No PS3 price drop Down Under

SYDNEY--When Ken Kutaragi last week announced that the 20GB-hard-drive-equipped model of the PlayStation 3 was getting a price drop in Japan, Australian gamers anxiously held their breath to see if Sony would apply the same drop here.

But just like gamers in the US, it seems Aussies won't be getting a discount. Sony Computer Entertainment Australia spokesman Adrian Christie told GameSpot AU today that the price of the PlayStation 3 in Australia would stay the same--A$829.95 ($623.50) for the 20GB-equipped model and A$999.95 ($751) for the 60GB-hard-drive model.

Christie, however, did confirm news that all 20GB PS3 units sold in Australia will now sport an HDMI port. HDMI is an all-digital audio/video connection that was previously limited to the more expensive 60GB PS3.

Kutaragi used his Tokyo Game Show keynote speech to unveil news that the 20GB PS3 model would retail for 49,980 yen ($429) in Japan at launch on November 11, about 10,000 yen ($85) cheaper than previously stated.