Price is only going to continue to drop on this promising console and with a limited library of games I think I will hold out another year.

What kind of price drop is this? That's around $566 US. What's the price for an 80 gig in europe?

@sisedi: You don't need to import it, dude. They'll sell it for $399 here.

I've got a Wii and am getting an xbox 360 elite this holiday, mainly to now enjoy Halo 1, 2 and 3 and Bioshock. Without backward compatibility, I won't be a PS3 buyer anytime soon!

I would never buy a console without backward compatability. The huge PS2 library is about the biggest thing that the PS3 has going for it (next to the blu-ray). Why would anyone spend money on this?

Sony is starting to make me feel alienated since I don't have an HDTV yet. Am I the only one? I mean, that's a decent price and I never bought a PS2 so the BC issue doesn't affect me. Though it seems that buying this thing without an HDTV doesn't make sense.

Um I got a used one on craigslist for $300 About the going price. I little less than Wii's.
I've had it for 2 months and I've played Resistance a few times. I was stoked for Warhawk until I found it was online only. And the online(free) system sucks. Apparently Lair is a turd and Heavenly Sword is like 3-4 hours. So they are all like $20 games.
The demo for Bioshock seems like more fun.
Home is delayed another 6 mo too. So if MS matches with a good $50-$100 price cut I'm thinking Sony is dead meat. If they had a quiet system that didn't break Sony would have been dead already. I would sell my PS3 and by a second 360.
The wii is the big winner though. Still out of stock and tons of non-gamer friends want one bad and they don't even know why. Oh yea, they've played mine. :)

This was a dumb move for Sony. If they expect 90% of their sales to be non-gamers, then maybe it makes sense. It's certainly not the console for me...

Sony apparently has no interest in winning me over.
Oh well, back to my DS Lite.

Oh yea, backward compatibility doesn't work with the old joysticks either. This means no guitar hero. Why would they not release guitar with a usb plug for both systems?????? Or the wii and 360 for that mater.
I was going to get it but it is only for the ps2 and will not work on the ps3. So then I though 360 but I really want the 80's and that is ps2 only. argggg So I bought none and will probably get the wireless wii version of GH3. I prefer the wii because it is so quiet and I will not hear the 360 drive over the music. Idiots.

So is the more expensive unit backwards compatible, with this one being not?

I think I will stick to my plans on getting a 360....will wait and see what the x-mas deals bring.

I find it odd they wouldn't even include software backwards compatibility, it seems like that would cost them nothing to include since they already have it built (unless they plan on stopping support for it like microsoft did). Was that a typo and you meant no hardware backwards compatibility?

Sony really screwed up if there's no backward compatibility. At this point with a limited catalog of games, Sony actually has a better chance to make up for the hardware cost if they let people buy all the great PS2 games that have come out in the past - literally ten times as many that are worth playing. Trying to push people in to PS3 games rather than the back-catalog is sorta silly. They're missing out on a lot of revenue and making it a lot less appealing to most people. Well, at least those who don't have a PS2 already.

I've got an original 60 GB PS3 w/ hardware backward compatability, so I'm not a Sony basher. But this move just stinks of stupid. I guess Sony's expecting either their core customers to keep and continue to play their PS2s AND buy a PS3, or that new customers will be happy with the paltry number of decent PS3 games to date. It's been 11 months now, there should have beeen some serious must-have games for the PS3 besides Resistance. Seriously, it's the only PS3 game I own in nine months of owning the console. The rest of the time I use it to play PS2 games. If I couldn't do that, I would never have bought it.

Thats BS, no backwards compatability? I guess i'm stuck to the 10 PS3 games! Thats pretty cheap, the card reader and all i can understand removing hardware to bring down the price, but thats a simple software emulator to play PS2 games. How cheap of sony, i guess they have to recoup that half BILLION in recalled batteries somehow!

Is backward compatibility really that expensive?

How do they advertise this product, anyway? My ideas:

"Now with less features!!"

"Save space around your home by throwing out all your old PS2 games!"

"Well, Uhm... At least it's cheaper..."

This just makes me want to wait until the models with backwards compatibility get cheaper and get one then. Hopefully they'll have some good games by then, too.

Wow Sony. Really? ...Really?

It's like... it's like they really don't want to sell anything.

I bought an original 60GB because I thought backwards compatibility was going to be important to me. I've yet to play a PS2 game on my PS3. I can't stand the lesser quality graphics on last generation consoles. Same with my old XBOX.

P.S. Unreal Tournament 3 comes out in November for the PS3 (for those who say there are no good games on the PS3).

Nah, they want a cheap Blu-Ray player out there.. this isn't about the games..... never has dum dum dummm

Wait so no software emulation? Doesn't make any god damn sense, please verify this Gizmodo.

Man, now when we say it has only 2 good games we aren't exaggerating.

I must be missing something. The 60gb is $500 and has backward compatibility. Don't $399 euros convert to $565? How do they justify $165 for less HD space and less functionality?

This is probably the worst move they've made so far.
Yes, for many gamers, backwards compatibility isn't such a big issue, seeing as most already own a PS2. But a lot of those gamers don't have infinite space to line up their consoles, and with Wiis making their way steadily into living rooms the world over, that space is only getting more sparse.
Not a good idea to force the consumer to make a choice between keeping the PS2 with the 2 dozen games, and buying a PS3 that doesn't even boast 12 games in its current lineup!

No really, I get it. Supply-driving the market has been a manufacturer's pipe dream for decades. Smell the reality, Sony: It's not working!

SONY clearly has no idea how to sell this system. What stupidity! Backwards compatibility is crucial for me-- I have 20+ PS2 games and I still pull a few of them off the shelf to play on the PS3. The loss of the card reader and some USB ports sounds fine, but deleting the software emulator is moronic.

@daftrok: was just going to say, software emulation would cost a total of 0$ to implement. So I'm calling bs :)

I am really surprised they are nerfing the Backwards Compatibility. I know it is cheaper for them but MS listened to their consumers and they even have an email address to request further games for compatibility. I know they don't support all of the past Xbox games but at least they have a lot of the major titles.

I was thinking hard about getting the 60gb system because of the Backwards Compatibility but the price point stopped me from doing so.

From the Sony Link:
The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).

The existing Starter Pack*, comprising a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, an additional SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles will be reduced in price to €499. Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.

Keep in mind, that's still Europe...and there's no mention of what the "high end" will be after the 60GB runs out, but I'd imagine an 80GB with software BC just like in the U.S.

Want to complain or ask questions about this nonsense?

Also from the Sony link:
For further information please contact:

Nick Sharples (nick_sharples@scee.net) or Nick Caplin (nick_caplin@scee.net)
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Tel: + 44 207 859 5301(5349) Fax: + 44 207 859 5036
Images of the new PS3 are available on the SCEE Virtual press Office at [www.scee.presscentre.com]

heh heh heh...

I agree with DEADPLASMACELL... the PS3 is by far the cheapest HD video disc format player in the market... it's a shame Sony isn't pushing this feature harder in adverts. I never owned a PS2 so the backwards compatability isn't an issue for me, it's gathering the funds for a decent HDTV that's holding me back, but once I do take the dive into pixellated bliss, guaranteed I'll throw a PS3 in the shopping cart right along with it.

Bad move on Sony's part. Removing backwards compatibility is the reason why I paid $499 for the 60gb model.

At least some good games are coming out, like Guitar Hero III at the end of the month. And Medal Of Honor not too long after that.

@wishnias: If by that time, HDDVD hasn't trumped BluRay.

I didn't read all the posts but i don't think anyones brought this point up yet...the only reason not to buy a ps3 from the U.S was because it's region locked on ps2 games( region free on ps3 games) so if you buy now in the U.S from the UK you can get a 60gb ps3 for a £50($100) saving.

From the press release:

The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).

So yeah, no PS2 compatibility at all. Jesus Christ, what a bad move. The few people I know who actually have PS3's or are thinking about purchasing all cite "playing my PS2 games on it" as a major motivating factor, along with Blu-Ray playback. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard anyone in real life actually saying they wanted a PS3 for a PS3 game.

Classic Sony.

"What's that? You want vibration so your PS2 games feel the same as they did on the PS2? OK, here's vibration. We're taking away backwards compatibility, though."

Sony Computer Entertainment is the Kafka novel that writes itself.

@EQC:
That is funny because I count 5 right now.
resistance
F1
lair
warhawk
sword
What are the other 60 I've never heard of?

I'd buy it for $299, as the PS2 BC doesn't impress me anyway.

@wishnias: They are selling it with 5 free movies. It should come with the remote and two good movies included though to be consitered a good movie player. using the joystick to watch movies is silly; my wife will not touch it.
Like the PS2 before was a bad dvd player. The remote required you to loose a port and didn't have a power off button. So most people waited for DVD player to drop under $200.
HD-DVD players are $230 now, $50 more than the xbox player. If I got one again I would just get that. I had the xbox player but the system was way too loud to watch a movie. The included remote was good though.

@wishnias: "the PS3 is by far the cheapest HD video disc format player in the market..."

Maybe I misread what you said, but HD-DVD is still much cheaper than Blu-Ray. You can get a Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player for $229 and Free S&H right now at Amazon. Though the PS3 is the cheapest Blu-Ray player.

When I buy a console, I don't buy the gimped version. I always buy the best available unless it has functions I will never have a use for. So this 40GB model doesn't sway me in the least. Bring the 80GB model down to reasonable levels and I'll start to consider it.

Its like Sony takes the aggregate of all forum posters and consumer desires.... and does the exact opposite.

Is ya stoopid or is ya ign'rant Sony?

@fastm3driver: Well for starters you are forgetting Folklore(which got really great reviews from IGN), NBA Live, Need For Speed, Madden, Tony Hawk, The Darkness...

Not to mention all the amazing games on the horizon that are going to be coming out soon...

DMC
MGS
GT
Little Big Planet
Ratchet and Clank
Assassin's Creed

So on and so forth...

@DeadPlasmaCell: But for 229, you only get 1080i, not P. The "P" players are alot more, but not much more than a PS3.

While you are right that it is the cheapest HD player out there, its really not if you are talking about true HD.

Employees of Sony Int'l. transfer your 401K to a Roth NOW, and eat the 20% penalty! Or just slash your wrists. Without backward compatability, Sony is gonna 'bite the bag'. Paging Dr Phil----Paging Dr Phil!!! WTF were they thinking?

oddly I only watch BR and play ps2 games on mine...the BR is by far the worst BR player out there - has tons of HDMI problems with other gear.

This is bad move, even if someone never puts a ps2 game in, its an expected feature

Ahh, just yet another strong reason for the xbox 360... It's all about the games baby... And MS has alllllll the games... YEAH

And as far as HD players, xbox 360 does 1080P over VGA and you can do HDMI with the Halo 3 edition, and the Elite edition...

Plus amazon.com just had a sweet deal where if you bought the Xbox HD DVD drive for 170 you got 7 free movies...

I never use my PS3 to play PS2 games. It doesn't upscale the way I would like it to. Doesn't bother me.

@metalhaze: Um those are not exclusives. I'm don't care about sports games but the reviews of Madden are telling me to get the xbox version because the frame rates are double the ps3, it doesn't studder, and it's 1080p instead of 720p.
Are there actually people who just own a ps3? I have all three systems and I have to think that would suck.
On the horizon isn't cutting it for me.
While I'm at it, have you noticed how few PS3 games are 1080p? Like none. Not even Heavenly Sword and that is suppose to be the "look good" game. My current feeling is that cell is a pile to program for.