Japan gets 40GB, price drop, white PS3

by Jem Alexander { Oct 9th 2007 at 8:30AM }

Japan always have it slightly better, right? First the FFVII Crisis Core PSP, then the early DualShock 3 release and now Japan is getting the 40GB and a price drop on the 20GB (they still make those?) and 60GB models. So what's new? Europe is getting the same thing, right? Wrong - Japan is getting a new PS3 colour for the 40GB model as well as matching Dualshock 3 controllers. The new 40GB PS3s and controllers (all in Clear Black and Ceramic White) will be available on November 11th, about a month after the European release, and will sell for 39,980 yen (around 340 dollars or 240 euros). The Dualshock 3s will not be bundled with the console but will be available for 5,500 yen each (about 33 euros or 47 dollars).

In addition to this, effective October 17th the 20GB and 60GB models will be dropping price to 44,980 yen (about 384 dollars or 273 euros) and 54,980 yen (about 334 euros or 469 dollars) respectively. They will also be eligible for a free copy of Spider-Man 3 on Blu Ray for the first 200,000 purchasers, as will the 40GB once it is released. With price drops of about 5,000 yen across the board, and the inclusion of a new budget system, Sony really seem to be pushing forward through this holiday season.

If you're disappointed about not getting rumble until next year, or you just want a white controller, then don't fret. Most of this year's new games will have rumble out of the box so feel free to import the controllers from Japan.

Tags: 40GB, Japan, price-drop, white-PS3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Genie @ Oct 9th 2007 8:50AM

Hi, I'm a Japanese gamer. I'm considering buying a white version.

Ian @ Oct 9th 2007 8:51AM

Jem, and everyone else, can you recommend suitable Japan/Honk Kong exporter websites of said Rumbling Sixaxis controllers?

TRUTH @ Oct 9th 2007 9:09AM

The white looks SWEEEET!!!
(Can I trade up, lol)

Byron517 @ Oct 9th 2007 9:27AM

wow... that looks hella sweet!!

will fn b @ Oct 9th 2007 2:00PM

Would a Japanese controller be compatible with US PS3s? I've never really imported any game-related stuff, but this looks really sick.

shase @ Oct 9th 2007 9:47AM

@2 Ian

Check out play-asia.com - they have the most up to date preorders and soft/hardwares at a reasonable price. yesasia.com also have them but they over price and their "discounts" usually brings it down to play-asia's level. NCSX.com is another import site based in NY - their stuff might be a little more pricy but it is in USso faster/cheaper shipping overall.

OrganicShadow @ Oct 9th 2007 9:12PM

Wow. So a US release of the 40gb unit is looking less and less likely. It wouldn't make sense for Sony to announce Japan first if US would get it before them(rumored Nov 2 date).

Zero101 @ Oct 9th 2007 10:24AM

Yup... I actually just ordered the white dualshock 3. Unfortunately, only one order per customer, but still pretty slick. I am a sucker for white controllers :)

clamana @ Oct 9th 2007 10:26AM

thats fug, hate vibrating controllers, price drops are good though.

Metoo @ Oct 9th 2007 10:39AM

Ooh, want a pretty white DS3, but for $60+shipping? Maybe I'll wait until it's sold in the US. ;-) I don't like paying over $40-45 for controllers. Rumble's not that important to me. I rarely used it on the PS2 anyway. But ooh, it's pretty.

Neil @ Oct 9th 2007 10:43AM

The white looks really nice, and I guess if you already have a 360 or Wii (or both) this would go really well with them.....but I kinda like the sexy black more.

rawd @ Oct 9th 2007 11:00AM

AW I want the white one, hopefully they are available in North America

Matt @ Oct 9th 2007 11:13AM

Just ordered from Play-Asia.. Coupon code below.

DT-MUA-BUN

RangerPrimeX @ Oct 9th 2007 11:18AM

Maybe making it Wii-white colored will make it sell better in Japan.
360 did the off-white instead of Wii-white and see what happened in Japan.

ryano @ Oct 9th 2007 2:47PM

*will wait for the PS3 to be shipped with dualshock3*

prateeko @ Oct 9th 2007 1:29PM

Son of a-

Ever since E3 05 I wanted a White PS3. But I needed the EE on 60GB PS3s...why'd you have to make me choose, Sony?!

evolution @ Oct 9th 2007 1:56PM

@Matt

Thanks! ordered, the coupon code is much appreciated. Actually, I think I paid less for that white ds3 than I would for a sixaxis locally.

i'm glad i waited to pick up a 2nd controller.

Cory @ Oct 9th 2007 2:12PM

I always wanted the white one. Oh well the black one is nice enough.

Ruben @ Oct 9th 2007 3:25PM

I'll wait to see if the US gets the same, if we don't, then it'll be hot import nights for me!

PT Cruiser @ Oct 9th 2007 4:10PM

The white is so...so sexy. Bring it over ASAP!

Ruben @ Oct 9th 2007 4:46PM

@PT Cruiser
I know right you just want to... touch it.

wonway01 @ Oct 9th 2007 5:31PM

I bet the white PS3 sure hides the dust better the the black!

Shattercross @ Oct 9th 2007 6:28PM

"22. I bet the white PS3 sure hides the dust better the the black!"

Actually it does.

Was that some kinda crack on ps3?

Richard Comegys @ Oct 9th 2007 6:36PM

"Japan always have it slightly better, right?"

No, I disagree. Japan gets royally screwed for the most part. There's depressingly LESS selection of games here than back home (in terms of games one would want to play, anyway -- who wants boku no natsu yasumi 3?). Also, Blu-rays are TWICE as expensive at around 4300 yen per disc. All of my purchases have to be imports, which adds an extra premium on them.
I think Sony is trying to kissing up to their Japanese customers by giving us the white system & DS3 early. It's their way of saying "Sorry for screwing you."

Shattercross @ Oct 9th 2007 7:41PM

@24

You forget that the Japanese have different tastes when it comes to gaming, why do you think the 360 isn't doing as well there? Hell, the Nintendo DS dominates there- everyone and their mom has one (literally) because of it's selection of learning and causal games, games that would bomb here. Hell, Lair got craped in the US but is a hit in Japan with reviewers. The Europeans have it the hardest when it comes to gaming, Japan doesn't have it that bad- they always get stuff first because all the best companies are there.

Metoo @ Oct 9th 2007 7:43PM

I have much shame. I pre-ordered the white DS3 from Play-asia. Thanks for the coupon code.

Bad, bad! Although I have until early November to cancel if needed.

steve sway @ Oct 9th 2007 8:30PM

The big question is, does this new white one include silicon based on the 65nm process now? I want my RSX and Cell to be running cooler before I pony up any cash for a PS3.

That said, I also want the following:

- Xvid/Divx support (like many other media boxes sold at retail).
- Skype support (like you have on the SONY Mylo).