In wake of yesterdays rumor that Best Buy was phasing out all its remaining 80GB PlayStation 3s in favor of the crippled 40GB version comes word that another "unnamed retailer" has given the solemn nod that the writing on the wall is indeed more fact than fiction. To quote GameDaily's source, "Something is afoot, but cannot be discussed any further until the remaining 80GB PS3s are gone."
Why is Sony going from multiple SKUs to a single, no frills version of the PS3? If you ask Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey, it has much to do with that scary "recession" word that's been making heavy rotation on the news waves for a while:
"A recessionary environment will likely punctuate the 80GB version's relative and absolute retail sales disappointment. The recently released 40GB version is getting traction at retail, suggesting backward compatibility takes a backseat to the console's price point for current buyers."
So where does Sony go from here? Are they going to introduce yet another confusing SKU to the market (with a larger hard drive), or just stick with the 40GB that sells -- and makes those of us who cherish backwards compatibility continue to keep their PS2s connected to the entertainment center.
We're not exactly sure if the sudden interest is due to the fact that the PS3 has finally started releasing "must have" games, the price cut, or both. We do know that you might want to think about purchasing one of those more expensive 80GB models while they still exist.
Failure to act now is only going to make it more painful, as the eBay auctioneers profit by your hesitation. The PS3 is a fantastic beast of a console (it doesn't break every 2 months!), and wasn't meant to be stripped of its features. You won't regret spending the extra cash, and adding it to your collection.
[Thanks, Jonathan]
Contest:
1:30 PM on 01.25.2008
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Twice at the Best Buy in my town, I have had to stop a sales person who said that the 40GB plays PS2 games. And these are the people that work solely in the software dept. Both times the sales people were indignant, but thankfully both times the buyer listened to me.
how abouot a 40 gig with everything ssony...? and just make that yourone and only sku....grrrr....
Should I be worried my 360 hasn't broken yet (it's been well past the 2 month mark)?
:(
Every time I get a customer asking me the difference in the 40 and 80, about 7/10 give me the "oh well that's a big difference" and say they'll wait. the other 3 are just getting them for the blu ray or PStripplez games only.
But still. My Best Buy has well over 100 or so PStripplez just sitting in overstock. Cause no one wants that crap. always out of the 80s. I know sales are different in the areas but round here, it's the 80gigs that sell like no tomorrow.
We should all walk around with Destructoid cards to hand out to people in stores, who happen to inches from making uninformed buying decisions. Consider it public duty.
We know they removed the Emotion Engine in order to reduce production costs, but why are they no longer offering even the software BC? It's not like they haven't already produced it... software BC is on the PAL 60Gbs and the NTSC 80Gbs. WTF Sony?!
I said this in the previous post about this, and I'll say it again. I WAS considering buying a PS3 when the price dropped again, but without BC I think I'll just spend $100 on a PS2 (had a launch PS2, DRE'ed) and catch up on all those games instead. This just adds to why Sony can't move more PS3's than 2's...
We know they removed the Emotion Engine in order to reduce production costs, but why are they no longer offering even the software BC? It's not like they haven't already produced it... software BC is on the PAL 60Gbs and the NTSC 80Gbs. WTF Sony?!
I couldn't agree more. I stand behind the one SKU thing, and having BC as well. It's what we've all come to expect from a Sony console, and it serves the best interests of the consumer.
What are the chances these same people wont purchase the 80gig that offers modest BC?
I don't hear people whining about the 360's BC issues..what? Still can't play Gunvalkyre?
Personally I think Sony needs to concentrate on the PS3 and not the PS2. Sony's competition is it's own PS2 as well as the 360. It needs to start putting it's eggs in one basket and move on.
It's funny cause the original Xbox is DEAD..Microsoft just cut that shit in the nub.( and it came out after the PS2 )..people bitched about it and moved on.
Sony needs go through that same transitional period.
It's important because chances are, they have plenty of PS2 games in their collection. Take me for instance, I still have all the Metal Gear, RE, Silent Hill, Jak, FF, and so on for my PS2. Yes I still have my PS2, but I would rather have the convenience of playing those games on my PS3 -- and yes, I still play them.
I got consoles in every room as it is. If I could trim them down to just three, like I did last generation, it would be nice. Surely I'm not alone in that thinking.
they took it out to save money. that, and they feel they don't need it anymore now that they're starting to have PS3 games people want to play.
all that said, i would suggest getting a PS3 with BC.
I agree with your points..and you are not alone. The enthusiasts should of already got a PS3 with BC. I got the 60 gig..you didn't?
Most consumers now just want the PS3 games ,Blu-Ray player and a system that wont break on them.
Unlike us @ Dtoid who will dwell into the past treasures..we are the minority.
Huh?
it's just sad.
Hello? Did anyone stop to think they're phasing it out because they have a new controller that's going to ship in a few months? They're already going to eat enough shit as it is for not introducing the new controller at launch, but I promise there'll be a big outrage of upset over them launching a new 100GB PS3 with a Dual Shock in it a few months from now.
New controller = new SKU.
True that. I got a PS3 for Christmas. My parents & girlfriend went out to buy the 80gb model, because that logically had the bigger HDD. However, I had recently lectured my girlfriend on how irritating it was that Sony was axing backwards compatibility, and I'm now the owner of one of the original 60gb machines.
GOGO backwards compatibility AND large harddrive! I've already enjoyed Shadow of the Colossus over component cables via my PS3, as well as some Street Fighter. DON'T LOSE OUT. Get a 60gb model while you still can.
if facvt WTH are you doing with a PS3 if you still play PS2 games?
It's the other features that are missing that bother me
Well, some PS2 games were, you know, good. Yeah, I know they aren't "true HD" or in 1080p, but for some of us, that doesn't matter.
I think they are releasing a better top end model, as it only makes sense.
And for all the people bithching and whining about them not haveing BC at all anymore, shut up and buy a BC model now.
Get it now while you can or go teabagging your friends in rl. If you are not getting one then don't bother to post.
No matter how much we both would like people to stop bitching about this it just won't happen, especially on the internet.
I agree with dvddesign, my money is on a replacement 80gb sku with the dualshock3 controller included. No more sku's released just a replacement for the current 80gb model. And saying all these sku's are confusing and that Sony shouldn't be doing this, Microsoft is just a guilty, what are you Wii fanboys? Do they exist?
Totally and Crunshii has some good stuff written as well.
Except when one of the boys want to play a game and someone else wants to watch a movie
Actually, the NPD just released numbers that showed the 80GB sold more than the 40.
And how is it confusing? The 360 has an Arcade, a Pro, and an Elite...yet I'm not consufed at all.
And lastly, the 40GB is not "crippled". So what if little card readers and what not got taken out, you still have flash drives right? And, yeah, BC gettin cut out was kinda lame, but the 360 has a shitlist of BC, and no one complains about that. Keep you're PS2's, or buy an 80GB while you still can, and stop complaining
I'm starting to mess around with the MediaLink software for my mac. NIIIICCCEEEEE!
looks like im holding off yet again til they debut that dual shock controller come spring time :)
You've convinced me! Can I be your friend?
A friend of mine just bought a 40gig today at lunch time from best buy using a 20% off all blu ray player coupon. He wanted to get an 80gig, but bestbuy told him there were none in Wisconsin bestbuys.
I'm still convinced that they just wanted to clear out the inventory just to replace the motorstorm bundle with a different bundle, perhaps a 80gig, dual shock 3, GT5 prolouge bundle?
Defend Sony all you want, call us non-PS3 owners idiots for not buying it earlier, but Sony is the company that released a $600 console that promised the world... and cost them near $800 to make.
Now they realize that people aren't willing to put money on "future" games and "future" technology (see PS3 sales), so they do everything they can to strip the system down and make some sort of profit.
I'm not pissed that it doesn't have BC, I'm pissed because they've been so cocky this entire time that they were forced to remove it just to make a profitable console. They promised us BC, then remove it cause they spent too much on "new technology."
Talk all you want about how YOU don't need BC, but don't tell ME what I want or need. It's funny to hear all you PS3 fanboys that bashed on the 360's bad BC (and don't lie and say you didn't), turn around and tell people how they don't need BC..
I'm pretty sure I know my personal reasons for not buying a PS3 better than you do...
I haven't bought a 360 because of the hardware issues...
I haven't bought a PS3 cause Sony's still got it's head up it's anus...
End of story.
Your loss man. since you know, YOU cant enjoy YOUR purchase because some company a$$hat is a cocky dick.
I'm sorry that Sony has personally been cocky to YOU and treated you so badly... Thats a pretty good reason not to play games.
No thanks.
More importantly, as consumers I don't think we should be worried about buying a product because of the possibility of rarity. If you want certain features, hold out for them and vote with your dollars. If you really want a PS3 80 gig, or a Wii for that matter, then buy it. If not, don't let hype influence your decision.
I look forward to great things from the PS3. Give em a couple years to take full advantage of the powerful hardware, produce some great software, stop gimping the machine, give us proper controllers, and drop the price down, and I'll gladly pick one up.
I'm not going to be forced to pick between a lower price or backwards compatibility. I think Sony can do better. I'm not excited about the Wii or the direction that Nintendo is taking, but I do hope that the pressure they are exerting on their competitors will lead to good things. Nothing like losing your place on top to help you remember your customers.
I hope they're not actually nixing it. Sony does LOVE adding new SKU numbers for almost any change. They could be replacing Motorstorm with a dualshock 3 and that would be a whole different model, even if the 80gb PS3 was exactly the same. I doubt this is really the case, given what I read on Evil Avatar, but I I can hope for the best.
I've got my PS2, so I'm covered on that front. When it eventually dies, I'll probably be able to use a PS2 emu. BFD.
But go ahead and panic and spend $600. Whatever..