by Jeromy “Doc” Adams

SOURCE: Joystiq

U.S. gamers are geekin’ out over Sony’s announced price drop for it’s 60GB PS3. After just 230 days at the release price of $599, the company announced today that it would take just $499 for the console. Later next month, if you’re still really into dropping huge sums on a gaming platform, you’ll be able to spend $599 for a new 80GB model.

Monday, July 9th 2007. A day that will live in infamy. Today the three-way console war began in earnest. Sony’s huge price cut, if truly married to a massive delivery of AAA titles by March of 2008, will turn up the heat on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s low-powered but hot-selling Wii.

This is a pivotal moment for Sony, as the PS3 has enjoyed a lukewarm (at best) reception since it was launched late last year. If they can start cranking out games, provide an online experience that is at least in the same hemisphere as XBL, and iron out their public image…. we’ll all win.

Microsoft will by no means concede next-gen battle. Expect the company that is already (by some estimates) losing $150 per console sold, to answer with its own big news.

Not to take anything away from Sony’s announcement today. You know that I’ve been first in line to kick them while they were asking an arm and a leg. Now that it’s just an arm…. I’m ready to listen.

The controllers still don’t rumble though. Hmmmf.

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