The Playstation 3 Slim, aka PS3 Slim, is finally back on shelves at a healthy rate. After experiencing an 11 month growth rate, Sony has been able to finally get production to meet demand and keep the PS3 on store shelves. This really seems like an odd thing, considering how far off we are into the product cycle. But to those watching the PS3 close, they will know that after the price cut during last year’s E3 event, the $299 units have been rocketing off shelves. Followed by huge hits like Uncharted 2, God of War 3, Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII, the Playstation 3 momentum has been on a cycle high. PS3 sales over have been up 85 percent since June 2009 and 42 percent since January 2010.

 “Video games are fueling new innovation for the entire consumer entertainment category and today’s numbers are a testament to the big impact we’ll play this holiday,” said Patrick Seybold, Sr. Director of Corporate Communications at SCEA.

“With a healthy flow of PS3s back in the channel, and eleven months of PS3’s consecutive growth behind us, we’re confident the PS3 will become the main entertainment hub for many new consumers this year and provide countless reasons to congregate in the living room.” 

It seems like the consumer is really starting to warm up to the Playstation brand again, even though it doesn’t feel that way (more on that later). With a fantastic lineup coming later this year with big titles like Socom 4, Killzone 3, LittleBigPlanet 2 and Grand Turismo 5, which are all exclusive to the Playstation platform, Sony is betting that consumers will want to game with them while the Xbox 360 only has Gears of War 3 to offer. Also, Sony is betting big with its Playstation Move. Starting at just $49 vs. the Microsoft Kinnect at $150, this lower entry price will hopefully allow Sony to grow its install base even higher and wider as it draws new users in.