Australia to miss out on 160GB PS3

  • By James Kozanecki, GameSpot AU
  • Posted Aug 21, 2008 9:29 am GMT

Sony Australia rep says new "limited edition" PS3 version won't be made available down under; confirms PSP-3000 price locally, LittleBigPlanet and PlayTV release date.

Overnight at the Leipzig Games Convention, Sony made a batch of announcements, including the introduction of a new 160GB PlayStation 3 version. Although the latest hardware revision to the PS3 will be made available in North America and Europe, Australians hoping to pick up the console will be bitterly disappointed.

A spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment Australia told GameSpot AU that the new PS3 was a "limited-edition SKU across all PAL territories that we haven't been able to make available for Australian consumers." He also added that, "Any consumers who want more space, the option's still available to purchase a notebook drive and upgrade."

In the US, the 160GB PS3 will ship in November for $499 and will come packaged with a copy of Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, a Dual Shock 3 controller, and a voucher for the PSN game PAIN. Those in Europe will be getting the bundle on Halloween for an RRP of €449, and it comes with €70 worth of "additional downloadable" content.

For the time being, Aussies will have to make do with the upcoming 80GB PS3, which was dated last Friday. The 80G PS3s, which will replace the 40GB units, will go on sale on August 28 for A$699 ($609.42) and will ship with a Dual Shock 3 controller.

The PS3 wasn't the only console to get a hardware revision overnight, given that Sony announced the long-rumoured PSP-3000. As well as packing the slimmer build of the current PSP-2000, the 3000 will feature a built-in microphone and updated LCD display, which will allow for crisper colours when used outside. The PSP-3000 will be coming to Australia on October 16 and will retail for A$299.95 ($260.73) as a stand-alone. Interestingly, the new PSP will retail for A$20 more than the current PSP-2000, which is currently selling for $279.95 ($243.31).

In other Sony Australia news, it's been confirmed that LittleBigPlanet will be getting its local release on October 28, a week and a half after the European launch on October 19. There's no word from Sony on whether Aussies will be receiving a preorder pack similar to the US, which features in-game SackBoy Kratos (from God of War) and SackGirl Nariko (from Heavenly Sword).

Sony's PlayTV add-on for the PS3 has also received an updated local-release period, with Sony now saying that it's due out in "early 2009." The service is expected to arrive in the UK on September 19, and the rest of Europe can expect it later in the year.

Although Aussie PS3 owners have been able to download music videos for a while now, they've been restricted to Sony BMG Australia artists such as Shannon Noll and TV Rock. From "early 2009," Sony will be partnering up with one of the largest online music-video providers, VidZone, to bring music clips to the PlayStation 3. VidZone will be accessible via the XMB and can stream music clips to the PS3 for free.

The final hardware announcement confirmed by PlayStation Australia is that Aussies will also be receiving the new wireless keypad for the PS3. Unfortunately, no firm release date has been given, other than "before the end of the year."

51 Comments

  • Normaral85

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 3:44 am GMT

    Really never did matter when it comes to PS3 cause switchin out the hard drive is as easy as fryin an egg, lol.

  • vishawn

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 9:56 pm GMT

    Isn't Australia the country that the PS3 sells best in?

  • vishawn

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 9:55 pm GMT

    I pray for Australia gamers. (sad)

  • akiwak

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 9:52 am GMT

    I feel sorry for the blockes there...

  • nomis11

    Posted Aug 30, 2008 12:56 am GMT

    i can agree with that... it does suck... A LOT

  • killkill3

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 3:00 pm GMT

    Living in Australia must suck with its bullsh!t over 15 censoring policy and loads of sh!t not even being released there

  • Krammin

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 4:28 pm GMT

    No Biggie.

  • Ionizer23

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 1:05 am GMT

    BOOO!!!

  • Devvy01

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 12:17 am GMT

    this is stupid, most of these things are made just across the water from us, and we miss out.

  • Nitronic12

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 7:12 pm GMT

    If there's no difference in the hardware between the consoles, then I'd eagerly get an 80gig PS3.

  • Judza

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 4:21 pm GMT

    I didn't know Sony would be so eager to throw potential money down the toilet so quickly.

    Ah well, as others have pointed out, it's cheaper to import and change your HDD anyway. By the time the Sony reps decide to release it down here, they'll have lost so much potential business that it WILL be throwing money down the toilet if they decide to release it at a later date.

  • langrisser2005

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 3:32 pm GMT

    i guess we all will just have to wait until the 320gb PS3's are out for the rest of the world before they decide to give us this 160gb eh? >_>

  • camian69

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 10:15 pm GMT

    Strange this...looking on the PSN store it says for Australia and New Zealand too. Good one Sony

  • FloSSiE_RuLz

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 8:35 pm GMT

    is the 160gb ps3 comming out in EU and US backwards compatible cauz if it is ill buy one from ebay or something
    i hate it when we miss out

  • kaspor

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 7:25 pm GMT

    8ogb ps3 for australia has no backwards compatabilty with ps2 games

  • chris_yz80

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 7:11 pm GMT

    xXrebel666Xx

    actually that would be nintendo, not microsoft

  • lancebalog

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 5:59 pm GMT

    isnt the new 80gb ps3 model thats about to come out have the backwards compatability with both ps1 and ps2 games like the 80gb model in the US?

    cause thats the only reason id wait it out and get that, unless they hockey pucked us over that too.

  • sonic0491

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 7:15 am GMT

    HAHAHA 'shafted'



    xXrebel666Xx

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 10:49 pm AEST

    It's cool, we're used to getting shafted when it comes to video games in Aus. All game publishers and developers do the same thing to us, Microsoft would have to be the worst though when it comes to shafting Aussies.

  • xXrebel666Xx

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 5:49 am GMT

    It's cool, we're used to getting shafted when it comes to video games in Aus. All game publishers and developers do the same thing to us, Microsoft would have to be the worst though when it comes to shafting Aussies.

  • EricaWildebeest

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 5:22 am GMT

    YAY! Little Big Planet comes out on my birthday!!!

  • tmack20

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 4:40 am GMT

    sounds great.
    Can't wait for PlayTV.......
    even though i have a HDD recorder

  • p00phead

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 1:53 am GMT

    better of getting a bigger hard drive from a pc store its pretty cheap

  • benboz

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 11:48 pm GMT

    Dam u Sony, you give us crap all the time, no wonder i got the Xbox 360.

  • lil_bad_boy561

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 11:25 pm GMT

    this is why i wont buy a ps3 becouse sony give us aussies crap left over from everywear els

  • metalisticpain

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 10:21 pm GMT

    640gb hdd is like $90...

  • imprezawrx500

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 8:31 pm GMT

    will I'll just have to get the 40gb and stick in a 500gb hdd then, something sony wont do for a long time. thanks sony for ripping us off like usual

  • moabboy

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 5:39 pm GMT

    Like someone said here before, they would have only ripped us with the 160Gb version anyway. Drakes can be found for A$44, a 160Gb HDD can be found for A$70 and you can import a DS3 for $50. Combined, it would be cheaper to do that than pay Sony for a "limited edition". Fight the great Aussie rip-off with piracy/importing!

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 11:06 am GMT

    What's the problem? Anyone can switch their HDD out at any time. I have a 60gb and haven't filled it up yet, and if I were really inclined to take advantage of downloading lousy movies, I'd pick up a 500gb SATA HDD. Especially since there are still backwards compatible models floating around out there if you look hard enough, I don't know why you'd even consider a 160gb model.

    Anyway, October looks to be a great month for games... LBP and Bioshock on the same day and Fallout 3 a week later? At that rate, who has TIME for movie DLs?

  • frazzle00

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 6:45 am GMT

    I own a 360, a Wii and a PS3 and live (unfortunately) in a PAL region. In terms of content we get shafted by all 3 companies although having said that MS seem to be the best when it comes to releasing their XBLA content worldwide. The local store and the US store aren't too different. The same can't be said about either the Virtual Console or the PlayStation Network. Only recently Street Fighter Alpha was released in the US PSN store. There is however absolutely no news about when (or even if) it will ever be released in other regions. We do however have the *excellent* Street Skater and Judge Dred to keep us occupied. F**k you very much Sony .

  • Zythyl

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 5:08 am GMT

    This is apalling. Although I don't own a PS3, I remember when the XBox was releasing the extended marketplace for US customers only, even though they paid the same as Aussie customers.

    Now this; Sony denying Aussie cows the right to a purchase that should be made available to all territories - for the sake of sales and fanbase support.

    As a game developer myself, I am surprised and disgusted at this move.

  • charlie650

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 4:11 am GMT

    just as this one gets released ebgames in WA ar bringing in 80GB ps3!! -What a cover up!!

  • charlie650

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 4:10 am GMT

    just as this one gets released ebgames in WA ar bringing in 80GB ps3!!

  • D-Camo

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 3:36 am GMT

    Damn...I'm moving there next year.

    I guess I will buy the console in my country and take it with me to Australia.

  • Darth_Homer

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 3:16 am GMT

    God that sucks.

  • Wuflungdung

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 3:13 am GMT

    Does sony actually want to sell more PS3's and make money?

  • Nintendo_Man

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 3:07 am GMT

    what about me? it isn't fair

  • sonic2010

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:53 am GMT

    this isn't good. no for australia means no for newzealand. just great.

  • the-very-best

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:51 am GMT

    ANOTHER PS3 SKU?

    Really? The other 10 weren't enough? Seriously, Sony: Stop making new SKUs and start making more games for your system. As for the PSP, GREAT idea making the new version more expensive than what's at retail now. That's really gonna sell more units. Cause more expensive = more sales. I like how Sony thinks.

  • choasgod

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:47 am GMT

    Umm why are people upset? The 160gb PS3 would of been around $900 here... and no one would of bought one.

    The 80gb PS3 is plenty of space for us ... and if you really need a larger hard drive you can buy 320gb or 500gb drives ...

  • monkeyd_93

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:45 am GMT

    judging by the pattern we'll get the 160GB when the rest of the world get the 320GB, why you always rip us off gaming world why

  • sauron901

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:29 am GMT

    omfg, geez i live in aus and this is getting really annoying, they take the 160 gb and 120gb out and omfg look wat we aussies get the 40 crappy gb and the 80, they cant even run ps2 games

    lol,XD

  • plainelmo

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:26 am GMT

    I already got one, but hte fact that they missed our market, I kind of feel shafted

  • XTRENTx0

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:23 am GMT

    Australia gets ripped off again

  • jasopan

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:19 am GMT

    Oh great, when i finally decided which version to get it aint available in australia....great

  • langrisser2005

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:14 am GMT

    160gb? this is just getting dumb now - what is this? battle of the bigger hd space now? cant complain as long as the price doesn't go any higher

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