Sony Announces 40 GB PS3 for Japan

By Geoff Duncan Published October 9, 2007

Sony Announces 40 GB PS3 for Japan

Sony’s introduction of a new 40 GB version of its PlayStation 3 console continues, with an announcement today that the company is slashing prices on existing PlayStation 3 systems on sale in Japan, and introducing a new 40 GB edition of the system on November 11. Unlike the 40 GB edition recently announced for the European market, the new 40 GB PlayStation 3 will be available in either black or white consoles; however, just like the version announced for Europe, the new PS3 drops two USB ports, a memory card reader, and all backward compatibility with PS2 (and PSOne) game titles.

The new 40 GB PlayStation 3s will go on sale in Japan November 11 for &yen39,980 (about $340 USD); in the meantime, Sony is dropping the prices of its existing 20 GB and 60 GB editions of the PS3 to ¥44,980 and ¥54,980 (about $384 and $469 USB, respectively) effective October 17. That means the new 40 GB edition will carry a lower price tag than the less-capacious 20 GB edition; however, the 20 GB and 60 GB editions may still hold some value for gamers, since those units feature backward compatibility with PS2 and PSOne games.

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The new 40 GB systems will be available in "Clear Black" or "Ceramic White." Sony will also market matching rumble-enabled DualShock 3 wireless controllers for ¥5,500 (about $47 USD).

If Sony’s market strategy in Japan matches its tack in Europe, the 20 GB and 60 GB editions will only be available until existing inventory is exhausted, at which point scoring a PS3 which can also play older game titles may become the exclusive province of online auctions and for-sale sites.

Sony has not yet announced whether the backward-incompatible 40 GB edition of the PlayStation 3 will reach North America. However, given how quickly the announcement for Sony’s home market of Japan came on the heels of the 40 GB systems’ European introduction, a North American announcement likely isn’t far off—especially given the looming end-of-year holiday season, when Sony needs to show some real sales momentum against the Xbox 360 and the enormously successful Nintendo Wii.

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Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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