Skip to main content

Sony Launching 40 GB PS3 in Europe

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced it will begin shipping a new 40 GB version of its PlayStation 3 gaming console in Europe beginning October 19 for €399. For nearly a year, Sony has been struggling to make its high-priced, Blu-ray equipped PlayStation 3 gaming console attractive to consumers; the company clearly hopes that by offering a lower-capacity version of the system at a more attractive price point, it may spur holiday-season buying and improve the system’s market share relatively to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s phenomenally successful Wii.

"The introduction of the 40GB model has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said SCEE president David Reeves, in a statement. "PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new 40GB model is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system."

Recommended Videos

The new 40 GB edition of the PlayStation 3 will include a Blu-ray disc drive, a wireless Sixaxis controller, Wi-Fi wireless networking, and HDMI connectivity. The new configuration lacks the memory card reader found on earlier PS3 models, and reduces the number of USB 2.0 ports from four to two.

Perhaps more significantly, the new edition of the PlayStation 3 is not compatible with any PlayStation 2 titles. PlayStation 2 compatibility has been a thorn in the side for Sony since the PS3’s introduction: original PS3s included hardware to provide PS2 compatibility. As Sony tried to reduce PS3 production costs, portions of that hardware were gradually replaced by software emulation, making the units less compatible with previous PS2 titles. Now, Sony is giving up entirely on PS2 compatibility in the PlayStation 3: PS3 owners will have to content themselves with playing only PS3 titles, which Sony says will number 65 by Christmas of 2007.

Sony says the decision to drop PS2 compatibility came from feedback from "later purchasers" of the PlayStation 3, who placed less importance on PS2 compatibility than on other features.

Sony also plans to fire-sale its existing stock of 60 GB PS3 units, offering a Value Pack of a 60 GB PS3 (with software-emulated PS2 compatibility) with two first party game titles for €499 "while supplies last." Once the 60 GB editions are gone, only the 40 GB PS3 will be available in SCEE countries.

There’s no word yet on when (or if) the 40 GB PlayStation 3 will launch in North American or Japanese markets—but given the PlayStation 3’s market position in both countries, industry watchers seem to agree the 40 GB PlayStation 3 are bound for markets other than Europe very soon.

Geoff Duncan
Former Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Upgrade to the PS5 DualSense Edge controller while it’s 15% off
A hand holds a DualSense Edge.

There's always high demand for PlayStation deals, whether it's for the console, its accessories, or its games, so we expect this offer from Amazon for the PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller to sell out quickly. It's on sale with a 15% discount that slashes the PS5 controller's price to $169 from $200, for savings of $31. The lowered price is only available for a limited time, which may even be shorter than planned as stocks may disappear at any moment. If you're interested in this bargain, we highly recommend proceeding with your purchase right now.

BUY NOW

Read more
PS5 gamers, this PlayStation VR2 bundle is on sale for $349
The box of the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle.

If you're looking for ways to get even more out of your PlayStation 5, you may want to use the console for virtual reality gaming by buying this PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle from Amazon. From its original price of $400, it's down to just $349 following a 13% discount. That's $51 in savings that you'll be able to put towards more games for the VR headset, but you're going to have to be quick with your purchase if you want to take advantage of this limited-time offer.

BUY AT AMAZON

Read more
3 new PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (May 30-June 1)
Key art for Destiny 2: The Final Shape. It shows three characters standing in front of an orange sky.

Under normal circumstances, we would have to wait until next week to get our drop of new PlayStation Plus games, but this is a special occasion. We're currently right at the start of the Days of Play event where Sony celebrates with tons of community events and huge discounts on PS5 games and accessories. The icing on the cake is that we're not only getting four new games for Essential members, but an additional four for Extra and two more for Premium, with several already available. That's a lot to keep up with if you weren't prepared for it, which is where I come in. We will have to wait for most of the games until Tuesday, but here are a few new games you can start playing over this weekend to start the celebrations early.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Read more