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TGS 2012: Sony announces super slim PS3, and PlayStation Plus for Vita

The super slim version of the PS3 that was making the rounds on the rumour mills and has finally seen the light of day.

At the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2012, Sony has announced a slimmer and lighter version of its home console, the PS3. The console will be available in two colours - charcoal black and classic white. The internal volume and weight of the new super slim PS3 is less than half of the original PS3. It has 20% less volume and is 25% lighter than the PS3 slim.

The system will be launched in different regions with different storage capacities.

North America will see two models of the device - $250GB priced at $269 (Rs. 15,000 approx.) launch on September 25. The second is a 500GB model priced at $299 (Rs. 16,100) and will launch on October 30.

Europe and Pal territories will see the first model with 12GB Flash memory priced at €229 and will launch on October 12. The second model will have 500GB storage and will be priced at €299 launching on September 28.

Japan on the other hand will see the launch of both the models on October 4. The 250GB model will be priced at ¥24,900 where as the 500GB model will be priced at ¥29,800.

The official PlayStation Blog reads, “We are also excited to announce that the launch of this new PS3 model will include incredible additional value. The 250GB PS3 will be available on September 25th for $269.99 (MSRP) as part of a limited edition bundle featuring UNCHARTED 3: Drake’s Deception: Game of the Year Edition and a voucher for more than $30 worth of bonus digital content for the highly acclaimed digital title, DUST 514. This bundle offers more than $70 in total combined value.”

At Gamescom 2012, Sony said that its premium online service, PlayStation Plus would be coming to Sony’s handheld console, the PS Vita. Sony has finally given a release date for the service, which will hit the handheld in November. Current PlayStation Plus subscribers will have instant access to the service on their Vita system.

PlayStation Plus features for PS Vita available in November will include:

• Instant Game Collection: Unlimited access to a regularly refreshed selection of the full versions of games as long as your membership is active.
• Discounts: Take advantage of exclusive discounts on games and DLC for your PS Vita.
• Online Game Storage: An additional 1GB of online storage for game saves for PS Vita games and downloaded content.
• Automatic Updates: PS Vita will automatically start up at a designated time to download and install select game demos and game updates as well as system software updates and start standby mode upon completion.
• Automatic Trophy sync: Trophy information will be synched to PSN servers automatically via the PS Vita.