Ben-DutkaUpdate: As if you really needed to know by now, but…April Fools. We figured Sony might be annoyed if we didn't issue the clarification, as obvious as it is. 😉
Original Story:
Well, that was tricky, Sony. You make us all think the "big announcement" is little more than a PS2 price drop , and then, you wait 24 hours to give us the bombshell. Whatever; we can roll with that!
As of Monday, April 6, the current PlayStation 3 model will drop in price to $299. This is the price cut some analysts have predicted and gamers have requested since the start of 2009, and although Sony has indeed remained insistent that they had "no such plans," the economy may have gotten to them. Either that, or they're just taking the opportunity to give everyone what they want and simultaneously provide us with a new model…an upgrade, as it turns out. This new PS3 model will feature a 160GB hard drive, and – wait for it – the return of backwards compatibility! Well, partially, anyway. They won't be re-implementing that graphics synthesizer chip from the original 60GB PS3 that allowed for almost full b/c for PS2 software. However, they have decided to bring back software emulation, which means that most all of PS1 titles will work on the machine, and "about 80%" of all PS2 software will work, too.
Furthermore, and for a limited time only, this new PS3 model will include a copy of Resistance 2 , tossed in for no extra charge . This means the new SKU will come with the 160GB hard drive, Insomniac's brilliant shooter, and backwards compatibility, all for the price we're all currently used to: $399. The PS3 that's sitting on store shelves right now? That will get the $100 price drop, and of course, you won't be getting any extra goodies with it. We have heard that some retailers may do something special for this new PS3 model, too; something about Blu-Ray movie promotions has been mentioned, but there's nothing concrete just yet. We'll let you know.
So anyway, say "thank you," everyone. It's basically what you wanted.
