$99 for 40 Gigs seems a bit high, but it does come with a full version of Final Fantasy XI pre-installed so I suppose it’s not a bad deal.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces March 2004 Release For PlayStation(R)2 Hard Disk Drive

The Hard Disk Drive will come pre-installed with Square Enix’s highly anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), FINAL FANTASYXI, allowing cross-platform play between the PlayStation 2 and a personal computer. In addition, the company plans to include sneak-peek product demos as well as PlayStation 2 titles, to be announced, pre-installed as part of the product package. Other product features or benefits include 40GB of storage, faster loading times, saving CDs to create a personal jukebox, and the ability to download content - levels, missions, characters, and much more.

Soon-to-be-released PlayStation 2 titles SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs and Syphon Filterή: The Omega Strain, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America, will be among the first to utilize the Hard Disk Drive with new content for consumers to download.

In addition to the gaming content, the internal Hard Disk Drive will also include a customized media player specifically designed for PlayStation 2. The media player offers a myriad of entertainment options to the consumer including playing MP3s, storing CDs, further expanding the functionalities of the top-selling console. The media player will also incorporate a photo manager allowing users to store, display and edit digital photos, as well as a games manager to organize and browse games stored on the drive.

Available in March 2004 for $99 suggested retail price (SRP), the internal Hard Disk Drive attaches to the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation2), which connects to both broadband or dial-up networks, and rests in the expansion bay of the PlayStation 2 console.

Guess I should start saving my pennies.