40GB PlayStation 3 shows up in US Target for $399

Ah, Target. The home of so many broken street dates. Just days after letting the Xbox 360 Arcade slip out of its doors early, the retailer is apparently proving that the 40GB PlayStation 3 is indeed coming to America -- and for $399.99, no less. Reportedly, the system is all set to "officially" be released here on October 28th, and while we've no way of confirming, we're hearing that it may be bundled with the upcoming Spider-Man 3 flick, too. Anyways, we'll let the photos take it from here -- click on through for more.

[Via N4G, thanks Alexis]

[hn333 @ Oct 16th 2007 8:30AM]

Wake me up when it costs $199

[Scooby Doo @ Oct 16th 2007 8:36AM]

Wake me up when it has some games I might want to play. ::yawn::

[shuyin198x @ Oct 16th 2007 8:48AM]

UT3 :D

[jsn @ Oct 16th 2007 8:54AM]

The same UT3 that's been delayed like most other PS3 games?

[Zeal @ Oct 16th 2007 5:23PM]

Wake me up when it plays all the PS2 games.

[PS3guy @ Oct 16th 2007 9:42AM]

You must be a cheap dude.

[shuyin198x @ Oct 16th 2007 9:50AM]

isn't ut3 out on the 9th of November? Nice game, out in a little over 3 weeks. Just waiting for a decent rpg on the ps3, not a great fan of fps.

[Ike Skelton @ Oct 16th 2007 8:58AM]

Does it have backwards compatibility? If not, there's not a chance. Can't wait for GTA4, but last I heard XBOX360 was going to have exclusive content for download, so Sony loses again.. and I'm a former fanboy. 360 seems to have better games overall.

[mattclarkie @ Oct 16th 2007 9:08AM]

The PAL ones don't. I had to rush out to get the last of the UK 60GB, because apparantly playing PS2 games uses 1 chip and software, unlike the original launch consoles which also contained the emotion engine. The 40gb does play PS1 games, but because it is entirely software emulation can't play PS2 games.
But aesthetically it is just a 20gb with 40gb and very limited BC

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 16th 2007 9:26AM]

No, the 20GB didn't have WiFi, 4 USB ports and full BC.

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 16th 2007 9:27AM]

Oops, that can be read wrong, the 20G didn't have WiFi, but it did have 4 USB ports, and full BC.

[mattclarkie @ Oct 16th 2007 1:44PM]

The 40gb only has 2 usbs, but does have wifi.

[Evan @ Oct 16th 2007 9:04AM]

Take a close look at the middle photo: "PS3 40GB SPIDER". This isn't a 40GB PS3 game console, it's a PS3-powered spider killbot! (Or, it includes a Spiderman movie, but I'm hoping for the killbot!)

[Slvrgun @ Oct 16th 2007 9:07AM]

And Microsoft's response to this?

[Temmink @ Oct 16th 2007 9:12AM]

Laughter?

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Oct 16th 2007 9:21AM]

Oh snap?

"Lower the prices again!"

[Jared @ Oct 16th 2007 10:08AM]

Halo 3

[Matt @ Oct 16th 2007 11:05AM]

They just introduced new bundles at all of their price points. 360 Pro and Elite now come with copies of Forza 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. 360 Core is now the 360 Arcade and now comes with 256mb memory card, wireless controller, and 5 XBL Arcade games.

[timatl @ Oct 16th 2007 9:17AM]

this is great news. i love the pricewars. i hope this means i will be able to get a 360 elite for $400 before the end of the year.

[DJ @ Oct 16th 2007 9:34AM]

THis isn't the real news. The real news is that just down the aisle from the PS3 will be a Sony Blu-Ray player for $299.00.

[timatl @ Oct 16th 2007 9:42AM]

Sony Blu-Ray player for $299.00??????????????? When????? Do you have a link?

[DJ @ Oct 16th 2007 9:59AM]

On or before November 23rd........aka "Black Friday"

[Deezul @ Oct 16th 2007 10:15AM]

And at Walmart, the $199 HD-DVD.

[h4ldol @ Oct 16th 2007 10:42AM]

Poor Xbox fanboys. Sorry you can't a PS3 but hey, that's life. Stop your whining and deal with it, like get a job you delinquents!

[h4ldol @ Oct 16th 2007 10:43AM]

Poor Xbox fanboys. Sorry you can't afford a PS3 but hey, that's life. Stop your whining and deal with it, like get a job you delinquents!

[timatl @ Oct 16th 2007 10:56AM]

that is smart, make a bentley when market has honda budget.

[Phil @ Oct 16th 2007 11:01AM]

I'm sold now.

Can't wait to get my mits on one. It's a total bargain in my opinion.

Looking forward to Rachet&Clank, Uncharted:Drakes Fortune, Folklore, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Haze for this holiday season! Then next year Final Fantasy XIII, Gran Turismo 5, Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2 and Killzone 2!!!!!!!!!!

Also ordered The Simpsons Blu-ray to watch aswell as the Spidey 3 Blu-ray.

I can not wait!!! VERY happy times! :)

[will clifton @ Oct 16th 2007 11:43AM]

you forget the eventual orange box.

my sole reason for buying, its too late to get on the 360 train... investing in the future with a PS3

[Nate the Prophet @ Oct 16th 2007 11:17AM]

I'm gonna buy a Tosh HD DVD player next month for $199 with a bunch of free movies, then next year I'll get a good PS3 for like $299 with a bunch more free movies.

And who says the format war is a bad thing?

[teej @ Oct 16th 2007 11:42AM]

if you're going to play a fast-paced fps game (UT3), play it on a PC. ps3 is a joke.

[Ryan @ Oct 16th 2007 12:14PM]

Um... anyone else notice that the first picture where it says "Price Scanner", etc, is clearly photoshopped? Is that because it was in a different language? WTF?

[Andir3.0 @ Oct 16th 2007 1:16PM]

Here in America, Spanish is slowly taking over as a second language in case you hadn't noticed. Under all English signs you see more and more Spanish. I still think immigrants need to learn the language before being allowed to live here and anyone speaking foreign tongue needs to be questioned by authorities. If they can't answer in English and don't have a passport they get immediately deported. But that's my sick & twisted methodology.

[Ryan @ Oct 16th 2007 1:33PM]

Well, that's not what I meant at all. I was saying the sign itself looks photoshopped to look like an American sign. I understand the progression of Spanish speakers in America, and though I agree to an extent that they should speak English, there exist actual biological mental barriers to learning a new language efficiently past a certain age.

Anyway, my point was that the sign may be from a Euro Target, not a US Target, because the fonts on the sign, etc look out of place in that first picture, and could be the work of photoshop. I could be wrong, but it doesn't look like any price scanner I've ever seen in a Target here.

[Xbox Fanboy, Target Team Member @ Oct 16th 2007 2:48PM]

I see those signs everyday and I have to say it's definitely not photoshopped. It looks goofy because it's rediculous that we have to provide a second language everywhere to immigrants in a _native_ _English_ country. No matter how many are emigrating, they still need to do it the same way we've all done it for two hundred and fifty years. But I digress. Target isn't located in the EU. Nowhere else but the US. And..uhh...India, I think.

[Alan B @ Oct 16th 2007 4:49PM]

http://xkcd.com/84/ sums it up pretty much.

[Guyver @ Oct 16th 2007 12:12PM]

I heard this newer PS3 will not support PS2 backwards compatibility. That might be a deal breaker for the cost conscious who want to migrate their PS2 library over to the PS3.

[will clifton @ Oct 16th 2007 12:55PM]

$100 price drop = buy a PS2 if it matters to you
or just use the PS2 you already have... non issue... but for some reason everyone seems to make it one.

[James @ Oct 16th 2007 3:58PM]

The issue for me is that I only have one HDMI (HTPC) and two component (360, Wii) inputs, which means something has to go for the PS3. If I want to play my PS2 games as well, I'd rather use the PS3 that's already hooked up than fiddle with cables all the time or buy a switchbox. I'll be getting a 20GB model, thanks very much.

[allaina @ Oct 16th 2007 2:45PM]

how does sony expect to make it anywhere in the console war?

i know a lot of people that would pay 600 bucks for the system-- if it had any good games.


right now, it need to either have a few good games released for it, OR, be able to compete (price-wise) with the wii... or be closer to the 360 core's price.

[booger @ Oct 16th 2007 3:04PM]

the first picture with the price scanner is photoshopped. look closely at the orange color that surrouds the words "price scanner." the orange color is wavy and distorted probably because the photoshppoed version wasn't rendered properly or nicely.

[Xbox Fanboy, Target Team Member @ Nov 11th 2007 6:06PM]

Bro, difference does it make if their photoshopped? Target doesn't exist outside of the US. All of the other evidence is there. UPC code, DPCI number (Target's own UPC system), and the most important screenshot (the item information montior shot) is genuine looking. Don't be silly.

[gomer @ Oct 16th 2007 4:27PM]

Or it's wavy and distorted because it's saved as a jpeg... Try this: Go into MS Paint. Draw a red line. Save it as a JPEG. Look at it.

[allaina @ Oct 16th 2007 6:31PM]

i used to be the department head of electronics at target... i called and asked them to check the DPCI in this photo (which is the same, nationwide, even though target's prices are NOT.) and our prices, at least in SW ohio (cincy area) have NOT dropped.

[allaina @ Oct 16th 2007 6:32PM]

btw, department 009 is NOT electronics/video game at Target.

it's 207.

[meafilms @ Oct 17th 2007 7:09PM]

Very nice price point since I remember spending $399 back in 1995 on the Sega Saturn (still have the receipt) just to play Daytona USA, Battle Arena Toshinden & Virtua Fighter. My roommate and I put our rent money together to buy it and then apologized to our landlord for being late.

I still don't understand people that complain about the price on a state of the art video game system/Blu-Ray HD Movie player and more but people will shell out $59.99 for a game or how much for an iPhone?

Why don't people just save up a little lunch money over a few months if they want it and don't have the money now?

I don't have an XBox 360 or PS3 now but plan on getting one and yes I will bring my lunch to work for few months saving $6-$10 a day and get it from there. I sure as hell can't afford to be late on rent now with a kid at home.

Bottom line, if you really want something you'll adjust your spending to get enough money the system cost or is worth to you in some cases.

[Jeremy @ Oct 16th 2007 5:40PM]

I'll be nasty: at least some device is in Europe earlier than in US. PS3 40GB is in Polish stores for whole week. :)

[Alexander @ Oct 16th 2007 6:59PM]

Please let it be white that would be awesome WHITE PS3 FTW

[AreUPokey @ Oct 18th 2007 10:43AM]

Did anyone else notice that the third pic down, with all the UPC info and stuff is actually from a Best Buy? Look in the bottom left corner of the pic, you'll see the logo.

[pcphantom @ Apr 29th 2008 10:46AM]

I can tell you that I own a Wii, PS3, and a 360. After all I have read I agree that the format wars will eventually be won most likely by HD-DVD only because it's technology is more stable. However I see that being a LONG battle so it will most likely still be carrying on until the death of the PS3 and 360 with the birth of whatever comes next...

I am a technician, I actually repair 360's and PS3's, which is how I own both systems. I had to purchase my Wii because seemingly, they don't break.. that is unless kicked through a window when someone gets over zealous playing on it.

I can tell you from the over 100 of each broken systems I have that the PS3 and the 360 were both initially garbage. However, the 360 is easier and cheaper repaired garbage so that helps them out a lot. The poor sales of the PS3 are the only thing that kept Sony from a recall, they have to have a certain % with a particular problem before a recall can be enforced. Sony has stock piles of original PS3's they haven't sold and are pushing the newer 40g model which will offset the return % since the 40g model seems to work more reasonably.

What this means for consumers is that the original packaged 60g PS3 will someday go up in value for the ones that work, since it will play PS2 games and has other features that newer models will be lacking. However, if they break then, you will likely get a newer model motherboard and end up with what you avoided buying in the first place.

Software and movie developers are both getting scared with Sony. Blue ray and the PS3 are not turning the proffits they should and their returns are huge as with the 360. I think in the end software support will win the battle between the 360 and the PS3 and most likely turn that victory towards Microsoft which has far more software rescources than Sony ever will.

Though one thing I fail to ever see in the next gen wars is the Wii. Which I consider sad because Nintendo has more sales than the 360 and with it's low return rate has more systems in homes (which means people still buying games) than the 360 and the PS3 combines. Nintendo has 8 of the top 10 best selling software titles in the world and with their advancement I would put down $$ that the next "Next Gen" system that will hit the market will be made by Nintendo. Remember, nintendo only lost the market in the first place because Sony ripped them off on the PS1 which was originally designed to be a CD drive for the SNES (much like the Sega CD). Because of that Nintendo had to start from scratch with their only CD-Rom manufacturer betraying them which is why N64 still used Ram carts. Nintendo is catching on though and recovering fast. With more and more software developers wanting to make games for the Wii Nintendo will be able to afford to develop while Sony and Microsoft will still be licking their wounds on the PS3 and 360.

And in the end, You all know Nintendo WILL make ANOTHER system that has WORKING backwards compatability that you won't have to return because it breaks 10 minutes after you plug it in. Yeah, the Wii isn't the AMAZING graphic machine that the PS3 or 360 are, but it works and has games AND will play the game cube games too.

In the end, I say Nintendo will win the war with the 360 coming in second. Nintendo made a few mistakes, but theirs are honest ones. All in all they make the most reliable systems and out out great games themselves. By the time the next "Next Gen" systems are out I think sony will be far behind, maybe even too far behind to compete. Eventually Microsoft and Nintendo will be the ones battling it out, but sure as the air I am breathing, Microsofts next system will break, a lot, and Nintendo's won't and eventually people get sick of shelling out a ton of cash for stuff that dont work.

PS. I remember buying the $399 Saturn, which I would NOT have if Sega made games that broke. Though I still wish I hadn't since they dumped it before it got any good. I have owned every game system made with the exception of the Virtual boy (nintendo's big flop) which hurt my eyes. Look into the past a bit... The PS3 is much like the 3DO or the home NEO GEO. Great system, but WAY over priced for it's time. The only difference is Sony has more money than they did so it will be a slower death, but make no mistake, it will be a death.

PSS. I borrowed a couple PS3 games to try my system out after I got one, it hasn't been played since. It works great (anyone want to buy it? lol) but there are no games I am interested in. I wont waste my money on blue ray movies when I can get the same quality from DIVx or Xvid on my media drive. My 360 gets played by my son only, but that's because the system has been around longer and there are reasonably priced used games for it ($15-$20). The only system I have purchased new games for is the Wii... those are acutally fun, even if the graphics aren't as good... And of course the PC (Direct X 10 FTW!). Which by the way the blend of compatibility for PC and XBOX is another HUGE pushing point. Since I can use my PC to play movies I download through my 360 onto my TV...

Anyway this rant is getting way too long... End result:
F**K Sony, their systems are pieces of crap... I don't care if yours worked out of the box for 4 years... MILLIONS of returns on EVERY system can't be wrong, you just got lucky!
XBOX Has an unfair advantage wich will help them survive when the PS3 dies a slow horrible death!
Nintendo will make good WORKING systems until the end of time, the over 100 year old company will still be making mario games for our kid's kids.