Continuing the trend of being leakier than an ageing hooker’s panties, Sony today unveiled a new redesign of the PlayStation 3 at the Tokyo Game Show. Originally unmasked in July and expected to be unveiled at Gamescom last month, the new model retains the lineup’s design motifs whilst compressing the dimensions and weight down to an unquestionably tiny tee.
Available in both 500GB hard drive and, curiously, 12GB flash memory configurations, the console is half the size and volume of the launch-day PS3. It retains the curved lines of its predecessors but introduces, atop the console’s top edge, grill lines which wouldn’t look out of place on a panini toaster. The disc slot has been replaced with a sliding lid, much like the PSone and slim-model PS2.
No Price-Fixing
Despite leaving pricing in the hands of retailers, the expectation is that the 12GB model will fall into budget territory: HMV is taking pre-orders for the flash memory model at £184.99. The 12GB model launches on October 12th alongside a space-boosting 250GB hard drive, should the cash-strapped PS3 buyer care to expand their space after downloading all the patches their new game demands.
The 500GB model is expected to go for around £250, usurping the 320GB model currently on sale, and will be bundled with new releases including FIFA 13, the Wonderbook and Assassin’s Creed III when it launches on September 28th. As always, a vertical stand accessory is on the way too. Whether or not it’s necessary ultimately depends on how unstable the console is – and at 6cm thick when upright, it’s probably going to need some support.
Time for a PS4?
Much like the slim, lighter consoles of previous generations, the new PlayStation 3 resembles something of a last hurrah. A final blast of fresh IP and invention cannot disguise the fact that this will probably be the final iteration of the PS3 after five years. E3 2013 will most likely see a new console unveiled, or at least hinted at and revealed at TGS this time next year.
What do you make of it? Can a 12GB PS3 really work unless you survive on a diet of PS Minis and PSone Classics? And does the faster, expensive flash memory demand a price tag of £185?
Thanks to Chris Coleman for the price tip!
Tags: news, PlayStation 3, PS3, Sony, Super Slim, TGS, Tokyo Game Show
96 Posts in Total
Holy nut sack… I got a mention!
I find it weird that with the next generation on the very near horizon, they spent the time and money to redesign the PS3 again. do they think the PS3 will have the same longevity as the PS2?
As like with earlier PS consoles they shrink and price for cheap bedroom presents for the younger siblings.
can you still change/fit laptop hard drives? as if so I’ll be getting the 12GB and upgrading myself probably for a small bedroom media player, and stream content via PS3 MediaServer.
A 250GB drive is being released for those who want to upgrade their 12GB machines.
I think its a huge missed oppourtunity to not do a drice drop as the wii u offers the new hotness and MS offers the cheaper price.
Plus, they dont really have a huge Blockbuster Seller (Smash Bros clone, Karting and Wonderbook) , so i believe they will sell considerably less than the 360 and obviously the WII U.