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What's one more SKU? 40GB PS3 confirmed for the US in November
5:53 AM on 10.18.2007, Jim Sterling 53 comments

What's one more SKU? 40GB PS3 confirmed for the US in November photo
     Sony

If there's one thing Sony is good at, it's crazy ad campaigns. However, if Sony is good at two things, then releasing a whole host of SKUs to the point where I am confused and frightened has to be the second. Still, following the sales spike that the 40GB PS3 caused in the UK, who can blame the company for bringing it Stateside ASAP?

SCEA President Jack 'Mr. Charisma' Tretton has confirmed the release of the 40GB PS3 in the US on November 2nd, retailing at $400. For those who are only interested in the future, this new model might look like a decent buy. However, the fact that it cannot play PS2 games is sure to leave a sour taste for some.

"We're choosing to focus on the PlayStation 2 consumer with the PlayStation 2, which remains incredibly relevant, and focus on the PlayStation 3 consumer with the new 40-gigabyte model and the great software coming out," Tretton said, justifying the removal of backwards compatibility. That just says "stick with the PS2 and don't bother with anything else, it's still the best console you can buy," to me.

If you want the perfect mix of Blu-ray and last-gen, however, it might please you to also know that the 80GB PlayStation 3 is enjoying a hundred dollar cut -- now available for $500. With just a 100 bones difference between the two models, is the 40GB worth it? Maybe not, but we'll see just how well it serves Sony this Christmas when less thoughtful consumers jump on the low price.


Next page: More The almighty dollar stories




foxhound009's Avatar
foxhound009 at 10/18/2007 06:07
40 gb, ps2 games support and extra usb portss for 100 bucks... hmmmmm
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 10/18/2007 06:21
@anarpis, it has the graphics chip from the ps2 in it. whereas the original console has both the processor and graphics chip, so it has software assisted emulation.

But we know a new ps3 is coming which I'm sure is the no BC 80gb version.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar
Cowboy TTop at 10/18/2007 06:38
Such a shame. This no BC decision isn't gonna end here, its gonna be dogging Sony for the rest of PS3s life. They clearly don't see all those people trading in their PS2s, for buying a PS3. These are who Sony must convince.
uptonogood's Avatar
uptonogood at 10/18/2007 06:42
i don't see what the issue of BC is -- a lot of people already have a PS2. even if you buy a 40GB and a new PS2, it'll be cheaper than an 80GB model. and we know damn well that as each iteration of a PS comes along, it loses pieces to make it slimmer in terms of parts used. it's a like a sick game -- to see how many parts it can shave off and still make it do everything it's supposed to. how small is a PS2 these days compared to the weight and size of the original?
Sliced Bread's Avatar
Sliced Bread at 10/18/2007 06:43
"We're choosing to focus on the PlayStation 2 consumer with the PlayStation 2"

Yay Sony.

No wonder Nintendo have moved up to 2nd, behind Toshiba in the list of most valuable Japanese companies.
Sliced Bread's Avatar
Sliced Bread at 10/18/2007 06:46
^ Toyota, sorry.
TorpedoTed's Avatar
TorpedoTed at 10/18/2007 06:51
Surely sony can find a way to use its ultra pwerfull PS3 hardware to play PS2 roms with out old chips.
Cant see why not, then they can inflict massive damage like no one before....
Or they could bring out a good game....I just bought PGR4, its amazing!
9to5's Avatar
9to5 at 10/18/2007 07:06
I thought the Japanese culture was big on being kind to older relatives?
Professor Pew's Avatar
Professor Pew at 10/18/2007 07:13
@TorpedoTed: They can, and don't call them Shirley.
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 10/18/2007 07:16
PS3 with Axed BC is a good move in my opinion. Software BC needed to be taken out back and shot. Perfect BC is available on eBay
Cowboy TTop's Avatar
Cowboy TTop at 10/18/2007 07:27
I'm sorry. If freaking Nitendo can get BC right, what the freak is Sony's excuse? Stop making excuses for them cause that's just lame. Clinging to anyones claims doesn't suit you, especially when Sony bragged some much about PS3 BC from day one.

Did you miss the part where I said a lot of people are trading in their PS2s to get PS3s?? I'm keeping mine, but the majority of people wont. This could potentially kill the PS2 market from staying longer.

PS3 still supports BC for PS1 games, so tell me, which are you most likely to have still, PS1 or PS2 games. It stupid and half heaerted crap to support PS1 games and not PS2.
Tristero's Avatar
Tristero at 10/18/2007 07:31
Great photo, Sterling. I feel like Joker in the first Batman. Where does he get those wonderful toys?
Cynical Gamer's Avatar
Cynical Gamer at 10/18/2007 07:45
The 40gb PS3 is worst than the 360 tard pack.
whiteboy0869's Avatar
whiteboy0869 at 10/18/2007 07:47
Tretton said "the great software" when speaking of the PS3. This guy is officially a total fucking moron.
whiteboy0869's Avatar
whiteboy0869 at 10/18/2007 07:47
Tretton said "the great software" when speaking of the PS3. This guy is officially a total fucking moron.
Sinnix's Avatar
Sinnix at 10/18/2007 08:08
I've never owned a PS1 or PS2 so the 40GB PS3 looks like a good deal for me if I ever buy a PS3. I can count the number of times I've used the XBOX 360 backwards compatibility on one hand so it being missing in the PS3 isn't a deal breaker. 40GB is double what I have now in my XBOX and regarding extra USB ports? Seriously, who cares?
bipolar beers's Avatar
bipolar beers at 10/18/2007 08:09
anyone looking to buy a 40 gig ps3 dont sell your ps2. end of story. the box says no bc so if people are silly enough to trade in their ps2 for it without knowing what they are getting into is pretty moronic. its also dumb of sony to take that off but i guess its just one more reason to buy the more expensive models out there.
Holzmiento's Avatar
Holzmiento at 10/18/2007 08:10
I am waiting for the $250 scratch n' dent SKU. No BC and PS3 keyed across the top.
bipolar beers's Avatar
bipolar beers at 10/18/2007 08:10
ive also used bc on my ps3 a total of about 4 times so its not that big a deal. still own a ps2 though.
whiteboy0869's Avatar
whiteboy0869 at 10/18/2007 08:12
Another problem here is that Sony probably won't do a great job of telling the regular public about the lack of Backwards Compatibility. This will lead to many unhappy people on Christmas. When they pop in KH2 or FF12, and get some kind of disc read error, they will be pissed. "I thought PS3 was backwards compatible!! This is fucking broken!"
whiteboy0869's Avatar
whiteboy0869 at 10/18/2007 08:12
Another problem here is that Sony probably won't do a great job of telling the regular public about the lack of Backwards Compatibility. This will lead to many unhappy people on Christmas. When they pop in KH2 or FF12, and get some kind of disc read error, they will be pissed. "I thought PS3 was backwards compatible!! This is fucking broken!"
JamesSorensen's Avatar
JamesSorensen at 10/18/2007 08:15
I would be scared and confused if i wasn't already educated on multi- sku's (Core, Premium, Elite, Premium w/ HDMI, Arcade w/HDMI, Halo)

so it's all good.... $400 ain't bad at all... seeing how the whole PS3 has no games nonsense thrown by people goes out the window this holiday....
VWGTI's Avatar
VWGTI at 10/18/2007 08:38
I don't understand what the big deal is. I hope everyones incentive to buy a next-gen console isn't based around backwards compatibility. I buy mine to play the new games, if I want to play my older games I'll bust out that system. Simple enough. Sure, it's nice to have, but it isn't necessary.

The Xbox 360 has pretty garbage BC too, but I don't see too many people complaining about that. Sony is releasing this cheaper sku for those whinning about the price of the PS3 (apparently using a credit card is beyond them), yet they continue to find more to whine about. Give it a rest.
PraiseChaos's Avatar
PraiseChaos at 10/18/2007 08:40
I'm in the same situation as everyone who can count the number of times they've used the 360's backwards compatibility on one hand. I only own two games for the original Xbox, and I own both of them for PC as well. I preferred the PC, so I rarely bought Xbox games.

On the other hand, I own around 20 PS2 games and still buy them from time to time. The same applies to my Wii and GameCube.

I'd rather not keep 5 or 6 systems attached to my TV when I can get away with just keeping three attached. That's why BC is an issue for me. As a consumer, I suppose I expect it since every other competitor with cheaper consoles has done it.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 10/18/2007 08:41
Sony just keeps modifying their PS3 until they can figure out which one will sell.
raitchison's Avatar
raitchison at 10/18/2007 08:49
I'm not sure if this is aimed at people who have never owned a Playstation console before but if it is it's still too expensive at $400.

We have, and still play a lot of PS2 games, this is the price point where I'd consider buying a PS3 but I don't want to keep the PS2 around and have to add more spaghetti wiring behind the TV just so I can play those. What's more is I'd like to send the PS2 off to grandmas house so my kids (and other grandkids) can play on it when they are visiting.
TheBrain's Avatar
TheBrain at 10/18/2007 08:49
Sony continues to confuse me with the PS3 features and pricepoint. I can't imagine how this would effect a consumer that doesn't pay attention to all of this stuff on a daily basis.

Also, nixing BC is lame lame lame. I need that extra 50 to 60 bucks I could get for offing my PS2 on the way to getting a PS3.
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 10/18/2007 08:52
There going down the Microsoft line. Are there more versions of the PS3 or vista?
jeep's Avatar
jeep at 10/18/2007 08:59
look if i was getting half the hard-drive and no bc for a difference of a 100 dollars...that seems like a screw job...

either way i enjoy my 360 and i dont really need a ps3 right now...

100 bucks was the difference between the core and the premium...and i made sure to get the premium...so if i was getting a ps3 i'd get a 80gig...it seems that these (Sony and MS) companies are putting a crap product out for a c note cheaper just to get the more expensive one to sell...
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 10/18/2007 09:00
@ Wardrox, there are the same amount of SKU's as for the 360. The 20, 60, 80 and 40, of which only the last three are still on shelves (unused). The 360 has arcade, core, pro, and Halo.

I think overall as gaming-centric consumers the argument should apply to both MS and Sony that we want our games systems to be like they used to. One piece that didn't require upgrades. Then again, upgrading the HDD space is a useful thing with downloadable content and possible IPTV/Tivo-like uses.

I own a 20GB PS3 and it's my first Playstation. I have never used the BC. I really don't see myself buying that many older games anyway. I didn't buy my PS3 to play older games anyway. I bought it to play new ones that look pretty (and play well) on my HDTV. BC IMO seems over-rated. I've never played a GC game in my Wii either FYI. But... I have played GBA games in my DS.
decoyb's Avatar
decoyb at 10/18/2007 09:20
The 40 gig doesn't sound too bad to me, but if they took BC out of the 80 that would be stupid. There should always be a ps3 with BC for people that want to play ps2 games they may have missed.

But gamers bored at work/gaming nerds dont make up most of the market for consoles. You've got the "uh madden will look sweet on this" crowd that will buy the systems with no BC and never even notice.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar
Cowboy TTop at 10/18/2007 09:23
Love that Vista bit. PS3 now seems like when you buy a PC now, they all come with Vista, when many actually want XP. Then sales suits can then brag, 'Hey, Vista is selling much better'. This is what Sony are trying to push with PS3 lack of PS2 BC.

Sony are dumb, lets face it. Why would you kill your main source of games available til PS3s library grows enough to sustain itself? Commercial suicide IMO.

Wii is in the same boat game wise now, but it has GC/WVC games to fall back on until things pick up. I understand some will keep PS2s but its really a convenience and space issue, as well as a games one.

As for 360 BC, updates for games usually appear two to three times a year. Many might say it isn't often enough, but atleast MS are addressing it.

When I first got my 360, my Panzer Dragoon Orta, Outrun 2 and Jet Set Radio Future didn't work (exactly a year ago), now they work fine. This is great, because I didn't have an Xbox til near it end, and I still get to enjoy these games, while my Xbox is packed away.
gamesronlygames's Avatar
gamesronlygames at 10/18/2007 09:28
The only thing this will do is help out the hidef crown wanting a good bluray player for a great price. So while it may help in establishing a solid inroad for bluray over hddvd it does very little for gamers. If they wanted to blow the socks off everyone they should have dropped it to $299. They would flash bang the competition on that-its got to be at least the same price as a 360 to compete!
qo_op's Avatar
qo_op at 10/18/2007 09:34
Obviously Sony can do BC on the 40GB but they won't tell you that. I mean if the 40GB did have BC then that would make the 80GB and 60GB well..obsolete. Me? I dont care, the 40GB is mine on Nov 2nd. I have a ps2 in my room for my Standard TV and the 60 is with my bro and the 40 will be with me and my 42in HD Samsung.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 10/18/2007 10:03


...didnt see that coming. Nooo not at all.

And if the 80GB goes to 500 bucks, then that might be enough for me to buy a PSTriple
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 10/18/2007 10:04
Do a report about how much money Sony has lost since the ps3 launched.
I'm curious.
VampireChrist's Avatar
VampireChrist at 10/18/2007 10:46
so is the 60GB $450 now or what?
Cynical Gamer's Avatar
Cynical Gamer at 10/18/2007 11:12
Sony needs to drop the price of the 40gb SKU to 300 if they want to compete.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 10/18/2007 12:14
It looks like Cowboy TTop is REALLY looking for someone to argue with, so I'll bite.


If you want BC, buy the $500 80 gig version.


Cheers!
parrothead's Avatar
parrothead at 10/18/2007 12:40
@Vampire Christ: The 60 GB went away. They are not making that anymore.

As for the price difference I am not sure why anyone would by the 40 GB. For a hundred bucks you get a bigger hard drive and compatibly with your PS2 games. I think that Sony is just driving people to the 80 gb . It may turn out to be a smart move. Probably not though
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 10/18/2007 13:09
I keep all my consoles, so the BC isn't as big a problem as it could be for some people. That being said, I've seen how nice the emulation runs on DMV's 60GB PS3 and would expect the same quality of BC in any PS3 I buy, especially if I decide to get any future 80GB models.
Handicapable's Avatar
Handicapable at 10/18/2007 13:24
If some of you guys spent a little more time reading actual news and less time writing rant responses to subjective blogs, you might have even a TINY bit of credibility. Go get some industry resources and please please learn something. Release the PS3 for $300? How about Sony just ships you a PS3 for free, and attaches a hundred dollar bill? Why should it be the same price as the 360? It's not the same machine. Tell MS to put a BluRay or HDDVD drive in the 360 and then say "Hey, sell me that for $300."

And for those of you that continue to whine about this 40GB and lack of BC, JUST PRETEND LIKE IT'S NOT EVEN BEING OFFERED. If it's THAT big of a deal to you, then you're obviously not their target market this time. it's not like you can't still get one WITH bc. This release is awesome for a lot of people (like me, who is buying ANOTHER ps3). It seems like they built this one specifically for my taste...Everything I need, nothing I don't.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 10/18/2007 14:26
I hate it when people say Sony has a bunch of Skus, when Microsoft has more. Core, Premium, Elite, Halo, Arcade. Where as Sony only continues to make 2 Skus, the 40gb and the 80gb. No offense to anyone that likes this guys blogs, but last time he said 16 players was double the amount of players online, and that quality isn't everything.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 10/18/2007 14:39
If you have a lot of ps2 games that you plan to keep playing then keep your ps2 and be happy. I own a BC PS3, and the ONLY ps2 game I played on it was God of War 2, that's it. I used to own at least 40-50 ps2 games, I'm not kidding, and most of those are all either traded in, or rotting in my basement.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 10/18/2007 15:06
Volomon: Um, no. I said 16 players double the USUAL amount of players on a CONSOLE online game. I never said it was for all games, all the time.

Please read more carefully before you try and discredit me in the future, otherwise you look as bad as you're trying to make me look.
vp360's Avatar
vp360 at 10/18/2007 15:46
4o gb, ps3! eiwwwwww! i dont like ps3 im more of a xbox 360 fanboy
DOOM's Avatar
DOOM at 10/18/2007 16:20
Wow, Sony sux this gen!
Gareson's Avatar
Gareson at 10/18/2007 16:23
I really think they'll have to get a PS3 down to $300 with BC before most people take the plunge.

Btw, nice article, Jim...well written imho.
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