When the Sony PlayStation 3 first hit the market back in 2006, it was a revolutionary console that paved the way for an era of gaming powerhouses. Over the years, there have been multiple iterations of PS3, and recently, Sony unveiled their latest upgrade: the super slim PlayStation 3. In this review, we take a closer look at the new design and its features, but one thing to note is that the slimming down doesn’t extend to the price tag.

Design:

The most significant difference between the original PS3 and this super slim version is, as the name suggests, in its size. The super slim sports a smaller and lighter design, taking up less space under your TV—a perfect fit for minimalist gaming enthusiasts or those with limited room. While retaining its sleek black aesthetic with subtle curves, the new model measures about 11.42 x 2.36 x 9.05 inches and weighs approximately 4.63 pounds.

Despite its size reduction, this PlayStation 3 super slim has a few noteworthy exterior changes when compared to its predecessor. The first is the sliding disc cover at the top rather than a front-slot loading disc drive, which doesn’t look as refined but is functional and efficient.

Performance:

One aspect where you need not worry about compromise is in performance; this skinnier version boasts all of the same hardware specs as its older sibling models—the same Cell processor, NVIDIA RSX graphics card, and Blu-ray/DVD player. This ensures that game performance remains unchanged across all PlayStation 3 platforms.

Storage and Compatibility:

The super slim PS3 offers various storage capacities—ranging from a modestly priced 12GB flash memory version to heftier models with 250GB or 500GB HDDs—allowing consumers to choose based on their gaming habits and budget.

Backward compatibility varies depending on the specific model, but most versions lack the full range of PlayStation 2 compatibility, which may disappoint some long-time PlayStation fans. However, a vast majority of original PS3 titles are fully accessible.

Price:

Finally, we come to the biggest drawback of this sleek machine—its price. Many might expect that a slimmer version would naturally lead to a slimmer price tag. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. The super slim version has launched at similar or slightly higher prices than the earlier iterations, making it less competitive in an increasingly crowded gaming market.

Final Thoughts:

The Sony PlayStation 3 Super Slim is an excellent choice for those seeking a smaller and lighter console while retaining high-quality gaming performance. However, its pricing may leave consumers questioning whether they should invest in this newer model or seek out better deals on older versions. Sony’s decision not to reduce prices may have been driven by economic factors—but in a fiercely competitive marketplace, it taints what would otherwise be a no-brainer upgrade for PS3 enthusiasts.