E3 '07: 60GB PS3 $499, 80GB due in August

[UPDATE 2] Sony confirms price drop, says new $599 model bundled with MotorStorm coming next month--and will use software for backwards compatibility.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Today, Sony confirmed to GameSpot that a fusillade of reports from US retailers had augured last week. As of July 9, the PlayStation 3's North American price point is going south. The next-generation console will cost $499 in the US and $549 in Canada, the same price as the discontinued 20GB model.

So far, the price drop is for North America only. "This news does not affect any other PS3 territory," said Dave Karraker, Sony Computer Entertainment America. However, a spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe added, "We are making an announcement at E3 on Thursday which will be related to SCEA's announcement."

The new 80GB PS3 bundle.

The price drop announcement was accompanied by more unexpected news: The 80GB PS3, previously only available in South Korea, is also headed stateside. The larger-capacity system will go on sale in August for $599, and will have all the functionality of the 60GB model except backwards compatibility hardware. Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton confirmed to GameSpot that the 80GB PS3 will instead use software emulation to play PlayStation 2 and original PlayStation games.

To help stifle complaints that $100 might be a bit much to pay for 20GB more of hard disc space, Sony is releasing a "limited edition" bundle which packages the console with the off-road racer MotorStorm, which currently retails for $59.99.

The price drop further indicates that, after a slow start, Sony is now aggressively trying to expand its customer base in the US. The move comes none too soon. According to the latest figures from industry-research firm the NPD Group, the PS3 sold only 82,000 units in the US in May, compared to the Xbox 360's 155,000 units and the Wii's 338,000 units. Ironically, the console's predecessor, the PlayStation 2, was the month's fourth-best-selling platform with 188,000 units, just behind the PlayStation Portable's 221,000 units.

Will the $100 price drop turn the PS3's fortunes around? "Even with a $100 drop, the PS3 is still the high-end console," Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian told GameSpot. "But price cuts typically generate incremental demand, and I don't think this situation will be any different. Bottom line, this may not be enough to kick-start PS3 sales into the mass market--but it's a good first step."

1985 Comments

  • jaredrichards3

    Posted Nov 12, 2007 9:55 pm PT

    This is the start of the end for the 360

  • ziyad888

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 10:42 pm PT

    the price is not a problem ..... if the price is high that means that you will wait a littel longer to have one . but sony is forgeting something more importent than a price drop ..... like GAMES !!!

    there is no games whorth buying the console exept MGS4 , Kill Zone , Tekken 6 , FFXIII and god of war !!

    what sony will give us after that ?

    a games that also be in a cheaper 360 and wii ? ( DMC4 , GTA4 , Lost Odissy , Ace Combat 6 )

    and the price drop is just in north amireca ,they even didnt drop the prices in japan !! ( the home of the compony )

    its not like i will not buy one ..... but to buy one now is a BIG waste of money considering that most of the exclousive games went to the xbox 360 that is having a very , Very strong titles plus its cheaper ...

    so sony , you better make a fast move or you will be eaten alive by microsoft and nintindo ...

  • frostbach_basic

    Posted Aug 8, 2007 6:23 pm PT

    Well I went out and bought one(60 GB) because I wanted the backwards compatibility...the 360's backwards compatibility is atrocious...$499.99 was still a little expensive IMO, but oh well...considering what all is in there its worth it!

  • Septwenty5-88

    Posted Aug 7, 2007 1:09 pm PT

    First off lets be realistic here You will still be getting a great deal
    not only are you getting more hard drive which is kinda necceary if you like to download demos which are pretty big in size, but you are still getting a blue ray player which still cost around 700-900 dollars...I know some of you still think that dosn't really matter but one of the things that helped the ps2 was having DVD playback and I heard that it may include (rumble) ready controler. which is a good thing. the software for backwards compatability can also increase the ps2 gamplay as it can be updated periodicly.

  • gtjava

    Posted Aug 7, 2007 8:37 am PT

    well im hopefully just gonna get a bigger harddrive later wen i need it

  • ILOVETHEENOT

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    does anyone know an exact release date in august for the 80 GB PS3?

  • Slapshotsaint

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 6:54 pm PT

    Right now is the best deal..I got a PS1, PS2, Blu- Ray, PS3, expansion slots, Multiple Card Readers, with a 60 gig HD. $499. The newer PS3 will not be backwards compatable and Sony says "We will update the games for the PS3 but it will not be a FOCUS". Probably 20% ..Think about that if your on the fence.

  • akira_yakuza

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 6:13 am PT

    This sux, as far as ive heared the US is getting a cheaper PS3 untill they've sold all the 60Gb units to replace them with 80Gb units, thats great if you live in America but as for Europe? its the same old story, we get the bum deal as were not getting 80Gb units in the foreseable future, were just gonna get a 60Gb unit with an extra control pad and a couple of games bundled in for around £450.00 (US$900.00), i probably wont even play the games that come with it, as always we Europeans get the short end of the wedge, maybe ill get an import PS3, maybe Sony will boost sales if the UK prices were in line with the rest of the world.

  • Maraxusofkelds

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 5:56 pm PT

    LULZ. i guess this move had to be done eventually. with assassin's creed and gta4 no longer being exclusive, its really just MTGS, Gran Turismo, and god of war that will stand out (well maybe ratchet and clank too). still, i dont think this move will reestablish ps3 as the dominant next gen.

  • ICM19

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 9:40 am PT

    Sony just have to wait until the HEAVY games start to come out... i mean MGS4, GTA, Devil May Cry, Grand Turismo, KillZone... that will increase the sells... personally, im waiting for MGS4 and Devil May Cry... OOOOHHHH i forgot!!! GOD OF WAR for PS3!!!!! now THAT will rock!!!!

  • GspotDeluxer

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 6:47 pm PT

    I am getting a PS3 for my birthday which is Sept. 21.

  • senjutsu

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 4:30 pm PT

    I'm buying a ps3 in september, it's cool since I'll pay the same price for a better ps3 (80gig and a game instead of 60gig and no game, lol).

  • Knightmare_King

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 3:46 am PT

    Am I the only one that thinks that this marketing strategy is the more REDICULOUS one sony has ever done (and i'm sure their are alot of screw ups along the way!) but honestly its not helping anything for the people that want it except lower the price to the SAME price the 20 gig was bring out the 80 gig ps3 and this DISCONTINUE the 60 gig the exact same way leaving no options to buyers..i give MS one credit despite of the negitive press at least they give you OPTIONS on what system you want.

    I don't care how many good games come out for this system; i think sony is being hyped up to the point that most people are forgetting that they just mentioned a strategy to cancel out another system so that you hve to pay the exact same price you been spending before...i don't know about you...but can games actually save them i dont know about that? despite of the hyped up publicity by people and other networks (ex. g4, etc) this isn't going to help the mass that wants this system blue ray doesn't always means profits but i guess not many people realize that....oh well, there's a sucker born a minute.

  • RyanShazam

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 4:35 pm PT

    Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

  • packernation31

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 6:47 pm PT

    The PS3 will never make up its lost ground its doomed

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 3:11 am PT

    I left this news for a few days. Then Xbot come in 7s. I don't know will PS3 outsold every other platform, to be frank, I and Sony just don't care. We have the best graphic and power that to run a war campaign for years. How long do u think Xbox360 will last without harddisc and bluray? Look even Epic want to change sides *v*

  • bostr84777

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 1:04 am PT

    I believe Sony now realizes that they've made too many mistakes to win this generation. I think their logic is to beef up the installed base a little with the price cut, than try to turn a profit on the consoles and cater to their users while the third party support lasts, probably 2 years at the max. They know they can't win at this point, so why even try while continuing to lose huge sums of money on the hardware. I think PS3 will end up as the N64 or GC of its generation.

  • Panman_Dan

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 7:21 am PT

    I'm a little disappointed that I payed for the 60gig, only for them to announce later an 80gig is on the way, and for the same price... Oh well, I guess I'll do as the guy below me mentioned with upgrading the HD, but I doubt the need for so much space will be necessary on an already large HD.

  • 8ballz

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 6:45 am PT

    yall know that the hard drive is the same as a labtops, so u can buy a ps3 and actually put like a 120 gb hard drive in it or like a 250gb one, crazy as sh!t.

  • RiceCake

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 9:07 pm PT

    moron2themax.... your name seems to sum it up pretty well. Even if the PS3 sold zero units, it would never be the end of Sony. PS3 is still selling more units now than x360 was at this time last year. Keep your ignorant mouths shut fanboys.

  • moron2themax

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 5:27 pm PT

    it's obvious that sony is desperate for money. i mean, c'mon, in 9 months, they've released 3 versions of the ps3, removed one version(the 20GB), and knocked off $100 which wont make a differance cause it's still too expensive. The PS3 is the end of sony...

    As for me, i got my Wii and will hopefully get the halo 3 edition 360 once i get a job.

    Wii PWNED the PS3!!!!!!!

  • The_Kills

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 12:47 pm PT

    For Cymartin

    The 80 GB version will be able to play PS2 and PS1 games, but the only thing is, the Emotion Chip that is on the 60 GB version will be removed, and thus they will be using software emulation to run the PS2 and PS1 games. What this means is that it might have probably a few less compatible titles at first, no one is sure really though.

  • neock2003

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:23 am PT

    Sounds like to me that I'm going for the 60 gig verson this August. It's not like I enjoy more space in the 80 gig verson, it's that I enjoy the over 100 PS2 AND PS1 games. Besides I felt more screwed over with microsoft since buying the core system.

  • Sam_Lowery

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 6:14 am PT

    The price drop is good, but is anything good even coming out this year? MGS4 and Killzone won't show up till some time next year. The thing that could finally push me over the edge is online Tekken, but I'll have to wait till it's out and reviewed to make sure it's not lag city.

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 12:57 am PT

    The new Killzone2 trailer got me hook *v* The fight at the end of MGS4 trailer is rare! Save money time

  • cymartin

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 6:30 pm PT

    Is it true that the new 80 gig version of the Ps3 will not be compatible with Ps2 games? I've seen that reported on some other web sites.

  • MarcusMuchgame

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 5:42 pm PT

    ps3 + (KILLZONE +MGS4) / reliability = THE BEST DEAL ON THE MARKET

  • Victor_N

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 4:25 pm PT

    Yeah and for about 30 more dollars you can buy a console 100times better and alot more realible...as time goes there are more 360's out there with that flashing red light thing.

  • Rockadagreat

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 4:10 pm PT

    oooooo wow!! I'm still Buying an Elite

  • Victor_N

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    I do think there is more storage space needed on the PS3 unlike the xbox elite. I have the 60GB version and from 55GB of free space I only have 35GB so I think 80GB is excellent, who knows...maybe if they would have made one with a bigger hard drive it would have been even better . I also have a premium 360 and from 14GB of free space I've only used 1.3GB so I think those 120GB are really a waste of space. I wonder if the 80GB for the PS3 will be sold seperately

  • llc012

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 2:50 pm PT

    well i couldn't resist going to buy one now. for $535 (cuz of tax) i got the 60GB ps3, an extra controller and will be getting 5 free blue ray movies. i already have 360 and the wii, didn't intend on getting ps3 so soon but i don't like the idea of software emulation and the $100 price drop, free controller, and 5 free blue ray movies almost forced me.

  • Snoopy_16

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 6:18 am PT

    Man this is stupid how come they only droped the price in the US what about in Europe ?? They should drop the price in Europe too so i could buy one myself..

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 4:49 am PT

    @Mickael
    So fake!

  • Mickael

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 12:53 am PT

    Well I officially had it with Sony. I've been a fan since the first Playstation and now they are adding a mere 20GB for an extra 100 bucks?? And Including a game...which is only TEMPORARY! And it gets WORSE! The new 80GB systems will NOT be able to play my old Playstation 1 and 2 games! ...They say via 'software emulation' yet they have already admitted that it is not a priority of theirs to bother like the effort Microsoft put out. Looks like I'll be getting a 360 Elite when they go to 65 nanometers in the fall. I never thought I'd be owning an Xbox 360 instead of a PS3. The only thing I'll miss is Ratchet & Clank. Everything else is multiplatform now anyways.

  • Reetesh

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 11:30 pm PT

    Ah.. I JUST bough that thing and now this happens
    well anywyas.. its good as we will get more people to play with on PSn

  • JedimasterRocky

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 8:37 pm PT

    About damned time , heck this should have been the original price and maybe we now could have gottena price cut , well at least they did something good.

  • cartoonrick

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 7:00 pm PT

    Lesson learned - I purchased a dvd payer back in 1998 for $400 dollars plus tax. Not too many people had them just yet and the only way you could really watch alot of movies was either buy them or rent from Netflix out of San Jose. I was in Louisiana! BBV didn't have them and was thinking about getting into more than the VHS business.

    Jump to the present day.
    Same DVD player now goes for around $60 DOLLARS!!! What the crap!

    Will we learn the same lesson from PS3? Also purchased that PS2 brand new for like $300 when it came out. Now you can find them for like $130. So can we expect them to go for eventually the same $170 less in the near future?

  • Punk1984666

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 4:35 pm PT

    Yes you can play your ps2 titles, software emulation will replace the hardware emulation [emotion engine chip on board] of ps2 titles. With software emulation they can do things to improve ps2 titles on the ps3. My guess is even though the current ps3's have hardware emulation, in future firmware upgrades they will change that.

  • MrSickVisionz

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 4:27 pm PT

    Is backwards compatibility really that big of an issue for people? You'd think if it was, they wouldn't sell/trash their old consoles as soon as a new one comes out.

  • kTvTv3

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 3:54 pm PT

    jem_gal. Uh....????? The article just said the 80gb will have software which supports backwards compatability...

  • jem_gal

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 3:41 pm PT

    who really needs 80 gb?? and no backwards compatability but software emulation? does that mean that we can't put in ps2 discs and play but have to wait until they re-release the game to download or something? that's confusing and stupid..

  • BestGamer_Alive

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    80 GB? no one can even fill 60GB up!!

  • dslsd

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 2:44 pm PT

    and now .... 20 more gigs! seriously, who cares. it needs more GAMES, not more space.

  • Ced_Quijote

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 2:09 pm PT

    too little too late. t'was the glip under the tsuki. sony is done for.

  • jedipy

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 1:26 pm PT

    good move sony! now just get some killer apps out there and you're back in this thing!

  • _Sam_

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 12:38 pm PT

    I am VERY glad that I waited still will probably wait for a better price drop though

  • krystians

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 11:38 am PT

    Like the last poster wrote, they are still going to lose money. Even more now then ever. Sales might increase but will not help in catching up with the Wii or 360. It will be a while before Sony will see some profits. Even at the new price I still do not want to buy. I already have a Wii and if there is a new system that I would like to purchase that is HD it would have to be 360, cause it's cheaper. Not to mention into all this Sony is loosing developers. I think the winners are going to be wii and 360. I know that I will get the 360 for my HD needs. VIVA Wii60.

  • TwinTiger

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 11:32 am PT

    Sony still gonna be losing money on every system sold. Dropping the price on the 60 gig and adding the 80 gig for $599 might be their only option. I know a lot of people look at it like Sony still has a $499 model and a $599 model, but that may be the only way they can keep from taking a bigger loss.

    And since they're already losing so much money on the PS3 units, the cost of games may not come down anytime soon either. Thankfully, the 60 gig currently still has the emotion engine hardware so gamers can trade in their old PS2s for it and save some cash.

    For Sony, it's about not losing anymore money; for the consumers, it's about getting the most for your money.

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 11:22 am PT

    Any fool that buys the 80gig is just going to have to admit they paid $100 for Motorstorm, and less BC.

    Sony you are stupid. You should have kept the 20gig around because now you would have a $400 PS3 available.

    Good job on finally dropping the price of the real PS3.

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