Pre E3 2007: PS3 price drop confirmed [UPDATED]

PS3 News | But still to retail for $599..?

Via an Associated Press release, Sony have confirmed what many of us already assumed - that the Playstation 3 is to receive a price drop from US$599 to US$499 as of this week. But there's more to the story.

Rather than simply dropping the price, Sony are also set to release the 80GB model of the Playstation 3 (previously released in Korea) and package it with a copy of Motorstorm for US$599. Which means that, technically, the price hasn't in fact changed (since the 20GB and 60GB models of the PS3 debuted at US$499 and US$599, respectively). Sony spokesperson, David Karraker, explained in the press release that the release of the higher capacity model was to facilitate Sony's plans to offer high-definition movies and games on the Playstation Network.

The price drop will begin Monday, with the 80GB model set to debut in the US and Canada in August. As always, there's been no word on any plans for a price reduction in PAL territories, but hopefully Sony's E3 conference will shed more light on the matter. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Upon closer examination of the image of the new 80GB model on Sony of America's offical blog (viewable in the Media Panel below), the Home button on the controller appears to be red; perhaps denoting a different model of controller - possibly the new "Touch Sense" controller we've been hearing about?

SECOND UPDATE: According to GamesRadar, the red light is also found on debug PS3 controllers, and thus isn't necessarily new. And in response to a query from gaming blog, Joystiq, Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Dave Karraker, is quoted as saying "It is just a lighting trick. Nothing different or new about it."

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64 Comments

MIkes

4 years ago

Even with a $200 AU priec drop I still wouldn't pick up a PS3. I already have a 360 and i just can't see the justification in dropping a grand on something that does what a 360 does already.

john_solids

4 years ago

dont worry noone was expecting you to, but its good for those who dont have a next gen console who are interested in one, or those wanting a blu-ray player

RAMPAGE

4 years ago

I cant really see it making people that didnt want to go out and buy a ps3 due to price go and get it now. But i hope it brings a few more people in.

MIkes

4 years ago

john_solids wrote

but its good for those who dont have a next gen console who are interested in one, or those wanting a blu-ray player

But is it? Other than the name and the blue ray, what does it have to attract the layman over a 360?

I'm being serious, not fanboyish.

A13x

4 years ago

Card reader?

genxevo

4 years ago

i really hate it when this happens so soon!! screws people who bought the ps3 at launch over (idiots like me)

john_solids

4 years ago

well they both have features that will get someone to choose one or the other, 360 has the games, then you have to pay to play online, ps3 has blu-ray free online and games to come, so when more games come out on ps3 it would be hard to say that people wont, give it a year and see how its going. (not saying xbox is crap or anything because its not)

genxevo

4 years ago

MIkes wrote

But is it? Other than the name and the blue ray, what does it have to attract the layman over a 360?
I'm being serious, not fanboyish.

not much really.. hdmi, built in wireless, free online gaming, you can upgrade the hdd with any notebook hdd, no batteries for controllers, 'exclusives' (which are becoming rarer - ie devil may cry)

its probably better to get a 360 unless you actually use all the features of a ps3

RAMPAGE

4 years ago

genxevo wrote

i really hate it when this happens so soon!! screws people who bought the ps3 at launch over (idiots like me)

Yeah i know what you mean mate. The people that are loyal and go out and spend the big $$$ to support the playstation or other products, always get the short end of the deal. Companys should give us some more extras. As time goes on as well. As we are the ones that set the ball rolling for the ps3.

realitybites

4 years ago

^^Good point. But the price was only ever going to go one way.

I think what the Wii has shown is that there is a price point non hard core gamers are willing to pay to get into gaming.

Sony should know anyway from their experiences with the PS2 and PS1.

Without getting into a debate the potential of PS3 is far and away greater than the 360 and definitely the Wii.

I have have a 360 but I'll still get a PS3 probably mid next year. My dilemma is I need to see "exclusive" titles before I get one. Also I'm seriously in the market for a new LCD and the new 1080p Samsung are looking the goods. Next year they should be around the 2K mark. My current LCD can become the 2nd TV. Hopefully we will have a better view of the blu-ray vs. HD-DVD by than.

donovan515

4 years ago

RAMPAGE wrote

genxevo wrote

i really hate it when this happens so soon!! screws people who bought the ps3 at launch over (idiots like me)

It happens for all consumer items, I don't know why people complain about buying items first.

Hmm I'll hold off from buying a PS3 to around Christmas times might get a better deal or something.

john_solids

4 years ago

yeh im putting off buying a new 60inch lcd tv till 2020 dont wanna spend to much. haha

Capoeira

4 years ago

To all of you all complaining about getting shafted for being an early adopter; think about all the fun you've had with the console since it's release, fun that those of us who didn't purchase the console have missed out on.

You guys did have had fun... right? I mean, Motorstorm... and Resistance... and uh...

Yeah, you're right. You guys got shafted

Frozencry

4 years ago

Capoeira wrote

I don't feel shafted at all. Unlike a certain other console the machine actually looks and feels expensive, it doesn't overheat and die, and the features it has I use extensively

But that's just me.

LeonJ

4 years ago

I'm sure Sony are not happy about this, but it's a move they HAVE to make in order to have a successful 2007 xmas. The PS3 needs to be at a price which the average joe and even be tempted to buy.

No doubt M$ will knock off the 360s shortly to add some salt into Sony's wounds. Although their warrenty plan is costing them, so maybe this could be a good thing for Sony.....

Infested Jibbs

4 years ago

They really need to coincide this with a big ass game release OR halo 3 to suck some sales away from the 360.IMO, why drop the console price when it still isn't worth the money?The 360 is the only one pulling it's weight so far this gen, granted it's been out for longer, but this won't make me buy a ps3 anytime soon, they could make it a hundred bucks, but with no games to play it's still $100 too dear.

LeonJ

4 years ago

Jibbs wrote

I think the poor performance in the US is killing them. They have and are investing a bucket of cash into this generation. I'm sure there are a lot of worried people in Sony's head office.

They bet the house on Blu remember.

genxevo

4 years ago

xbox wasn't really appealing till gears of war and dead rising came out imo and i think they were being sold for about $600 (about 8% below retail price) then too

Gamesta

4 years ago

Frozencry wrote

Capoeira wrote

I don't feel shafted at all. Unlike a certain other console the machine actually looks and feels expensive, it doesn't overheat and die, and the features it has I use extensively

But that's just me.

Same here.I'm very glad that I bought a PS3 on launch night.Yes the PS3 might not have many really good games, but I play Resistance online every day.I have extreme fun playing in parties with my clan.I have at least 1 person on my PSN that plays Resistance practically all day every day.

Now this might sound a bit dumb but I love being able to play PS2 games on my PS3 just because I can play them using a wireless control.Sure I could have just bought a wireless PS2 control but I never wanted to spend as much as wireless controls cost.

Plus the other features are cool even if I don't use them very often ie card readers, web browser but I like the idea of having them even if I don't use them very much.I barely ever put photos on my PC anymore because it's better IMO and easier to just put them on my PS3.

The price cut doesn't bother me one bit,I'm all for it.Because I like PS3 I like the idea of it being more accessible to others because I want people to support it.

Capoeira

4 years ago

It's denial... that's what it is.

Seriously though, I meant the first half of my post. The other half was just ball busting.

(kinda like this one)

mwhahahaha. It never ends!!!

Frozencry

4 years ago

Capoeira wrote

It's denial... that's what it is.

Seriously though, I meant the first half of my post. The other half was just ball busting.

(kinda like this one)

mwhahahaha. It never ends!!!

I was aware of that. Hence the 360 bashing.

And by the way you are Incredibly good looking!

Capoeira

4 years ago

Frozencry wrote

Capoeira wrote

It's denial... that's what it is.

Seriously though, I meant the first half of my post. The other half was just ball busting.

(kinda like this one)

mwhahahaha. It never ends!!!

And by the way you are Incredibly good looking!

Why thank you.

*flutters eyelids*

genxevo

4 years ago

Gamesta wrote

The price cut doesn't bother me one bit,I'm all for it.Because I like PS3 I like the idea of it being more accessible to others because I want people to support it.

you sir, are a better man than I

i'm just bothered because it was the same for the psp about 2 months after when you also got a sony published game when you bought the value pack.

i bought both the psp and ps3 at launch and i never recieved a free spiderman umd and i wasn't one of the 20,000 to get casino royale.

another factor of my repressed rage of being shafted was back in 1998 i bought an N64 and two weeks later it dropped around $200 in price and nintendo gave me a free game as a form of compensation (i think it was lylat wings from memory).

legend166

4 years ago

So do we know what it's going to sell for here? Or won't they drop the price?

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