New 120-160GB PS3 to rumble with DualShock 3?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Jan 28, 2008 5:01 pm PT

Source: Popular tech site Ars Technica's Opposable Thumbs blog. What we heard: There's no question 2007 was a bumpy year for the PlayStation 3. It began with the console in scarce supply post-launch, and progressed with month after month of disappointing sales reports. In an effort to...

Source: Popular tech site Ars Technica's Opposable Thumbs blog.

What we heard: There's no question 2007 was a bumpy year for the PlayStation 3. It began with the console in scarce supply post-launch, and progressed with month after month of disappointing sales reports. In an effort to jump-start the platform, Sony began a shakeup in its game division's management, which culminated in Ken "Father of the PlayStation" Kutaragi's retirement in June. The electronics giant also tweaked the PS3's configuration, discontinuing the 20GB and 60GB models in favor of 40GB and 80GB editions.

Last week, reports surfaced that the 80GB PS3 may be next on Sony's chopping block. This week, Opposable Thumbs reported that it had learned what would fill its slot in Sony's two-model PS3 strategy. The blog reported that Sony is phasing out the 80GB version and will replace it with a new configuration with a larger hard drive--either 120GB or 160GB. The new console will come with the new rumble-enabled Dual Shock 3 controller, which Sony said would be available in North America and Europe this spring. (The controller is already available in Japan.)

The official story: "As you know, we don't comment on rumors or speculation."--A weary-sounding Sony rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: Judging by the track record of ArsTechnica's source--who successfully uncovered the $399 40GB PS3 bundle--this looks not bogus.

438 Comments

  • Yannick_18

    Posted Jul 10, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    This new Playstation 3 will be out aroung Holidays or after holidays ... save your cash guys ... I went to Futureshop and the employee was talking about the 120GB Playstation 3 with Backward Compatibility and maybe it will offer a game with it ... but didn't say anything about the price if it's the same of the Playstation 3 80GB or if it would be higher!

  • SilentWolv

    Posted Mar 8, 2008 12:32 pm PT

    I've heard no word of Sony announcing a newer 120gb system. Now that I can afford a PS3, should I get the 80gb or wait for Sony's new system to hit the shelves? (I gotta have one before GTA4 )

  • JohnLuke132

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 5:20 pm PT

    i kind of hate this because i just got the 80gb and now i feel left out who else feels this way

  • belwyrm

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 4:33 pm PT

    The dual Shock 3 rocks. I had to import one, it'll be great not to have to wait a month for shipping to buy another one. Is there some way to transfer all of my saved games, and demos, and all the other stuff on my current PS3 to a new one? 20 GB is just not enough

  • XGxAxMxExRX

    Posted Feb 25, 2008 9:09 pm PT

    I think this is when i buy a ps3

  • dosochentaydos

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 1:02 pm PT

    it wil come in black and silver, it will have 6 usb ports, 2 HDMI, 3 ethernet, 160 gb, upgraded wifi and bluetooth, ds3 controller and memory card reader... i don't know if this is true,

  • krymzen183

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:38 am PT

    Sony are getting there eventually. Should have done this in the first place but hey. I have Dualshock3, it really gives games a new feel, especially with burnout.

  • Spleeter

    Posted Feb 15, 2008 9:12 am PT

    About time...The 360 elite is 449 with a 120GB hard drive, so it only makes sense to have sony match with a 120GB HD. Now this is how they should have done it to begin with: PS3 120GB HD, Dualshock 3 included, and backwards compatibility. If Sony had done this from the beginning there would be no console war with Microsoft or Nintendo in my opinion.

  • littlealien

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 7:49 am PT

    If you want Backward compatability why dont you just use the PS2 which im' sure you own.... since most of the planet seem to own one or two.

    As for the new sizes good since i dont own one yet as there is no point with a 20" crt. when i get my 1080p in the summer can get one then

  • ichiro718

    Posted Feb 7, 2008 10:11 pm PT

    wow a 160gig?? is the sapposed 2 compete with the xbox elite?? well i got a 80 gig so imma jus get the seperate ds3 controller...how much is the controller anyway??

  • BlackRing

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 7:33 am PT

    The biggest problem to overcome now is the bad attitutudes of the people. Price will go a long way.

  • PumpkinBoogie

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 2:21 pm PT

    Wow, I mean its cool to hear about dualshock 3 and a larger HDD possibly being added, but really now......hell, if you already got a 20-80gb PS3, pull together about a $150 get on Ebay and you can probably win yourself a 120-160gb HDD for less than $75 and use the difference to also buy a dualshock 3 controller. There now you got the new system for about $300 or so less. This type of hypeness is only good for those that don't have a system yet...and even then they might be getting annoyed by all of the constant SKU changes! Damn....

    Hey Sony, why not think about doing all this from the get go?....or at best, at least make it not look as though you're undecided lame-o's about which SKU you wanna use

  • Nawras

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 1:22 am PT

    seriously enough with 20982749 different versions of a console. It is like Square and Final Fantasy I and II

  • hardcore_gamer1

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 5:21 pm PT

    man how many new systems their gonna make until one sells well but im excited for dual shock 3!!!!!!!!!

  • Neo1O1

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 3:05 pm PT

    This is great news for people that have yet to adapt. Personally, I'm perfectly content with my 60GB PS3. I will purchase a DS3 & upgrade my HDD as well.

  • Kuturagi

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 2:42 pm PT

    This makes no sense IMO... what sony needs to be focusing on is their market with what they have. Sure the PS3 has a bluray drive and backwards compatability and all those things for only $399. Compared to the Xbox 360 you can buy one less then $400 now and although it doesnt have all the same (better) features, people don't look at that as much. I worked at best buy and people want lower prices and pay attention to the system that rocks at lower costs.

    I say if they can keep the $499 price and add 160GB HDD and DS3 controller then don't. Keep the 80GB HDD throw in a DS3 and drop the price by $20-30. Putting the systems at $379 and $479 would surely draw some attention.

    Oh and I wont be completed with my PS3 until they update their online service to match that of xbox live. No music is games? Can't access anything from the XMB if your playing? Where did sony stop being innovative?

  • holandes-voador

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 1:38 pm PT

    Hum, I wish they would soon confirm this. I was thinking of buying a 80gb model next week, but now I guess I'll wait.

  • PaulGonza

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 9:52 am PT

    What about using a hard drive like this?

    http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Toshiba%202TBEXT-HDD%20Hard%20Drive:1994661786;_ylt=AhC8W35hLtA8z5CpHyDyhB6CjnUC;_ylu=X3oDMTBuc2FoMTUzBF9zAzU3Njg5ODU4BGx0AzQEc2VjA3Ny?clink=dmss//ctx=sc:charddrive,c:charddrive,mid:57,pid:1994661786,pdid:57,pos:0

    That's obviously a massive load of memory. I wonder how much crap you could store on that! I understand it'd have to fit into the PS3's 2.5in thingy, but lets say it does fit in their. Would it work and how much would it boost the PS3 in terms of speed and power?

    Finally let me say that I'm not much for tech-speak. I understand some things, but I'm rather at a loss for a lot of other things. So if my questions aren't clear or they are redundent or they ask the obvious, I apologize in advance.

  • enoslives7

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:40 pm PT

    I will only buy a PS3 with backwards compatibililty

  • Legoman1990

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 8:14 am PT

    Woot! Man if the new one is $500 I will buy a PS3 ASAP!

  • senjutsu

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 8:11 am PT

    I hope that my ps3 will break after the 80g is phased out, and after the 120/160 popped, lol. If they can't repair it, they'll give me the 120/160 instead . But almost sadly, my ps3 is functionning perfectly :'( lol

    ps: For the people who are waiting to buy one, just buy one when your games pop, not when the new HDD pops... I mean, you'll wait forever, it's always gonna be expended, just like the x360 with the "elite", the ps3 is always boosting it's hardware, NONSTOP, even faster than on the ps2 (one time a year min. now, lol)

  • Autolycus

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 7:51 am PT

    yes everyone, just order those Dual Shock controllers directly from japan so we can fund Japanese's jobs and help lose american jobs. why not, it makes for cheaper products.

  • BringTheBlood

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 7:34 am PT

    even if you live in america you can get the rumble controller now, just order it from japan, its the same price and i didnt pay any shipping. so why wait for it??

    and sony, stick something for once, stop changing everyone on everything, you phase out everything, soon your going to "phase" out. make up your damn minds.

  • Autolycus

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 7:15 am PT

    quick, everyone that already has a PS3. go out and purchase 3 or 7 dual shock controller. They should only be around 50-75 bucks. QUick go spend hundred for games that don't have support yet (unless originally written for the 360, and was ported over, so i've read )

  • berhaneric

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 5:38 am PT

    The Dualshock 3 controller is great ,but i dont think we need a bigger hard drive then 80gb on our ps3's

  • Dreski83

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 5:15 am PT

    sounds expensive... guess I'll be waiting on the PS3 even longer until this blows over...

  • Krazy-K

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 5:13 am PT

    I can't wait until Dual Shock 3 is out! I can't wait to start feeling my games again!

  • daveg1

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 4:59 am PT

    well il obviously be getting one...

  • vgm007

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 4:43 am PT

    As long as it's not over $500, I'd be happy with a 120GB.

  • jogunther

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:57 am PT

    The controller is all i'm getting. Hopefully it won't cost 65 bucks.

  • blackace

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 12:26 am PT

    Will this PS3 be 100% PS1 and PS2 B/C? That's the big question I want answered. Also, how much is this thing going to cost? The 40GB PS3 already costs $399. So will this one cost $499? Sony can't afford to drop the price of the PS3 again. They already lost another billion dollars this last quarter. How can they continue to lose billions and keep cranking out new PS3 SKU's? What a mess.

  • ___goku___

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 11:50 pm PT

    itd better come with a good backward compatibility, then ill feel fully complete. good thing i havnt purchased a next-gen console yet, now i know what to buy soon!

  • bam226

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 10:59 pm PT

    i hope they put backward compatibility back in at least, and keep the price round 400 or less. but i doubt this will happen and whined up costing 499 and up.

  • fallofmanps3

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 10:33 pm PT

    i want a DualShock3

  • mr_ackman

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 10:29 pm PT

    $400 120gb-160gb ps3 with blu-ray and DS3 vs a $420 xbox elite excluding xbox live... now the competition is starting

  • Sammojo

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 10:20 pm PT

    Its good and bad news. Bad news for people who already have a PS3 and controllers.

  • blancobo

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 7:43 pm PT

    This market era is very dynamic. Not even 2 year have passed since the release of th system and already 3 models 20, 60 and 80 gb have left the race for specific reasons. A larger HDD, and rumble for the existing price would make the console even more attractive. Hopefully Sixaxis will not be eliminated.

  • powerframe8

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 7:40 pm PT

    that was a slap in the face, i begged for one for xmas (80gb)... oh well, I need the dualshock cuz my sixaxis feels like a piece of crap.

  • thestickman

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 7:32 pm PT

    Hahaha, Sony is getting insane with their constant releases of new revisions of the Playstation 3... If this turns out to be true there's no telling what they'll do next.

    "Well, looks like new 500GB PS3 is coming out to replace the 120-160GB model. And they're putting the Emotion Chip back in this one so its gonna be full backwards compatible again!"

    Oh boy...

  • kewoto

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 7:27 pm PT

    Man i got screwed over i had bought a 60gb then all of a sudden the 80gb became $500 and i got my 60gb for $500 and now there making a 120-160gb now im just pissed off. but thank god that dualshock is on its way...

  • KrzyJoe

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 7:24 pm PT

    damn it, i'm hating sony right now.

  • integra3119

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 5:55 pm PT

    yeah i think that sony bumping the ps3s up every couple months is ridiculous. i got my 60g a while back and then not even 3 months later they announced a freakin 80g, and NOW talkin about boostin it up again?! thats stupid to make anyone that wants the best out there to sell the one they have (or upgrade it externally, etc..) to get it. i agree with a lot of the people here, just throw in dualshock and backwards compatability like one guy said they need to be more worried about gettin game publishers and such rather than dickin around tryin to figure out how big or bad they wanna make these things and sell 'em for massive amounts of money. i'm content w/ my 60, i just honestly dont see why they need to juice 'em up so early on. b/c if sony even wants a chance at keepin the ps3 on the market, guess what.. you need GAMES!!!!! "ah man, all these games aren't that good.. but my playstation's got 120-160gigs! yes!" just dont get it. but even so, i'm a sony fanatic till the end. and i f*ckin LOVE cod4

  • mikesea

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 5:54 pm PT

    Backwards compatable?
    No FFX, no PS3.

  • JordanCupcakes

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 5:52 pm PT

    just in time for little big planet!!!! =D

  • MotoRacer81

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 5:12 pm PT

    I think that should help the PS3 and Sony. I think they will include BC with this one as Sony will always have at least one model that supports BC.

  • M-ManLA

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 4:55 pm PT

    I Knew it! Ok I'm waiting for that version to come out. Perfect.

  • GOAT_DUDE

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 4:43 pm PT

    IT'S PROBLABLY GOING TO COST LIKE $600-$800 BUT I COULD BE WRONG.

  • jsnett

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 4:42 pm PT

    the rumble will be nice but not on the battery life, they need to pick a sku and stick with it . i love my 80gb and no longer have to put up with mircosofts customer no-service and the red rings of death, traded it in for a wii and a few games to boot also. love the ps3 which i just got 12-31-07

  • smadiso1

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 4:14 pm PT

    If Sony can price this new monster of theirs right it should help sales. I can't see filling the 80gig I bought recently, but who the heck wouldn't take double the space if the price was right? I do miss that rumble support though; it helped wake me up during those late nights when characters started taking a beating due to my nodding off. Thanks for the renewed support in rumble controllers Sony!

  • sdkingsht

    Posted Jan 29, 2008 4:08 pm PT

    @kb8618...there is NOTHING you can buy that won't be improved upon later on. either pick one up or get over it. and i don't think any of them have BC anymore...fyi.

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