57w ago - This weekend retailers GameStop, Amazon (US) and Amazon (UK) have cut the price of the 160GB PlayStation 3 console from $249 to $199 (£159.99) leaving many wondering if an official Sony PS3 price drop is incoming.

To quote from PlayStationLifeStyle.net (linked above): "First GameStop cut the price of the PS3 by $50, then Amazon US, now Amazon UK has also dropped the price by a whopping £40 ($64).

If you live in the UK and have yet to get a PS3, be sure to pick one up now. If you don’t, then the deal should still be of interest to you - Amazon US and GameStop’s price cuts could be seen as simply a price war between the two retailers, but with Amazon UK now joining in on the discount, it does seem like retailers are discounting ahead of an E3 price drop, something that has happened in the past.

Michael Pachter previously said that Sony needed to cut the price of the PS3 to remain competitive in the US:

PS3 hardware sales should continue to lag those of the...

196w ago - Today PS3Center.net (linked above) reports that UK retailer ASDA has cut the price of the 80GB PlayStation 3, offering the console and 2 selected games for just £250.

Choice of games included are either LittleBigPlanet and Ghostbusters, Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 or Terminator and InFamous.

Swedish site DiscShop.se is now listing the PS3 Slim... noting that it's expected this fall and potential buyers should keep an eye out for updates on when pre-orders for the console will be available.

Finally, KokuGamer.com is reporting that an image (below) posted on Sony's European PlayStation boards shows a picture of a plastic case with a PS3 flyer in it saying "Pre Order Now. New PS3 Available September 2009. Limited Stock. $50 Despoit Require."

They speculate this is likely a new PS3 SKU, a brand new console altogether or even the rumored PS3 slim. We'll all know for certain this week as GamesCom commences.

197w ago - Following analyst Michael Pachter's prediction from earlier today comes another PS3 price cut ad leak... this time from Hastings, a Texas-based retailer.

According to the ad, the current stock of 160GB PS3s will be cut to $400, a $100 savings over the original.

In related news, CAG is reporting FYE is now selling 80GB PS3 consoles for $299, with the Uncharted bundle for $400.

To quote: Of potential importance is the phrasing: the ad mentions the PS3 is experiencing a "price cut" versus a temporary "sale." The cut begins September 8th, weeks after Sony's press conference at Gamescom.

The reduced price could be exclusive to Hastings, and isn't necessarily indicative of a nationwide price drop. However, a price drop on current PS3 models can clear inventory and make way for a possibly upgraded one.

197w ago - To confirm earlier reports of discontinued models and old stock drying up, today Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter stated in a Podcast that we're about to see a PS3 price cut and the introduction of a new hardware SKU.

To quote: "The retail commentary I've seen has come out of the UK. I have not seen at US retail. We heard Japanese retail a few weeks ago say they weren't going to be getting any more PS3s after August 8, and now we're starting to hear UK retail say they cannot re-order PS3s until month-end. And that suggests there'll be a model change."

He added: "If Sony's practice is the same as it was in the past, and the Slim is more of a redesign of the components to drive down cost, then I think we will get a price cut."

Only a few days to go until Sony's GamesCom keynote address in Cologne next Tuesday... then we'll all know for certain.

197w ago - Microsoft's XBox Exec Chris Lewis has said that a PS3 Slim announcement or possible PS3 price drop from Sony at Gamescom next week won't affect its plans, which are now widely expected to include a price drop of their own.

He goes on to say the XBox 360 is in a good place as industry braces for a double price cut.

To quote: "We are in a good place in terms of the value we offer," the Xbox EMEA VP told MCV.

"We have a plan and a rhythm we are marching to - and we won't be knocked off that cadence in terms of what the opposition might do."

Sony is believed to be preparing to unveil its brand new PS3 Slim next Tuesday at the Gamescom show in Germany.

In addition, MCV has been led to believe that Microsoft will be countering Sony's move with a price cut of its own - most likely scrapping the Pro Xbox 360 SKU and dropping the Elite 360 by £60 to £169.99.