40Gb PlayStation 3 is confirmed

After months of speculation, Sony has finally confirmed that it will release the cheaper 40Gb PlayStation 3 console in the UK on October 10.

The lower spec £299 system, which has already been confirmed for release in the US, will work with all current PS3 games, but it is not PS2 backwards-compatible, features only two USB 2.0 ports and it will not include the multi-memory card port.

The introduction of the revised machine comes as a result of user feedback from gamers expressing what they want from the PS3 and their concerns over its high price point. Sony states that backwards compatability has been removed as it is something that means less to later buyers of PS3.

“As we approach our very first PlayStation 3 Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value,” said SCE UK managing director Ray Maguire.

“We have a brand new 40GB machine that represents an excellent entry point into the world of High Definition games and movies, and we have the fully-featured 60GB machine being offered with two next-generation gaming experiences at a highly competitive price.”

President of SCEE David Reeves added: “The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners."