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The PlayStation 3 launched in Japan on November 11, 2006, North America on November 17, and Europe on March 23, 2007. Its ambitious mix of Blu-ray, HD output, a hard drive, and network services helped establish a console experience that would grow more connected and digital over time. “Changed gaming forever” is best read as an editorial shorthand: the documented record shows what Sony built and how the platform evolved, not that the PS3 alone caused industry-wide change.
When did the PS3 come out?
Sony initially planned a worldwide launch for November 2006, but the actual release was staggered across regions. Sony’s 2007 annual report attributes a production delay to a key component and records the following launch dates:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sony Playstation 3 160GB System (Renewed) | $184.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console (Renewed) | $216.06 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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PlayStation 3 Slim Console 120GB (Old Model) (Renewed) | $160.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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PlayStation 3 500 GB Super Slim System (Renewed) | $228.22 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Sony PlayStation 3 - 80GB System (Renewed) | $217.22 | Buy on Amazon |
- Japan: November 11, 2006
- North America: November 17, 2006
- Europe: March 23, 2007
Sony reported shipping 5.5 million PS3 units worldwide during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. That is a shipment figure for that fiscal year, not lifetime sales.
How much did the PS3 cost at launch?
In North America, the PS3’s suggested retail prices were $499 for the 20 GB model and $599 for the 60 GB model. The higher-priced 60 GB configuration included built-in Wi-Fi and multiple memory-card slots, according to Sony’s launch-day announcement. These are North American launch prices, not prices for other regions or later retail listings.
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- Internet Ready With Built-in Wi-Fi with a Cell Broadband Engine Advanced Microprocessor
- When starting up the system for the first time, hold the power button until a "screen display" message shows up on screen. Select the desired output, and the system will startup normally.
- 160GB system
- Blu-ray player to give you pristine picture quality
- The best high-definition viewing experience available
Why was the PS3 so expensive?
Sony positioned the PS3 as more than a game console: it combined a Cell processor, a Blu-ray drive, a hard disk, and online connectivity. The Blu-ray hardware played high-definition movies while also giving developers more room for game data. Sony said the format offered up to 50 GB of storage for game developers—five times DVD capacity—in its 2006 launch announcement.
The system also supported HDMI output up to 1080p when paired with a compatible cable and display, according to Sony. Those features formed an expensive, forward-looking package at launch; the available launch materials describe its components and prices but do not provide a breakdown of the console’s manufacturing cost.
Rank #2
- New slimmer, lighter PS3 system, Wireless controller
- 320GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos
- Streams thousands of movies and TV shows instantly from Netflix
- Built-in Blu-ray player with 3D capabilities. HDMI output for 1080p resolution.
Did the PS3 have Blu-ray?
Yes. Blu-ray was built into the PS3, so the console could play Blu-ray movies as well as games. For developers, Sony promoted the disc’s capacity as a way to accommodate larger game content. The practical significance was a single device that joined HD movie playback and gaming, rather than a console limited to standard DVD media.
What did the PS3 change about online gaming?
Online connectivity and PlayStation Network (PSN) were part of Sony’s launch pitch, not features added years later. Sony said all PS3 owners could access online gameplay and PSN services, including web browsing and downloadable content. The company also announced more than 20 first- and third-party titles for the North American launch period.
Rank #3
- HDMI + Bravia Sync functionality that provides both 1080p output resolution.
- A new 33% slimmer, 36% lighter PlayStation 3 entertainment system that is also more energy efficient.
- Includes a Dualshock 3 wireless controller and a built-in 120GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos.
- Built-in Wi-Fi for connectivity anywhere and multiple media format compatibility.
- Free membership and access to all the events, as well as game, movie, TV and other media content available on the PlayStation Network (PSN).
The service expanded after launch. PlayStation’s official history of the PS3 describes later additions including downloadable games, Trophies, streaming services, and social media; the console PlayStation Store arrived in April 2008. That distinction matters: the launch established an online platform, while several familiar parts of its digital ecosystem came later.
What were the PS3 launch games?
Sony announced a launch-window catalog of more than 20 first- and third-party titles in North America. The cited launch announcement establishes the catalog’s size, but does not enumerate the titles here. PlayStation’s official retrospective names notable PS3 games across the system’s history; those should not be mistaken for a complete list of launch-day games.
Rank #4
- Your Favorite Franchises Live Here: Dig into a huge catalog of exclusive games, including generation defining titles like The Last of Us and entries in popular franchises like LittleBigPlanet, God of War, Gran Turismo, and UNCHARTED.
- High-Definition Blu-ray player for the best movie experience. Plays DVDs and CDs
- 500GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos
- Internet ready with built-in Wi-Fi
- Blu-ray player
Then and now: what lasted?
At launch, the PS3’s defining proposition was a high-end entertainment system: Blu-ray movies, HD output, substantial disc capacity, built-in storage, and a networked console experience. Over the platform’s life, PSN developed from a launch service into a broader digital destination with downloadable games, Trophies, streaming, and social features. The change was evolutionary, not all present on day one.
PlayStation’s current official retrospective reports over 87,000,000 consoles sold worldwide since the 2006 launch (page accessed October 8, 2026). The number is Sony’s own lifetime-sales figure. It shows the platform’s eventual scale, but does not by itself prove that the PS3 caused any particular industry-wide shift.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Built-in Wi-Fi access for easy connection to gaming services and the Internet
- Built-in Blu-ray player to give you the best high-definition viewing experience and pristine picture quality
- 80 GB of hard disk storage for all your games, music, videos, and photos
- This product is NOT backwards compatible
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
