Rumors are spreading rampant on the web this week of possible PLAYSTATION 3 hardware price cuts. Most evidence looks like it's clearing out stock of the current PLAYSTATION 3 80GB model to make way for something else, or a cheaper system, by gift cards or free PLAYSTATION 3 games.

Here's the trail:

Retailers offering gift card or bonus games with PS3 80GB or 160GB purchase:
GameStop has a $50 online gift card deal, with the purchase of a PLAYSTATION 3 80GB or PLAYSTATION 3 160GB bundle.

Best Buy is also currently offering the 80GB system with your choice of Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet or MLB 09: The Show for free.

Joystiq got evidence of a Target PLAYSTATION 3 Motorstorm and Resistance Greatest Hits bundle. Looks like it is a sticker on the regular 80GB package.

All these point to about a $50-$60 savings, but may be a way to move retail inventory for something else Sony has planned, rumored to be around the time of GDC '09.

Rumors:
An EB Games store employee is rumored to have spilled the beans of a $299.99 PS3 80GB, pinning the announcement date down to March 22nd, right before GDC 09. See more here.

CVG is also reporting that "Sony has informed retailers of a looming price drop for both the PS3 and PSP soon". PSP too?

Analysts and game developers on PLAYSTATION 3 price drop:
Gamasutra has reported industry analysts are expecting a $50-$100 price drop on the PLAYSTATION 3. Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet) have also expressed their feelings on a new PS3 price-point and what it would mean for Sony's PLAYSTATION 3 platform.

More analysts and game publishers comment or are quoted on the next PLAYSTATION 3 price cut here in this Bloomberg article.

Let us know if you've spotted anything else with your comments below!

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