http://www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/kmart580ps2.jpg

A single source at a Kmart has sent us images that the PS2 will be promoted for $99.99 starting April 5. This source has given us reliable retail information in the past and does not believe this is a sale, but the new price for the nearly decade-old, DVD-enabled console. The last-gen juggernaut currently retails for $129.99.

Our source also checked for a PS3 price cut -- following industry rumors that one is incoming -- but found no evidence in the Kmart system at this time.

source (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/rumor-ps2-dropping-to-100-around-april-5/)

people are still buying ps2s? for what?

people are still buying ps2s? for what?
to rplace their dead ones since they have so many games.

people are still buying ps2s? for what?

Because they want too.

Cause I wouldn't pay $250+ for a PS3? ;)

Cause I wouldn't pay $250+ for a PS3? ;)

i thought they were already down to $100? I bought a silver slim one at target about a year ago for $99, pretty much just so i could play god of war I and II. Best $99 i ever spent, even though that was the only two games i played on it.

Sigh. PS3 will never reach it's full potential until they stop supporting the PS2. They need to dump it already, but it's still too profitable.

They need to dump it already, but it's still too profitable.

There's the key right there....no point in stopping if you're still making money.

Dammit... I really thought I read "PS3" for a second there... :(

that blows all the excitement out of maybe getting a ps3 for $299, there's still some hope.have to wait till tomorrow. i really would think about it if it came down even though id rather have an xbox.

of course they will lower the price of the ps2 when they lower the ps3.

Dammit... I really thought I read "PS3" for a second there... :(


Seriously? :lol: I know there have been a million "PS3 price drop" threads recently so that's natural, but the PS3 at $100 will be around April 5, 20never.

Sigh. PS3 will never reach it's full potential until they stop supporting the PS2. They need to dump it already, but it's still too profitable.

Removing BC screwed the PS3 huge. Now consumers are faced with the following decision:
"I have a library of 20-30 games I like pretty well for the PS2. I don't game a ton and Blu-Ray doesn't appeal to me yet (cost per video is still high, as are burners and media). I can either pay ~$100 to continue on with my PS2 library or I can shell out $400 for the new system and orphan 20-30 games I like, 4-5 of which are my favorites I still play often."

It's pretty easy to see why a casual gamer would consider sticking with the PS2. Now if you gave them the decision of paying $400 to support their favorite older games AND get the new system... that decision sits easier. I will probably buy a PS3 at some point, but I would already own one if they put a $400 model out there with HW emulation. Of course, that probably isn't financially viable.

uh oh - ive been trying to sell my slim junks for 80 bucks
i better put it on craigslist quick!

Removing BC screwed the PS3 huge. Now consumers are faced with the following decision:
"I have a library of 20-30 games I like pretty well for the PS2. I don't game a ton and Blu-Ray doesn't appeal to me yet (cost per video is still high, as are burners and media). I can either pay ~$100 to continue on with my PS2 library or I can shell out $400 for the new system and orphan 20-30 games I like, 4-5 of which are my favorites I still play often."

It's pretty easy to see why a casual gamer would consider sticking with the PS2. Now if you gave them the decision of paying $400 to support their favorite older games AND get the new system... that decision sits easier. I will probably buy a PS3 at some point, but I would already own one if they put a $400 model out there with HW emulation. Of course, that probably isn't financially viable.


Agreed. BC was never a concern for me personally, but I see tons of people that mention it as a want. Probably not a good move by Sony, but I think they were doing anything they could at the time to drop the costs associated w/ the console.

people are still buying ps2s? for what?

To use as sandbags in Fargo, ND.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aXP90PAf8YXU&refer=us

Removing BC screwed the PS3 huge. Now consumers are faced with the following decision:
"I have a library of 20-30 games I like pretty well for the PS2. I don't game a ton and Blu-Ray doesn't appeal to me yet (cost per video is still high, as are burners and media). I can either pay ~$100 to continue on with my PS2 library or I can shell out $400 for the new system and orphan 20-30 games I like, 4-5 of which are my favorites I still play often."

It's pretty easy to see why a casual gamer would consider sticking with the PS2. Now if you gave them the decision of paying $400 to support their favorite older games AND get the new system... that decision sits easier. I will probably buy a PS3 at some point, but I would already own one if they put a $400 model out there with HW emulation. Of course, that probably isn't financially viable.

Who owns ps2 games but not a ps2 already?

I don't think Haast said anything about owning ps2 games without owning a ps2. His point was that people who own ps2s and play them may not be as quick to buy a ps3 if they can't use it to also play ps2 games. His reference to "$100 to continue on with my PS2 library" probably just meant one now has the option of just buying a new ps2 and using that, rather than shelling out for a ps3.

Frankly I think he really hit the nail on the head.

I love my ps2 games and if I can't play them on the ps3, that kills it for me.

I don't think Haast said anything about owning ps2 games without owning a ps2. His point was that people who own ps2s and play them may not be as quick to buy a ps3 if they can't use it to also play ps2 games. His reference to "$100 to continue on with my PS2 library" probably just meant one now has the option of just buying a new ps2 and using that, rather than shelling out for a ps3.

Frankly I think he really hit the nail on the head.

I love my ps2 games and if I can't play them on the ps3, that kills it for me.

"I can either pay ~$100 to continue on with my PS2 library or I can shell out $400 for the new system and orphan 20-30 games I like, 4-5 of which are my favorites I still play often."

Why would they be orphaned then? Why would they have to shell out ~$100 to continue playing ps2 games if they do not already own a ps2?

There is no law that say you can only have one or the other is there?

"I can either pay ~$100 to continue on with my PS2 library or I can shell out $400 for the new system and orphan 20-30 games I like, 4-5 of which are my favorites I still play often."

Why would they be orphaned then? Why would they have to shell out ~$100 to continue playing ps2 games if they do not already own a ps2?

There is no law that say you can only have one or the other is there?


He was talking about people who had boken PS2s.

"I can either pay ~$100 to continue on with my PS2 library or I can shell out $400 for the new system and orphan 20-30 games I like, 4-5 of which are my favorites I still play often."

Why would they be orphaned then? Why would they have to shell out ~$100 to continue playing ps2 games if they do not already own a ps2?

There is no law that say you can only have one or the other is there?

Yeah, I should have clarified. I meant as people's PS2s get older and stop working, they are faced with the decision previously described.

Sometimes I wish I had jumped on the 60GB with HW BC; $500 to $600 was a tough pill to swallow though, especially since the PS3 was young then and its games library was still thin (it is much better now). I think you'd see a herd of PS3 adopters if $400 with HW BC was offered. It's too bad the technology hasn't commoditized to that level yet. SW BC is usually too shaky for my liking, but if they really nailed it I would consider it.

Who owns ps2 games but not a ps2 already?


i have about 20 or so ps2 games and no ps2....

gave it to my ex.. kept the 360 lol....

honest truth is i wont buy a ps3 until i find a good one with BC (currently looking for a 60gb @ 350 or less in great condition)

so yes people may have dead ones..

i would have bought a 80gb if it had it.. so sony screwed itself out of a "new system" sale

I'm still pretty convinced that people complaining about the dropped BC are a vocal minority.

i wonder why the ps3 with bc was the most sought after....... BC is a big deal period.

i don't

BC is pretty important for consoles to succeed...the show PlayValue pretty much convinced me of that. you can look at history and the lines of succession for BC to see how it was almost a requirement. seems that console developers always forget that, much like how they forget that graphics isn't the final word (i'm looking at MS and Sony here) and having a cockfight over it will just let the wimpy kid on the block dominate the market.

BC is pretty important for consoles to succeed...the show PlayValue pretty much convinced me of that. you can look at history and the lines of succession for BC to see how it was almost a requirement. seems that console developers always forget that, much like how they forget that graphics isn't the final word (i'm looking at MS and Sony here) and having a cockfight over it will just let the wimpy kid on the block dominate the market.
i got a launch 60gb console
I never use the BC on the PS3.
Makes all the PS2 games look like crap anyway.

I think we had a poll before, but too lazy to dig it out. But those who have BC consoles don't seem to use it much. Its those who don't have a PS3 that seem to complain the most about BC, follow by some who have non BC consoles. Majority of owners of the PS3 im sure don't play PS2 games.

I wonder how this affects the sale of the 120GB PS3 now since for $500, you can get an 80GB PS3+PS2. Functionally it's better than the 80GB PS3 with BC.

i got a launch 60gb console
I never use the BC on the PS3.
Makes all the PS2 games look like crap anyway.

I think we had a poll before, but too lazy to dig it out. But those who have BC consoles don't seem to use it much. Its those who don't have a PS3 that seem to complain the most about BC, follow by some who have non BC consoles. Majority of owners of the PS3 im sure don't play PS2 games.

If you look at the macro indicators, such as continued high PS2 sales numbers and high demand for launch 60GB consoles, HW BC appears to be important to PS3 owners and people potentially interested in a PS3.

I still to this day use the BC on my PS2 several times a year to replay a few PSX classics (such as FF7, MGS, etc.). It's not that people want to use BC every day; I agree that most PS3 users play PS3 games the vast majority of the time. It's the peace of mind knowing you aren't orphaning a few older favorites. It alleviates concerns and makes the purchasing decision easier. Some people will want HW BC at purchase time and find they never use it. But it was still important to their purchase decision. You have to separate that from the behaviors after purchase.

With how right Sony does the PS2 it's a shame they screw up the PS3 every chance they get.

With how right Sony does the PS2 it's a shame they screw up the PS3 every chance they get.

My thoughts exactly.

Every analyst in the industry has been saying that the PS3 needs another price drop for over a year now, but Sony just ignores them.

It's really too bad. :(

My thoughts exactly.

Every analyst in the industry has been saying that the PS3 needs another price drop for over a year now, but Sony just ignores them.

It's really too bad. :(

True but a price cut will cut deeper into Sony's pockets. I can understand why they are hesitant to cut the price on a product they are already losing money on.

Please dont get me wrong, Sony has no one but themselves to blame for the situation that they are in but I dont necessarily think its soley from the price of the machine. For what you get, I think the PS3 is reasonably priced.

The problem is that the average consumer doesnt know that the PS3 is a good value because they Sony doesnt tell them about all the cool things a PS3 can do. Sony also doesnt seem to care about educating consumers about the "value" of their console vs competitors, instead going for big budget "slick" looking commercials that grab your attention but really do nothing to further consumer knowledge on their product. As much as I hate Apple, their commercials and ads are very well done (and seemingly inexpensive).

Sony also played cocky due to the success of the PS2. They didnt think they needed exclusives like GTA and RE because they banked on those owners of the PS2 to just come flocking to the PS3 because Sony is well, Sony. They let a lot of titles that could have been exclusive go multiplatform. Pure arrogance on their part.

When you combine the higher price, lack of product education (due to failed marketing) and lack of exclusive titles, Sony has no one but themselves to blame when average consumers pick the 360 over the PS3. I play my 360 a lot more (due to Live) but firmly believe that the PS3 is a better machine.

The above is just my opinion of course.

i got a launch 60gb console
I never use the BC on the PS3.
Makes all the PS2 games look like crap anyway.

I think we had a poll before, but too lazy to dig it out. But those who have BC consoles don't seem to use it much. Its those who don't have a PS3 that seem to complain the most about BC, follow by some who have non BC consoles. Majority of owners of the PS3 im sure don't play PS2 games.
the PS2 games don't look like crap anymore with the more recent updates...you should try playing ps2 games now. you may be surprised.

it might not even be how you use it, but how the consumer can justify it in their own minds when they're deciding whether they want to purchase a new expensive machine. much more easily justifiable if you know that you could always use it if your old machine had problems.

here are the episode I talked about: http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/play-value/down-the-memory-hole. There's also Part Two. I can't remember which one talked about BC over history. Very entertaining, short series.

the PS2 games don't look like crap anymore with the more recent updates...you should try playing ps2 games now. you may be surprised.

it might not even be how you use it, but how the consumer can justify it in their own minds when they're deciding whether they want to purchase a new expensive machine. much more easily justifiable if you know that you could always use it if your old machine had problems.

here are the episode I talked about: http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/play-value/down-the-memory-hole. There's also Part Two. I can't remember which one talked about BC over history. Very entertaining, short series.
and again i'd say its more to the fact people are "upset" they missing a feature than they'd actually USE the feature. And its an excuse for fanboys to argue against the console.
Example would be the 360, it has BC capabilities, but i can say the BC emulation is pretty crappy. Lots of games have horrible lag/translations, needing a HD and an internet connection to d/l the support for the game, but you don't hear that much made about the BC, because its not something people want to "pick" on, they just use the RROD or lack of WiFi for arguments.

.....I would definitely get another one if they went really cheap.....

and again i'd say its more to the fact people are "upset" they missing a feature than they'd actually USE the feature. And its an excuse for fanboys to argue against the console.
Example would be the 360, it has BC capabilities, but i can say the BC emulation is pretty crappy. Lots of games have horrible lag/translations, needing a HD and an internet connection to d/l the support for the game, but you don't hear that much made about the BC, because its not something people want to "pick" on, they just use the RROD or lack of WiFi for arguments.

I'll try to be less wordy.

You are attacking the wrong issue. The point is moot whether or not people use the feature after buying the system. The issue for Sony is getting units into customer's hands.

If people have it in their head that HW BC is important and that it sways their buying decision, then it is important. Whether or not they use it after is irrelevant to the buying decision itself.

Also, from what I've heard XB360 BC is terrible. Then again, you can get a 360 for $200, so there is a lower barrier to entry. Then again, I don't have a library of XB games to support (or a 360 for that matter), so I'll leave the analysis of 360 BC to someone else.