PS3 price drop confirmed; 40GB pack revealed

From October 10th the existing PS3 Starter Pack will be replaced by a 60GB Value Pack, boasting a fully-functioning PS3 with one SIXAXIS controller and two first party titles for 349 – a price drop of around 75.

New to the market on the same day will be the 40GB model. It will retail at 299 – the same price Xbox 360 Elite – but features only two USB 2.0 ports and no longer includes the multi memory card port. It will also lack backwards compatibility with PS2 games.

The introduction of the new PS3 is explained in Sony’s statement as a result of ‘user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future PS3 owners.’

It adds that the backwards compatibility was dropped because there is a ‘reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3.’

As we approach our very first PlayStation 3 Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value,” said SCE UK managing director Ray Maguire. We have a brand new 40GB machine that represents an excellent entry point into the world of High Definition games and movies, and we have the fully-featured 60GB machine being offered with two next generation gaming experiences at a highly competitive price.”

President of SCEE David Reeves added: The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners.”

It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet highly affordable High Definition entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.”