After months of rumors, and even longer dreams of fanboy waiting, Sony finally announced that yes, there is a PS3 slim. Available the first week of September, the new PS3 is coming to your hot little hands for, wait for it, $299. Here’s the details:
- Same features as current PS3 models
- 120 GB hard drive
- 33% smaller than the previous PS3
- 36% lighter than the outgoing model
- Still has a built in power supply
In addition to this announcement, Sony also dropped the price of the currently shipping PS3 models as well, to help clear out inventory. So if you have a thing for the old George Forman Grill look-a-like, you may want to get on the stick and snag one while you can. Back to the new slim model though…
One thing to point out is that Sony has made NO MENTION if they are adding backwards compatibility for PS2 games into this model. Recent filing show Sony being issued a patent for a method of software emulation of the Emotion Engine used in the PS2, so we may see a 100% software solution in the future. But honestly, who knows? I will say this though, this little unit is quite the looker, and shows that while Sony may be third in the console war, they still know how to make beautiful electronics. Finally, the console battle really heats up: Sony and MS have similarly speced systems for $299, the first-place champ Wii is still hanging in at $249, and the stripped out 360 brings up the rear at $199. It’s going to be an interesting holiday season. Hit the gallery below for more shots of the PS3 slim.
Oh, one last thing…
It was discovered today on the FCC website that Sony may have a 250 GB PS3 model in the pipes as well. No real confirmation yet, other than the graphic above that was found on the site, but rumors are putting this at as a $349 model that may well indeed contain the PS2 software emulator everyone is salivating for. A $50 price hike for PS2 emulation and a larger drive? Sure, but the price may be a bit steep for this late in the console war, especially since the less-than $300 price barrier has been broken. We’ll have to wait and see.
Sources all over the internet [Gamasutra, Hexus, VideoGamer.com] are reporting that Nintendo has announced the date for its annual E3 press conference. There are rumors of a big reveal from Nintendo announcing new “Gamer titles” for the core gaming community. What this means is yet to be determined. The conference itself runs from July 15-17. On the 15th, Nintendo will make its announcement(s) from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA at 8:00 a.m. Last year games like Mario Kart and Wii Fit were announced–both very big sellers in the U.S. Any speculation as to what’s next?