New 80GB Core Packs can be sold as soon as stores get them [Update]

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 19th 2008 at 1:23PM }

While they're not supposed to "officially" go on sale until the end of this month, it appears that many retailers are stocking their store shelves with the new 80GB Core Packs. These systems, which retail for $399, offer an upgraded version of the previous 40GB system: a larger hard drive and a DualShock 3 controller. It does not, however, provide any backwards compatibility. Various tipsters have mailed us with reports of systems being on store shelves, and Ashhong from NeoGAF even posted a photo of one system.

If the new 80GB Core Packs are available, that means the two current PS3 SKUs both feature 80GB hard drives. The more expensive ($499) 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle includes a copy of the popular stealth action game and offers backwards compatibility.

Update: SCEA rep Al de Leon tells us that "Shipments of the new 80GB PS3 started this week, and retailers can sell them as they receive the inventory." If your local store has the new 80GB system, they're allowed to sell it immediately.

Tags: 80gb, playstation-3, ps3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Gambit07 @ Aug 18th 2008 8:08PM

The average Joe would be puzzled if he sees both SKUs on the shelf at the same time, since the new 80G + MGS4 is less expensive then the MGS4 bundle, unless the bundle goes down to $449.

Albanian_Killa @ Aug 18th 2008 8:52PM

Exactly. Sony needs a price cut on the backwards compatible one, or Sony needs to put in a 120GB HDD in there. The casual gamer won't know jack about BC.

MakaiOokami @ Aug 19th 2008 12:42AM

Ya if they are too stupid to look at the specs or read the box I don't have any remorse for them. It's like like you get to pick up one and just carry it around the store they just have to ask (hopefully one of the non mentally retarded people will be helping them)

I mean do you really buy a fucking 400-500 dollar system just to go and say "Hey I have no idea what the fuck is going on"

Average Joe needs to actually pay attention to shit before he buys it.

Niko @ Aug 18th 2008 10:22PM

Can you, or anyone else, actually find an 80gb/MGS4 bundle? I agree though, there are going to be many VERY confused customers out there. They could've had "Core Pack" more prominently displayed on the box, just for those people who see 2 80gb PS3's and expect them to be the same.

Eggy @ Aug 19th 2008 3:28AM

Are console gamers idiots then? Wow there are two different SKUs, one of them includes a game and BC the other does not. How confusing. :S

Gambit07 @ Aug 19th 2008 2:16PM

@Eggy: There are a lot of people that are not aware about the BC issue, specially since it's not a feature that Sony promoted.

Choad @ Aug 18th 2008 8:15PM

pretty sure it has ps1 b/c as that is all software emulation.

John @ Aug 18th 2008 8:49PM

Yeah, just no PS2 BC.

j.howlett @ Aug 18th 2008 9:41PM

yeah i think ps1 compatibility negates the no bc claim

owlscratch @ Aug 18th 2008 8:27PM

is this with the smaller chip?

Devin @ Aug 19th 2008 12:56PM

Exactly, I want to know if this new 80GB offers anything new thermally than its 40GB predecessor. 45nm Cell? 65nm RSX? New heatsink?

I also wonder if they will bundle in a game with it? Doesn't like they will from the picture, but maybe retailers will. Who knows.

The SackBoy @ Aug 18th 2008 8:37PM

Wow, I should have waited. 40G's of extra space trumps Spider-Man 3 anyday :-P

Andrew @ Aug 18th 2008 8:45PM

YESSS I BEEN WAITING !!!!!

Vern @ Aug 18th 2008 8:51PM

I just picked up my 40GB a couple weeks ago. I should probably return it and wait for this one instead.

Mana Knight @ Aug 18th 2008 9:06PM

I would not be surprised since pretty much every retailer I go to is sold out of the 40GB. IMO, SCEA needs to have them sold now or people might pick up another console.

ryan @ Aug 18th 2008 9:15PM

any reason why Backwards compatibility for PS2 is taken out? i thought Sony took pride in that sort of thing.

Eric E @ Aug 19th 2008 10:15AM

They said it was for marketing. Seperate the ps2 and ps3 users. Lots of people still have a ps2 anyway. (like mines in the bedroom) But i'll be glad down the road when teh ps2 is really obsolete and i can get rid of it and still play my titles (until my 60gb dies and im screwed)
I think SONY will bring it back in a few years.
It also saves them money since they actually put all the ps2 hardware in there (and not fail like M$)
Did the MGSBundle have a DS3?
if So, the difference is half the USB ports, no MC reader, no PS2 combatability for ~$40 less (if you we're buying MGS4 anyway)
i'd take MGS4 bundle anyday.

Khaled @ Aug 18th 2008 9:16PM

People are gonna be confused this holiday season.

Hmmm.... 2 80GB PS3, one comes with a $60 game but it's a $100 more. Parent/ relatives aren't gonna know that the $499 PS3 has B.C.

h0mi @ Aug 18th 2008 9:24PM

So these have only 2 USB ports and no memory card reader? I really wished sony would reconsider the memory card reader. and usbport but (shrug).

j.howlett @ Aug 18th 2008 9:43PM

you can get cheap usb card readers and usb hubs

AIR_Irish @ Aug 18th 2008 10:07PM

so the retail store that i work at is actually not receiving any more MGS4 Bundle PS3. Our stock system is showing that we will not be getting anymore MGS4 80gb bundles in the future.... So as i see it there will be only one PS3 on the market for N.A. and that is the core 80GB system.

MNJayW @ Aug 18th 2008 10:13PM

Boy am I glad that I grabbed my MGS4 Bundle last month for my b-day rather than waiting for the holiday season. It gives me a chance to catch up on the 3 years of PS2 games I missed out on since my launch day unit died.

Charles Gedeon @ Aug 19th 2008 6:00AM

Damn! My parents are being jerks about me buying the system now and my B-day is on Dec 4th :(! I really want a PS3!!!

bruce @ Aug 19th 2008 1:16AM

i think they should keep it like it is 1 low grade 80gig 1 high grade 80gig

Bookshelf @ Aug 19th 2008 2:34AM

I think it should be the 80gb "core" system for $399, and then like a 120gb "pro" system for $499 w/ BC. sounds good right?

sackdude @ Aug 18th 2008 11:03PM

You have to remember that th mgs4 comes with a 10 dollar psn game and memorycard readers and 2 extra usb's and backwards compatibility and a 60 dollar game, I'd say that a good deal if you are actually gonna use tha compatibility

Sinistar @ Aug 18th 2008 11:20PM

I wonder when Costco will get these?

Khaled @ Aug 19th 2008 12:16AM

They usually take longer to get them. Except online ( http://www.costco.com ), they usually have them on release day.

michael @ Aug 19th 2008 12:27AM

So what should I buy? My PS2 stil functions well, but I like the idea of only having one unit hooked up. Then again, I'm not sure how often I'll pull out the old PS2 games. Maybe Ratchet&Clank, but mostly the newer titles should keep me more than busy. Are there any real cost advantages to buying the MSG4 bundle? The new core package seems like the way to go.

nate @ Aug 19th 2008 12:48AM

I'm also gald that I picked up my MGS4 bundle.

reggiea23 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:53AM

these are already available at B.B in Los Angeles saw them there 2 days ago.

bruce @ Aug 19th 2008 2:48AM

i agree with you Bookshelf.100%

bruce @ Aug 19th 2008 2:49AM

i agree with you Bookshelf 100%

phinnvr6 @ Aug 19th 2008 3:39AM

Oh man 80gb hard drive and the Dualshock 3? And no hundreds of dollars in BS extras needed like yearly subscriptions and wifi? Sweet deal.

OtakuReborn @ Aug 19th 2008 10:29AM

Shit.

Why did I see this coming? I was wondering why Sony went with an 80GB for a new one, since it blended in with the one that already exists.

So that's it. No More Backwards Compatibility. God damn it.

Right now, it's not even an issue of reading the box. In a few months from now when I might actually pick up a PS3, Backwards compatibility will be long gone, and you won't be able to find one anywhere, much less checking what's written on the box.

mark @ Aug 19th 2008 11:37AM

Been waiting for this system since the annoucement at E3, and got excited from this post. Just looked at some stores in my area(just outside Philadelphia), and no one has it yet. I tried Best Buy and Target, and neither have any display for PS3 systems, which leads me to believe they removed the others in anticaption for the new 80gb ones. hopefully later this week? then i checked a EB and they didnt have any either, but the guy also had no idea when one was coming in and didnt really seem to know about it at all either. i figure ill check back later in the week to see if anyone got one.

Mac @ Aug 19th 2008 11:49AM

I called BB this morning and asked if they had the 80 gb $399 available yet and they said they did - one left. I felt quite lucky. She said she would hold it for me, so I jumped in the car and went to get it. When I got there, she brought out the MGS bundle and rung it up at $499. She acted like she didn't know it was $499 even though I asked twice on the phone to make sure it was the new $399 version. Anyway, I was out of luck and passed on buying the more expensive one - seemed pointless to me. The people there said they don't know when they will get the new ones. I called a different BB and they said they are ordered but aren't at the stores yet. Take it for what that's worth. This is in the Pittsburgh area.

Twinturbo120 @ Aug 19th 2008 2:53PM

damn dude. Same thing happened to me but I was guying GT4 and the dude gave me a used version -.-

fabio1 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:36PM

I got a friend that wants to buy the mgs4 bundle, but he can't find it anywhere in Detroit. He looked for it on BB, but they are only carrying the 40gb one.
If someone by chance knows of a store selling it nearby Detroit, please reply :)

p0Wer @ Aug 19th 2008 1:43PM

Sweet!

theforce34 @ Aug 19th 2008 2:04PM

Anyone else notice Best Buy's website?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8982988&type=product&id=1218005635152

Notice they claim the new 80gb has PS2 backwards compatibility!

Mr. Joe @ Aug 19th 2008 2:19PM

i bought the mgs4 80 bundle last week. and i tell you, i'm glad i got it when i did. i was too anxious to wait and see what the xmas special was gonna be. and for a hundred extra dollars, i am happy with my purchase. i got a game, more inputs, ps2 bc, and a pain download voucher. that's worth more than just one hundred, imo.