Playstation 3 price and release date unveiled!
May 9th 2006 10:09
Yes, Sony has finally released the date and price of its new addition (and long overdue) console to its ever strong Playstation series. Announced today by Sony at the current E3 expo (located in Los Angeles, US), that the Playstation 3 is set to come out on November 11 this year in Japan, followed with a US release on November 17. The model will be released in two packages (similar to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 premium and standard bundles), with 20 GB hard drive in one package and 60GB in the other. Pricing will be $US499 and $US549 respectively for the 20GB and 60GB models. The different models will have slight differences, for example no support for Memory Stick cards in the 20Gb model.
Additionally, Sony also released the new design and specs of the new controller for the PS3, one which is reminiscent of the classic dual shock controller used in the original Playstation 1 and 2. Sony had made the decision to scrap the old ‘banana’ style design which had been flaunted as Sony’s new controller for the PS3 and opted for a controller with the original design which some people have called the greatest controller ever created! It’s true when they say, why try to fix something which doesn’t need fixing…well done Sony on this decision! My only disappointment is the fact that Sony has removed the vibration feature in the controller (sued and lost to Immersion Corp for infringements) but none-the-less included a new wireless/motion sensor controller which proves quite innovating.
On another side - long live the original Playstation 1! If you thought your precious Playstation games (Final Fantasy 7 *yum*) had gone to waste (well not really if you played them on your PS2 but why would you anyway), Sony also stated at E3 that a Sony Playstation one emulator will be released for PSP users. This will enable gamers to boot PSX games from their memory cards and play them in full specs on their PSP!
Swwweeett! Keep the good news rolling Sony.
Our aging Solid Snake isn't the only one who is happy about the PS3!
A Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer was also released by Sony at E3, and what a blast it was. This could possibly be the last of the Metal Gear Solid series (*cries*), and boy does it look spectacular. I’m not going to release any spoilers here, so I suggest you head over and watch the trailer yourself (see below for link
).It’s been a while since Sony has released any information on its new console and it has been a looooong time since the Playstation 2 was released some 5 years ago.
Microsoft already has its own advantage with its release of the Xbox 360 – Sony’s main contender in the console wars. Nintendo isn’t far behind, with their own nifty console Wii, scheduled for release by the end of this year.
I can’t wait ! Check out the Official Sony Playstation 3 at E3 information link here.
Head over to Gamespot and see the Metal Gear Solid 4 teaser trailer!
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Comment by Stanley
Comment by Dani
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Looking at those prices, we better start saving up cos by the time the console reaches our shores, I reckon it could cost as much as $1000.
The 60GB costs US$549 so that means roughly AU$710. Add to that an extra controller (or two), mem stick(s) and a game, that would easily bump the price to a whopping $900 or more!!!
As much as I enjoy my gaming, spending in excess of $900 on something that I might touch once a week is just a bit too much. I might end up waiting 'til the price drops a bit or buy a *cough* mod-chipped version *cough* from overseas.
Comment by Dani
Yep, it took 18 months for the PS2 to realise any profit for Sony. Since Xbox 360 has been released for a while, and at a cheaper price tag, Sony will have to compete by starting at a 'cheaper' price. To my knowledge, the PS2 clocked around $650 on release date.
Don't forget, thie PS3 will be runnnig blu-ray discs straight out of the box. This will be competing against HD-DVD (which will be placent) in being the next 'big thing' when DVDs become obsolete.