Sony PS3 Slim Breaks Record in Japan

We knew that it was only a matter of time. Analysts and game developers kept telling Sony how expensive their PS3 console was, and they finally listened. Just a couple of weeks ago Sony announced the new Playstation 3 Slim system with a newer low price of just $299. This news also had a ripple effect where it reached Japan. The PS3 Slim is priced at 29,980 Yen in Japan according to this Internet report.

No sales data has been released yet for North America, but in Japan the popularity of the Playstation 3 just got a whole lot better. During the first week of sale, the Sony PS3 Slim sold 150,832 game systems. This is the highest week to week sales ever, since the introduction of the PS3 in 2006. These are the highest sales ever for a one week period for the PS3 in Japan. There have been other prices cuts in countries around the world.

What will this mean for Nintendo?

Microsoft followed up with a price cut of their own. The Xbox 360 is now competing with the Playstation 3 at the same price point of $299. Nintendo refused to make any changes to the price of their Wii after the two competitors dropped their prices. If this trend continues in Japan, and is currently happening in the United States, the Playstation 3 will continue to gain momentum on the Nintendo Wii.

The Playstation 3 Slim is a lot smaller than the original model, as it cut the size down by about 33%. It also uses 34 percent less power than the original model of the PS3. Sony also has a free Internet Web browser available for their system. Nintendo did make a small change during the last week. The Wii Browser was being sold for $5.00 through the download shop channel, however, Nintendo has now since reduced the price to free. The browser was initially free, then they charged $5.00 for it, and now its back to being free again.

With no response from the #1 console currently on the market which is the Nintendo Wii, the Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 will continue to generate good sales. If the momentum keeps up for the Playstation 3, its possible Sony could de-throne the king of consoles this generation. Could it happen as soon as next year? It certainly looks like a possibility. Come this time next year, Sony might be the king of video game systems once again.