Is the PS3 over priced? New Playstation 3 SKU
Filed under: Gaming, Sony Playstation 3 | By: Jamie Pert
Posted on: June 26, 2009 | 4 Comments
One of the major reasons people do not to buy Sony’s PlayStation 3 is the price tag, especially when compared to its rival console the XBOX 360, however recently Target stores in Australia cleared stock of its 40GB models for the low price of $199 AUD which is the equivalent to $160 USD, predictably these sold very quickly.
Usually when clearances like this occur it means a new model is on its way, whether or not this is the case is still yet to be seen, however if a cheaper model does reach the shelves it would surely enable a lot more people to be able to afford the console.
There has been a lot of talk lately regarding Sony cutting the Playstations 3’s price and also talks of a new slimline model being released, these rumors fit in with the recent clearance of low end models. Check out the full report here. We will keep you posted.
CLICK HERE to keep updated with the latest news, share a comment or problems with products and services. Follow us on twitter or read more Playstation 3 news.
I own a PS3, and it really boils down to exclusives. Which do you prefer. I prefer Sony’s first parties. But other people do not. Honestly, I think that dropping the price again, will merely get people buying multiple consoles, as those who really wanted a PS3, already have one.
Morne
I’d disagree that “it really boils down to exclusives”.
1) Xbox 360 has way more games.
2) It also has more games that are higher ranked.
3) For all the cross platform games that come out on both systems, the 360 version is usually better
4) The Xbox 360 is half the price (for entry)
5) The Xbox has way more OS level features (chat across all games, custom soundtracks across all games, party system across all games, etc, etc, etc)
6) Xbox 360’s online community is larger, and its online structure/matchmaking is better…
Really, the only advantage PS3 has over the 360 is Blu-ray… but after seeing HD content streaming over Netflix for pennies on the dollar of what Blu-ray costs, I don’t miss Blu-ray… and in fact, physical media just seems more and more archaic.
For a game machine, there’s really no comparison. 360’s better, and cheaper. If you want Blu-ray, well then - it’s more complex than just what game machine is better…
Lowering the price would no doubt sell some more consoles but the problem Sony have is that MS is in a reasonably good position to respond with a price cut of their own which could give the 360 a price point that would be hard for anyone to resist.
Hardcore gamers are not really a factor at this point as mostly they either have both consoles already or they have the one they want.
Casual gamers are more price orientated and there is a bit of a sweet spot factor, if Sony cut the price & MS respond it would force the 360 well into that sweet spot price but then if Sony cut the price & MS don’t respond Sony could see an improvement in sales so i guess it must be a bit of a dilema for them.
Wow… that’s a sensationally low price. Just converted Oz Dollars into British Pounds and it worked out at about £100 (let’s say £150 because this country deems it fit to mark everything up that arrives on our shores). Even if it was £150 it would still be close to half the price of the PS3 at present. Once again… WOW! What was the store thinking? That’s not a loss-leader price. That’s suicide! Something is afoot. Hopefully something positive.
In stock form, the PS3 is still basically 300 sheets over here. That’s the same price the PS1 and PS2 launched with. It hurts but the enthusiast will stump up the readies. I did… each and everytime. However, the casual gamer is still waiting. The PS2 owners still waiting it out. The Wii owners wanting a sample of something more powerful (or different games). The 360 owner who fancies a change.
Don’t get me wrong, equally, PS3 owners will pick up other consoles too but we’re looking at Sony’s lean green grilling machine for now.
From a UK perspective, SCEE need to lop £80 or so off of the price to suddenly make it appealing to the masses. This simply can’t come soon enough as they’re only doing “well” in Japan and Europe, with a very lacklustre showing in the USA.
A generation ago they were dominating the market in awe-inspiring fashion.
There’s a reason why Fiat own Ferrari. Why Jaguar were bought-out. Why TVR went bust, etc. We simply can’t all afford one. The exclusive price-tag puts of potential buyers and curtails development from 3rd parties (to a certain degree). All of this creating bad press which does far more harm than the initial worry.