Sony said to be killing low-end PS3

Sony is said to be discontinuing the 20GB version of its Playstation 3 gaming console.

Gaming blog Joystiq quoted Dave Karraker, Sony's senior director of corporate communications as saying: "Due to the overwhelming demand for the 60GB model from both retailers and consumers, we have ceased offering the 20GB model here in North America."

Sony's company website also supports the claim. Currently, only the 60GB version of the PS3 can be seen on the Sony Style site.

The company could not be reached to confirm the reports.

If the 20GB model is discontinued, the $600 60GB PS3 would become the only version of the console available in North America.

The PS3 was launched in the US in November to great fanfare and controversy. High demand for the new console lead to reports of riots, shootings, and robberies. On the day after its release, PS3 consoles were selling for as much as $4,000 on eBay.

After the initial hype, however, sales of the PS3 slowed to a crawl. In January, the console finished fifth in total sales, behind the Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360, and even the model the PS3 was trying to replace; the Playstation 2. By March, reports surfaced that retailer Best Buy had cancelled orders for the 20GB model.

There is no word on whether the 20GB model will still be available in Europe.