The PlayStation 2 was put through a rigorous workout regimen in order to become a slimmer model in recent years, a move that resulted in increased sales for the aging console and more than a few second glances from promiscuous youngsters. Now, on the verge of its third year anniversary, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has announced that the PlayStation 3 will be doing the same.
Set to land more gracefully on store shelves on September 1, the PlayStation 3 Slim model features a much more streamlined form factor, making it roughly 33% smaller than the original PlayStation 3, with a 120GB hard disk drive, and a very enticing price point of $299. And yes, that’s Canadian dollars, folks. Furthermore, existing PlayStation 3 models, known now as The Fatties, will see a price reduction as well. The 80GB fatty is forthwith available for $299 Canadian, and the 160GB model is available for $399 Canadian. But why spend money on those, when a little patience will earn you an unforgettable evening with a younger, slimmer model? Unfortunately, one thing that the PlayStation Slim model still lacks is the true backwards compatibility found in the early 60GB fatties.
With some blockbuster titles lined up for this Fall, such as Uncharted 2 and Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, this new model and price drop could result in a banner year for Sony’s black box. With a well-established and growing library of great games, built-in Blu-ray disc playback, and a free online service, there has never been a more attractive time to grab a PlayStation 3.
Richard Mitchell is a video game addict living in Toronto. He has been gaming for more than two decades, and despite multiple interventions, continues to game today. He has an Xbox 360, a PS3, a Wii, a Nintendo DS, a gaming PC, and a life, and does his best to juggle them all. 
Will those still be coming out this year? I thought games don’t come out in 2009 anymore.
I’m still happy with my old 60G, with its emotion chip (or whatever they called it). It still decodes DTS-HD MA, and I use it as my SACD player. My receiver also decodes DTS-HD MA, and it would be nice to have the option of letting it do the decoding, but I likes my SACDs, so even if I had a choice between this new slim and my old fattie, I’d stick with the fattie.