40GB PS3 hitting NA Nov. 2?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 8, 2007 10:45 am PT

Source: Showbiz trade The Hollywood Reporter. What we heard: After weeks of rumors, leaks, and nondenials of its nonexistence, the 40GB PlayStation 3 officially unveiled last week. However, while reports about the new stripped-down console had come from all over the globe--including US and...

Source: Showbiz trade The Hollywood Reporter.

What we heard: After weeks of rumors, leaks, and nondenials of its nonexistence, the 40GB PlayStation 3 officially unveiled last week. However, while reports about the new stripped-down console had come from all over the globe--including US and Australian retailers--Sony has confirmed its release only in Europe and the UK.

Now, though, it appears US and Canadian gamers may be able to finally mark their calendars. Today, the Hollywood Reporter, one of the most widely read and influential entertainment-focused dailies on the planet, is reporting the 40GB will arrive on North American shores in less than a month. The Reporter quotes an "industry source" as saying, "We're hearing November 2" and confirmed the date with a "buyer for a major game retailer."

Unsurprisingly, the Reporter also says the console will have the same stripped-down form factor as the European 40GB PS3, with just two USB ports, no memory card readers, and the still-baffling lack of software-based backward compatibility. However, as rumored, the console will be $399, $200 cheaper than the $599 80GB PS3 Sony currently manufactures for the NA market. (The 60GB model has been discontinued, though some units are still lingering on retailer shelves.)

Though still considerably more than the $249 Wii or $279 Xbox 360 Core, the new price point puts the PS3 in the same ballpark as the $349 Xbox 360 Pro and the $449 Xbox 360 Elite. It will also become the cheapest player of Blu-ray Disc media on the market, helping Sony's ongoing efforts to promote the high-definition format. Indeed, the $399 40GB PS3 will be more affordable than any 360 equipped with the console's $179 HD DVD player add-on, though still more expensive than some stand-alone HD DVD players, which cost as little as $299.

The official story: Sony had not responded to comments on the Reporter report as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Given the Reporter's reputation and the fact the console has already been announced for Europe, this is almost certainly not bogus.

561 Comments

  • linkinSOXecho

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 6:26 pm PT

    good. i might actually invest in one now.

  • Vonbear

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 10:28 am PT

    IT's official:

    Cheaper Sony PlayStation 3 Arrives in US Next Month

    It was bound to happen: 40GB PlayStation 3 previously announced for Japan and Europe will arrive in the US in November 2 with a $400 price tag. The 80GB model will get a price cut too, going from $600 to $500. Both versions are still more expensive than its Microsoft and Nintendo rivals. [WSJ] Here's the official word from Sony: Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces New 40GB Playstation(R)3 (PS3(TM)) Configuration and Price Reduction Of Current 80GB Model New 40GB Model to be Available in North America on November 2nd for $399 Effective Immediately, 80GB PS3 to be priced at $499 FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced plans to introduce a new 40GB model of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning November 2nd, to further enhance the HD entertainment experience, the new 40GB PS3 model will come bundled with the blockbuster movie Spider-Man(TM) 3 Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $399 (USD/CND). The company also announced that effective immediately, the current 80GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499 (USD/CND), $100 below the original launch price. "We're pleased to offer the consumer a lower price point without sacrificing the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system available. Every PS3 comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband

    Engine and a built-in hard-drive," said Jack Tretton, President and CEO, SCEA. "This holiday season we'll be able to offer attractive retail pricing with a broad portfolio of outstanding games including Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), Call of Duty(R) 4: Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed(TM), Haze(TM) and RockBand(TM)." The new 40GB PS3 will no longer play PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles. Consumers looking for backwards compatibility can take advantage of the limited PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility of the 80GB PS3.

  • victorgonzalez

    Posted Oct 17, 2007 8:20 am PT

    batroc4198 I'm going to laugh my rear end off when you buy a PS3 sometime in the near future (that is if don't already own one) This will help rejuvenate the Sony brand, increasing competition between Microsoft and Sony, thereby fostering an environment of better more compelling games for both platforms. That Microsoft and Sony do well this generation is in the best interest of every consumer. To try and stifle that healthy competition and just be another retarded fanboy just goes to prove your lack of insight and awareness.

  • leimeisei

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 4:28 pm PT

    I'm really glad I bought a 60GB... so far, its been the best and most-functional model of them all!

  • Bvp301

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 4:08 pm PT

    Hmm, maybe if Sony actually brought some good games to their over-priced system I would go buy one, but for right now it is still just a fleeting thought in my mind that is easily forgotten when playing Bioshock, Gears, GRAW, Oblivion, do I need to name more?

  • biosciguy

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 11:30 am PT

    its amazing what Sony-bologna can do with left over parts. im gonna play my ps2 into the ground .

  • kingrich06

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 8:35 am PT

    i just hope this helps drop the prices of Blu Ray movies

  • nvswolves

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 5:35 pm PT

    It just shows that the PS3 is failing this is there second price drop and in terms of sales there doing the worst.

  • Severe_Gamer

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 5:31 pm PT

    Everyone is pi**ing and moaning about all the features Sony is cutting out... but I don't see the problem. Yes, lack of backwards compatability is an issue, but that's it. The memory card reader is a minor loss (at worst) and who needs four USB ports? Plus HELLO??? it still seems to have Wireless internet, which still costs 100 bucks to get with a 360!!! That's a huge inclusion!!! Bottom line: this is a good move for Sony and a smart buy for consumers!

  • kingyotoX

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 4:02 pm PT

    $400 ps3 count me in...

  • xXHackettXx

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 11:31 am PT

    I like that its gone down in price and I am intrested but I think i'll keep waiting till some of the bigger PS3 games come out. Right now its still not worth it if you already have a 360.

  • chang_1910

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 10:15 am PT

    the price is good now (at least descend) but i`m going for a 360... more games (that i like) so...

  • damned_beast

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 8:52 am PT

    If its actually that price. I will go out and buy a PS3

  • ALAN_WAKE

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 5:56 am PT

    (rumble+games+$400) cheap blank blu-ray discs = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    Why oh why did it take Sony SO LONG to figure it out?

  • H8s2spooge

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 2:31 pm PT

    Jono69830 Sony really doesn't get it this time, it doesn't matter what price the system is........you need "great" exclusive titles that no one else can get, I know so far sony still has MGS4 but really i wouldn't buy the system even if it was 300 dollars (not just the price of the system, but what they do to it). If Sony gave me a 40gig system with all the bells and whistles + came up with some great exclusives maybe i would think about getting one...................oh wait there's that other system out there..........whats it called.............x........something with better games, online that kicks A$% and tons of exclusives......................and by the way nice on sonys part to have CAPCOM one of the biggest names in the gaming biz drop their backing for the system................I love my X360 and like my Wii.

    Great exclusives? I don't own a 360, yet i've been playing bioshock and lost planet all day, and I'll be able to play alan wake, gears, and any halo i want by summer of next year. The online for lost planet seems like the same thing too... only i didn't have to pay microsoft 50 dollars this year just to see it.

    OH, but you meant "great" exclusives like sneak king, pimp my ride, or earth defense force 2017, right?

    I don't understand why you would pay 50 dollars a year for a "gamer score". I mean, wtf?!

  • dragonseer439

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 9:05 am PT

    PS3 doesn't have any good games wah wah.. This is rubbish. Come Christmas time there will be plenty of great third party and exclusive games on the PS3. I can't even afford all the PS3 games I want just next month as it is. Sony isn't trying to convince some kid in their bedroom to add a PS3 to the Wii and Xbox 360 they already have. Instead they are trying to get families to get a PS3 for their living room/home entertainment setup, a great match for a new HDTV. In this sense I'm sure this new unit will sell really well. What I'm saying is that Sony isn't trying to convince hardcore gamers to get all three systems, I don't think exclusive games are as important as most posters here think. If you are a gamer this holiday season, and you don't have a PS3 or an Xbox 360 yet, it's time to make a choice and get on board, there are tons of great third party games about to come out on both systems. With PS3 though you can be pretty sure it's going to keep working over the long haul, with Xbox 360 though you're taking a chance, with the high failure rate and all.

  • tophat666

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 8:07 am PT

    hmm... Wait two more days to pay 100$ less. IDK but the 60gb is the whole system, but almost a year later they should have fixed the bugs. I'm going to get mine on eather the 30th of this month or the 2nd of nov. But ratchet an clack and guitar hero and NGsigma when i get it.

  • Jono69830

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 1:54 am PT

    Sony really doesn't get it this time, it doesn't matter what price the system is........you need "great" exclusive titles that no one else can get, I know so far sony still has MGS4 but really i wouldn't buy the system even if it was 300 dollars (not just the price of the system, but what they do to it). If Sony gave me a 40gig system with all the bells and whistles + came up with some great exclusives maybe i would think about getting one...................oh wait there's that other system out there..........whats it called.............x........something with better games, online that kicks A$% and tons of exclusives......................and by the way nice on sonys part to have CAPCOM one of the biggest names in the gaming biz drop their backing for the system................I love my X360 and like my Wii.

  • Mastergamist

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 8:25 pm PT

    moz82: "I'm so glad these greedy Sons Of A Guns discontinued their 60gb model...ha ha.......maybe if were all lucky they will just go bankrupt and we will no longer have do deal with the playstation"

    Hmm, that's like somebody wishing you had cancer. Do you even listen to yourself when you talk? I feel bad for your brain, having being trapped in your skull... Poor thing must be starving and half dead.

    Why not just shut up and leave. You're obviously not productive here and you are a hater. So go and play whatever console you're a fanboy to and get carpal tunnel.

  • Rayze78

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 6:58 pm PT

    I may have some interest now, but it would still be awhile before I would get it since I already have the Wii and 360. If they get some more exclusive games I may get it.

  • Netherscourge

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 6:56 pm PT

    Hmmm - $400 for a PS3 that actually works and had Blu-Ray or $350 for a Xbox 360 that I will have to RMA to Microsoft every 6 months... hmm...

    How about STICKING WITH MY GOOD OLD PC

  • H8s2spooge

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 6:04 pm PT

    Pfilosophy As much as I hate the PS3, it was for 3 reasons.
    1. The games... well, there weren't any. There still isn't, really, but at least now there's the prospect of SOME good titles. If they nab Fatal Frame or Suikoden, I'm in regardless of personal opinion.
    2. The price. Oh god, the price. But dropping $600 to $400 is nice indeed. Still steep and I'm not gonna cough it up anytime soon but at least it's an option for later.
    3. The fanboys... which won't change, unfortunately, but I just simply won't go online with it. So pfilosophy... and anyone else who thinks the 360 is "Da Best" because it has "killer apps", or because the premium 360 is a "full featured console", i have some questions for you.

    Did you buy a Premium 360 in November of 2005 for $400? Did you notice the best games at launch were Perfect Dark: Zero (laff) and PGR 3? Then did you talk to the million other "fanboys" who said, "Sweet, I got a 360! I'm gonna go buy Halo 3 now!" all of whom were completely dumbfounded when they found out it wasn't going to be released until September of 2007? Did you go rent Amped 3 and think, "wtf did i buy this piece of crap for? They're probably going to drop the price, add new features to it & release better games later, especially Halo 3!" Then, after trying to play online did you realize, "I have to pay 50 dollars EVERY YEAR just to record how well I'm doing in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland?! That's pretty dumb." But after all that, I'm sure you thought, "Oh well, at least it's a reliable piece of machinery and won't break down before Halo 3 comes out. I'll have this thing for at least 5 years."?

    Honestly, I can't see any reason, ANYONE, would buy ANY 360 system, over, or rather, INSTEAD OF, the 40 gig ps3.

    HD Media player, Rumble/Motion Controller, great games already released (come on, warhawk is F-ing sick) with THE BEST KNOWN FRANCHISES (arguably) in gaming history coming, NEW, GREAT titles/franchises both released and coming, free online services (with FREE "achievements" and "gaming scores" coming), and oh yeah.... more than 75% of the consoles DON'T BREAK! All for a lower price than the PREMIUM 360 (after live subscription(s) and a charge kit), It wouldn't surprise me, however, considering the state of the world, if the 360 doubled sales and the Wii sold another 7 million units this Christmas, while Capcom's big announcement for Sony was that they're giving Dante an extra weapon in the PS3 version DMC 4. I mean, people are pretty stupid.

  • assassinX01

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 5:51 pm PT

    "A shiny new price point for an excessively stripped-down system. Seems like it's always one step forward, two steps back with Sony these days. And maybe a needless step sideways just for good measure."

    What would you rather have: a 500 dollar, backward compatable PS3, or a 400 dollar, non compatable PS3?

    If you're still playing PS2 games, the solution is simple: don't buy a PS3. And if you don't own a PS2, you have no business jumping into the gaming market and buying the PS3.

  • moz82

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 4:20 pm PT

    I'm so glad these greedy Sons Of A Guns discontinued their 60gb model...ha ha.......maybe if were all lucky they will just go bankrupt and we will no longer have do deal with the playstation

  • mov

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 3:54 pm PT

    no great games for either this or the 360. i still can't decide which to buy since they are both still so disappointing to me...its going to come down to no more than 3 games it seems...

  • Limp_Laky

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    I think that this price drop will help some, not all. the 80GB or a 60GB is a better buy IMO. While the actual move on sony's part is a little hazy by taking features out of the system it was a smart move. I for one will not buy a PS3 yet and the reason is they dont have a good holiday lineup compared to the 360 which I already own. I want FF13 and maybe UT3 but then again I already have halo 3 orange box gears and I can get UT3 for 360, a price drop wasnt what sony needed is what I mean. They need games.

  • 100000

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 1:24 pm PT

    Well the 360 is 350$ and was 400$ when released.

  • GeneralXiahou

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 12:26 pm PT

    lower price=good
    stripped down=bad Sony needs to get their act together, it is very sad what has a happened to them since the ps2

  • Gordfacekiller

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 11:31 am PT

    Maybe once the PS3 has eleventy two first person shooter then the 360 fan boys will like it

  • Gordfacekiller

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 11:25 am PT

    I have always been a Playstation fan, but I do agree that sony needs to stop changing the systems, the should have kept the 60 gig and released a 120 gig, then lowered the prices on both models. They also need to keep the backward compatibility, even if the use software emulation. I don't understand why the 40 gig can't use the emulators but I'm sure some at sony will fix it threw an update. If not Hackers will do ot for them. THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR ALL THESE PS3 HATTERS IS, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE CONSOLE WHY ARE YOU READING THE NEWS ABOUT IT? ADMIT YOU WANT ONE! YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOSE BETWEEN PS3 AND 360. Most people that bash on the PS3 do so because they can't afford it. Everyone says the the PS lack exclusive games. So do 360, Nintendos the one with all the exclusives. The only good exclusives for 360 are Gears of War and Halo3 witch will both be out on PC, so all I need is A PS3 with the free linex operating system and with an easy mode it can play these PC game that Microsofts too greedy to keep exclusive to the 360, Thanks MS for giving me a reason not to Buy a 360, becasue I was going to. I guess Ill get a Wii instread. PLAYSTAION WII

  • mdcdeve266

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 11:07 am PT

    Stripped down? already have 60GB one at the rip off $825 European price.

    But how much are they saving here? 20 gb less HD space, especially the card reader and 2 USB ports? how much does a card reader and 2 USB ports cost ? nothing really, why make the PS3 less attractive to save almost nothing in cost there.

    And how much does this stripped down 40GB PS3 cost in Europe? $599 lol the same as the premium 60GB cost on release day in USA.

  • dashizy666

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 10:47 am PT

    Let' s put this in perspective. The ps3 sales sucked at $599.99. The Wii and 360 sales are great at their price. So Sony stripped down the system took away two USB ports which makes no sense. Dropped 20Gigs on the HDD which does make sense. But here's is the heart of the matter And I'm going the say this in a whisper so fanboys listen carefully. I don't know if you heard this but the 360 has better games, and not only that, the PS3 is a ***** to program for. Ask the people at valve why the Orange box is delayed. Ask the people who made F.E.A.R. why the ps3 version of F.E.A.R. HAS A SLOW FRAMERATE! Sorry for the caps. I was only making a point. price of the system doesn't mean jack if the featured games are second rate. One word should sum this up. Lair. Need I say more.

  • GunGriffin

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 9:04 am PT

    Now thats a price I can dig! good thing I still had 100 smackers in my account for just this reason! good now I can save up for a 40gig PS3! as for the lack PS2 support I could care less as I don't own a PS2, Also 2 USB ports is more than enough for me. As long is it works, and dose not crap out on me I'm all for saveing up my cash and buying a 40gig PS3. Also I like Sony alot. I love my PSP and this will help me do even more with that system as well! rock on!

  • Unkillable

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 5:23 am PT

    Good job Sony, now we just need some good games in order for you little plan to work out.

  • velocity99

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 4:28 am PT

    I still have my ps2, so the backwards compatibility doesn't bother me, but it might suck for some people who want to get it to play some ps2 games as well. It's great to have a whole library of older games to play while you wait for the new ones...

  • mazniq

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 2:38 am PT

    Hmm, this is kinda fishy- the prize looks approximately right this time.

  • InfinityMugen

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:07 pm PT

    Jeez Sony is really messed up. Instead of focusing on their lack of games for poor sales, they strip the console to think youre getting a good deal. LAME!!!

  • shaakti123

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:14 pm PT

    well, id still rather have a 360

  • supersonicGO

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:08 pm PT

    hmmmm....maybe

  • Ikthog

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:49 pm PT

    Hee hee... it's fun to watch the people who stood behind "$600 for (insert single game here)?!?" struggle to come up with other reasons why the PS3 sucks. Face it, most of the Sony haters hate the PS3 for entirely irrational reasons... trying to justify just how much you will UN-buy a PS3 based on some other factors you couldn't actually care less about doesn't really make you look as smart as you think it does.

  • MangyForestCat

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:16 pm PT

    Sony has cut the price of the PS3 almost 5 times in one year all ready... Unprecedented in the history of video games... SONY = LOSE

    Keep on struggling Sony you just keep on sucking....

  • Mastergamist

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:15 pm PT

    This is indeed dissapointing... I'm tempted to walk all the way over to Sony and pull of something like Gabe from Penny Arcade would. Heck, I'd settle for what Ethan from CAD would do.

    So it's cheaper, big deal. But think about what they did to the poor thing, it's absolutely butchered! I've heard of compensating, but this is just too extreme. They couldn't keep everything in it and still try to get a profit? And as many others have said, what about the backwards compatibility? Sony has lost it, to think they'd do something like the PS2 but then when the PS3 comes in, they have to make themselves look like a bunch of asses...

    I already have a PS3, I have a 360 and Wii too. But I'm just outraged by what they're trying to pull. It's like they expect the American consumer to be so stupid they would purchase this! In some cases, they're right, but in others they should just take some barbwired bats and beat each other with them in an attempt to knock sense into each other.

    I officially lost faith in Sony and their "Business Skills" when it comes to the Gaming Industry. It's like their freaking monkeys making the decisions, next thing you know there will be a banana sold as the PS4!

  • dashizy666

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 1:10 pm PT

    The $200.00 price drop is great. Too bad it's a stripped down .version of the system And this would also be great if the exclusive games were as good or better then 360 games. Sony is known for screwing people over. I'm sure it'll sell but when you get down to it it's a $400 Blu-Ray player that also play games that are mediocre at best. Lair, and F.E.A.R. are perfect examples. However Drake, little, big world, Ratchet and Clank, and metal Gear solid are system sellers. But Halo 3 is the giant that'll out sell any Ps3 game.

  • daleyboy928

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 1:06 pm PT

    That's possible. I don't think MGS4 will be ready in time for the Q1 2008 release. DualShock 3 isn't comin out till spring and I don't think Kojima Productions will release MGS4 before that, which makes sense. And I don't mind waiting because the longer Kojima holds on to this game, he won't be able to resist adding on more stuff...

    Things are finally starting to look good for Sony...

  • jonfigs

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    I almost got excited....... then I remembered that MGS4 is probably still a year away.

  • daleyboy928

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 11:26 am PT

    Damn, the 40GB version is REALLY stripped down. But that's cool that it's at $399. It was a very smart move on Sony's part to finally have a good price...

    But I'm waiting for the 80GB version to go down to $499. I have a feeling that it'll happen right before MGS4 comes out...

  • Thebulldogg_69

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:08 am PT

    This is just nonsense. No BC, no mem cards, asides from one or two titles that jump off of the shelf, this is a waste of time on Sony's part. It's also an insult to consumers everywhere. "Here, have a half-azzed deal for top dollar."

    Thanks Sony for dropping the ball again on this one. I say this not as a die hard Xbox fan, but, as a long time Ps user. Screw the game library. As everyone knows, solid titles are built on time and the mastery of the systems capabilities. This comes across to me as nothing more then a next-gen console garage sale. "Here, have the stuff we don't need, or just had kicking around collecting dust"

    MGS, GTA, and FF XIII. All solid games when they get here no doubt. But until all three of these title are available for my library, what's the point? Xbox has the titles NOW. By the time the above titles are here, Sony would have had to drop the price again. It's close to Christmas. Nothing huge is going to get here that I can't for the Xbox. During Q1 of '08 THEN you'll want to look at Sony.

    Until then, don't insult me with a paltry second hand offer.

    "Don't pay your taxes." "Spend it on the funk"
    -George Clinton of Parliament

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