PlayStation 3 Now $100 Cheaper, 80GB PS3 In A...

PlayStation 3 Now $100 Cheaper, 80GB PS3 In August

The console was selling so great, apparently, that Sony Computer Entertainment America announced a sudden price cut for the 60GB PlayStation 3 model - effective immediately! - by $100. The console thus reaches a slightly more resonable price, of $499 (about the same as an Xbox 360 Elite), although only in North America for now. A similar announcement is expected to be made this week for Europe as well, where the PS3 is currently selling for €599, equalling over $800.

This is pretty much the big news for us simpletons, however the main announcement from Sony's communique is the introduction of the new 80GB PlayStation 3 model in North America, starting from August. It will go on sale for $599 (same as the old price of the 60GB model), and the package will also include the racing game MotorStorm.

Ironically, the announcement follows just a few days after Sony Corp. president Ryoji Chubachi stated in the Japanese press that "we have no immediate plans as of now" for price cuts.

The analysts' reactions were quick to appear, with Pachter from Wedbush Morgan predicting that Microsoft would follow Sony's example and will reduce the price of the Xbox 360 as soon as possible. The guy expects a Xbox 360 Elite to reach $399 (instead of $479), the Premium model $349 (instead of $399), and the Core model $249 (instead of $299). For his sake, but mostly for ours, let's hope he's right.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)