The Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray will ship with the $400 PS3 on November 2nd.
(Credit: Amazon)Way back on September 12, we reported on rumors that Sony would be releasing a $400 40GB PS3/Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray bundle for the holidays. The not-so-secret new system has now been officially announced by Sony, with a November 2nd launch date in the North America. At the same time--effective immediately--the current 80GB model will be available in North America for $500.
In Sony's press release, CEO Jack Tretton is quoted as saying, "We're pleased to offer the consumer a lower price point without sacrificing the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system available. Every PS3 comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine and a built-in hard-drive." As previously reported, however, the new 40GB PS3 won't offer any form of backward capability with PS2 games. (Read John Falcone's earlier post for a full report on the issue).
As I've said before, if Sony hoped to compete with the XBox 360 and Wii during the holiday season, it had to hit the $400 price point. Some readers scoffed that the inclusion of the Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray wasn't exactly a big selling point, considering the movie sucked. Also weighing heavily on Sony is the lack of a true breakout (exclusive) title that gives fence-sitters a little more sense of urgency to buy the system.
What do you think? With the XBox 360's reliability problems, is $400 the magic price point for the PS3 and its built-in Blu-ray player? Or are the games what matter in the end (i.e., Halo 3, BioShock, and the upcoming Mass Effect)?
Word is the Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray will ship with the upcoming $400 PS3.
(Credit: Amazon)Our friends over at Gamespot posted a blog yesterday discussing the likelihood of a rumored $400 PS3 that would arrive in time for the holidays. The entry links to a story on Ars Technica about how the PlayStation 3's sales are slowing again after a brief burst of momentum following the price drop to $500 on the 60GB version of the console. Analysts are already predicting that Sony will soon drop the price of the 80GB PS3 to $500 and one of Ars Technica's "reliable" moles is saying that Sony will also bring out a $400 PS3 that ships with a 40GB hard drive and come bundled with the Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray. And lastly, Sony will drop the PS2's price to $100 (from $130).
As PS3 rumors go, this one's hardly outlandish and seems like the logical next step for Sony as it tries to make up some ground to Nintendo and Microsoft in the console wars heading into the holiday buying season. In fact, Sony has to make this move soon--Halo 3, an XBox 360 exclusive, hits stores Sept. 25 and mega-hit Bioshock is already out there (it's sold 1.5 million copies). True, Sony has a few alluring exclusives, including Warhawk, Heavenly Sword, and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (Unreal Tournament 3 will be a temporary exclusive), but none of those titles has true break-out potential, so Sony has to play the price card to compete. An ad campaign alluding to all the XBox 360 hardware troubles might help, too.
Can the combo of a price drop and Spidey 3 get PS3 fence-sitters off the fence? I think the answer is yes, especially for anyone also on the fence about buying a next-gen DVD player. Maybe not a resounding yes, but Sony should be able to move plenty of units. And for all of you who hate Sony, just remember, at $400 (and even at $500) the company is taking a significant loss on each PS3 sold. So, if you really want to hurt Sony, buy a PS3 and don't ever buy a game or Blu-ray disc.
When Snakes on a Plane came out, actor Samuel L. Jackson called people to promote the film.
Mr. Potato Head Spider Spud hitting shelves this Saturday
(Credit: Hasbro)Peter Parker, better known as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, will be doing something similar this weekend. If you visit this Hasbro site you (and your friends) can get a call from Spider-Man. Don't expect a long chat with Spidey--the call will unfortunately be automated (I guess I won't be able to discuss the whole Venom conspiracy with him).
Enter your birthday and 10-digit phone number, and you'll get a Spider-reminder to go out and get exclusive Spider-Man 3 merchandise and limited-edition products at your local retailer on March 24. In addition to the call, the site offers product checklists, movie trailers, games and advertisements associated to the upcoming merchandise and movie release.
The line will include a Spider-Man and friends Spider Spud, a Spi-dog and a number of action figures and Web-slinging toys. Expect to see at least one Craver and Spidey aficionado in line at the local Toys "R" Us. Hands off the Spider Spud--he's mine!
Spider-Man action figure
(Credit: Hasbro/Marvel)I have no idea how they did it, but Make Mine Marvel managed to get the first photo of the Mr. Potato Head Spider Spud.
The Hasbro toy company, which owns Marvel, has been keeping a tight wrap on the item, but did announce this morning that the $10 Mr. Potato Head Spider Spud will be available March 24. It will contain 12 body parts, including webs, a Spidey leotard and parts for changing back into "Peter Parker Potato."
The toy is to be revealed at the American International Toy Fair in New York City next week.
The Spider Spud, as it is called, is part of Hasbro's ramp-up of toy releases for Spider-Man 3.
Other toys in the lineup include action figures (one of them shown here), web blasters (giant water pistols), a Spider-Man version of the music dancing I-Dog called "Spi-Dog," and a Super Pal Superman stuffed toy for toddlers.
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