Sony Drops 20GB and 60GB PS3 Models In Japan

Tokyo (dbTechno) - Sony has made the announcement that they have discontinued shipments of the 20GB model and the 60GB model of the PS3 in Japan.

The 20GB and 60GB model have only been available in Japan for just months but Sony has already pulled the plug on them in favor of the 40GB model only which does not have any type of backwards compatibility in any way.

Sony stated in a press release “Along with both the increased efforts to improve software development environment and the availability of a more extensive line-up of software titles for PS3, SCEI will vigorously promote the expansion of the PS3 platform by further concentrating on the 40GB HDD (CECHH00 Series) model introduced in November 2007, equipped with the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system while realizing lower power consumption.”

The console originally launched in Japan on November 11, 2006 and the final shipment for the 60GB and 20GB PS3 is scheduled to take place in January 2008.

The sales of the consoles from this point forward will be from whatever stock is left on shelves.
This leaves Japan with just the 40GB PS3, with no backwards compatibility support and less USB ports as well.