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PS3 Price Drop Confirmed; 80GB Model Also Available

80GB PS3On the heels of rumors late last week that Sony would drop the price for the Playstation 3 to $499, unlikely source KOTV of Tulsa, Oklahoma let word slip that Sony announced just such a price drop. More interestingly, Sony is introducing the 80GB PS3 (previously released in Korea) in a box set with popular title Motorstorm for $599. As part of the announcement, Sony spokesman David Karraker said Sony would use next week’s E3 to focus on increasing PS3 sales and expanding the library of available games - which would be supported by the release of 100 new games during the current fiscal year, including 15 exclusive titles such as the highly anticipated Heavenly Sword.

The $499 PS3 package is certainly welcome and, with the flurry of new games set to be released in the next six months, it should drive console sales. However, I have to wonder what the purpose is behind the $599 package. 20GB and a copy of Motorstorm really isn’t worth the additional $100, in my opinion - especially considering the PS3’s open architecture that allows owners to swap in most any 3rd party hard drive as a replacement for the original.

Nevertheless, Sony has finally answered the loudest criticism of its Playstation 3 console. With what looks like a strong six months ahead for the Playstation 3, the magnifying glass on the system will intensify to see if gamers will jump on board.

Check out the full press release after the break.

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INTRODUCES NEW 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3TM); ANNOUNCES NEW PRICE ON CURRENT 60GB MODEL 80GB System Designed for Today’s Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499

FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment America(SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3TM) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStormTM. In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for$499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price.

By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast, providing ample storage space to download more games and other entertainment content from PLAYSTATION®Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION®Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.

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3 Responses to “PS3 Price Drop Confirmed; 80GB Model Also Available”

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  1. Derrick Schommer Says:
    July 9th, 2007 at 8:55 am

    Um, $499.99 is still too high. Drop it another USD $100.00 and you’ll peak my interest.

    Until then, Sony, you’re still an overpriced console.

  2. Tom Says:
    July 10th, 2007 at 8:45 am

    $100 for a game and 20gigs? Lame.

    All these toys are overpriced, including the 360. Wake me when they’re around $200.

  3. Konami Questions PS3 Price, MGS4 Exclusivity | Game Stooge Says:
    July 10th, 2007 at 2:08 pm

    [...] the recent USD $100 price drop of the PlayStation 3, many immediately felt the console had finally met it’s turning point, [...]

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