40 GB PlayStation 3 announced for Europe @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on October 05, 2007

News: SCEE reveals the new PS3 will not have backwards compatibility.

Sony has announced a new 40 GB PlayStation 3 will be available in Europe starting next week on October 10th. The new model will retail for ?399 (?299 in the UK). This roughly translates to $560-600 in American dollars.

According to Sony, the new 40 GB model will ship with only two USB ports instead of the standard four and it will not include the multi memory card port. This new model will also not include backwards compatibility with PS2 games because of the "reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles."

While the lack of backwards compatility is a bit disturbing, Sony did assure gamers that the 60 GB model will still come complete with BC and that 65 PS3 titles will be available by the end of the year.

The price of the 60 GB "Starter Pack" will also see a price reduction to ?499 (?349 in the UK). According to Sony, this price is good "while stocks last." So if you want a PS3 with BC, you might want to buy it now.

?The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners,? said David Reeves, President of SCEE. ?It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet highly affordable High Definition entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system."

Sony has not made any announcements concerning a US release of the 40 GB PlayStation 3, but we'll keep you posted if they do.