160GB PS3 is coming out soon – but loses some functions as well

By Terence Huynh on August 22nd, 2008

ps3_slide_04

The PS3 is now getting an upgrade, with Sony announcing a 160GB version of the console that will hit stores just in time for the Christmas period, in November, for US$500. The new ‘limited edition’ will come with the new DualShock 3 controller, that now has rumble, and two games – Pain and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

While it has been less specific, it will get a bigger hard drive and two USB ports, but there will no longer be a built-in flash card reader and no backwards compatibility with older PS2 games. This comes after the 40GB "Core" version will be dumped and will be replaced by the 80GB version.

So, will this tempt you to get a PS3 because of this upgrade. Comment below. Anyway, we don’t know if this will come out in Australia yet – we hope, but it could take a while.

Full press release after the jump.


Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Limited-Edition Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune(TM) PLAYSTATION(R)3 Bundle Featuring New 160GB PS3(TM) System

 PS3 Bundle Includes Uncharted: Drake's Fortune(TM), PLAYSTATION(R)Network
Voucher for PAIN and DUALSHOCK(R)3 Wireless Controller, Offering Tremendous
                             Value to Consumers

    FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer
Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced plans to introduce a new 160GB
PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system in North America as
part of the limited-edition Uncharted: Drake's Fortune(TM) PS3 system
bundle. The increased storage size enables entertainment enthusiasts to
store even more movies, television shows, and games downloaded from
PLAYSTATION(R)Network, as well as more videos, music, and photos from their
personal collection. Slated to launch in November for $499.99 (MSRP), the
160GB PS3 system will come bundled with the hit game, Uncharted: Drake's
Fortune(TM), a PLAYSTATION Network voucher for PAIN, and a DUALSHOCK(R)3
wireless controller. The previously announced 80GB PS3 system ($399.99
MSRP) has started shipping to retailers.

    "As PLAYSTATION Network continues to evolve with our recently launched
video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding
more storage capacity," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA.
"Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital
media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard
drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand in a
compelling bundle that delivers significant value."

    The Uncharted: Drake's Fortune PS3 bundle includes the following
components:

    -- 160GB PS3 system -- The 160GB PS3 is a complete entertainment system
comprising a Blu-ray(TM) Disc player, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi
connection, and Cell Broadband Engine(TM).

    -- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune -- A 400-year-old clue found in the
coffin of Sir Francis Drake sets a modern-day fortune hunter, Nathan Drake,
on an exploration for the fabled treasure of El Dorado, leading to the
discovery of a forgotten island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The
search turns deadly when Drake becomes stranded on the island and hunted by
mercenaries. Outnumbered and outgunned, Drake and his companions must fight
to survive as they begin to unravel the terrible secrets hidden on the
Island.

    -- PAIN PLAYSTATION Network Voucher* -- PAIN boldly tackles a rarely
explored area of video-gaming ... comedy. The unique mechanic of the game
allows the player to load a character into a human-sized, ultra-powerful
slingshot, and fire the character into an active, physics-controlled
environment, filled with precarious and humorous situations. Download PAIN
from PLAYSTATION Store to your PS3 system with the included voucher.

    -- DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller -- DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller
provides the most intuitive game play experience with pressure sensors in
each action button and the inclusion of the highly sensitive SIXAXIS(TM)
motion sensing technology.

    The additional storage space of the 160GB model will benefit consumers,
as several highly anticipated PLAYSTATION Network and PS3 games along with
add-on content will be available for download soon, including PAIN
Amusement Park, Ratchet & Clank(R)Future: Quest for Booty(TM), SOCOM: U.S.
Navy SEALs Confrontation, and The Last Guy(TM). The bundle is also a great
option for consumers who want to utilize PLAYSTATION Network's video
delivery service, which offers new blockbuster movies and popular TV shows
for download on an ongoing basis.

    PS3 momentum has soared in 2008, starting with Blu-ray becoming the
high-definition standard and following the launches of key franchise
titles, including Gran Turismo(TM) 5 Prologue, Grand Theft Auto(TM) IV, and
Metal Gear Solid(R)4: Guns of the Patriots. That momentum will continue
into the holidays and beyond, as PS3's software lineup will offer the most
depth and breadth of any platform across the industry, delivering highly
anticipated exclusives such as BUZZ!(TM): Quiz TV, LittleBigPlanet(TM),
Resistance(TM) 2, MotorStorm(TM) Pacific Rift, and Killzone(TM) 2.



    PLAYSTATION(R)3 160GB Specification

    Product name                        PLAYSTATION(R)3
    CPU                                 Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.)
    GPU                                 RSX(TM)
    Sound                               Dolby 5.1ch, DTS 5.1ch , LPCM 7.1ch,
                                        AAC, others *1 *2
    Memory                              256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3
                                        VRAM
    HDD            2.5" Serial ATA                        160GB
    I/O            USB 2.0                                 x2
    Communication  Ethernet             X1 (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
                   IEEE 802.11 b/g                    Included
                   Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)                Included
    Wireless controller (Bluetooth)                   Included
    AV Output      Screen size               480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
                   HDMI OUT                              x1 *3
                   AV MULTI OUT                          x1
                   DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)                 x1
    BD/DVD/CD      Maximum Read Speed   BD 2x (BD-ROM)
    Drive                               DVD 8x (DVD-ROM)
    (Read Only)                         CD 24x (CD-ROM)
    Dimensions                          Approximately 12.75in(W) x 3.86in (H)
                                        x 10.8in (D)
    Weight                              Approximately 11 lbs

    *1  A device compatible with Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. is required to output 7.1
        Ch. audio, supported by Dolby TrueHD or a similar format, from the
        HDMI OUT connector.
    *2  This system does not support output from the DTS-HD 7.1 Ch. DTS-HD 7.1
        Ch. audio is output from a 5.1 or lower channel.
    *3  "Deep Color" and "x.v.Color (xvYCC)" defined by HDMI ver1.3a are
        supported.

    About Sony Computer Entertainment America

    Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console,
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking
PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and
network services the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.

    Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and
develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game
console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and
the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif.,
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all
North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc.


    Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com

    *  PLAYSTATION Network registration is required. User responsible for all
       applicable Internet fees. Voucher for PAIN expires March 30, 2009.
    "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP", "PS one" and "UMD" are registered
trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All
other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

    (C)2008 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Comments and Pingbacks

There is currently zero comments. Why not have your say now.

Have Your Say

You can use these XHTML tags in your comments: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

All comments are checked to make sure they keep within our house rules. You might see your comment being on hold between 24-48 hours.

You can also create an avatar that will appear beside your comment whenever you leave one on a Gravatar-enabled blog.