The PlayStation 3 Slim is 2009's version of the Xbox 360 Blu-ray player. Lots of people claim to have seen it, and can verify its veracity, but no official word has come out of anyone making it really real. The latest take on the rumor comes from French website JVN (site link translated by Google), who claim to have been in contact with an "anonymous retailer" that has verified that the PS3 Slim is coming. In fact, the source claims that the new console SKU will be on store shelves in Europe beginning next month, and will sell for €300, a full €100 less than the PS3 currently sells for across the pond.

If this proves true (and if you can't tell, I'm highly doubtful that it will), it seems as though Sony has played their cards a little too close to the chest on this one. Granted, GamesCom is next week in Germany, so if Sony is planning to launch in Europe first, that would be a good time to announce it. No, let me clarify that. If Sony indeed plans to release the Slim next month, then announcing it during GamesCom essentially marks the last chance the company has to make a splash at an industry event. One would think that with PS3 sales being as low as they are, Sony would want to get the market ready for a cheaper version. I guess we'll all find out next month whether or not this is just another story about the big one that got away.

[Via Joystiq]