Latest TGS 2010 Highlights

Sony details 250GB FFXIII PS3 bundle, PSP community

TGS 2009: House of PlayStation lays out plans for Final Fantasy XIII pack-in, two new DualShock 3 colors, PSP RooM, and downloadable comics.

TOKYO--Though Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai didn't make any major announcements during his 2009 Tokyo Game Show address on Thursday, his company did…in the UK. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe revealed three 250GB bundles and a Britain-only PSP Go Rewards free-game download program.

After the UK announcements, Sony held its own event at TGS to unveil some Japan-specific initiatives. On the PlayStation 3 side, Sony laid out the details for the Final Fantasy XIII PS3 bundle. The Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Edition will include the game and a 250GB ceramic-white PS3 with a graphic of protagonist Lightning printed on the top (pictured). The bundle, priced at ¥41,600 ($461.76), will be released on FFXIII's launch date of December 17 in Japan.

The PlayStation 3 will also be getting more color options when it comes to the DualShock 3. In addition to the currently available colors--black, ceramic white, and satin silver--the company will begin offering the wireless controllers in two new hues: metallic blue and deep red. The new colors will be available in Japan starting October 29 for ¥5,500 ($61.05).

With the network-focused PSP Go's launch looming, Sony is prepping up its online content. First, Sony also took the TGS as an opportunity to announce RooM, an online community for the PSP. After a system update coming this winter in Japan, PSP owners will see a new "RooM for PlayStation Portable" icon on their PSP menus that will allow them to enjoy this new free online service. Users will be able to create their own 3D avatars and rooms, post blogs, and create albums to communicate with other PSP users. Users will be able to visit each other's rooms, as well as congregate and chat in groups. A closed beta test will begin starting today, September 24.

Sony is also bulking up the PS3 and PSP offerings on the Japanese PlayStation Store. The company is expanding its PlayStation Store video lineup to feature over 300 new titles, which include Terminator: Salvation and Harry Potter series selections. The full lineup hasn't been disclosed yet, but participating companies include Warner Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Bandai Visual, Pony Canyon, Marvelous Entertainment, and Media Factory. Music videos from Label Gate Co. will also be offered.

As announced at GamesCom in August, Sony will also offer digital comics downloads for the PSP starting in December. The comics will be available for download in the new "Comics" category within the PlayStation Store. The service will feature comics from a number of major publishers, including Shonen Jump's Shueisha, Shonen Sunday's Shogakukan, Shonen Magazine's Kodansha, and as somewhat expected, Square Enix. Some of the titles to be available in the lineup are Neon Genesis Evangelion, Lucky Star, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Soul Eater.

317 Comments

  • ecto69

    Posted Nov 15, 2010 4:51 pm GMT

    WOW if I would have only started earlier on my FF XIII guest this white PS3 very cool

  • BlackBaldwin

    Posted Aug 24, 2010 1:35 pm GMT

    *wonders if he could take his old ps3 in for this nice shiney one?*

  • el_loco84

    Posted Jul 12, 2010 11:45 am GMT

    you could have bought it on playasia.com they can get any video game that releases in japan before here just sometimes no subtitles obviously but I bought my white ps3 and it is sick so this might just be awesome ^^

  • darkraiders

    Posted Mar 23, 2010 3:21 pm GMT

    damn i bought a new 250gig ps3 just last months i should have waited 1 more months and buy this bundle bah i will try to import it anyway

  • InN3rChi011

    Posted Mar 21, 2010 10:55 pm GMT

    dumb for not releasing it in the u.s b.c it would sell.

  • PersonaIV

    Posted Feb 1, 2010 9:56 am GMT

    when is this version coming to the US, btw how much will it cost???

    PLZ someone answer me!!

  • RitterXplode

    Posted Jan 4, 2010 5:30 pm GMT

    PS3 will beat the crap out of the other consoles this year.

  • NinoSwaG

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 6:12 pm GMT

    I already have a ps3 but dang...this makes me want to get another one!

  • Ibzu

    Posted Dec 27, 2009 7:51 pm GMT

    Looks Awesome!

  • Sasutos

    Posted Dec 24, 2009 6:03 am GMT

    Sony sure is raking in the money, with awesome things like this

  • kuda001

    Posted Dec 21, 2009 2:46 pm GMT

    Nice.

  • Unabomber256

    Posted Dec 21, 2009 2:16 am GMT

    USA can haz 250 gig lightning edition?

  • xialon

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 6:11 pm GMT

    Its so beautiful...

  • hollowfaith

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 8:28 am GMT

    Man, I wished I lived in Japan. They get all the cool stuff...

  • Nodashi

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 6:06 am GMT

    Hm, there's a pink blur on your PS3, maybe you should clean it? And not eat over your console again?

  • ogio2003

    Posted Dec 19, 2009 8:59 pm GMT

    Um, does anybody have a towel?

  • Toysoldier34

    Posted Dec 18, 2009 6:30 pm GMT

    why dont we get more systems to choose from? what happened to nintendos multicolored wii?

  • Kmda3

    Posted Dec 18, 2009 3:14 pm GMT

    That is an effing sexy ps3

  • Myault

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 2:30 pm GMT

    I don't realy care much about the color I still wanna get it.
    I have an 80 gig ps3 so i'll be upgrading and i'll be getinng FF XIII with the bundle so I see it as a win win.

  • ChidoriBoyU

    Posted Oct 18, 2009 4:11 am GMT

    i don't really care i just hope SE doesn't screw up