40GB PS3 confirmed for Australia

New PS3 model to cost Aussies A$699.95 ($629); no confirmation of 60GB price drop.

Gamers in the UK finally received confirmation overnight of the upcoming availability of the oft-rumoured 40GB version of the PlayStation 3, and it looks like Australians won't be far behind in receiving the new console.

Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Australia) has confirmed that the new PS3 model will be available down under from October 11, and will cost gamers A$699.95. The 40GB model will not be compatible with PS2 games, will come with only two USB slots, and has no multimemory card port.

And while consumers in the UK will also be receiving a price cut of £76 off the revised 60GB PS3 bundle (which will come with two games and one Sixaxis controller), there was no word from SCE Australia about a similar drop for Australians.

Calls to SCE Australia to confirm a possible new 60GB price point and for more information about the 40GB model were not returned as of time of publication. Check GameSpot soon for more details.

69 Comments

  • chamby119

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 1:26 am PT

    Effing rip-off. Thanks for screwing over the aussies Sony. But it doesn't really worry me, i can afford it. But it always seems like Aussies are getting taken advantage of. Give me 20 or 10 gig with Backward Compatibility, and im grateful. Some people may not need alot of space, they just wanna play the system and not turn it into a machine full of media... Plus i want to finish FFX and FFXII, ps2 taken from me before i could complete them both.

    seems like ps3/360 are trying to bump wii... it's gonna take more than lowering the console price, i can tell you that.

  • Oldwolf62

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    mmmmmm, I don't think this is a good move by Sony. But who knows hardcore gamers will just buy it I reckon.

  • hitman1988

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 5:25 pm PT

    I work in game store and the customers i get most only care about the price. I think these are gonna sell quick.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 10:52 am PT

    Import it But then you can see why sony closed down lik-sang... its decisions like this that they KNEW they were going to make that make Sony clamp down on imports.

    Why buy a lesser console, when in a few months time you will be able to go to a store, get mgs4 (etc etc) bundled aswell as the dual shock 3 pads (you know, the pads everyone was MEANT to get).

    By that time, they would of put the emotion engine in it aswell.

    Don't buy into sony's way of churning out cheap consoles to reach financial year quotas. Just wait until the ps3 is right for YOU.

  • abadgirl84

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 5:33 am PT

    in romania it's 800$

  • vandrius

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 2:37 am PT

    Princecake: Exactly.

    Buy two games from singapore, roughly $65AU each +$15 shipping....

    You almost get two for the price of one from your local games retailer.

    Its such a joke.

  • epsilonone

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 1:23 am PT

    now the AU$ is = to 0.90 US$. that make the 40GB $630 US

  • Princecake

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 12:32 am PT

    I'll wait till MGS4 and FF13 come out before I buy it...and even then, I'll import it from singapore or the US - save at least 400 bucks that way (games included - 60USD = 65AUD, whereas games in AUS would set me back 110 bucks..)

  • omrikk87

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 10:14 pm PT

    it is still expansive for some ppl , the true sony fans out there will love this move by sony , but they also didnt love the move before that , plus the new pad is really good , a very crutial mistake by sony on the pad... i just dont get it... i hope now sony will be back to the war ,actually get in the war with mic' , MGS , Tekken ,RnC could give some good points to sony , uncharted looks good , perhaps this will lead sony to something new , even though a series amount of good titles coming to the 360 this year and the start of next year , i guess it will be whole counted to the marketing and providing extras for the fans...

  • lowmankind

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 9:51 pm PT

    I'm still waiting for a further price drop... besides, there aren't any games on PS3 that I MUST have this second... I'm gonna even hold back a little on MGS4...

    but I suppose there's the guarantee with PS3 that you won't get a red ring of death like the 360 has... probably worth the extra dollars, considering the headache Microsoft have been on this issue thus far

  • vandrius

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 8:50 pm PT

    Heh, this is great news price-wise.

    That said, I picked my 60GB PS3 up in Singapore a week after launch for the equivelent of $750AU with two games and HDMI cable.

    Its a joke that theres such a huge difference. The same package would have cost me $1150AU on launch.

    Does it really cost $400 to ship each PS3 down to Australia and pay its tax? No. It really doesn't. Here's a tip: Post it in an airmail bag for $50 Sony, it'll be cheaper than the hand-delivered method you must have right now.

  • saturos_4_ever

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 7:16 pm PT

    uhhh we pay extra because the aussie dollar was only worth about 80 US cents. But its currently going way up meaning cheaper stuff like this. And the PS3 IS too expensive

  • bihboy69

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 4:05 pm PT

    heaps of people in america complain about ps3 being too expensive when down here in australia, we need to pay about $300AU more but i dont mind, im happy with my ps3.

    keep in mind that there is NO 20gbmodel in australia aswell.

    like it matters though, you can swap the hard-drive with a bigger one whenever you want. Gamespot even did a tutorial on it i think

  • ullerw_basic

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 3:31 pm PT

    "People need to just make one version of a console, and stick with it. Maybe make an improved, more streamlined version of it 2-3 years down the road from release, but other than that, only one version of a console should be needed. This is really getting out of hand."

    Since youve released a console before Im sure you know the perfect business plan for them AMIRITE?

  • BloodMist

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    700 bucks for the 40 gig model.Damn things really are expensive in Aussie land.

  • lilmp89

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 12:19 pm PT

    Andrew
    "People need to just make one version of a console, and stick with it. Maybe make an improved, more streamlined version of it 2-3 years down the road from release, but other than that, only one version of a console should be needed. This is really getting out of hand."

    agreed

  • Andrew_D28

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 11:55 am PT

    " guess sony have to do this before Microsoft kill the console market. like i have said before if they win we lose. we need sony in the market to give consumers a choice"

    How is that even remotely true. Microsoft is not killing the console market in any form or fashion. Nintendo is still around, and as long as two console makers are around, people have a choice. Sony is just being silly as well as Microsoft, by throwing out all these "different" versions of consoles. Its not needed.

    People need to just make one version of a console, and stick with it. Maybe make an improved, more streamlined version of it 2-3 years down the road from release, but other than that, only one version of a console should be needed. This is really getting out of hand.

  • Andrew_D28

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 11:52 am PT

    " The 40GB model will not be compatible with PS2 games"

    This is a pretty BAD decision.

  • mattkorn

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 11:46 am PT

    wow i thought we had it rough in england.
    what king pin says is right im on my 3rd 360 since lauch and it makes a lot of noise, but there is so many good games at the moment on the 360 compared to the ps3 but its only been out for less than a year. it needs a good helping hand like when graw and oblivion were released at the sameish time, people don't care about what a system can do its good games

  • Ninjaogta

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 12:58 am PT

    Well, you'll never get the full experience of online gaming until you subscribe to Xbox Live. There's nothing comparable to it as it's leaps and bounds above the competition.

  • jaredrichards3

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 12:55 am PT

    I guess sony have to do this before Microsoft kill the console market. like i have said before if they win we lose. we need sony in the market to give consumers a choice. i think the high price of the ps3 has hurt it a bit, but a console as good as the ps3 was never going to be dirt cheap. i hope people buy this new console to keep Microsoft on it's toes because god only knows i don't want to ever subscribe to xbox live to get my online gaming fix.

  • Princecake

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 12:24 am PT

    great... now that AU$1 = ~US$0.88 that means we're paying ~600 USD for an inferior version...

    what a rip ...

    they're all manufactured in china anyway, I don't see why we're paying 200USD more than Americans

  • other44

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    ...hmmmm

  • Fists1

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 8:26 pm PT

    are they sure about the total lack of backwards compatability? wouldnt the the updates be the same for 60 and 40 GB models meaning only limited backwards compatable? and does 40 GB have WiFi?

  • Wej_accept_it

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 7:42 pm PT

    $700 for 40GB, minus back-compatability?? Not sure about that, does it come with a sixaxis controller? Cus I don't like the idea of buying a new console and then having to buy a seperate controller.

  • Gorge-a-Maniac

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 4:37 pm PT

    Wow, no backwards compatibility? 700 AUD Is way too much without that. Pull your head in Sony, you bloody pirates.

  • wallace7869

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 3:43 pm PT

    In Russia, you rip Sony off!!!

    However, I havn't had it confirmed yet. But several of the suppliers from the store i work in are actually reporting the 60 GIG model as Discontinued!

  • LordLeckie

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 3:33 pm PT

    In other words they dont want to admit that they have been ripping us off blatantly and disgustingly. seriously, not even the exchange rate and tarrifs combined add enough cost to justify a $1000 price tag, so now they offer a cut back unit with less stuff for the price the 60gig unit should be.

  • Riavian

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 2:24 pm PT

    in AUS, ps3 = 700, blueray player = 1000 + (often 1200 or more)

  • felshs

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 1:39 pm PT

    EU and AU paid lots more cuz they have smaller market and higher tariff.
    in order to cut even the console have to charge more. I`m glad i live in US, but $400-$600 is lots of money for a guy like me.
    i only make $400 a week, after bills and every thing i only save around $100-$200 a month.
    thats like 3 to 4 month worth of saving.
    i wouldn`t use my hard earn money for a video game.

    But its a whole different story for those that make $1000 a week or live with their parent without sny bills to pay. they can buy 1 in 3 weeks.

    i know there are lots of people like me thats why they can only afford to buy the $250 wii and $130 PS2 instead of ripped off PS3 and 360.

    not everyone is a doctor or CEO or live with their parent.............who the hell gonna pay $500 for iphone or PS3????
    i guess big corporation thinks everyone is rich like them

  • tonka_92

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 11:24 am PT

    I just have one thing to say:
    In America at launch you got 2 models, 1 for $499 and another for $599.
    In Ireland we got one model in March for €630($787.50 at the time, about $900 now)

    Now In Ireland we still only have one SKU and we will soon have two then one again, so you americans can be happy in the fact that in the future you will have a chance to buy a ps3 with bc(in the 80gb) as we will be stuck with this not so great SKU which over here will cost about €450 -€500($650 -$720)
    My point is, dont complain, you got it cheap

  • ttsovok

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 10:12 am PT

    Roughly the same price of the 360 elite, this may well swing a few folks to buy it. but maybe some system-seller caliber games would be a better idea...?!

  • MoldOnHold

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 9:38 am PT

    Nice deal for consumers. Hoping a NA version comes soon.

  • darkprince99

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 9:30 am PT

    cool that great news well i did get my ps3 for a 2500 (not dollars) but im happy that i bought a ps3 cuz i cant stop playin it and my friend is gettin a 360 sooooo i can play 360 games and he can play ps3 games(cuz he lives next door) ahhhhhhh!!!!

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 8:29 am PT

    Damn, Why didn't i wait for this cheaper piece of crap?

  • Jezzasaurus

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 8:07 am PT

    Sounds pretty good to me, as someone without any PS2 games, I couldn't care less about backwards compatability...

  • HK-47-M4

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 8:04 am PT

    People Australia has higher sales tax or whatever, so does Europe. That's why everything over there is much more expensive than in the U.S.

  • S2333

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 7:09 am PT

    Not having the ability for PS2 games is gonna put off some people.
    This price is supposed to be for normal consumers that when they think video games they think playstation and probably have a PS2 already.
    So it is a worthless purchase for these people.

  • valakos

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 6:57 am PT

    i feel sorry for all the people sony australia ripped off for AUD999 which was far off the USD599 (roughly AUD670) - they lined their pockets with the difference for all the 'hard work' in getting suckers to pay more for a system than ppl in the us. There are few games developed in aus so most of the money goes to greedy stuipid marketing types. do we really want to reward marketing idiots when its the developers who should be getting paid more???? sony computer australia seems to think so.

  • king_pin_87

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 6:16 am PT

    dunnowhathuh, our gaming prices IN GENERAL are much higher than in the US. Games are $60 US there, but are around double that here, even though it should be around $70-$80. The US price for premium 360s. $349.99US, which is $388.93AUD, even though we pay $549.95. The Wii? $250US, which is $277.81AUD, even though we pay $400. Gaming costs way too much for us PERIOD, not just sony's prices, even though everyone loves to ignore the 360 and Wii prices when they mention American prices.

  • dunnowhathuh

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 5:25 am PT

    700 bucks is still pretty damn expensive. I can look past the backwards compatiblity since I have a PS2 but nevertheless, the price looks outrageous when you take a look at what the Americans are paying for it. You could get the 80 gig version over there for the same price (around 30 American bucks less to be exact). On any normal day, I wouldn't bother with the PS3 because of that price difference. Unfortunately for me though, the PS3 has the honour of sleeping with MGS4 and Final Fantasy so I'm probably gonna end up getting that 40gig PS3 and cry while doing it. Oh well, I'd rather fork over 700 bucks for that black brick then a grand that's for sure.

  • Mechakucha

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 5:18 am PT

    C'mon, SCEA, hurry up and announce it. You're not fooling anyone.

  • ObiKKa

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 5:14 am PT

    $699.95? Well, I'll still wait for the upper PS3 version, coz it has all 4 USB slots, which is very VITAL in case people come over to my house, & that 3 or more controllers are needed for the ultimate multiplayer experience, & the fact that I really want that multi-memory card reader for I may use it to display the photos (from family & future digital cameras - VERY IMPORTANT), videos, music, etcetera.

  • Lord_Artix

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 5:11 am PT

    Umm...the reason I got a PS3 in the first place was because I was one of the other 5.9 billion people in the world who did NOT get a PS2. No backwards compatability...Shame on you Sony. While I understand the PS2 is dirt cheap, it doesn't change the fact that they're requiring you to spend more money to play games the PS3 should play.

  • whacker40

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 3:26 am PT

    good move, we really need a cheaper model over here in aus. who needs backwards compatibility anyway? i mean, honestly, who doesn't own a ps2 these days anyway?

  • GeorgeFulci

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 2:39 am PT

    I am happy that I just picked up the original 60 gig at 499. I really do think that the console is worth the money. They have not yet really started to tap into some of the cool capabilities of the system. They had a rough start. I can only imagine what the future will hold in store for this powerful system. I content with my investment in this system.

  • heretic92

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 2:31 am PT

    yep if i didnt already have a 60gig ps3 id buy a 40gb it still has wifi and i might even change over to one in the future in order to get an aust ps3 for australian dvds and bluray instead of my current jap ps3

  • kazuyasongoku

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 2:28 am PT

    Although this is great news, sony should include the rumble and backward comp. But it won't be long till i get one.... now if only the games library was bigger.

  • sonic0491

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 2:24 am PT

    that is an excellent price for all those features.
    the xbox 360 elite is $30 more and doesnt have a high definition dvd player or wi fi.

  • epsilonone

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 12:04 am PT

    I got a ps2 And I all so got a lot of psone games that I have not played since I got the ps2 5years ago. This will be the same as when I get a ps3 so why pay of something I don’t want. If u what to play the old games on ps3 then by the 60gb its that ezy. I am going to get a bigger HDD anyway so the 40gb gives me $300 to do that and get a game I like

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