Sony "Classic White" 160GB PS3 Slim outed; black PS3 gets 320GB HDD boost

Sony Japan has outed their latest PS3 models, packing either 160GB or a new 320GB hard-drive, and now with more choice in color too.  The PS3 CECH-2500 will drop on July 29th 2010 in Japan, available with the 160GB HDD in either original "charcoal black" or new "classic white", accompanied by a black-only 320GB version.

Otherwise the hardware specifications are the same, which means you get Blu-ray playback, PlayStation Plus access and the usual gaming support, together with media streaming.  The 160GB model – in black or white – starts at 29,980 yen ($342) while the 320GB model – in black only – starts at 34,980 yen ($400).  No word on a launch anywhere outside of Japan, however.

Press Release:

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN TO INTRODUCE

PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) WITH 160GB AND 320 GB HARD DISK DRIVE

Available from July 29, 2010 at a Recommended Retail Price of

29,980 yen and 34,980 yen respectively

Tokyo, July 6, 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ), a division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. responsible for business operation in Japan, today announced that the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system (CECH-2500 series) with 160GB and 320GB hard disk drive (HDD) will become available on July 29, 2010 in Japan at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 29,980 yen and 34,980 yen (including tax) respectively. As an additional color to the popular "Charcoal Black," the 160GB PS3 system will come in "Classic White." DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller and Vertical Stand for the PS3 system will also come in this new color on the same day in Japan at a RRP of 5,500 yen and 2,000 yen (including tax) respectively. Additionally, SCEJ will introduce a "PlayStation®3 Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Recorder Pack," that comprises the 160GB PS3 system (body color: "Charcoal Black") and "torne," digital terrestrial tuner and application. The special bundle pack will become available together with the release of the new PS3 systems as a limited offer at a RRP of 36,980 yen (including tax). In conjunction with the release of the new systems, the company also announced that starting from July 7, 2010, the current PS3 system (CECH- 2100A)* currently available at a RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax) will become open price.

The new PS3 systems will continue to offer the cutting-edge features and functions of the current models, such as the ability to enjoy high-definition Blu-rayTM disc (BD) movies and games, as well as stereoscopic 3D games, various content and services downloadable through the network. Increasing the PS3's storage size to 160GB and 320GB, PS3 allows users to store more interactive entertainment content and services including TV programs recorded by using "torne" and more downloadable content from PlayStation®Network.

The cumulative number of registered accounts on PlayStation Network in Japan has exceeded 5 million as of May, 2010. Users are able to enjoy a broad range of on-line content and services, including basic features of on-line gaming, video chat, text messaging and PlayStation®Home with other users on-line, as well as downloading games and video content from PlayStation®Store. Also from June 29, 2010, PlayStation®Plus, a new subscription service package on PlayStation Network, has become available for PlayStation® users, offering more exciting entertainment content and services available from PlayStation Store.

Exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from third party developers and publishers along with SCE Worldwide Studios, including "White Knight Chronicle" available on July 8 from SCE, "JIKKYOU PAWAFURU PUROYAKYU 2010" available on July 15 from Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., "ModNation Racers" available on July 29 from SCE, "Sengoku BASARA: Samurai Heroes" available on July 29 from Capcom Co., Ltd. and "Another Century's Episode:R" available on August 19 from NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.

SCEJ vigorously continues to expand the PS3 platform along with a vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content with the new models.

* The PS3 system with 250GB HDD is a limited offer, and a RRP of this model is unchanged.