Sony Debuts New PS2 in Japan

[Epsi]

Sony is about to release a new version of its aging PlayStation 2 console in Japan ahead of the upcoming holiday season.

The new version is lighter than the previous model, and includes a built-in AC adaptor. An older version with an external AC adaptor weighed some 30 ounces: the new model only weighs 25.

Sony said it will sell the new PS2 at a price of 16,000 yen ($140 USD), which is the same as the previous version. There was no immediate announcement of plans to sell the new console overseas.

Keeping the PS2 alive and well is a crucial part of keeping the overall gaming division afloat. As the company is still losing a good deal of money on every PS3 it sells, the new PS2 should help it to make a larger profit on a proven platform, which has already sold some 120 million consoles worldwide.

In fact, Sony's estimates through the year to March still show its PS2 outselling the PS3 slightly -- 12 million to 11 million consoles.

Source

[alcoatjez]

My feeling about this is a bit double.
It is wise of Sony to keep the console alive for its profits (this proves that people don't care that much about graphics, as opposed what Wii opponents say).
But they are also lowering their own PS3 sales with supporting the PS2.