Best Buy to discontinue 80GB PS3?
Category: PlayStation 3, Posted: 01/24/2008 at 02:37PM CST by Frank Ling, Editorial Director
According to ps3fanboy.com, it was sent an anonymous internal newsletter that supposedly originated from Best Buy.
The announcement states that the mega-chain retail electronics store is planning on discontinuing the PlayStation 3 80GB version which has the full array of USB ports, backwards compatibility, and memory card readers which is missing from the 40GB version.
The newsletter also indicates that Best Buy will only carry the 40GB model that is selling currently for $399. Since the introduction of the cheaper and less robust PS3, sales for Sony's flagship game console has greatly improved. Many analysts point to the recent price reductions as the major factor in changing the minds of consumers who were previously balking at the original price of $599.
Rumors have been floating around the game community that Sony may be getting ready to launch an even cheaper version which would clock in at $299. Sony has repeatedly denied these rumors but the speculation persists.
If in fact this internal Best Buy memo is genuine, the discontinuation of the PS3 80GB version may indicate that consumers may very well have decided that a cheaper PS3 with less features is of more value than a more expensive one with all the bells and whistles.
The announcement states:
"The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won't be replaced at this time. It will come off the planogram on Jan 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of the PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time. This means that there currently isn't a version that is PS2 compatible.
At this time, Sony hasn't made any announcements about new products."
Sony desperately wants to regain the crown as the leader in game consoles. If the discontinuation of the 80GB PS3 at Best Buy is an indication of what Sony plans to do in the future, you can probably bet that there will be another price reduction for the PlayStation 3.
- Mega Man 9 10/08/2008
- Mega Man 9 10/08/2008
- Mega Man 9 10/08/2008
- Rock Band 2 10/03/2008
- Rock Band 2 10/03/2008
- Tales of Vesperia 09/28/2008
- View More
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe ... 07/31/2008
- Hands-On: N+ 07/29/2008
- E3 2008: Resident Evil 5 hands... 07/25/2008
- E3 2008: Too Human hands-on 07/23/2008
- E3 2008: The Agency developer ... 07/22/2008
- E3 2008: Left 4 Dead direct fe... 07/21/2008
- View More
Kyle Stallock
Updated June 4th, 2008
Indie Games Journalism
Brendon Lindsey
Updated September 9, 2008
Blu-Ray Review: Trans...
Frank Ling
Updated: Aug. 1th, 2008 Are you a game snob?
Eddie Inzauto
Updated Wed, September 3
Too Human scribblings
GamerNode needs your help. Register
now and join thousands of gamers in a
crusade to spread the word of
GamerNode!
Join the Node Army!
- Worst Best Man Ever 10/13/2008
- What are you listening to? 10/13/2008
- F*** you Blizzard! 10/13/2008
- World's Longest Thread 10/13/2008
- You laugh, you lose. 10/12/2008
- Resident Evil 5 10/12/2008
- Offical Hot Women Picture thread... 10/12/2008
- Fun Fact... 10/12/2008
- What game did you play today? 10/11/2008
- Red Alert 3: Hell March 3 Traile... 10/11/2008
- View More
Probably the best PS3 version :(
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... oh wait, I have a uk 60GB =P
might as well, we know they havent been producing them in awhile
Seems kinda odd that this would happen; first of all if one clicks the PS3 button on this page concerning PS3 news they would see that 97% of the consumers bought a PS3 for Blu Ray capabilities. You would also see that Sony is making a Ceramic White colored Playstation.
But also the key factor is that Best Buy is annoucing that the PS3 80gig may be discontinued. What about all the other retailers? Gamestop? Amazon? WalMart?
None of these retailers have made their statements yet; and what if they dont, why would Best Buy not sell it but others do? I say dont give up hope yet LOL