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.

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.