Yesterday, Tokyo Game Show (TGS) kicked off with a Sony press conference (check our liveblog here). Although much of the information presented was stuff we already were aware of, there was at least one surprise. At the very start of the show it was revealed that there was indeed a new PS3 model. This was rumored with pictures and copyright filings a while back and it turns out they were absolutely true. Now that we know that this new slimmer PS3 is real, Director of Hardware Marketing John Koller has posted to the PlayStation.Blog about it.

Just like was stated during TGS, the system will come in two models. These models are a 250GB version and 500GB. If you've got your eye on the smaller capacity system it will cost you $270 at launch. It will also only initially be available as part of a bundle. This set includes Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception: Game of the Year Edition, as well as $30 of credit to spend in the free-to-play game Dust 514. This PS3 will be out on September 25th.

Picking up the 500GB bundle, according to Joystiq, costs a little more at $300 and also will launch only as a bundle. That set will feature Assassin's Creed III but that's all being said right now. Both the 250GB and 500GB bundles are also limited editions, so once they're gone we should expect to see un-bundled systems pop up. Either way, this set will show up on store shelves come October 30th.

In regards to the system itself it is "20% smaller and 25% lighter than the current PS3." This is a reference to the Slim model in case you were wondering. One point that has been made so far is it's hard to tell exactly where the disc goes in this system revision. Well, it's still there regardless of whether it is now a tray, top loader, or slot. As long as there's some disc drive then gamers shouldn't be fussed.


Does this new, even slimmer PS3 entice you?