80GB PS3 Hits Stores, 60GB PS3 Sees Sales Surge

Sony on Monday announced the immediate availability of the 80GB PlayStation 3 model, offering a free copy of off-road racing game MotorStorm to all buyers of the $599 USD game console. The new PS3 is nearly identical to the discontinued 60GB model, but features a larger hard drive and lacks the "Emotion Engine" chip used for supporting older PS2 titles.

Sony has dropped the price of the 60GB PS3 to $499 while supplies remain, and the company says the lower cost has brought about "a surge in sales." According to Sony, retail sales of the 60GB PS3 have jumped 113% compared to the four weeks prior to the price drop. Inventory of the 60GB PS3 is expected to be depleted by the fall, Sony added.