(formerly Best Buy) Sony will closeout the 80gb PS3 (joystiq)

[diskoboy]

Another model bites the dust.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/best-buy-closing-out-80gb-ps3/

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

120gb PS3 FT...W?

*edit*

I forgot about this FCC page. Sony apparently filed all this stuff recently.

A WHITE PS3...maybe possibly with a larger HDD?

And, hopefully with continued (or improved) PS2 compatability (though, it looks to maintain the 2 USB port/no memory stick ports standard).

It'll also make for a good visual differentiation between the different SKU's, if that is in fact the deal.

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=643909&fcc_id=\'AK8CBEH1300\'

[Mr. Smashy]

I always thought the 80GB system was crap. The 40GB was clearly a good business move. I'd still like to see them put together a package with the board of the 60GB system, a 120 GB hard drive, a DualShock 3 controller, and an HDMI cable packed in.

[diskoboy]

I don't think the HD size makes a difference, anymore.

Sony made the PS3 hard drives user upgradeable, and it won't effect your warranty. My 60gb is gonna be a 250gb after my next paycheck.

Any sized 5400rpm 2.5mm notebook SATA HD will work in a ps3. And they're quite easy to change. I just wish Sony would take the slim PS2's off the market and put the Emotion Engine back in the PS3's. PS2 games actually look pretty good on this thing, with the smoothing option on.

[Slate]

If they are indeed cancelling the 80 gig version.. It just makes you think, What is going on here? Are they losing so much money that they can only have two (Or one) Model out at a time? It is beginning to look like I'll be buying a PS3 this year. Used, of course, And provided that they get cheaper.

[Gorez]

I don't think the HD size makes a difference, anymore.

Sony made the PS3 hard drives user upgradeable, and it won't effect your warranty. My 60gb is gonna be a 250gb after my next paycheck.

Any sized 5400rpm notebook SATA HD will work in a ps3. And they're quite easy to change. I just wish Sony would take the slim PS2's off the market and put the Emotion Engine back in the PS3's. PS2 games actually look pretty good on this thing, with the smoothing option on.

I didnt know this. Thanks for the tip. I assume its also easy to transfer the data on the 60gig to a larger HD?

[Overbite]

Damn I'm confused. I want to pick up a PS3 eventually but I want backwards compatability in it which the 40 gig doesn't have.

What models are still available with the PS2 BC? Just the 80gig? I know the 20 has full ps2 bc but does the 60?

[Gorez]

the 60 and 20gig's are the only ones with full BC. and with the 80gig being discontinued, probably not many games are going to be emulated on it, but i have no clue.

[exit]

I'm confused, didn't they just release the 80 gig right before Christmas after discontinuing the 60? I don't see why they're taking out BC, but the reason I got an 80 is because I couldn't get a 60 in time and wanted some kind of PS2 BC.

It's like Sony and MS are in a competition here, only it's more about who can release the most variants in the least amount of time and less about trying to succeed.

[s1lence]

I don't think the HD size makes a difference, anymore.

Sony made the PS3 hard drives user upgradeable, and it won't effect your warranty. My 60gb is gonna be a 250gb after my next paycheck.

Any sized 5400rpm notebook SATA HD will work in a ps3. And they're quite easy to change. I just wish Sony would take the slim PS2's off the market and put the Emotion Engine back in the PS3's. PS2 games actually look pretty good on this thing, with the smoothing option on.


I did not know that, how do you transfer the data?

[m117]

This is happening all too often now. A new SKU every six months tells me that maybe Sony needs to just bite the bullet and release a 500GB SKU and save 2 more announcements later in 08. Seriously, casting aside all sarcasm, I think whatever they can do to improve is welcome. I truly believe the obvious, that they are preparing for the onslaught, if I may exaggerate a bit, of AAA and exclusive titles that could possibly bring a few million gamers to the dark side...well...black, glossy side I should say. We shall see what happens as this unfolds.

[diskoboy]

I didnt know this. Thanks for the tip. I assume its also easy to transfer the data on the 60gig to a larger HD?

Depends on how much you have on your HD already.

You can backup your data onto a memory card or usb stick using the backup utility in the XMB. The new HD will format automatically, then you use the same memory card/stick to put your old data on your new drive with the restore function. The backup function will tell you what size memory card/stick you'll need to backup your data. I think you can also use external HD's for the backup process.

This site will help with the process.
http://www.gamersreports.com/article/43/

And BTW - I don't think they're cancelling the 80gb SKU. Best Buy must not be selling enough of the 80gb models.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Depends on how much you have on your HD already.

You can backup your data onto a memory card or usb stick using the backup utility in the XMB. The new HD will format automatically, then you use the same memory card/stick to put your old data on your new drive with the restore function. The backup function will tell you what size memory card/stick you'll need to backup your data. I think you can also use external HD's for the backup process.

This site will help with the process.
http://www.gamersreports.com/article/43/

And BTW - I don't think they're cancelling the 80gb SKU. Best Buy must not be selling enough of the 80gb models.

I have yet to upgrade the HDD in my PS3 (not nearly out of space yet) ... but I wonder if you can swap out the drive for a clean one, format it in-system, and then put the old drive in a USB case, plug it in and "restore".

[Nate Nanjo]

Now I'm just thinking about getting a 40gig, although I want BC, I really don't need it with 2 PS2's and a Playstation.

Anything other than BC, I should know about the 40 gig?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Now I'm just thinking about getting a 40gig, although I want BC, I really don't need it with 2 PS2's and a Playstation.

Anything other than BC, I should know about the 40 gig?

No memory card slots (though you can use a USB compatible memory card reader).

and only 2 USB ports on the front (though you can use a PS3 compatible USB hub).

And, in case you didn't know, all PS3's have excellent PS1 backwards compatibility.

[Policenaut]

I will hunt the model with BC instead. I don't want a PS3 as a BRD player only.

[diskoboy]

I will hunt the model with BC instead. I don't want a PS3 as a BRD player only.

Go to a used game store. I can't stress this enough..

The prices for the 20 and 60gb models are ridiculous, on Ebay. I found a refurbished 60gb model at Gamestop w/1 year warranty and HDMI cable for $375. I've seen 20gb's going for $500-plus on ebay.

[j_factor]

I found a refurbished 60gb model at Gamestop w/1 year warranty and HDMI cable for $375.

Perhaps you just got lucky? I was under the impression that nowadays, Gamestops almost never have a 60GB (or 20GB) PS3 in stock. It doesn't even have a listing on their website anymore. Also, the last time I looked (which was a while ago), the price for a used 60GB model was like $420. How long ago did you get your PS3?

[DJ Daishi]

Go to a used game store. I can't stress this enough..

The prices for the 20 and 60gb models are ridiculous, on Ebay. I found a refurbished 60gb model at Gamestop w/1 year warranty and HDMI cable for $375. I've seen 20gb's going for $500-plus on ebay.

wow, and here I remember when stores had a hard time selling those 2Ogig units

[bcks007]

the 60 and 20gig's are the only ones with full BC. and with the 80gig being discontinued, probably not many games are going to be emulated on it, but i have no clue.

What does this mean?
The 80 gig runs all ps2/ps1 games just like the 20 and 60 model.
The 80 gig only runs part of the ps2/ps1 games, unlike the 20 and 60 model.
If so, is there a list of what the 80 gig doesn't run?
I could be understanding this all wrong.

So correct me if understood that quote wrong, please.:help:

[Oobgarm]

Perhaps the SKU for the 80GB is 'End of Life' since it was technically a 'special edition' with Motorstorm.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the 40GB have the same fate once the Dual Shock 3 set gets announced.

This is all just a lead-up to the DS3-equipped machine launch.

[PapaStu]

Whatever comes out next DualShock PS3/White/whatever will not have BC built into it. The 80GB (that can do BC via emulation) has gone out of production in Japan and Europe and now here as well. The 80 GB is the end of the line for BC for pS2 games.

My local BB had a massive tower of them before/post Xmas, and last week had 1 80GB and a mound of 40GB's. The BB in Schaumburg, IL (where I used to live) had none and just a pile of 40GB systems. Get em while you can kiddies.

[vincewy]

I just got back from TRU with the last 80GB in stock, I'm actually not in a hurry to get it but bought it and will wait 45 days and see what Sony will do, if a vanilla version of 80GB will be introduced or if some kind of BC emulation will be introduced on 40GB, I'll return it and hold off, else this will be a keeper. If there's a price drop on Moday, I'll get price adjustment. I really don't like the slim PS2 as they overheat easily and can scratch discs if the system gets dropped or banged.

I'd advise anyone who wants all 3 system under one unit to go out and get 80GB this weekend (perhaps even early tomorrow) as words spread out pretty quickly.

[bcks007]

Can anybody help me with my questions, please?

[vincewy]

What does this mean?
The 80 gig runs all ps2/ps1 games just like the 20 and 60 model.
The 80 gig only runs part of the ps2/ps1 games, unlike the 20 and 60 model.
If so, is there a list of what the 80 gig doesn't run?
I could be understanding this all wrong.

So correct me if understood that quote wrong, please.:help:

Well I assumed everyone already knows about this but anyway you can do queries on this site concerning BC:

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

If BC is a big deal, go out now and get the 80GB elsewhere, many BB are already out of 80GB units. Here's how 20/60GB and 80GB work-

20/60 GB's has emotion engine, a hardware that can play PS2/PS1 games, very similar to what PS2 does to PS1 game.

80 GB has emulation/software patches that can read PS2 games (not all, but there're updates coming to fix glitches and add more games), very similar to what XB 360 does to original XBOX games. Both 80GB and 40GB play most of the PS1 games.

In reality, pretty much all good/favorite PS2 games run on 80GB so don't even worry about which games won't work on PS3. I can understand Sony wants to cut cost but they should've retained 80GB, my local BB sold all of the more expensive 80GB with piles of 40GB remaining unsold, those need significant price drop to get them moving, like $299.

Sony has also come up with smaller blue ray like 3mm according to article at Kotaku, which means they can develop cheaper/slim PS3, something I'm not really looking forward as I personally dislike slim PS2 (worse than slim PS1), it overheats easily, virtually no space in disc drive (prone to scratches), and breaks down more easily (again due to overheating). I still have the old style PS2 for the same reason.

Nonetheless what Sony has done right so far-

1. Winning the HD format war.
2. Securing exclusive titles like FF and MGS4.
3. Better quality of hardware than XB 360 (fear of RROD).
4. Cutting cost quickly to avert disaster.

In the end PS3 won't do as bad as what many think, it may turns out to be like SNES, which prevailed in the end due to system capability (I actually put away PS1 for a while because of Chrono Trigger).

[DJ Daishi]

.....so pretty much sony and ms are having a tug-of-war match on who can have the bigger HD?

[bcks007]

Well I assumed everyone already knows about this but anyway you can do queries on this site concerning BC:

20/60 GB's has emotion engine, a hardware that can play PS2/PS1 games, very similar to what PS2 does to PS1 game.

80 GB has emulation/software patches that can read PS2 games (not all, but there're updates coming to fix glitches and add more games), very similar to what XB 360 does to original XBOX games. Both 80GB and 40GB play most of the PS1 games.



Wow, i didn't know that the 80 gig used a different system then the 20/60.
You said the 40 gig plays ps1? I thought it wasn't BC at all? Or is it s lesser version of the 80 gigs system?

[j_factor]

20/60 GB's has emotion engine, a hardware that can play PS2/PS1 games, very similar to what PS2 does to PS1 game.

Actually, PS1 games are done entirely via emulation, even on the 20/60 models. From what I gather, compatibility is excellent, although I'd really like to see a list.


80 GB has emulation/software patches that can read PS2 games (not all, but there're updates coming to fix glitches and add more games), very similar to what XB 360 does to original XBOX games. Both 80GB and 40GB play most of the PS1 games.

There's a difference between the 80GB PS3 BC and that of the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 BC is done entirely through emulation. The 80GB PS3 retains the PS2's GPU and only emulates the "Emotion Engine". That's why the compatibility is relatively decent right off (compared to the original compatibility list for the 360, which was pathetic), and also why the 40GB model doesn't have any backwards-compatibility with PS2 games at all (as it lacks the GPU; if it were just software emulation, it would be included).

Considering the 80GB model is being discontinued, I don't think they'll be doing those updates anymore, unfortunately.


http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

I'd really like to read an actual list, rather than having to search for each individual game. However, Sony does deserve some praise for having such a thorough, detailed explanation of backwards-compatibility status for individual games.

edit:

In reality, pretty much all good/favorite PS2 games run on 80GB so don't even worry about which games won't work on PS3.

I took the liberty of checking this out extensively. I just searched for every PS2 game either in my collection or on my want list. In other words, every PS2 game I like. 72 games total. I divided the descriptions into 4 categories: no problems ("no major problems for this title"), minor issues that I could live with (usually FMV audio skips, or very minor graphics glitches), significant issues (game runs slow, or major graphics problems), or incompatible ("hangs"/unable to progress). With the 80GB model, I found that of those 72, 4 games are incompatible, 6 games have significant issues, 11 games have minor issues, and 1 game is unknown (didn't come up in the search). With the original models, 0 games are incompatible, 0 games have significant issues, 0 games have minor issues, and 1 game is unknown. Incidentally, the game that's unknown is different.

In conclusion, the 20 and 60GB models are apparently flawless with their backwards compatibility, and the 80GB version has some issues but isn't that bad (50/72 -- 69% --have no problems whatsoever) .

[Half Japanese]

I've got an 80GB that I've had for a few months and honestly, I haven't really played any ps2 games on it for more than a few minutes at a time, so it's not a huge issue for me (of those, Ys' cutscenes were skippy as shit, but they're also terrible, so no big loss). I can always plug the ps2 back up if need be.

That said, it is odd to see Sony (probably) cutting backwards compatibility out of all future models, as they were the company that but backwards compatibility on the list of things a console must have.

[vincewy]

Actually, PS1 games are done entirely via emulation, even on the 20/60 models. From what I gather, compatibility is excellent, although I'd really like to see a list.

There's a difference between the 80GB PS3 BC and that of the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 BC is done entirely through emulation. The 80GB PS3 retains the PS2's GPU and only emulates the "Emotion Engine".


I'd really like to read an actual list, rather than having to search for each individual game. However, Sony does deserve some praise for having such a thorough, detailed explanation of backwards-compatibility status for individual games.

edit:

I took the liberty of checking this out extensively. I just searched for every PS2 game either in my collection or on my want list. In other words, every PS2 game I like. 72 games total. I divided the descriptions into 4 categories: no problems ("no major problems for this title"), minor issues that I could live with (usually FMV audio skips, or very minor graphics glitches), significant issues (game runs slow, or major graphics problems), or incompatible ("hangs"/unable to progress). With the 80GB model, I found that of those 72, 4 games are incompatible, 6 games have significant issues, 11 games have minor issues, and 1 game is unknown (didn't come up in the search). With the original models, 0 games are incompatible, 0 games have significant issues, 0 games have minor issues, and 1 game is unknown. Incidentally, the game that's unknown is different.

In conclusion, the 20 and 60GB models are apparently flawless with their backwards compatibility, and the 80GB version has some issues but isn't that bad (50/72 -- 69% --have no problems whatsoever) .

Thanks for clearing this up, since 80GB's BC isn't completely done on emulation, so theoretically it's possible to develop PS2 BC emulation (aka XB 360 to XB) for 40GB (and all other models) but obviously it'll require a lot of resources and time considering the number of games in PS2 libraries in all territories.

I think Sony has learned from PS3 that for their next console (assume they still keep going) PS4, we'll probably see 2 models, one for basic bare bone system just to play PS4 games and watch movie, sell it as cheap as possible. Another much more expensive model (not just for $100 more but double the price) that can play PS1/PS2/PS3 games, even large in size, plays all movie formats (if new format comes out), has all the hookups, and those 2 models will stay til' the end of life cycle except of course color variants.

One more question for anyone who bought PS3 AND who claimed 5 free DVDs from this:

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/videogames/promos/bluraysavings_20071001_form.pdf

When you send in the form, do I have to give them the ORIGINAL RECEIPT or photocopy is fine? I certainly need the ORIGINAL one for warranty and if it's real hassle I just won't bother getting the movies, only the first 2 rows are even worth picking, the last 3 rows just plain suck.

[PapaStu]

Thanks for clearing this up, since 80GB's BC isn't completely done on emulation, so theoretically it's possible to develop PS2 BC emulation (aka XB 360 to XB) for 40GB (and all other models) but obviously it'll require a lot of resources and time considering the number of games in PS2 libraries in all territories.


No. The PS3 isn't capable of doing the PS2 emulation without at least the Graphics GPU. No Graphics GPU (meaning the PS3 40GB system) NO PS2 games.

They dropped the BC to cut costs and trying to create a full on emulator when the system can't emulate both the CPU and GPU at the same time would be a further waste of money. Sony is/has dropped the BC to keep the different production lines having to produce specific systems for specific regions down to a minimum. In hemoraging space bucks they are killing what they can to lower the costs and move more systems. I'm guessing that they were able to see that BC wasn't being used nearly as much as they were thinking it might be and it was a cost that could be afforded to be killed (besides there wasn't much else they could trim out of the system to lower costs).

[backguard]

the only thing that sucks about losing b/c on the ps3 is that you also lose the upscaling.

[CelticJobber]

One more question for anyone who bought PS3 AND who claimed 5 free DVDs from this:

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/videogames/promos/bluraysavings_20071001_form.pdf

When you send in the form, do I have to give them the ORIGINAL RECEIPT or photocopy is fine? I certainly need the ORIGINAL one for warranty and if it's real hassle I just won't bother getting the movies, only the first 2 rows are even worth picking, the last 3 rows just plain suck.

I just sent a photocopy, the form said photocopies of the receipt are okay, but you do have to send the original UPC from the box.

[coreys429]

I might be harassed for saying it, but I think sony should stop with the system switching, yes it helped blu ray though how many revisions of a system can we go through? ( Atari reminds me of this ) Also I heard that the price is going to drop is that a rumor?

[Oobgarm]

I just noticed that Best Buy's 'Watercooler' (private internal forum for employees to discuss things at-length) has a huge post about this exact subject.

The initial poster states that they've contacted Sony and that they said there is 'no plans to discontinue anything'. And though it's not exactly a great source of information, their retail rep agreed with that.

Then, later on in the thread, others contacted Sony and their respective retail reps and got a completely different story or were told that they(Sony) had no idea what they were talking about.

So, I don't think we're any closer to really knowing what's going on.

The 40GB has gone 'at risk', meaning it's next to be discontinued at the store. But the 40GB ones at market currently are bundles with Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray. Best Buy does tend to issue items a new SKU when something loses a bundled item, since it makes it easier to theoretically drop the price of the older item to move it out of the store more quickly.

But I stick by what I said earlier in the thread-they're phasing out the bundles, and will most likely replace them with non-bundles or DualShock 3-equipped consoles.

[roushimsx]

In conclusion, the 20 and 60GB models are apparently flawless with their backwards compatibility, and the 80GB version has some issues but isn't that bad (50/72 -- 69% --have no problems whatsoever) .

I've run into a few issues in the last year on my 60gb, most notably with Kya Dark Lineage's audio (which I haven't gone back to check in the last 6-8 months to see if it was fixed) and some overscan issues with the upscaler (that were eventually fixed). I'd be a bit hesitant to call it "perfect", but on the 20/60, it really is pretty damn good.

But hey, playing PS1 games over HDMI? Yes, please. Tomba looks awesome (and it wasn't even compatible on my PS2).


the only thing that sucks about losing b/c on the ps3 is that you also lose the upscaling.

The upscaling isn't very important anyway. It's not a bad upscaler, but its benefits have been greatly exaggerated by people expecting it to actually natively render at a higher resolution. You'll still be able to upscale DVDs, and while it's no Oppo, it's not bad.

[diskoboy]

There is now rumors that Sony may now release a 120 or 160gb sku. WITH Dualshock 3 controllers included

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rumor-120-160-gb-ps3-with-rumble-in-the-pipe/

[DJ Daishi]

Actually, PS1 games are done entirely via emulation, even on the 20/60 models. From what I gather, compatibility is excellent, although I'd really like to see a list.



There's a difference between the 80GB PS3 BC and that of the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 BC is done entirely through emulation. The 80GB PS3 retains the PS2's GPU and only emulates the "Emotion Engine". That's why the compatibility is relatively decent right off (compared to the original compatibility list for the 360, which was pathetic), and also why the 40GB model doesn't have any backwards-compatibility with PS2 games at all (as it lacks the GPU; if it were just software emulation, it would be included).

Considering the 80GB model is being discontinued, I don't think they'll be doing those updates anymore, unfortunately.



I'd really like to read an actual list, rather than having to search for each individual game. However, Sony does deserve some praise for having such a thorough, detailed explanation of backwards-compatibility status for individual games.

edit:


I took the liberty of checking this out extensively. I just searched for every PS2 game either in my collection or on my want list. In other words, every PS2 game I like. 72 games total. I divided the descriptions into 4 categories: no problems ("no major problems for this title"), minor issues that I could live with (usually FMV audio skips, or very minor graphics glitches), significant issues (game runs slow, or major graphics problems), or incompatible ("hangs"/unable to progress). With the 80GB model, I found that of those 72, 4 games are incompatible, 6 games have significant issues, 11 games have minor issues, and 1 game is unknown (didn't come up in the search). With the original models, 0 games are incompatible, 0 games have significant issues, 0 games have minor issues, and 1 game is unknown. Incidentally, the game that's unknown is different.

In conclusion, the 20 and 60GB models are apparently flawless with their backwards compatibility, and the 80GB version has some issues but isn't that bad (50/72 -- 69% --have no problems whatsoever) .

a friend of mine recently picked up the 40gig ps3 and is now worried about BC....is it the same story as with the 80gig?

[j_factor]

No, the 40GB model doesn't play PS2 games at all. I believe the PSX compatibility is the same, though.