Sony today looked to inject some extra life into its PlayStation 3 console, revealing that a new even slimmer model will launch later this month.
The new model is 25 percent smaller than the PS3 Slim, and 50 percent smaller than the original PS3. It will come in two different sizes -- 250GB and 500GB -- with the former costing $269 on September 25, and the latter $299 on October 30.
The 250GB version will also come as part of a bundle for $269.99, which will include the Game of the Year edition of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, and a $30 Dust 514 voucher to spend in-game.
Various publishers took to the stage at Sony's Tokyo Game Show conference to detail new upcoming games for both the PS Vita and the PlayStation 3. Marvelous AQL had three new Vita games on hand -- Valhalla Knights 3 is due for release in 2013, while Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus will launch on February 28, 2013. Meanwhile Muramasa: The Demon Blade, originally released for Nintendo Wii three years ago, will launch for Vita on March 28.
Namco Bandai had a new Gundam title to show, launching for PS3 and Vita next year, while God Eater 2 will see a Vita and PSP release in February 2013 -- the two versions will feature cross-play.
Koei Tecmo showed off a new dark fantasy action title called Toukiden, which will launch on PSP and Vita in 2013.
Sony also noted that highly-anticipated Vita game Soul Sacrifice will miss its 2012 release, and instead launch early 2013.
Sony also revealed that the long-awaited PlayStation Mobile service will launch via the PlayStation Store on October 3, with support from Sharp and Fujitsu who have both joined the PlayStation Certified license program.
Sony's PlayStation Plus subscription service extends to PS Vita from November, with many of the same features as the PS3 version, including a collection of free games to download each month, and lots of discounts on games from the PS Store.
For no extra cost on top of your existing PS Plus subscription, your Vita will have access to automatic game updates and trophy sync, as well as an extra 1GB of online storage for save games. New Cosmic Red and Sapphire Blue Vita models are also on the way on November 15.
The PSP was also mentioned -- starting from tomorrow, the age-old handheld will receive a price cut, down to ¥13800 in Japan (no U.S. price has yet been announced).
Honestly I don't see this really doing anything, the Wii U is the new kid on the block and people prefer Xbox Live to PSN, a newer model wont change that.
Me think it size reduction is due to smaller production procede for it chips. So the PU can be produced cheaper but also the cooling can be smaller and cheaper. So to me its just a cost managing thing.
Also in Europe game sites mention two models
12GB SSD model for €229,-
And a
500GB HDD model for €299,-
The timing smells like they're trying to steal Nintendo's thunder and it's well known they're struggling in hardware sales and really struggling in software sales.
Apparently Sony's strategy is to sccop up the remainder of the gamer market share that will not be able to afford their next gen console, sort of like how the PS2 continued to sell after the release of the PS3, whether this will remove backward compatibility for PS3 games on the PS4 is my main concern.
The PS3 has always reminded me of an atari 5200. I wonder, is that controller meant to be in proportion to the size of the console, or is it out of proportion?
Well, it's nice that it's smaller and probably sucks down less power, but is it really going to get anyone who hasn't bought one yet to buy a one? $270's still not 'sure buy one for the other room' yet.
I agree. I don't have a PS3 yet, but I do want to get one so I can play some of the exclusives. I'm just waiting until the price is right. I expected a price drop this fall, but it looks they're doing this instead. Well, I can wait until next fall just fine.
I've still got my fatty and I love it to bits. I think I'll pass. I've never liked Sony's slim consoles. Never bothered to upgrade to the PS2 slim and its awful flip top disc drive. Still have my launch model.
Nintendo should have been ready for this (and the new Playstation Store features) - but the failure of their launch announcement and the arrogant interviews and media direction has only led to their continued miss-message.
However - I am not a Nintendo-hater - so I have no disillusions to the reality that Nintendo has a loyal crowd that will ensure that they can salvage whatever situation. This new release from Sony will hurt in the West however. I expect a total restructuring of the executive structure at Nintendo after the full launch to address the online future, and clear the dead wood that has become far too complacent.
Not sure what you mean exactly. This will do nothing for the PS3 in Japan due to them preferring handles. Hell the 3DS is all ready within strike range of Japan's PS3 life time sale numbers. In the US the PS3 has never really caught on now that the 360 is the US system of choice. So this is more let's save some money by cutting more cost, and hope get get some sales. Also please tell me about their failed launch announcement. When you can't even pre order a system anymore only after 3 days of the event. This is all before mass market advertisement has even started. One more thing Nintendo Wii U online has just as many features, and in some cases more for free. With out having to buy a Plus account.
I still haven't got a PS3 so this seems like a good time for me to jump in. Or within a handful of months at least. I don't see how it could do much to help Sony at this point though. The other slim model is still pretty small, and I'm seeing a good offer on that model in several stores. I wish they had added some functionality, like full backwards compability like some of the early PS3 model had.
You're probably the target market for this, but I have to wonder why somebody who's held off for 7 years would even bother buying a PS3 now when it's still priced roughly the same as the current next-gen console.
Buying a $99 PS2 when the PS3 was $600 makes sense. Buying a $270 PS3 when the Wii U is only $30 more, not so much (IMHO).
(re-reading this, it may sound like I'm questioning your judgement. I'm not. I'm just really interested in how a 7-year-old console can still sell at a next-gen price point.)
@Dough: I think I get your point, but if you think of it in terms of library, not in terms of cutting-edge technology, then it makes sense. I am interested in a large bunch of PS3 exclusive titles that are available for cheap prices by now. The WiiU, in comparison, has no real library worth mentioning at launch, and the games will cost a premium, so on those terms the PS3 will be cheap in comparison (including the price of games I intend to buy).
That's the logic ;)
Anyway, I promised that I would not buy a PS3 until both Versus XIII and Last Guardian came out anyway (promises made when those were announced... good that I did not promised to hold my breath :P)
Sure, there's software backwards-compatibility for like a hundred titles (and probably way more that work good enough or just aren't tested yet). If you're willing to buy them again.
Another model? Again?? Every single step sony takes, leads me to believe that Playstation won't be around after the next generation of consoles..
Their hardware is worse then the Xbox. You can count their exclusives on 1 hand. Their Movement glow sticks are under performing even to the Kinect, but completely lose against Nintendo, PSN is laggy, buggy, and just not as good as Xbox's, who of course have more experience in that field. And their mobile devices are sales wise losing to Nintendo for years..
It's sad to see such an icon disappear, but.. Wait, no it isn't :P They've been making worse and worse decisions for years now.. Sometime sooner or later, you'll have to pay the piper..
What about those of us who want our consoles BIGGER!?
Seriously, the only thing that Sony could add to make me even slightly interested in the PS3 would be full backwards compatability with PSX and PS2.
Is it just me or do slimmer models normally come with a price cut? This looks like a price increase.
Remember the PS2 was released at a $300 price tag. The price of these new slim models aren't much different from that. The people who still haven't bought a PS3 are waiting for it to drop to under $200 (or maybe even $100). They are missing a chance at expanding their install base.
Huh. I wasn't expecting a total Sony bashfest in the comments. It seems quaint. Almost archaic how people are responding to this. Like 2006 all over again.
I think it looks nice, aside from the grooves on top. It could have used a slightly lower price though. I already have the current slim PS3 and it uses only about 70 watts, so no need to get this one. I might consider it for the living room behind the wall-mounted TV.
I really hope we get Muramasa for Vita in the US. If that happens, I'll replay the whole thing again and have one less Wii game to hold onto.
I don't care much for the looks. What are the specs? How much less components does it use than the PS3 slim, energy output, and etc... Show me, then we'll talk. I'll buy one regardless down the road though. Just not when it's released.
If Nintendo can't keep up with demand for the Wii U, then I can see the PS3 getting a boost in sales so people can have something to put "under the tree" for XMas.
But, on the other hand, I'm guessing most families that can afford a Wii U probably already have a PS3.
Sony also revealed that the 
Also in Europe game sites mention two models
12GB SSD model for €229,-
And a
500GB HDD model for €299,-
However - I am not a Nintendo-hater - so I have no disillusions to the reality that Nintendo has a loyal crowd that will ensure that they can salvage whatever situation. This new release from Sony will hurt in the West however. I expect a total restructuring of the executive structure at Nintendo after the full launch to address the online future, and clear the dead wood that has become far too complacent.
Buying a $99 PS2 when the PS3 was $600 makes sense. Buying a $270 PS3 when the Wii U is only $30 more, not so much (IMHO).
(re-reading this, it may sound like I'm questioning your judgement. I'm not. I'm just really interested in how a 7-year-old console can still sell at a next-gen price point.)
That's the logic ;)
No, don't want.
Anyway, I promised that I would not buy a PS3 until both Versus XIII and Last Guardian came out anyway (promises made when those were announced... good that I did not promised to hold my breath :P)
Sure, there's software backwards-compatibility for like a hundred titles (and probably way more that work good enough or just aren't tested yet). If you're willing to buy them again.
Their hardware is worse then the Xbox. You can count their exclusives on 1 hand. Their Movement glow sticks are under performing even to the Kinect, but completely lose against Nintendo, PSN is laggy, buggy, and just not as good as Xbox's, who of course have more experience in that field. And their mobile devices are sales wise losing to Nintendo for years..
It's sad to see such an icon disappear, but.. Wait, no it isn't :P They've been making worse and worse decisions for years now.. Sometime sooner or later, you'll have to pay the piper..
... but probably true.
Seriously, the only thing that Sony could add to make me even slightly interested in the PS3 would be full backwards compatability with PSX and PS2.
(For the humor impaired, the above is a joke.)
Remember the PS2 was released at a $300 price tag. The price of these new slim models aren't much different from that. The people who still haven't bought a PS3 are waiting for it to drop to under $200 (or maybe even $100). They are missing a chance at expanding their install base.
I think it looks nice, aside from the grooves on top. It could have used a slightly lower price though. I already have the current slim PS3 and it uses only about 70 watts, so no need to get this one. I might consider it for the living room behind the wall-mounted TV.
I really hope we get Muramasa for Vita in the US. If that happens, I'll replay the whole thing again and have one less Wii game to hold onto.
But, on the other hand, I'm guessing most families that can afford a Wii U probably already have a PS3.