Japanese Hardware: PS3 Hardware Slides Again Before Imminent 'Slim' Launch

For the second week in a row, PlayStation 3 hardware unit sales dropped, as Sony prepared the new slimmed-down and cheaper PS3 for release, tracking firm Media Create said Friday. Sales of PS3 for the week ended August 30 were 1,040, tracking firm Media Create said Friday, down from the prior week's 2,052. Following the introduction of a cheaper, slimmer PS3 in August, Sony said the new hardware would go on sale in Japan for ¥29,980, down from ¥39,980. While other territories cut the price of the old model PS3 to help clear out stock, Sony Japan kept the price of the older, bulkier model at ¥39,980. The new PS3 launched on September 3, and Media Create will release the new console's initial sales performance next week. Sales of the Nintendo Wii leveled off to pre-Monster Hunter 3 levels, moving 25,038 units during the week, down from 26,972. DSi sales maintained their lowest sales levels since the launch of Square Enix's hit DS RPG Dragon Quest IX at 59,881, flat week-on-week. Below are the rest of the Japanese hardware charts for the week ended August 30: DSi: 59,881 PSP: 26,081 Wii: 25,038 DS Lite: 7,304 Xbox 360: 7,254 PS2: 3,179 PS3: 1,040