The best thing about Sony’s PlayStation brand is that it’s instantly recognized. Most Australians have grown up with a PlayStation 1 or 2 in their home, so the transition to the new PlayStation 3 should be a logical and easy one. However, Sony may be single-handedly making that transition far more difficult. In this third and final instalment of Cool Shite’s beginner’s guide to consoles feature, the mixed-bag secrets of the PS3 will be unlocked, showcasing to-die-for features, others that could be avoided, and more that would be exciting if they hadn’t been a long while coming.
Resistance 2
The biggest issue with the PlayStation 3 is most definitely the price. The 80GB version retails at $699.00, and comes with one limited-motion, rumble-ready DualShock 3 controller, and an HDMI cable for high-resolution gaming. A 40GB version is also on offer with similar add-ins (replace the DualShock 3 controller for an inferior Sixaxis one – meaning no rumble in your games, my friend!) for $599.00. Be on the lookout for bundled game packs, usually at great value; packs in the past have usually included second controller plus a bundled game. Games in the past have included Singstar, Heavenly Sword, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction, or NBA 08. For the extra dosh (ranging upwards to $100), you’ll typically save $10 on the regular price of a game, plus the entire cost of the second controller.
While the retail price of the PS3 has dropped from $1,000, each decrease has come with a reduction to its overall power. The biggest drop came with a cut to hard-disk space from 60GB to 40GB. More importantly, backwards compatibility – the ability to play PSone or PS2 disks – was also removed, making the console the only one of its generation without the functionality.
Enthusiasts are quick to offset the PS3s high cost with its features, including HDMI capability, 7.1 digital surround sound, and 1080p high-definition support – all of which pessimists can quick dismiss as features that can also be found on most versions of the Microsoft Xbox 360. However, there is one feature that actually sets the PlayStation 3 apart: its ability to play high-definition Blu-Ray discs – now officially the disk format of the future — without any further add-ons.
Sony Home
Online features on the PlayStation Network are also similar to the Xbox 360, but with one major difference – PlayStation Home. In development since early 2005, Home is a community-based service which essentially mimics functionality seen in the “Sims” series of games. Each user gets an avatar with their own apartment (aka their “Home”), which can be utilised to interact with others, and adorned with trophies received through in-game achievements. Officially announced for a September 2007 release, Home was finally released in time for Christmas 2008 – with lukewarm reviews. Apparently, Home will be in Beta stage for a long, long time, experts warn.
Most games on offer for the Xbox 360 can also be picked up for the PlayStation 3, but at the elevated price of $110 — $10 more than their counterparts. Exclusive games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and racing game Gran Turismo 5 are sure to sell consoles, as have past exclusives like Resistance: The Fall of Man (keep an eye out for the upcoming sequel Resistance 2). Speaking of items selling consoles — Sony recently increased the number of PS3s in Australian homes by offering a free console with the purchase of a Sony Bravia high-definition television. If you’re looking for a new LCD, it might not be a bad idea to hold off a bit and see if the offer reappears.
Metal Gear Solid 4
In short, the PlayStation 3 is more of the same; graphics are enhanced from the PlayStation 2, but gameplay is largely identical. It’s not hard to understand why the console is last in the current console war, or why the much cheaper PlayStation 2 is currently outselling its big brother. However, if you’re looking for next-generation gameplay, but more importantly, a cheap yet quality Blu-Ray player, this console is definitely for you. Buying Resistance: Fall of Man, Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction, Devil May Cry 4, and Metal Gear Solid 4 will get you a good set of the console’s best. Since backwards compatibility isn’t supported in new models, make sure to keep that PlayStation 2 handy…you may find yourself falling back upon it quite a bit.
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Thanks for the picture win, Bruce!
Nice work Steve, good article. Now i just need to get me a PS3… lol i like them, but i am a 360 boy these days… if they become cheaper at some point i’ll think about taking the plunge.
Thanks, Q-Dog! You need to get your Xbox on Live first before you look into a PS3!
you may be right there steve. you may be right… we have the interwebs at home as of today so i’m closer now than ever before…