Walked around the electronic shops today and saw the insane price drop.  They told me they're getting rid of stock...and I asked why, they said they just had to get rid of them.

New PS3 Really on the way?

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maybe  the store was closing down?

Maybe it's just not selling well there? Keeping it just taking space does no good to the store, might as well drop the price and make some cash... If a new SKU is coming, why not wait for the generated hype of that to possibly sell their remaining stock at a not-quite-as-reduced price? Random price drop out of nowhere doesn't get the masses moving. The release of a new SKU will make them think the older will be available for less though (or an official announcement of a price drop while stocks last). Or something completely different.

And you complain about US having low prices.

I'm starting to believe there may be some truth in the PS3Slim. A GameStop employee also leaked to IGN when prompted "oh, I didn't realise they were putting out pictures of it yet." - "pictures of what?" IGN asked. "Erm." The GameStop employee responded.

Also, Sony expect to see a 30% sales increase over this fiscal year. They wouldn't make that prediction if they didn't think they could achieve it. Perhaps they've found a way to get the costs down?

E3 is going to be interesting.

Damn, I'd gladly pay €150 for a white PS3 if I was in Japan.

I don't understood hardware but I mean, isn't it possible that Sony could have condensed some of the systems "insides" to make it cheaper. I dunno. It also gives them an opportunity to "rebrand".

The rumour is certainly starting to gather a bit of steam now.

Maybe Sony redesigned the PS3 so that the power brick is external as with the 360 in order to shrink the size of the actual console. I have never seen the inside of a PS3 but I always thought this is one of the reasons that the thing is so large.

Last I checked sony hadn't set a SRP for japanese ps3's so the japanese retailers are literally allowed to sell them at any price they can get a sale on, Atleast that was the tale at launch with the 600 dollar ps3 it had no Suggested retail price for retailers in japan.

...Does the white PS3 have an option for English interface?

I picked up my PS3 on eBay with 3 blu-rays for £150 recently, mint condition, used only to play KZ2.

I have to mention this, be careful when using foreign language letters in thread titles. Using Japanese text in the title can break the link. Obviously it didn't happen here but just so you know.

It sure seems like they are coming out with a new and slim version.

Well, you are from Japan, which is about the only place where the PS3 is ahead of the 360. Maybe retailers figured their sales had gone down so they'd keep less consoles in stock, make room for other stuff.

PS3 slim is coming dudes.

$209 for a Japanese PS3??? Holy shit I want one!!!

" I'm starting to believe there may be some truth in the PS3Slim. A GameStop employee also leaked to IGN when prompted "oh, I didn't realise they were putting out pictures of it yet." - "pictures of what?" IGN asked. "Erm." The GameStop employee responded.Also, Sony expect to see a 30% sales increase over this fiscal year. They wouldn't make that prediction if they didn't think they could achieve it. Perhaps they've found a way to get the costs down?E3 is going to be interesting. "

209 usd is a pretty awesome price if you compare it to the cheapest I can find in Sweden. 3799 sek = 530 usd

good price, i think that a slim is actually coming out. there are pictures, places prices are dropping for the ps3.

That's pretty crazy.