Should you buy a PS3?


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Should You Buy A PlayStation 3?

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The PlayStation 3 got off to a slow start when the console first launched in 2006. Since then, it has picked up some serious steam and has come into its own. Is now a good time to take the plunge?

[This post was last updated on June 10 2010 and will be updated if events, news, games, prices or acts of nature cause our opinion to change.]

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Should I Buy A PS3 Now?

Yes. The PS3 is a full-service console. It boasts an impressive library of games ? both retail games and digital titles. But the PlayStation 3 isn't only about games. It features a Blu-ray player, giving the versatile console an edge as a living room's possible hi-def centerpiece. While the system launched with a Sixaxis controller that was shaped like a traditional game controller but could detect tilt, the PS3 will be getting wand-like motion controls, called the PlayStation Move, later this year. On June 10, stereoscopic 3D became available on the PS3, making the console 3D ready for games and TV sets that support that technology.

The PlayStation Network offers online play for the very nice price of free.

But What If I've Already Got A Xbox 360? Should I Buy One Now?

No. Well, unless you have money to burn, that is. One high-end system is probably enough, and more and more games are released on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. To decide between the PS3 and the Xbox 360, it's best to decide on the console exclusives. If you feel that you must have titles like God of War III or Metal Gear Solid 4, then the PS3 is the console for you.

But What If I've Already Got A Wii? Should I Buy One Now?

Yes, you should. The Wii excels at many things, but hi-definition gaming is not one of them. If you own a Wii, and are looking for another gaming console, by all means, pick up a PS3. Not only is the Wii missing DVD playback, it is also missing Blu-ray playback. The PS3 sports both.

Other things the Wii is lacking: a robust online network, high definition support and true surround sound. The PS3 has all those, making it a viable choice for a second console. The PS3 also offers wonderful "casual" titles like ModNation Racers and LittleBigPlanet, but in beautiful HD graphics and sound.

What Else Does It Do Besides Gaming?

Tons. As previously mentioned, the PS3 is outfitted with both a DVD and a Blu-ray player, making it an ideal console for cinephiles. It used to do more, however. The original PS3 that launched in 2006 could play PS2 games and Super Audio CDs. The versions of the console currently on the market cannot. Until this year, the console did have Linux support. Sonydecided to remove that feature due to security concerns. But PS3s are also still able to store and play music and photos, making it an ideal HD hub. There is also HD support for streaming services such as Netflix.

The PS3 has connectivity with Sony's portable device, the PSP. Players can playback video content from their PS3 on their PSPs. There is also a virtual world called "Home" in which players can interact and mingle with gamers all over the world.

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If I'm Going To Buy A PS3, Which One Should I Get?

Honestly, the 2006 launch console is the best. It comes with an array of features ? like Super Audio CD playback, built-in flash memory card reader and PS2 backwards compatibility ? that were later deemed too costly by Sony. Since those consoles are no longer produced, the 12GB "slim" version is the way to go over the more expensive 250GB version as 120GB should be enough for most players. A 120GB PS3 slim is priced at US$300, while a refurbished 60GB launch PS3 is priced at around $350.

What Are The Best Games On The PS3?

The PS3 has a good mix of multi-platform games and exclusive titles. The best PS3-only games include titles like adventure games Uncharted and Uncharted 2, which do a fantastic job of taking advantage of the PS3's hardware power. Likewise, games like God of War III and Metal Gear Solid 4 provide players with gaming experiences that they cannot get elsewhere. These are some of the biggest titles in big budget gaming. The console also has sleeper hits like the beautiful-looking Valkyria Chronicles and the notoriously hardDemon's Souls. Plus, the PS3 has many of the same games that are available on the Xbox 360 and PC. Titles include games like BioShock, Resident Evil 5 and the Call of Dutyseries.

A Sampling Of The Best PS3 Games

Which Ones Are Worst?

There are bad games on any console, and the PS3 is no exception. However, due to the high development costs of PS3 games, the platform is able to escape many of the cheaply produced titles that plague other consoles.

So I've Bought A PS3...What Should My First Three Games Be?

1) Uncharted 2, because not only the game itself is great, but so too are the story, the dialogue and the characters.

2) Flower, a download-only game, because it is a truly moving title that takes advantage of the PS3's Sixaxis motion controls.

3) Metal Gear Solid IV, because, yes, this game actually lived up to its hype.

Buy These Three PS3 Games First

Is the PS3 Backwards Compatible?

It was. The original PS3 that launched in 2006 was able to play PlayStation 2 games. That feature has since been removed. All systems are still backwards-compatible with PSOne games.

What About Downloadable Games?

The PS3 features many exciting digital titles on the PS3, such as the PixelJunk series,Super Stardust HD and Flower. Sony has done a solid job of mixing mainstream games with smaller, more unusual titles.

Other standouts include Everyday Shooter, Critter Crunch, WipeOut HD, Echochrome andBionic Commando Rearmed.

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What's Wrong With The PS3?

Compared to the Xbox 360 (and the PS2, for that matter), the PS3 has largely been a well put together piece of hardware. The console's failure rates are not abnormal, so consumers can purchase one with the same confidence they would most other electronics. The biggest knock on the system had long been its price. It used to be significantly more expensive than the Xbox 360 and the Wii. Price drops have largely removed that problem.

There are some drawbacks when it comes to the ability to talk to people through the console while playing games online. Some players are dissatisfied with the inability for players to chat with each other while playing different games online. PS3s support Bluetooth and USB headsets, but the lack of a packed-in headset with new systems has diminished the likelihood that people with whom you play an online game even have a headset plugged in. That makes the online experience of the PS3 much less chatty than it is on the Xbox 360, for better or worse.

Are There Any Hidden Costs?

Unlike the Xbox 360 online service, the PS3's PlayStation Network is free and works out of the box. The PSN enables players to check out demos and trailers free of charge. Microsoft, on the other hand, now requires players to sign up for its paid services to download demos.

One hidden cost would be the purchase of a second controller. The PS3 comes bundled with one, and most players will want a second one. Controllers typically cost around $50 for a new DualShock 3 controller. Thankfully, no batteries are needed. The controllers are charged by connecting them to the PS3 console via a USB cable. That means players will not have to constantly replace batteries like with the Xbox 360 controller or the Wii Remote.

But Wait, Won't The PS3 Be Replaced Soon?

Not anytime soon. When the PS3 was released in 2006, Sony said the console will have a ten year lifespan. Meaning? It should be good until 2016. No doubt, Sony will release PS3 redesigns, but according to Sony, the platform itself will be good for a good decade. It is important to note that even when the PS3 was released, Sony continued to support the PS2 with new games. So that doesn't mean the PlayStation 4 won't be released before 2016. It simply means that the console will probably continue to be supported.

Essential Facts About The PS3 Released in 2006
The PlayStation 3 is a home video game console sold by Sony Computer Entertainment. Its key gaming features are high definition graphics, surround sound, and the ability to play with or against other people over the internet. Its key multimedia features are the ability to playback high definition movies, connect to the internet, store and display media like photos and music as well as stream HD content.

Sony has positioned the PS3 at the high end of high-end home consoles. It is targeted at 18-40 year-old males. The upcoming release of the PlayStation Move motion controller Move should widen the console's appeal to more kids and less-experienced gamers.

Currently available models:
PS3 Slim 120GB ($300)*, PS3 Slim 250GB ($350), PS3 Fat 80GB Refurbished [4 USB ports] ($300), PS3 Fat 80GB Refurbished [2 USB ports] ($270), PS3 Fat 60GB Refurbished [backwards Compatible] ($350)*, PS3 Fat 40GB Refurbished ($250), PS3 Fat 20GB Refurbished [backwards Compatible] ($300)

[recommended models marked with an asterisk]

Price of new games:
$60

Discount line of games:
PS3 Greatest Hits ($20-$30)

Source:

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While an odd post, we should make this sticky to avoid a lot of new posts with the same name, or what games should I get, etc.

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I agree with the answers on the article.

Buy it if you don't have/want an xbox.

If you got an xbox, only buy if you got the money to burn. Exclusives are good, but they're not as many these days and BluRay players are falling in price.

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They can all play PSone games? Really? Why did they spout the nonsense about needing to code in emulation for every game for ps2 games then? Speaking of which, you should mention that not all ps2 games were able to be played on the original ps3

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While an odd post, we should make this sticky to avoid a lot of new posts with the same name, or what games should I get, etc.

+1 to vote for sticky.

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I've wanted a PS3 for a while now, i'm a Wii owner and have decided i prefer playing online, which the Wii is bad at. I've just been waiting for a good deal, i don't want to spend much because i hardly game, i also want the media features.

I would just sell the wii but the missus wants it. My dad is going away on Sunday so i'll just borrow his, if i miss it when he returns i'll take the plunge.

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"But What If I've Already Got A Xbox 360? Should I Buy One Now? No. Well, unless you have money to burn, that is. One high-end system is probably enough, and more and more games are released on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. To decide between the PS3 and the Xbox 360, it's best to decide on the console exclusives. If you feel that you must have titles like God of War III or Metal Gear Solid 4, then the PS3 is the console for you."

I disagree. If you don't get a PS3, you will miss out on all of it's AAA exclusives. Get a PS3 no matter what, if you are into gaming.

Which Ones Are Worst? There are bad games on any console, and the PS3 is no exception. However, due to the high development costs of PS3 games, the platform is able to escape many of the cheaply produced titles that plague other consoles.

It has just as much shovelware on the PS3 as the other consoles.

So I've Bought A PS3...What Should My First Three Games Be?

1) Uncharted 2, because not only the game itself is great, but so too are the story, the dialogue and the characters.

2) Flower, a download-only game, because it is a truly moving title that takes advantage of the PS3's Sixaxis motion controls.

3) Metal Gear Solid IV, because, yes, this game actually lived up to its hype.

Disagree. I would recommend Uncharted 2, Pixel Junk Monsters and Gran Turismo Prologue to cover all the bases. Oh, and MGS4 was meh.

Are There Any Hidden Costs? Unlike the Xbox 360 online service, the PS3's PlayStation Network is free and works out of the box. The PSN enables players to check out demos and trailers free of charge. Microsoft, on the other hand, now requires players to sign up for its paid services to download demos.

False.

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I recall having to be a paid subscriber to get access to many demos when I had my xbox. While those not on a sub had to wait x amount of time to get access to the same demos. So though the article isnt clear, it's partially correct on the subject.

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I recall having to be a paid subscriber to get access to many demos when I had my xbox. While those not on a sub had to wait x amount of time to get access to the same demos. So though the article isnt clear, it's partially correct on the subject.

The article says you have to pay to get demo's. That is false. Silver people get the demos free, just a week later.

Just a reminder that if you have a Silver account, you won’t have access to free content on the the Marketplace (like demos) when they are first posted. That content will be available to Gold level exclusively for one week, after which Silver members will have access to the free content.

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/12/04/fyi-free-xbox-live-marketplace-content-and-silver-accounts.aspx

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Depends, (I personally Say Yes)

PS3 offers

  • Blu-Ray Player (Upgradeable to newer Blu-Ray standards - 3d being the newest upgrade)
  • UpConvert DVD Player
  • 3D Gaming (Provided you have $$$ and can aruge this is a gimmick)
  • Playstation 3 (Next-Gen) Games
  • Playstation 1 Support
  • All current PSN functions free (On-line gaming, Netflix), PSN+ is coming soon (current features stay free, new one's cost $).
  • Ability to upgrade your hard drive with any standard 2.5 SATA drive

However keep in mind Sony has REMOVED

  • Playstation 2 Compatibility
  • Linux Support
  • SACD (Super Audio CD Playback)
  • Memory Card Readers

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The only reason I bought a PS3 was God of War III. I haven't even turned it on since I completed GOWIII.

Not surprising I thought GOW3 was ok but nothing special, if you live in the UK sign up to lovefilm you'll get a 2 week trial, I borrowed my brothers ps3 signed up to love film got 4 games with the free trial then paid a tenner and got another 4 games, you can't beat been able to play 8 games for only a tenner, I got Metal gear Solid 4, Uncharted 1,2, God of war 3, FFXIII (horrible game imo), red dead redemption, heavy rain, Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 definitely worth doing and you save spending ?300 on games, I was amazed at some of the games the PS3 has I always thought it was supposed to be a bad console, Killzone 2 and MGS4 look amazing.

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They should've mentioned the built-in wifi, which was a main point in me picking the PS3. That's like $100 extra on 360 isn't it?

If you need wireless for whatever reason, then the 360 will set you back $100 for their wireless N.

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They can all play PSone games? Really? Why did they spout the nonsense about needing to code in emulation for every game for ps2 games then? Speaking of which, you should mention that not all ps2 games were able to be played on the original ps3

on the original NA PS3 (60/20GB), b/c was near perfect due to PS2 hardware inside the PS3.

PS2 code != PS1 code, so b/c isn't as easy for one as for the other. I think removing it sucks, but that's expenses.

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I agree with the Launch console being the best.....while it is a bit large, mine is still running strong and I love its ability to play PS2 games along with its other features that were later removed.

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I disagree. If you don't get a PS3, you will miss out on all of it's AAA exclusives. Get a PS3 no matter what, if you are into gaming.

The games will still be there when the console drops in price another $100 - $150. No reason to get one now if you have a 360, unless you really want to, in which case the question is moot.

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