Sony is continuing on its quest to make its PS3 console the top-selling video game console in the world. It has a long way to go with Nintendo's Wii thoroughly trouncing both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in sales.
In July, the Nintendo Wii outsold both the Sony PS3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 in America. Nintendo sold 666,000 Wii consoles compared to 405,500 PS3's and 219,800 Xbox 360s. That was a marked increase in PS3 sales compared to May 2008 when the best the PS3 could do was tie the Xbox 360.
In an effort to increase sales, Sony has tried several tactics with its PS3 console from slashing prices to offering limited edition PS3 bundles. In July, Sony announced that it would be pricing the 80GB PS3 bundle at $399 and discontinuing the 40GB PS3 that had previously occupied $399 price point.
The most recent Sony PS3 special bundle was the limited edition gunmetal silver Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle. Sony announced its next limited-edition PS3 bundle today called the Uncharted: Drake's Fortune bundle featuring a new 160GB PS3 system.
Sony says the new bundle is slated to launch in November at $499.99 and will come bundled with the Uncharted: Drake's Fortune game, a PlayStation network voucher the downloadable game PAIN, and a DualShock 3 wireless controller.
President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Jack Tretton said in a statement, "As PLAYSTATION Network continues to evolve with our recently launched video delivery service and more exclusive games, PS3 owners are demanding more storage capacity. Consumers also are utilizing PS3 as an entertainment hub for their digital media, placing content such as their entire music collection on the hard drive. The 160GB PS3 system addresses this growing consumer demand in a compelling bundle that delivers significant value."
Sony also made an interesting announcement of a new Wireless Keypad accessory that attaches to the top of standard PS3 controllers at the Leipzig Games Convention. Sony says that the Wireless Keypad is paired to the PS3 by connecting it with the USB cable to the PS3 system. Once paired with the PS3 the keyboard connects to the PS3 with built-in Bluetooth.
One interesting feature of the keypad peripheral is a Touch Pad Button that allows the entire surface of the keyboard to be used as mouse pointer by sliding a finger over the surface of the keypad. The Wireless Keypad is compatible with both the Sixaxis and the DualShock 3 wireless controllers.
The keypad supports chat in PlayStation Home and has shortcut buttons on the bottom of the keypad that allow users to jump directly to features on the XMB (XrossMediaBar) like friends and Message Box during gameplay. The Wireless Keypad is powered by built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 610mAh capacity.
The keypad uses a QWERTY layout and adds approximately 60g of weight to controller. Sony says the new wireless keypad will be available in America in late November and will be introduced in Japan, Europe, and Asia by the end of the year. Pricing information is unknown at this time.