"The 80GB PS3 offers expanded options in the PS3 family of products for those who want to enjoy more downloadable content," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. "The new model will provide ample storage space to meet the appetites of those who wish to download content today, and for many more years to come. With the expanded disk capacity and dynamic system upgrades, we have effectively created a system that is 'future-proof', providing consumers an exceptional entertainment value that will stand the test of time."

Just how "future-proof" is the 80 GB PS3? We'll see until the next hard disk revision. With the 20GB PS3 already long gone, the 60 GB PS3 will soon be history as well once the current stock is sold out. As today's press release states: "SCEA will continue to sell the 60GB in the US and Canada at the new, reduced price [$499 USD] until current inventory is depleted, which is predicted to be this fall based on current consumer demand." Or you could future-proof the PS3 yourself by following GamePro's guide on how to upgrade the PS3's hard drive, a handy step-by-step walkthrough. You'll be one of the few on the block with a 100+ GB PS3.

The 80GB PS3 does not have the PS2 hardware in it, so not all PS2 games will work on the 80GB PS3. Additional PS2 games will become compatible when future System Software Updates (firmware updates) are released. Keep that in mind if playing PS2 titles on it is important for you.

At the bottom of the press release: "Many PlayStation(R)2 format software titles operate, but full compatibility is not guaranteed. Updating the system software may improve compatibility. Visit http://www.us.playstation.com for system software updates."

At the time of this writing, the PS3 hardware specs on the US Playstation web site had not been updated. SCEA has not announced where a listing of backwards compatible PS2/PS1 games can be seen, but SCEE has had an ongoing list here, since PAL PS3s never had the PS2 hardware in them.

Read the full press release below.

Full press release:

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Availability of New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM))

Million-Selling Online Racing Game MotorStorm(TM) Packed In With New System; Sales of Existing 60GB PS3 Continue to Surge

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced the availability of a new 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) at online and brick-and-mortar retailers in the United States and Canada. The system, available immediately for a suggested retailer price of $599US/$659 CND, comes with the hit online-enabled off-road racing game MotorStorm(TM) packed in the box.

Featuring an expanded hard disk drive, 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(R)Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION(R)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.

"The 80GB PS3 offers expanded options in the PS3 family of products for those who want to enjoy more downloadable content," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. "The new model will provide ample storage space to meet the appetites of those who wish to download content today, and for many more years to come. With the expanded disk capacity and dynamic system upgrades, we have effectively created a system that is 'future-proof', providing consumers an exceptional entertainment value that will stand the test of time."

The 80GB model joins the existing 60GB PS3 that has been available at retail since launch last November. The 60GB PS3 is currently enjoying a surge in sales following a price reduction in the US and Canada on July 9 of $100 to $499/$549 CND. Since that date, unit sales at the company's top five retailers have jumped 113% when compared to the average sales of four weeks prior to the price drop. SCEA will continue to sell the 60GB in the US and Canada at the new, reduced price until current inventory is depleted, which is predicted to be this fall based on current consumer demand.

Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3 users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), LAIR, NBA '08, Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), SingStar(TM), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, PAIN, and Warhawk(TM).

Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.), built-in hard disk drive, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity, SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller and Blu-ray Disc(TM) player. According to Nielsen VideoScan, there are currently more than 270 high-definition Blu-ray Disc(TM) movies available at retail, including the recently released "300," "Shooter," and "Ghost Rider."

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) brand, including the PlayStation(R)2 (PS2(TM)) computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PS2, PSP, PS3 and PLAYSTATION Network for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com

"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP," and "PS one" are registered trademarks and "PS3", "Cell Broadband Engine", "SIXAXIS" and "UMD" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Video output in HD requires cables and an HD-compatible display, both sold separately. Wi-Fi connectivity requires broadband internet service for online play. This product has limited backward compatibility with PlayStation(R) and PlayStation(R)2 format software. Many PlayStation(R)2 format software titles operate, but full compatibility is not guaranteed. Updating the system software may improve compatibility. Visit http://www.us.playstation.com for system software updates.

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