Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced the 80 GB Playstation 3 is now available online
“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
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.
{mosimage}
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.
