PS3 pricing announced: $499 and $599

[ToddziLLa]

http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7...?tag=cnetfd.sd

Two days before the show's official start on May 10th, Sony held its long-awaited press conference and our intrepid John Falcone was there, reporting what's sure to be the biggest news of the show: The Sony Playstation 3 will retail for $499 for the basic version and $599 for the step-up model. More interestingly, the $499 version will reportedly lack (among other features) the vaunted HDMI output, making it all-but-useless as a relatively cheap Blu-ray player since a digital output is necessary to guarantee full HD resolution. For people looking to save some cash over first-gen Blu-ray decks, which start at $1000, the only option appears the be the $599 version -- still a relative bargain. For more details check out his post at our dedicated E3 site, e3.cnet.com, where you can find the latest show news.



Controller details finalized too:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4331-12331_7...1.html?tag=txt

The unveiling of the official PlayStation 3 controller design provided the finale of Sony's opening night E3 press conference. As widely expected, the much-ridiculed "boomerang" controller concept that Sony had been showing since last year's E3 is gone, replaced by a design that's all but identical to the beloved analog controller of the current PlayStation 2. As previously announced, the controller uses Bluetooth wireless technology to interact with the PlayStation 3 without the need for cables. The PS3 will support up to seven such controllers.

The retro design notwithstanding, the bigger news was the addition of motion control to the PS3 controller. A direct challenge to Nintendo's motion sensitive Wii "nunchuck" controller, the PS3 gamepad provides gamers with gyroscope sensors that detect movement in six directions. An live on-stage demonstration of Warhawk put the controller's motion sensitivity to the test, with the on-screen fighter craft ably echoing the player's banking, dipping, and elevating of the controller.

While the possibilities offered by the unexpected motion control feature of the PS3 controller will no doubt be welcomed by fans, the controller lacks the force feedback vibration function found in its PlayStation predecessors (according to GameSpot's Jeff Gerstman, who got an early look at the controller). Whether the vibration function was dropped because it interfered with the motion control capabilities (as claimed by Sony) or because it presented a copyright hurdle is anybody's guess.

[NCatron]

Wow that's expensive. I found it hard to pull the trigger on an XBOX 360 Prem. No way are kiddies going to be finding these under the Trees at Christmas, especially with the initial price gouging.

[teeznutz]

I saw that on the news. Definitely going with the top of the line one. HD DVD picture is going to be sweet!!

[Ironfreak]

WAY too expensive.. Jesus..

I too was desueded from buying an Xbox360 because of the $400 price tag. No way in hell I am paying $599 for a video game system.

[ToddziLLa]

Originally Posted by Ironfreak

WAY too expensive.. Jesus..

I too was desueded from buying an Xbox360 because of the $400 price tag. No way in hell I am paying $599 for a video game system.

Well, it is a Blu-ray DVD player as well, which currently retails for $500.

All of a sudden I am excited again for PS3! Engagement ring or PS3 and an HDTV, engagement ring or PS3 and an HDTV...oh the humanity!

[doctorcue]

Being in the industry, plus not currently owning a 360, plus a large PS2 library of games = Most likely going to get a PS3 w/ 60 gb HD.

Damn... that is a lot of smokes. Oh well... just get both! HAHAHAHAA... I need a second job.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Ironfreak

WAY too expensive..

I too was desueded from buying an Xbox360 because of the $400 price tag. No way in hell I am paying $599 for a video game system.

I'll stick to pong!

NCRM

[NCatron]

Although, I for one am not at all excited about BluRay/HD-DVD. My library of ~200 DVDs would be pretty expensive to replace with "slightly better quality" copies. (Especially since my HDTV won't do 1080p, only 720p or 1080i).

[icehog3]

Dammit Todd, I read the title and thought Partagas was coming out with a new EL!!!

[LeafHog]

The $600 price tag has been hinted at / guessed at since the console specs were announced. The cost of components is what is driving the price on the PS3, still a comparable profit margin to PS2 / XBox 360.

I wouldn't look for the price to drop as with the other console releases unless the manufactured components become much cheaper.

[ToddziLLa]

Originally Posted by LeafHog

I wouldn't look for the price to drop as with the other console releases unless the manufactured components become much cheaper.

Frankly there is no reason this shouldn't happen either. New technologies get better and cheaper as time goes on history has shown. Having said that, I would say that this price will be set in stone for at least two years, however.

[cameroncouch02]

I'll play my PS2 til those prices drop.

[LeafHog]

Originally Posted by ToddziLLa

Frankly there is no reason this shouldn't happen either. New technologies get better and cheaper as time goes on history has shown. Having said that, I would say that this price will be set in stone for at least two years, however.

That's basically what I am saying, don't look for structured price roll backs like we saw with PS1, PS2, etc. The price will only drop when the manufacturing sector catches up.

I wish I had never seen the MGS4 preview!

[carbonbased_al]

I'm gonna buy it for sure, but sony has a lot of catching up to do. The fact that they are gonna release over a year after x360 gives microsoft a big lead in the next gen market. And PS3 is damned expensive, twice the cost of an 360 core!

[PadronMe]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

I'll stick to pong!

NCRM

And I'll buy cigars.