Price Drop for 20GB Playstation 3 in Japan

TGS 2006: PS3

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) boss Ken Kutaragi‘s TGS keynote speech didn’t touch much on the PS3’s game lineups. Aside from game trailers for Ridge Racer 7, Final Fantasy XIII, and a few other games, most of the speech touted the console’s technological innards and the array of online gaming and networking services it will offer, such as photo-sharing and online-based virtual consoles for classic games.

There was one bit of news that drew much applause from the mostly Japanese crowd. That 20GB version of the PS3? It now includes an HDMI port. And Kutaragi announced that it will now sell in Japan for Â¥49,980, down from Â¥62,790. Let us do the math: that’s €335 from €421, £225 from £283, and about $ 428 from $ 538. In short, in the neighborhood of one Benjamin cheaper!

These euro, pound and dollar equivalencies are for comparison purposes only – these do not mean that the 20GB PS3 will defintely sell for €335, £225, or $ 428. But, if Sony’s willing to shave off some yens for the 20GB, does this mean they’ll shave off the equivalent amount for PS3s paid in euros, pounds, or dollars?

Thanks to Kherlen for helping us with translating the SCEJ press release!


Update: We’ve confirmed from other sources that the price drop is exclusive to Japan only. The 20GB PS3 will still retail in the US for $ 499. Both versions will still have HDMI output.

TGS 2006: PS3

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) boss Ken Kutaragi‘s TGS keynote speech didn’t touch much on the PS3’s game lineups. Aside from game trailers for Ridge Racer 7, Final Fantasy XIII, and a few other games, most of the speech touted the console’s technological innards and the array of online gaming and networking services it will offer, such as photo-sharing and online-based virtual consoles for classic games.

There was one bit of news that drew much applause from the mostly Japanese crowd. That 20GB version of the PS3? It now includes an HDMI port. And Kutaragi announced that it will now sell in Japan for Â¥49,980, down from Â¥62,790. Let us do the math: that’s €335 from €421, £225 from £283, and about $ 428 from $ 538. In short, in the neighborhood of one Benjamin cheaper!

These euro, pound and dollar equivalencies are for comparison purposes only – these do not mean that the 20GB PS3 will defintely sell for €335, £225, or $ 428. But, if Sony’s willing to shave off some yens for the 20GB, does this mean they’ll shave off the equivalent amount for PS3s paid in euros, pounds, or dollars?

Thanks to Kherlen for helping us with translating the SCEJ press release!


Update: We’ve confirmed from other sources that the price drop is exclusive to Japan only. The 20GB PS3 will still retail in the US for $ 499. Both versions will still have HDMI output.

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