report have been "resolved." No explanation for the resolution was given in said statement, though we imagine it has something to do with making more consoles and delivering them to stores at a faster pace. Perhaps this particular resolution had something to do with the PS3's 97 percent rise in sales during the month of June. Then again, every piece of gaming hardware saw pretty significant increases in sales last month. Was everyone experiencing a recently resolved shortage? We're super glad we stocked up early.
White PS3 Slim, larger hard drives offered in Japan
[GAME Watch] If you were in the market for a white PS3 Slim, but didn't want one with Lightning all up on it, you're in luck! Sony Japan has just introduced a new "Classic White" system, along with a new white vertical stand and, of course, Classic White DualShock 3 controllers. The new system is outfitted with a 160GB hard drive. The 160GB PS3 will retail for 29,980 ($341). In addition, Sony is selling the "Charcoal Black" PS3 Slim in a 160GB Torne digital recorder bundle, for ¥36,980 ($421), and a version with a luxurious 320GB hard drive (and no Torne) for ¥34,980 ($398). All of these are going on sale -- in Japan only -- on July 29. The current 120GB PS3 Slim is now going "open price," meaning retailers can drop the price at their discretion.
White PS3 Slim with 160GB HDD hits Japan July 29th, new 320GB HDD option
Looks like we've (almost) solved the mystery of PlayStation 3's FCC-bound CECH-2501 models. Sony just announced a "classic white" PS3 Slim (as opposed to the "ceramic white" original) for Japan, model CECH-2500, coming July 29th with 160GB HDD. For 34,980 yen (about $400 translated to US currency) you can now start off with 320GB of storage in your "charcoal black" model -- not to worry, the aforementioned 160GB still retails for 29,980 yen ($342). So, when are we gonna see this elsewhere in the world, hm? Update: Post edited to make clear that the new "classic white" model is only available with a 160GB HDD.
