Coming this fall: The 160GB PS3

Sony upsizes the PS3 to 160GB--but loses some functionality in the mix.

If news of an upgraded PSP wasn't enough for you, how about a new PS3 bundle? Sony has announced a 160GB PS3 that will hit stores in November for $500. The limited-edition system will also include the rumble-ized DualShock 3 controller and two games: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and (via a voucher for the PlayStation Store) Pain. Sony was less specific on other details, but the presence of just two USB ports on the spec sheet would seem to indicate that this is basically a "Core" model with a bigger hard drive--which means no built-in flash card reader, and no backward compatibility with PS2 games.

The addition of the 160GB model comes as the 40GB Core PS3 is being replaced by an 80GB Core model--meaning anyone buying the entry-level PS3 will soon be getting twice the capacity for their $400. Meanwhile, the limited-edition 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle that's been available for the past couple of months is disappearing from retail shelves as well. Sony reps had told CNET previously that the MGS4 bundle was going to have a short lifespan and, indeed, Joystiq reports that they'll soon no longer be available from the nation's largest retailer. That's too bad, because it looks like that may be the last model to offer four (rather than two) USB ports, the flash card reader, and--more importantly--limited compatibility with older PS2 titles.

Now, we're of the school of "you can never have too much storage," so a bigger hard drive is always better--especially with the addition of downloadable movies to the PS3's bag of tricks. But call us old-fashioned: we still like having PS2 compatibility on board--it's always nice to be able to take classics like God of War, Beyond Good and Evil, and Shadow of the Colossus out for a nostalgic spin. Our advice: try to hunt down one of those few remaining 80GB MSG4 bundles (or, even better, find an original 60GB model on eBay), and--if you find yourself needing more space at some point--drop in your own hard drive upgrade. Pretty much any standard 2.5-inch laptop hard drive will do the job, and the operation is relatively quick and painless.

So, what do you guys think: Are you holding out for the 160GB PS3? Does backward compatibility matter to you? Or are you prefer the Xbox 360 or Wii?

Source: PR Newswire (Sony press release)

[tech_junky48]

I'm not sure, myself. BC used to seem like a big issue to me, until I realized that, if you have PS2 games, you probably have, you know, a PS2. So why not just use the PS2 to play your PS2 games, and use the PS3 for its games and Blu-Ray. It's that simple.

[Lerianis]

No, it isn't that simple. The fact is that there are a lot of people who wanted to buy a PS3 because they realized "Ooooh.... Backwards Compatible! Great... Now I don't have to have 3 console strewn all around my home anymore!"

That is what I thought at the beginning in all honesty. Personally, I don't know why they cannot make a "PS1-PS2 Emulator" for the PS3.

Heck, I have one on my computer right now, and it plays all games just fine for the PS1 and 2.

[rnaoncfixd]

Once again, I'd like to voice out that I'd like a slimmer version of a PS3. Or maybe even an HDTV with a PS3 built into it.

[trouble001]

yawn

[BrujoSalazar]

heck no. im happy with my older 40gb ps3! i hardly play the older games, so backwards ability is nil for me. i do however hate the fact that i almost filled the hdd, but my old windows laptop died, and i upgraded to a 2.2ghz macbook, and was able to save the 120gb hdd but im in no rush to transition anytime soon. it would be cool if the ps3 would do my taxes! :)

[mmntech]

The big advantage of backwards compatibility is that the PS3 can upscale PS2 games to HD resolutions so they look better on an HDTV. The PS2 can't do that. With upscaling turned off, PS2 games look very blurry on an HDTV or computer monitor. You also don't need to buy memory cards for game saves with PS2 games on PS3. I'm happy though, I have the 60gb PS3 with the built in Emotion Engine chip so all my PS2 games run flawlessly. I wished they would have kept it on as a premium SKU. Ironically, it was selling for $50 less than the current 80gb when I bought it.

[DMBoricua]

Whatttt, Sony released prolly like 5 versions of the PS3, all of which had PS2 game compatibility except one, I've purchased the 40GB version which unbelievably has absolutely NO PS2 GAME COMPATIBILITY and is new, now Sony releases yet another PS3 version that has compatibility with PS2 games. I feel like slapping the hell out of Sony right now.

[jasmynsdad]

FYI i've got a 60g ps3 purchased last year i swaped out the hard drive and installed a 250g laptop hard drive. so SONY congrads on finally catching up. People save yourself some money purchase a hard drive and install it yourself it DONT void your warrenty.

[firefoxluva95]

Actually to clear things up, sony is discontinuing the latest system with PS2 game compatibility. So apparently they've stopped releasing ones with PS2 game compatibility.

[kincuri]

Backwards compatibility was important for people like me, who traded in their PS2 to offset some of the cost of the PS3.

Luckily, I got a launch 60 GB (still the best spec'd PS3 released).

That said, I've only ever played a couple of PS1 and PS2 games on it, but its nice to know that my library of PS2 games are still playable.

[radrider82]

I first bought my 60gb PlayStation when the price lowered $100. Unfortunately, a little over a year later, the blu-ray drive stopped working. Luckily, I bought my PS3 at Costco and they had no problem giving me a full refund. I didn't want it; I wanted another 60gb PS3. Unfortunately, I was SOL; they didn't even have the 80gb MGS pack. Quite frankly, backwards compatibility with PS and PS2 games was a big deal for me and the fact that they look terrific in 1080p was a selling point for me since my library is very big for both systems. The fact that the technology is actual hardware and not software ensures that more PS and PS2 games will play with no fault. Also, I really enjoy the bells and whistles of 2 extra USB ports and additional card readers. I was lucky enough to go on eBay and I found myself a mint condition 60gb PS3. If want a PS3, go for the best version and get the 60gb...then maybe the 80gb.

[MadisonStar]

my ps2 died long ago. it wasnt worth getting it repaired since the origional 60 gb ps3 was able to play the older games. that is a huge issue to me. the first games for ps3 came out so slowly that i [ played my ps2 games just as much. i think its really dumb that they took that feature out of the system and keep messing around with the prices. what ever happened to quality?

[markyoungsmagic]

When they're completely backward compatible with PS2 games AND have a IR remote control port, I'll consider buying one.

Mark Young
www.markyoungsmagic.com

[Starfires]

Okay, I can understand the desire for backwards compatibility for those with the games- really it should at least be an option (though this may be a way of killing off the still-successful and sales-canabalising PS2). Let's look at the advantages of the new models. They use less power, having shed many components. In my case (I have both 60 and 40 gigs) the newer one is a lot quieter. Maybe I was unlucky, but I got a noisy 60 gig and Sony Japan wouldn't change it. The fan noise was really annoying, so I went out and got the 40. Also, the PS3 is still a power hog, but in it's newer itterations 25% less so.

I never actually used more than 2 usb ports (I know, others do) and the card reader was nice, but not something I use much. My point is, that all this is a kind of progress when you remember that the original PS3 was widely written off as an over-specced, unaffordable, possibly unsellable 'dream machine'. Like it or not, the more realistic versions have saved it- and possibly Blu-ray- from marketplace faliure.

[EALChilazr]

I'm not so concerned about hard drive space since my desktop has an 80 GB drive and it still isn't half full. The more important matter to me is the ability to play older games. I think the most logical choice that I could see for Sony would be to make the PS3 backwards compatible just like they did the PS2. The only reason I have a PS3 in my apartment is because my roommate bought one. Also, even though it's "backwards compatible" it doesn't have a port for PS2 or PS memory cards (I know, none of them have). Which, to me, makes backwards compatibility pointless. So he bought a little memory card reader which, to my knowledge, has yet to actually work. I loved the PS and the PS2 but Sony has yet to finally decide what they want the PS3's specs to be. And to me that's frustrating. They should decide that they don't want it to be backwards compatible and shoot themselves in the foot, or they should make them backwards compatible and include memory card readers so the backwards compatibility actually makes sense.

[extirpator]

Their are, or at least were official memory card readers for the PS3. I have one my self, and it has worked flawlessly with every ps2 card I've placed in it. (so far roughly 10 of them). I can only guess that the one your friend has is either defective, or a third party unit that has issues.

[Dragon_Myr]

I was holding out for a price drop on a backwards compatible model. Backwards compatibility is absolutely critical and not up for debate. I will not buy a system that isn't backwards compatible. Unfortunately, I was never able to pick up a PS3 during Walmart's $100 gift card thing in early summer, and when I tried to use a hefty Sony Rewards discount on the PS3 they jerked me around making excuses for why the thing wasn't shipping. Then weeks later it turns out it's been discontinued and the order is just flat out canceled and I no longer can find a MGS4 bundle that's less than $500.

More hard drive space is not a selling point to me. I just want to play games. I could care less about the blu-ray player part too. Since Microsoft is poised to make a big price drop this Christmas, I think Sony has done just about everything they can do to make the XBox360 look more appealing. It's a shame Sony is cutting features and not the price. We all know how cheap hard drive space is these days. I'd take having a single backwards compatible console hooked up to my TV over more GB's any day. Looks like I'll be sticking to my PC and PS2 for a while...might just sit this generation of consoles out since the new ones are right around the corner.

[Zacm05]

It's Xbox 360 and Wii for me. Sorry, Sony, you just don't spark my interest anymore like you did with the PS2. There are better games on the 360 and Wii, and don't say MGS4 because that's just one good game in the list of crap games you've had, and I'm not about to run out and spend $500 just to play that game. Try again, Sony.

[shadymoin]

Is it me or the software makers a bit narrow? Why not revitialise old Ps2 games for the next gen modes. It would be great to play splintercell, hitman etc the first ones in a next gen format. With all the upgrades and graphics it would be beautiful!

The whole point of next gen systems is to play next gen games, silly me thinking that hey!

[myles taylor]

Backward compatibility means the world to me. Why would I want to hook up my PS2 and find those controllers to play those games or why would I want to ditch all my current PS2 games? The fewer consoles I have in my house, the better.

[Lerianis]

You hit the nail on the head. Frankly, that is the reason why I haven't bought a console since the original XBox: I didn't want 4 consoles hogging up space in my home.

[Carlox1]

i have the 60gb and i had never play a ps2 or a ps1 on my ps3 and i wont, people who has a ps2 or ps1 games sure have a ps2 console, i only use 1 usb port, sometimes 2 usb ports, i`ll preffer another hdmi out for sound to my home theather or receiver, the card readers is another thing i almost never use, because all the divices that have a memory card have the posiblity to transfer by usb to the ps3, but a card reader its ok if keeps including. but its not so necesary a boundle with a large hard disk i think is better a lower price, and yourself according to your necesities buy another bigger hard disk like an accessory maybe, also the end of ps2 games realeases its close

[aka_tripleB]

Everyone seems to be ignoring the 800 lbs. gorrilla in the room. If the PS3 had backwards compatibility, you can get rid of the PS2 and remove a lot of clutter. You'll only have 1 A/V cable and power supply, and if you had the original PS2, a rather large box next to your TV. Not to mention, you wouldn't have to deal with controller cable any more either.

For me, I would want the system with backwards compatibility because there were a few games for the PS2 that I kind of wanted to play. I'm not going to buy a PS2 just for them though. It would be a waste of money. There are also very few games that I want for the PS3, which makes that purchase a waste of money. So, with no backwards compatibility, I will never join the PlayStation camp.

[Lerianis]

Yeah, you made a good point. That is the main reason why I haven't joined the PlayStation camp: because I don't want to have to have two or three consoles in my home to play games.
Sony, if you read this: get real, get smart, and make a software emulation solution to the problem. You do NOT need those two chips built into the hardware if you emulate them in software, which today is VERY easy to do. I do it on my computer to play a few PS2 games that I bought 'on the cheap'.

[whoadude1]

YAWN.....So once again....Sony and PS3 take a step forward, and 2 steps back, while MSFT and XBOX360 keep moving forward. Sony adds a bigger HD, but steals 2 items of functionality. WTG Sony....kick yourself again while youre down.

As I read this, all of the 360's are getting ANOTHER price drop coming sept 7th... and not only do they drop the price, but they didnt take anything away in doing so. In fact, they added items. Well, not truly added, but you DONT lose the HDMI or the 120GB hd, or b/c with originals.

Ive said it before, and will again..."PS3 = PLAY BEHIND" .... not BEYOND!!!!!