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Rumor: 80GB PS3 to be discontinued in Japan, parts ordered for new Sony consoles

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 4th 2009 at 10:31AM }

We've got a bunch more kindling for the ever-burning PS3 Slim rumor today, so try and keep up. First and foremost, Kotaku recently uncovered a document from a 7-Eleven in Japan (where 7-Elevens are apparently respected games dealers), which asks that stores stop taking pre-orders for 80GB PS3s as of August 9 -- at the behest of Sony. If legit, this move could be the start of the 80GB's mass exodus, as foretold by the Ars Technica mole in the "Great PS3 Slim Prophecy of 2009."

Other rumors come to us in the form of a Telegraph report, which rounds up a number of potential signs pointing to the svelte system's existence; one of which is an excerpt from a DigiTimes article that states Sony has "ordered enough parts to make one million consoles in the third quarter of this year," which is twice as much as was ordered in the past three months. Are these parts being used to make Slims? PSP Gos? A weaponized mech suit for Kaz Hirai?

From there, Telegraph drops a bunch of unsourced details which should be taken with a sizable grain of apprehensive salt. First, the outlet claims a PS3 Slim announcement "could come later this month" during the GamesCom convention in Cologne, with the actual console appearing by the holidays. According to Telegraph, the console "is expected to" come in two flavors -- 40GB and 80GB -- and will include two unnamed games. Best of all, it will supposedly have a lower price point than current models. Ah, now they're playing our tune.

MGS4 / Killzone 2 PS3 bundle available ... now!

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 7th 2009 at 11:30AM }

As per the deluge of tips we received regarding an 80GB PlayStation 3 bundle with Killzone 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4, the Best Buy website is now reflecting the deal. The bundle retains the price of a regular ol' 80GB PS3 ($400), but will include both of the PS3 exclusive titles. Rumors surrounding the 80GB bundles suggest it's an effort to make space for an upcoming PS3 Slim on store shelves -- and considering the $90 worth of free games Sony is throwing at consumers, it's quite possible that shelf space will open for the next console iteration.

[Via Engadget]

Amazon offers $50 discount on PlayStation 3 today

by JC Fletcher { Jun 11th 2009 at 9:30AM }

Today's Amazon Deal of the Day takes a decent chunk off of the price of an 80GB PlayStation 3 console. If you've been hoping to pick up the console -- and you're not interested in playing MLB 09 The Show or watching Quantum of Solace -- you can get one from the online retailer for $349.99. Add one of those deeply discounted Rock Band or Guitar Hero games from GameStop and you've got -- well, that would still be a really expensive purchase, but not as expensive as it could have been.

When Amazon offers a deal on a popular item like this, its stock doesn't last long, so forgive us if we channel Billy Mays to tell you that supplies are limited -- act now!

Holidaze 2008: PlayStation 3 SKU chart, revisited

by Ross Miller { Nov 17th 2008 at 11:00AM }

We'd love to say picking up PlayStation 3 is as easy as going to the store and grabbing the first box with the console's name on it. For better and for worse, this generation of consoles gives consumers many choices at the (potential) expense of causing confusion at the store. In all, there have been six different hardware configurations for the PS3, with two of those currently in production.

So, it's with this in mind that we present to you a handy guide for discerning the difference between the various PlayStation 3 versions (aka SKUs) out there. Please note that the red and green coloring is not only festive decor for the holiday season, but a subjective highlight of what each version excels in (or subsequently lacks).

	160GB	80GB (Aug. 08)	80GB (Aug. 07)	60GB	40GB	20GB

Hardware
Model #	CECHP01	CECHK01	CECHE01	CECHA01	CECHG01	CECHB01
Price	$499.99	$399.99	$499.99*	$499.99*	$399.99*	$499.99*
Chrome trim	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
USB 2.0 slots	2	2	4	4	2	4
802.11 b/g	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Flash card reader	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Bundled Accessories
Ethernet cable	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video cables	Composite	Composite	Composite	Composite	Composite	Composite
Controller	DualShock 3	DualShock 3	Sixaxis	Sixaxis	Sixaxis	Sixaxis
Backwards Compatibility
PS2	No	No	Software**	Yes (NTSC), Software** (PAL)	No	Yes
PS One	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Notes:
*This model is discontinued. The price on the chart represents the listed price before Sony axed it.
**See explanation in F.A.Q. below.

Alright, Joystiq, time to answer your own questions.

Let's do this.

Continued →

European 80GB PS3/LittleBigPlanet bundle spotted

by Kyle Orland { Sep 1st 2008 at 2:00PM }

Apparently, Sony won't be satisfied until every single PlayStation game is available as part of a bundle with a system. The latest title in this cavalcade of software tie-ins is apparently LittleBigPlanet, which a French retailer has revealed as part of a €399 European bundle with the 80GB PS3. The combo package will be available on Nov. 5, according to the retailer, complete with the incredibly busy box pictured above. Seriously, it looks like a unicorn vomited a graffiti-flavored rainbow on this thing. Also, is it just us or does that masked face in the lower right look suspiciously like Strong Bad?

[Via PSExtreme]

Let's review: all the PS3 SKUs

by Joystiq Staff { Aug 26th 2008 at 9:35AM }

There's been some confusion about all the various PS3 models that are available. Sony has introduced, and discontinued, so many different SKUs over the PS3's relatively short lifespan so far. Did you know, with the discontinuation of the Metal Gear Solid 4 model, there will only be two SKUs on the market? And did you know that neither will have backwards compatibility? Check out Joystiq's handy reference guide to see the stats of each SKU -- and if make sure you've nabbed the system that fits your needs exactly!

Educate me! >

MGS4 80GB bundle may be discontinued

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 20th 2008 at 2:00PM }

It looks like the 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle really was "limited edition." The $499 bundle has been deleted from the Wal-Mart databases, to make way for the 80GB Core and upcoming 160GB Uncharted pack. Considering the current MGS4 pack is the only system to support PS2 backwards compatibility, this may be your last chance to get your hands on a PS3 that can play PS2 games. Neither the current $399 80GB Core nor the upcoming $499 160GB bundle will support PS2 games at all.

Stay tuned for Sony's official response.

Rumor: MGS4 80GB PS3 on the outs, get 'em while they last

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 20th 2008 at 1:00PM }

It appears that the 80GB PS3 MGS4 bundle has finally been done in by the La-li-lu-le-lo. Our trusted Wal-Mart operative -- who has yet to fail us on a mission -- informs us the status of the bundle within the megacorp's computer is now "deleted." S/he tells us this means that there are no plans to receive any more shipments. We've contacted Sony for official word regarding any plans to restock the model.

We always knew the $499 bundle was a limited edition, so this isn't exactly a "!". What we are wondering: Will the model in the bundle be repackaged with a new game? Is this the end of PS3s with any type of PS2 backwards compatibility?

Gallery: Wal-Mart MGS4 PS3 deletion

80GB goes on sale in Europe this Friday, 160GB PS3 available 10/31

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 20th 2008 at 11:25AM }

Looks like the retailer leaks were right. The 80GB PS3 will launch in Europe this Friday (except for Australia). A new 160GB model has also been announced. Retailing for €449, this premium bundle will include a €70 game and will be available on Oct 31st. This bundle will not include PS2 backwards compatibility either.

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.

Retail says new 80GB PS3s out in Europe this Friday

by Majed Athab { Aug 18th 2008 at 12:55PM }

Despite the golden word of SCEE boss David Reeves, European online retailers are listing release dates for the new 80GB PS3s a week ahead of schedule. That means -- while the SKU was previously announced for an August 27 launch date -- online retailers such as Amazon UK and GAME suggest, nay confirm, that the new units will arrive this Friday, August 22. With Games Convention 2008 happening in Leipzig this week, an announcement regarding the early release is expected.

Australia gets new 80GB SKUs priced and dated

by Majed Athab { Aug 15th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Everyone seems to be getting in on the new 80GB SKUs, including the Aussies. These new units, dubbed the new "core pack" set to replace the current 40GB machines, will feature double the storage space at no additional cost. Sony Australia confirms that the core pack is coming to Australia on August 28 and will retail for AUS$699.

The same pack will be available in North America this September and Europe on August 27. As a reminder, the units come with a DualShock 3 and the same functionality as the 40GB units -- namely 2 USB slots, no memory card readers, and no PS2 backwards compatibility.

[Kotaku via Edge Online]

New PlayStation 3 FCC filing found, likely 80GB

by Ross Miller { Jul 29th 2008 at 6:15PM }

A new FCC filing has revealed the PlayStation 3 CECHL01. No details are provided, but the likely candidate is the recently-unveiled 80GB for $399 with no PS2 backwards compatibility (BC). All PS3 filings have followed the CECH_01 model -- i.e. CECHA01 is the original 60GB with full BC (check out our 2007 PS3 SKU guide for more information).

[Via Engadget, PC World]

40GB stock running low in anticipation of new 80GB model

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 22nd 2008 at 11:30AM }

A new PS3 SKU will go to sale in Europe on August 27th. Already, the effects of the newly announced 80GB Core model has been affecting the sales stream of the 40GB model. According to HMV's commercial manager for games, stock of the 40GB model is dwindling as retailers prepare for the newly upgraded model. For those interested in picking up a PS3, it appears waiting for the 80GB model next month would be the wise choice.

"40GB stock has been in very short supply over the last few weeks ... PlayStation 3 will now boast a monopoly on Blu-ray, increased storage space and Play TV in the near future," Jonathan Hayes noted. "All this points to a stronger proposition for Sony going into Christmas. The only disappointment was the lack of backward compatibility compared to the US version."

80GB PS3 coming August 27 to Europe and Australia

by Ross Miller { Jul 18th 2008 at 11:05AM }

The new 80GB PlayStation 3, which seems to lack even the partial PS2 compatibility of the previous 80GB console, is coming to Europe and Australia on August 27, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe chief David Reeves at an SCEE event earlier this week (via Gamespot). It will cost €399 for Europe and £299 for Britain and will still not be worth as much on eBay as the PS2-compatible (entirely) 20GB and 60GB launch models.