Sony cuts PS3 price to $499, new $599 80GB model to hit North America in August

Despite denials, Sony has made official the new $499 price point for the PlayStation 3 that we've started to see appear in retailers across the US. The 60GB model's new price point will indeed be $499, with a new 80GB model going on sale for $599 in the US and Canada in August. As a small bonus, the 80GB version will include a "free" copy of MotorStorm. So there ya' have it kids: in one quick swoop, Sony has made the PS3's price a whole lot more competitive.

Update: Looks like the cat's out of the bag. Here's the release.

[T H @ Jul 8th 2007 9:42PM]

I'm a big proponent of the PS3, but I can't see anyone opting for the 80 gig model honestly.. 20 gigs and Motorstorm? well.. maybe.

[Big @ Jul 8th 2007 11:05PM]

Doesn't matter if you have a 1 TERRABYTE drive.

PS3 needs some damn games.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 8th 2007 11:58PM]

20 gigs more...isn't going to make or break anyone's PS3 buying decisions. Is it just me, or is a 20 GB upgrade for $100 in a time where entire 400 gig drives go for less than that a bit stingy and um...not very enticing?

[Woolly Mittens @ Jul 9th 2007 12:44AM]

I think Sony might stop making the 60GB version and be back at its old price-point in exchange for a measely 20GB extra. Clever?

[SouthPaw @ Jul 9th 2007 12:50AM]

And a $60+tax game..

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 9th 2007 1:39AM]

It needs more games and programs. It's pretty sad when the only killer application for the PS3 is Folding at home or HD Movies and not entertainment (game) software.

[T H @ Jul 9th 2007 1:43AM]

I for one love Resistance and Motorstorm. But I agree, it's time for more than 1 or 2 hot games.. although the PS3 did come out much later than the 360 and hasn't had as much time to build up it's library. I think HAZE is gonna be the start of some really good things.

[Leo Lee @ Jul 9th 2007 5:54AM]

2.5" 80GB HDDs go for ~$80. No word on 400GB drives, let alone 300GB... Still doesn't justify adding a mere 20GB and a single game... how bout a HDMI cable? Sony's cable standalone is $50 MSRP... eep... include that overpriced cable in the box...

[Big @ Jul 9th 2007 7:33AM]

I am a proponent of the PS3 too. I want to see it succeed. However, it takes nothing more than to look at how the systems packaging is dominated by the Blu Ray logo to realize that SONY misplaced their priorities during the latter half of the system's pre-release.

It is shameful, that SONY didn't have more titles available. Of course, if SONY really intends to give the system a 10 year (or 15 year) lifespan, this may all blow over eventualy.

[Ireland @ Jul 9th 2007 9:48AM]

Howard Stringer Sony's CEO said at this years annual shareholders meeting that there will be 380 NEW games for the PS3 over the new year, that will add to the 100 PS3 games that are already on the market.

[JD0321 @ Jul 13th 2007 11:28AM]

Wow, Sony needs to get it's crap together. The people that aren't paying 599 for a 60 gb model aren't going to pay 599 for an 80gb model. They need to keep the 60gb model on shelves at 499 or preferably even less.

[Sneakz @ Jul 8th 2007 9:44PM]

Anybody have word on what the Canadian price will be? $549.99?

[TheGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 9:51PM]

According to rumors that's what it'll be, but I wouldn't be surprised if the stores here just cut the price by $100 to drop the price to $560. We'll lnow soon.

[imrmoh1 @ Jul 8th 2007 9:45PM]

Smart move by Sony, for sure.

I think this coupled with the E3/TGS announcements they will be making will boost sales throughout the holiday season.

[FordGTGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 9:46PM]

20 GB and a launch game for 100$? Doesn't seem like that good of a deal.

[imrmoh1 @ Jul 8th 2007 10:02PM]

I'm almost certain that they will have something unique that will add to the value proposition of the 80gb SKU.

They could add the blu-ray remote, or perhaps another controller (or include the new one w/ touch sensitive rumble), or include an HDMI cable. They could also come out with different colors for this SKU.

[cdman98 @ Jul 9th 2007 12:14AM]

Well um

1 game
20 GB
5 Free Movies (though kind of crappy / very crappy)

I think the better move would have been to bundle a game, a good movie, and an HDMI cable. That would have made the $100 worth it.

[matjet @ Jul 9th 2007 12:05AM]

for the US, motorstorm wasn't a launch day title anyway(well maybe a launch window title). lets say the game counts for $50, then the extra 20GB is only $50- considerably less than comparable prices elsewhere in the console business.

[TheGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 9:48PM]

Agreed, the 80GB package isn't very appealing. I don't think another 20GB + Motorstorm would justify paying $100 more. If the price for that package was $550 it would be more appealing. Ohh well, they'll probably phase-out the 60GB model with the 0Gb model at the same price.

[Adam @ Jul 8th 2007 9:52PM]

What a joke of a company. They said they werent looking into a price cut 3 days ago and then do this. And why would anyone pay $100 for an extra 20 gigs. I thought the XBOX Elite was a bad deal. This is just rediculous.

[Paul @ Jul 8th 2007 9:53PM]

yeah, why dont we compare this to the xbox 360 premium and the elite shall we:
for an extra 80 bucks you can get the elite that comes an extra 100GB, is black (not that big of a deal) and has HDMI......i think i would take that upgrade any day over an extra 20GB and a game that you can probably find for dirt cheap on ebay.....

[T H @ Jul 8th 2007 10:08PM]

Yea, but it would still be an Xbox360... I'll pass..

Who wants to bet that this new PS3 will be silver..?

[Darren Tilley @ Jul 8th 2007 10:19PM]

A joke of a company compared to who? Nintendo, who denied a DS redesign, only to reveal one days later. Or Microsoft who denied any significant hardware failures with the Xbox 360, only to announce a 3 year warranty program to cover a widespread hardware issue that would cost them over a billion dollars.

[Johnny @ Jul 8th 2007 11:08PM]

Actually, they didn't deny it outright, they just refused to comment on it and tiptoed around the question for 2 years. I guess that adds up to about the same thing though.

While I have had to deal with MS tech support since I bought the machine, it was due to a faulty sata connector in the drive itself and had nothing to do with the 360. Redmond had a replacement to me 3 days later, and didn't even charge me shipping after a bit of light arguing with a supervisor, which is hardly worth mentioning as that is SOP really. My only beef with MS is with their outsourced tech support, which is something I have complained about anytime I have to call for one reason or another, and twice in writing.

In any case, at least MS pretends to treat their US game customers as a priority, whereas Nintendo and Sony have never tried to hide the fact that we are second class citizens to them. To a gamer who's choice of DS colors is limited to Black, white, or blue when other countries have them in all colors of the rainbow, it's honestly refreshing to hear gamers in Europe and Japan complain about lack of content over Xbox live marketplace. That's totally petty of me and secretly I am ashamed, but I can't help but feel more endeared to MS for that.

Seeing how a new version of the xbox with new guts and packaged addons will most likely be coming out this holiday season, one can only assume this price cut on the PS3 will all but guarantee it receives a price cut as well. Now that the new extended warranty assures purchasers down the road that they won't be stuck with a broken system or a huge repair bill, I shouldn't have any problems unloading mine on ebay to help pay for a new updated and cheaper Elite 360. This really is good news all around when you think about it.

[Phour ZwanZig @ Jul 8th 2007 11:52PM]

So Really we can prob say they dropped the price on the DRIVE in the system... Not on the system alone.. What a joke.. really... 20 gigs and motorstorm.. hmmm $20 + $60 is bout $80..

Yeah, new SKU is a ripoff... lol.. gotta love Sony's thinkin...

[Karl @ Jul 9th 2007 10:21AM]

The real news isn't the new SKU, it's the lower price point. For roughly the same price as a 360 Elite, you get a PS3. The differences between the 360E and PS3 are that the PS3 has a BluRay drive and built-in WiFi. Those additionals for the 360 would bump the cost up considerably.

The only difference in the 360's favour (other than the greater number of games), is the 120GB drive against the 60GB drive. And I really don't see that as much of an issue, as the PS3 lets you upgrade your own drive, and 60GB isn't exactly small. 20GB was too small, 120GB is too much. 60GB is about right IMO.

Oh, and the PS3 looks more promising as regards future updates. It has great integration with the PSP (remote play looks awesome, as does the fact that you can buy PSOne games online and play them on both consoles, synchronising the game saves for when you're on the go). HOME isn't my sort of thing, but it looks like something a lot of people are excited about. We're also getting in to the user-generated content area with games like LittleBigPlanet which let you design your own levels and share them online.

The PS3 was a bit pathetic to begin with, but with a plethora of games and exciting updates coming in the next year, and with a $100 price drop, it looks like it's finally getting it's act together. Only thing is that this change probably won't make it in to europe; you think the US are treated as second-class customers? Try living in Europe!

[kingofwale @ Jul 8th 2007 9:51PM]

I have a feeling there will be something MORE in that new 600 dollars SKU. I think Sony will announce it during E3.

[TheGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 9:53PM]

Now when I think about it, I wouldn't be surprised if the 80GB SKU had the rumble sixaxis controller. That would make the bundle more appealing, especially if Motorstorm is updated with rumble support.

[Tyson Nielsen @ Jul 9th 2007 1:19AM]

That's exactly what I am thinking... I wouldn't be surprised.

By why does everyone complain anyway? You can now get a 60GB version for 500$. The hard drive size doesn't even matter since you can put as much as you want in there. It's just 100$ cheaper. They have a new 80GB version, but who cares? get the 500$ one and buy whatever game you want and when you run out of space, slap a 500GB one in.

[Poom @ Jul 9th 2007 2:25AM]

Yeah, same here. I have a feeling Sony will add some extra features to the 80GB PS3, like IPTV the koreans get. I don't think it's rumble though... If only the 80GB PS3 has rumble, I'd be so damn pissed. I just got a 60GB PS3. T-T

[Warhorse @ Jul 9th 2007 9:41AM]

I'm with you Tyson. The existing console has dropped in price. Pick it up while you can an don't worry about it. Save the extra $100 for your hdmi cable. Sony is doing us a favor by dropping it's rediculous price, it's just dangeling another carrot at the same time.

[Dustin @ Jul 8th 2007 9:57PM]

Wasn't this obvious? It was apparent they were going to do this as soon as I heard that target was doing the price cut as well.

[AirStrike X2 @ Jul 8th 2007 9:58PM]

Sure, I got $599 to spare on anything I want but, should it be the upcoming PS3 or the iPhone? Flipping a coin wouldn't really help me...

[George @ Jul 8th 2007 10:44PM]

I wouldnt trade my iphone for a ps3 ever. Maybe the ps3 will be worth it a year from now but this year so far isnt looking great.

[Jesse S @ Jul 8th 2007 10:21PM]

If you had to chose between the two...PS3...At least the PS3 is functional.

Or, get a Mogul, TyTn, Blackberry, i760, etc. if you want/need a phone.

[creativeThien @ Jul 9th 2007 10:35AM]

Is the PS3 really functional? IMO I don't think so, the PS3 should be considered a game machine first and foremost, but does it have a lot of games to play?

[FordGTGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 9:59PM]

@TheGuy

The PS3 would be more appealing if all the SKUs had rumble not just the 600$ one. BTW this is an American SKU I don't think they have the license to have rumble in the United States only outside.

[TheGuy @ Jul 8th 2007 10:11PM]

I can understand what you're saying about having rumble in all the SKUs, but Sony can't add-it to the PS3s on shelf now. I suspect Sony is gonna phase-out the 60GB model with the 80GB, and if that's the case I cant see Sony adding it to the 60GB model. I suspect Sony is gonna let current stocks of the 60Gb PS3 run-out, then start releasing the 80GB PS3 individually at the same price as the 60GB was.

[fearless_fx @ Jul 8th 2007 10:03PM]

i will buy one as soon as some games come out and the price drops to 499 CAD.

[Brandon Hardin @ Jul 8th 2007 10:06PM]

AP story is slugged BC-Sony-Pricing.

And it is, to copy and paste from the story:

HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL 3:01 a.m. EDT MONDAY. THIS STORY MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR POSTED ONLINE BEFORE 3:01 a.m. EDT MONDAY.

[Ant @ Jul 8th 2007 10:13PM]

um sony didnt change a fucking thing all they did was get rid of the 20gb model o_o.ps3 has always been 500$

[Jason @ Jul 8th 2007 10:16PM]

There still aren't any GAMES for the damn thing... lower the price as much as you want... I was at the store the other day and they actually have to put out like entire rows of each game to fill up their PS3 section... there are only a handful of games...

Wouldn't a price cut now kind of be admitting that they screwed up on the pricing? You would think that they would have let atleast one round of games hit before the price cut...

Then again... it is really just a Blu-Ray player at heart and the dedicated Blu-Ray players are now cheaper than the PS3... that was really the only big edge it had to justify the price... now even Sony's own Blu-Ray player is cheaper...

[Fatima @ Jul 8th 2007 10:21PM]

NO, Blu-Ray prices have come down in half from where PS3 launched. So now Sony can reduce the prices because of cheaper Blu-Ray diodes.

[Jesse S @ Jul 8th 2007 10:24PM]

Wow...Just...Wow...

So you're saying that if the 360 or Wii's prices are dropped, they screwed up on pricing? So the prices on the xbox, PS2, PS1, Gamecube, N64, etc. etc. were all miss-priced?

And, there will always be new games. That isn't really something to knock a console for (there aren't really that many games for the 360 or Wii either), but yeah, that is a problem.

[Ryan @ Jul 8th 2007 10:51PM]

It's not the fact that they are dropping the price, it is the timing between the release and the first price drop that is embarassing.

[humpty @ Jul 8th 2007 10:16PM]

Isnt the 80gb version the one with Emotion Engine emulation instead of the actual chip? Well, that may or may not matter if PS2 BC is your thing.

[Noah @ Jul 9th 2007 9:15AM]

How come so many people make it sound like a rip off? I paid 600 for a 60gb PS3 at launch, now for that same 600 you get an additional 20gb of HDD and a $60 game. Seems like a good deal to me.

[h0mi @ Jul 8th 2007 11:52PM]

I think emulation has been present in all ps3 consoles sold in the US since the spring.

I'm going back and forth on getting a $500 ps3. I was going to but decided against it, but now I'm thinking about it again.

[Rick @ Jul 9th 2007 12:25AM]

The conversion from emotion engine to no emotion engine was supposed to happen later this year according to reports around Feb-March. Dunno when they will convert the 60gb model? I bought a PS3 a month ago and the production date was Feb 2007. The 80gb model will DEFINTELY NOT include the emotion engine.

[matthew House @ Jul 8th 2007 10:34PM]

Yeah, 100 bucks cheaper is always better but the console wars are over, jack. The Wii in going to win, the 360 will be a respectable second, and the PS3 is done.