PSP-3000, PS3 160GB Announced

By Paul Munn | August 20, 2008

Sony’s unveiled two new hardware items at Leipzig today along with a smattering of new titles. A third PSP model has been announced for delivery in under two months worldwide, the PSP-3000. The new model features a new and improved screen with better anti-glare and color depth and an integrated microphone. Headsets will still apparently work, as will the video out introduced in the PSP-2000 model. The second hardware item is yet another PS3 SKU. While the PS3 bundle will include a stellar game, I’m not happy to see a new PSP model so soon.

This summer’s last gasp for PS2 backwards compatibility leaves with Solid Snake’s swansong in the MGS4 80GB bundle that’s getting harder to find. A new 80GB model built on the 40GB hardware that has no PS2 backwards compatibility is inbound within the next month and later this fall a second model — this one with 160GB — is launching worldwide as an Uncharted bundle. This is an excellent game choice for Sony to make and it’s a third-party title to boot. Naughty Dog must be proud. I’m replaying the game to nab the Trophies now that it’s had them patched in and it’s still just as gorgeous and fun incidentally with no hard drive install.

The new 160GB model and the 80GB replacement for the 40GB model will both still be PS1-compatible and will offer a nice amount of space for upcoming digital download titles like the third-party debut of Burnout: Paradise this September. I’m guessing Sony is hoping for more of these deals, and I’m wondering if Sony has proven the PS3 to be piracy-proof to the point that these third party developers are willing to sign on for higher amounts of profit than brick-and-mortar publication can offer.

As for the PSP-3000, I’m seriously unhappy that it’s being offered for two reasons. First, I just bought a PSP-2000 less than three months ago and I am still stinging from getting surprisingly little for my PSP-1000 on eBay. Second, the PSP needs stronger support in the software development arena. The release list is looking awfully thin for the remainder of 2008. Given that Sony is giving away Skype on the handheld how do they intend to make any money back on the thing if so few games coming to retail in the months ahead?

Seen on the PlayStation Blog.