News
MGS4 bundle resurrects backwardly compatible PS3
Ben Parfitt Feb 27 2008, 10:42am
Comments (21)
New Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle features 80GB machine with ‘some’ backwards compatibility features
Along with news of a God of War PSP bundle and a North American launch date for the Dualshock 3 joypad, SCEA has also confirmed a Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle – which will include the backwardly compatible 80GB PS3 that Sony had previosuly said would be discontinued.
The new hardware bundle will include Konami’s hugely anticipated stealth action outing, as well as an 80GB PS3 and rumbling Dualshock 3 pad. It will cost $499.99 and arrive in late Q2 2008 – which of course suggests that the release of Konami’s game will be around then, too.
Also confirmed was the news that those who pre-order MGS4 in North America will also secure themselves beta access to Metal Gear Online, which is currently expected to arrive in April.
However, the most surprising announcement is the confirmation in the comments section on this story on Sony’s official US blog that the MGS4 bundle will include an 80GB PS3 – a machine thought to be being phased out of production.
SCEA boss Jack Tretton said iof the decision: "In response to incredible demand, we will be manufacturing more 80GB PS3s for North America and the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 80GB PS3 bundle is an ideal way to offer that continued value to our consumers."
Sony’s launch PS3s in the US and Japan included backwards compatibility as standard. However, for the arrival of the machine in Europe Sony dropped some of the hardware components it had been using for the functionality and replaced it with software based emulation – a system that is notably less reliable.
This software based emulation was then removed from the machine altogether with the release of the 40GB version, whilst the 80GB model was to be discontinued.
Comments
“Eh what who where when?”
Posted by: _-MrT-_ - Feb 27, 11:10am
Like Sony hasn't mucked about with the PS3 specs enough already! Still, it's a feature that people seemingly want. Perhaps now the machines are selling and the production costs have been lowered Sony feel in a better position to up the spec as the price won't scare off as many folk?
“Nice to see...”
Posted by: Chuck Norris - Feb 27, 11:20am
USA once more getting all the good stuff, I somehow feel that such companies do this out of spite letting Europe know what we WONT be getting.
“Re: Nice to see...”
Posted by: _-MrT-_ - Feb 27, 11:25am
Yep, that sounds like a valid corporate strategy for sure...
“Re: Nice to see...”
Posted by: Onehunglow - Feb 27, 11:27am
With Sony creating this 'two tier' PS3 system for the US and Europe, is it any wonder that people are not buying it in their millions.
Come on Sony, I want to buy a PS3 but why should I? Make up your minds what features your hardware should have!
“Re: Nice to see...”
Posted by: Dringo - Feb 27, 11:41am
People are buying PS3's in their millions.
“Err”
Posted by: Alex - Feb 27, 11:48am
I think you've missed the point here. This 80 GB model is the US version that currently supports limited backwards compatibility. This isn't a new model. Rather it's what's left of old stock. So in now way is backwards compatibility making a "return" here.
“Mr T says”
Posted by: Digitiser - Feb 27, 12:04pm
Get away from my bins
“Suprising”
Posted by: Graeme - Feb 27, 1:19pm
"the most surprising announcement" ( not a direct quote, I corrected the spelling)
Not really suprising no, didn't everyone think they'd use the backwards compatability comeback as a new carrot on a stick this year?
“Re: Suprising”
Posted by: Crispy - Feb 27, 1:27pm
"Not really surprising no, didn't everyone think they'd use the backwards compatability comeback as a new carrot on a stick this year?"
(not a direct quote. I corrected the spelling. Didn't bother re-doing the grammar.)
“Re: Suprising”
Posted by: Ben_MCV - Feb 27, 5:14pm
@6
In response to your comments I have added some clarity to the story, including a statement from Jack Tretton that confirms the change in strategy that you questioned.
“Not that many!”
Posted by: Zed Zee - Feb 27, 11:48pm
"People are buying PS3's in their millions."
Not as many as they're buying Nintedo Revolution or DS.
Some of the points made here are right; I've decided not to buy a PS3 because of the way Sony discriminates against UK and Europe.
“Re: Not that many!”
Posted by: _-MrT-_ - Feb 28, 9:15am
Your loss then ZedZee
“Re: Not that many!”
Posted by: Ali - Feb 28, 12:15pm
Man that screwed up, ive been wanting to get a PS3 but Sony messed it up for me. only a 40GB with no backwards compatibility, wtf is that?
then to add to that they bring out the game i wanted initially with everything i want and only release it in america. now thats a kick in the teeth!
“they made them even lower quality”
Posted: Feb 28, 11:21pm
Every time SONY makes a new version its for one reason only. The lower the cost of manufacture. The PSP slim it a good example. This is exactly the same.
This will be the cheaper tackier still cant play ps2 games like advertised PS3 but as it comes with MGS people will buy it anyway.
On the other hand the game is going to be good
“Re: they made them even lower quality”
Posted: Feb 29, 11:05am
@14
That's not an unreasonable business strategy, is it?
“Re: they made them even lower quality”
Posted: Feb 29, 12:14pm
How many PS3 owners are really spending hours playing PS2 games anyway? When MGS4 comes out, I'll wanna be playing MGS4, not PS2 games.
“Im gone.”
Posted by: Cambel - Mar 1, 7:42pm
I want Megal Gear Solid 4, and I want a PS3. What I do not want is a 80GB hard drive that I will never fill, and a huge £500 price tag that I cannot afford. Sorry sony, I love Metal Gear Solid 4, but im just not willing to pay that kind of money.
Sony, you have lost another customer.
“Re: Im gone.”
Posted by: _-MrT-_ - Mar 3, 9:05am
@17
It's impossible to please everyone all of the time.
“ps3 kills wii and xbox 360”
Posted by: Aderross - Mar 3, 3:19pm
the ps3 will win the next generation war.
the wii is just a gimmick which will fade in the gaming past.
the 360 is a bag of **** it keeps failing, and mircosoft are
already planning there next concole which will be coming out
in 2010, does this tell you anything about the concole?
so stop morning and buy yourself a 40 gig ps3, dont worry
you can upgrade the harddrive using a normal seagate pc harddrive and if you want to play ps2 games buy a ps2 they are only £50 now so stop ****ging of sony you morners.
“europe”
Posted by: Kelly - Mar 26, 6:47pm
"People are buying PS3's in their millions."
Not as many as they're buying Nintedo Revolution or DS.
Some of the points made here are right; I've decided not to buy a PS3 because of the way Sony discriminates against UK and Europe.
You got that right! People who are likley to buy a ps3 are those who have previously owned a ps2 or ps1, i like many others was looking to upgrade to a ps3 but now that backwards compat has been removed, i'm having my doubts. There are so many great ps2 games i own and love that i want to play on (mgs3, resident evil 4 etc).
We europeans get treated like crap! We pay a lot more for a lot less! (smaller hdd, lack of backwards compat, waiting months after a game has been released in the usa to get it, HIGH PRICE!!!)
“Re: europe”
Posted by: Haha - Apr 14, 11:32am
I got the 80 GB So I'm pretty happy with the 800$ I spent on my ps3 controllers + games etc. THey need to get the last ones out of the stock house somehow right?