|
| 
| From: Sony
List Price: $499.99
Buy Used: $477.00
You Save: $22.99 (5%)
New (9) Used (12) from $477.00
Rating:  224 reviews
Sales Rank: 1267
Platform: Playstation 3
Color: Black
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Playstation 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 15
Dimensions (in): 17.3 x 13.9 x 7
MPN: 98004
UPC: 711719800408
EAN: 0711719800408
ASIN: B000TVT8PI
Release Date: August 6, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Showing signs of promise! November 25, 2007
Romesh Prakashpalan (Simi Valley, CA USA)
50 out of 54 found this review helpful
Some background. I have had an XBox 360 for 1 year now. I have had a Wii for about a month. I decided to pick up a PS3 recently (80GB + Motorstorm) since I am expecting some decent games to be coming out on the system, and I'm peeved that we still have this HD-DVD vs. Blu Ray war being fought (I have the HD drive on the 360).
So, my perspective from having all three systems is:
The Wii is really fun to play, really, really fun. The enjoyment level of being immersed with the controller in even hokey ways (Super Mario Galaxy) is a nice change from the same gameplay/controllers we've seen repackaged since the PS1 days except in shinier packages.
That said, I do get tired of it (literally in some cases!) after a while, and yes, yearn for 'eye candy'. It's silly, and maybe I'm a bit shallow but it's true.
The XBox 360 has delivered on the eye candy side of the equation with games like Gears of War, Halo 3, and Mass Effect (I have yet to pick up Mass Effect however). But, the more I play the 360, the more I feel like I should be playing these games on a PC. It seems to lack the same charm a game console has. Also, our 360 has already been replaced once due to the "Ring of Death", and ever since my wife got bored playing Viva Pinata, we do not really turn it on much except to play HD-DVDs. It's incredibly loud as well, which means that using it for Media Playback is non-optimal (in our room anyway).
So, hearing of games coming out shortly for the PS3 that is starting to flex that system's muscle, I decided to pick one up.
I wanted to pick up Motorstorm, so the 80GB package seemed ideal. Especially due to the fact that I do not have any PS2 games. So backwards compatibility is a non-issue for me.
I took it home and unpacked it. This system is SUBSTANTIAL. WOW. You do feel like you got your $499 worth in weight anyway. That is until you feel the controller. Sorry, but the XBox 360 controller FAR exceeds the ergonomics of the SixAxis. The weight (or lack thereof) of the SixAxis makes it feel really flimsy in comparison. In addition, my hands feel cramped. Maybe due to the XBox being developed in the US, it was developed for American sized hands. I am Indian (as in from India) by ethnicity so it's not like I'm a 6'5" cowboy from Texas!
Put it next to the 360 in my cabinet. The 360 looks very cheap, but the PS3 has a very odd design to it that just doesn't 'fit right' with anything else. Very odd shape and dimensions. I like Matte finishes on things (does not distract from what the star should be -- the picture on the TV) and the (dare I say it?) blingy exterior of the PS3 is a distraction. I'd prefer something low key, personally.
First really big disappointment? This Hi-Def system doesn't come with any hi-def cables. So, they put in a HD Blu-Ray drive, and the system excels at rendering 1080p graphics but they give you an RCA AV cable that would have been cutting edge in the SNES days. Right.
So, an extra $30 later, I have the PS3 hooked up via component cabling to my rear projection TV (no HDMI for that set). The system has a huge update to download once I setup Wifi (which was pretty standard, and easy). I leave it and come back and my system refuses to start up. Or something. For some reason, it appears that it chose a video mode that my TV didn't like after the reboot. Strange. So I hold the power button down for 5 seconds and it reboots into 480 mode. It starts the system update, and another 10 minutes go by before it's ready to use. I set the 1080i mode again and it seems fine in subsequent reboots. Maybe that was a glitch in the system software that it leaves the factory with *shrug*.
I have a PSP, so the PS3 interface is familiar to me. It looks a bit "programmer art" to me on the PS3 for some reason however. Maybe because at 1080i it looks like a lot of monochromatic icons and text shoved onto the screen. I find the 360's UI easier to read and navigate, but really ugly due to the ads and explosions of colors. Somewhere, in between the PS3 UI and the 360's is perfection. Neither has it, though for now, I'd give the 360 the slight advantage.
I browsed the Sony online store for a little bit. Seemed very much like it was trying to be a web browser interface rather than a console UI. It would feel at home to almost any PC user. But is a little odd when you're on a gaming machine. Microsoft gets this part right as well.
Now, the games. I don't have a Blu-Ray disc to test at the moment for movies, but my system did come with Motorstorm. So, I popped it in. First thing I notice is that loads are not as smooth as the 360's. Loading animations have a lot of jerkiness to it, and the game seems to take a lot longer to load than just about any 360 game I have. Now, since this is my only PS3 game this could just be an issue with Motorstorm.
But once I get into the game, I am blown away. Neither Gears, nor Halo 3 blew me away much in-game. Sure, they had some really nicely rendered in-game cinematics (which in Gears would cause frame rate hitching) but Motorstorm is jut gorgeous. The ground deforms, the terrain looks almost photorealistic at times (blur your vision a tiny bit and it starts looking real). I was actually impressed, and was prepared to be a skeptic.
The bad part came after a bit of play time. The controller feels really weird in my hands. The pseudo-triggers modeled after the 360s at the bottom of the SixAxis feels wrong. My hands start to cramp up after a while. I just may have to learn how to grip the thing a little less brutishly. So, I'll continue to play with it. But picking up the 360 controller afterwards, I'm amazed at how that controller fits me like a glove. I also like the staggered analog sticks on the 360. Feels right. I do miss rumble a bit. It's nice feedback.
I went from feeling like I wasted almost $600 (when you factor in an extra controller and the $30 component cables) to feeling pretty good about my purchase. I think the system has a lot of potential. I have yet to play anything multiplayer, but the 360's implementation of Live has probably set the bar here. BUT, the Sony service is FREE. I resent having to pay Microsoft $50 a year.
As to how it stacks up against the 360? Well, I like that I didn't have to pay for WiFi (saved $90), but hated that I had to pay for component cables ($30). I like that I get a hi-def player with the set (almost $200 extra with the 360), and the larger HDD. I like that the system doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner when playing games or movies. But I like the game selection on the 360 *MUCH* more as of today. I dislike the PS3 controller. I dislike in particular, Sony's attitude. It took me a really long time to even warm up to purchasing this box because I really do dislike Sony.
But in the final tally, this is really one impressive machine. But is that enough to make it a better system than the 360, who seems to be getting the best games right now? Doubtful really. Last generation the XBox was the superior machine tech wise. But the PS2 annihilated it in the marketplace. This time, we may see a role reversal. If the 360's hardware was stable, reliable, and quiet it would be a much better box. But as of right now, I'd say the 360 is just a slightly better system because of the games it has.
The Wii is the wildcard in all of this. I find it to be the most enjoyable system of the three currently due to the top notch Mario titles (Galaxy and Paper Mario). Nintendo really is trying something different and the system is *fun*. But the hardcore gamer will probably feel something is missing from their diet if it was the only system that they purchased. Get a 360 or PS3 to balance your gaming needs.
 Not bad, but it's in last place for a reason... November 25, 2007
Hugo D. Hackenbush (Flahridah, USA)
32 out of 49 found this review helpful
The good:
The PS3 is a sexy piece of hardware, make no bones about it. Slickly designed to appeal to the techie set (like me), it really is the antithesis of the Wii, with a hi-tech look and build that will impress the casual and hard-core, alike.
It does an excellent job of playing DVDs and (especially) Blu-Ray, with the capability to output at 1080p for HDTVs via HDMI.
It has plenty of features and settings, including built-in wireless network connectivity, the ability to upload and play music, photo and video files, the ability to surf the web via an internal web browser and an online marketplace the "Playstation store", where you have access to downloadable content including games, demos, videos, add-on packs and more (paying in actual dollar amounts, rather than the "point" currency now popular on other console online markets).
Games can and do look awesome on it.
The PS3 80GB version is backward-compatible with older PS1 and many PS2 games (a boon for those who love older games and have limited shelf space).
Online multiplayer is free to anyone with an internet connection.
It seems to be far more reliable a machine than the Xbox 360 is (or, for that matter, the PS2, which had more than it's fair share of hardware issues).
The Bad:
Where are the killer exclusives? I have been underwhelmed, to say the least with the PS3's library to date. Whereas I enjoyed "Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted", they hardly can be considered killer apps. In fact, next to Xbox 360, the PS3's library looks sad. Yeah, yeah, I know "In the future, blah, blah, blah...!" Sony's been pushing that line to validate owning a PS3 since before the PS3 went on sale, and I'm still waiting on that promise.
Graphically, I am impressed with the PS3, but no more so than Xbox 360, which, at the moment, looks just as good. Personally, I was actually surprised with how mediocre "Resistance" came off; "Ridge Racer 7" and "Heavenly Sword" looked fine, but only "Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted" looks truly impressive to me, so far.
What is noticeable is how much more sluggish and choppy multi-platform games run on the PS3, when compared to the Xbox 360. Some games even look a bit less detailed and darker when compared to its Xbox brethren. Loading times are also an issue with many games. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but as I stated earlier, it is noticeable.
The interface on the PS3 is so inferior to the Xbox 360, they're hardly comparable. It's usable, but needs a LOT of work.
Certainly, there is a lot of potential for its use as a media hub, but its fairly complicated interface will scare off newbies and the technologically-disinclined.
The online "Playstation Store" is poorly designed and clumsy to sift through, making online purchases needlessly tedious.
The online multiplayer aspect of the PS3 simply can't hold a candle to Xbox Live; yes it's free, as opposed to the Xbox 360, but you really do get what you pay for (think of the difference between Apple's OS "Leopard" and the free, open-source OS "Linux" and you got a good idea of what I'm talking about).
Being able to surf online is a nice touch, but the interface for the web browser is clumsy and unintuitive, and reading text can be a real pain.
I am also unimpressed with the new PS3 controller.
Kudos for its Bluetooth wireless capability, as well as its relatively fast charging capabilities; it's too bad that the PS3 must always be on in order for it to charge.
The new trigger shoulder buttons stink, frankly, as they just aren't well-designed; they become flat-out uncomfortable when played for an extended period of time.
Also, I feel the controller is perhaps TOO light, as it has almost an empty feel to it.
Due to legal issues, there is no "rumble" feature on the newest PS3 controllers (a big loss in my book); in its place stands the "Sixaxis" motion sensor feature.
"Sixaxis" has yet to impress me; it feels tacked on and gimmicky (and pales in execution when compared to the similarly-equipped Nintendo "Wii-mote").
In the end, "Sixaxis" is hardly a fair trade-off for rumble (aka "Dual Shock"), a feature I've come to really appreciate in gaming controllers; I really do miss it (yeah, yeah, I know, "In the future...!" Yawn!).
Speaking of controllers, the proprietary remote for using the PS3's Blu-Ray features is pretty darn terrible; lousy button placement, the buttons are overly-sensitive (a real problem when you consider the fact that ANY button you touch on the remote powers on the PS3), there is no back light and you can't switch to using a universal remote, since the PS3 only supports Bluetooth wireless.
Also, while it's great that I can upload my own MP3 library, I wish that I could listen to my library of music WHILE I'm playing a game, not just after or before... if the original Xbox can do it, than why not the mighty PS3?
Regarding backward-compatibility for PS2 games, it isn't much of an issue to me, personally, but I have to say, it somewhat stinks when Sony execs admitted its' reason for leaving it out on the 40 gig models: it has nothing to do with cost, apparently, but because PS3 owners are not buying enough PS3 games, and the hope is without the option to buy PS2 games, consumers will run out and buy more PS3 games (again, this is not my opinion, this was actually stated by execs at Sony in a recent Wall St. Journal interview).
Nice, huh? Instead, how about releasing more games that are worth running out to buy?
After all, there ARE some us who appreciate not having to keep plugged in yet another electronic device hooked up to our already over-crowded entertainment center (never mind all the wires), and resent being penalized $100 for the privilege.
I even hesitate to compare the reliability factor with the PS3 and here's why: I have played my Xbox 360 for far many hours, weeks and months than I have the PS3, simply because of the dearth of games on the PS3. Who's to say how the PS3 will hold up longterm once I actually start using it as often...?
I own all three current game consoles (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360), as well as games for each, so I do have some hands-on perspective when it comes to the latest console wars, unlike the die-hards out there who deny themselves some great games in order to stand by their big money corporation (how one can hate Microsoft for being big business and root for Sony, hardly an underdog in the corporate world, is beyond me).
The fact is if you are buying this system right now, it's not for what it has to offer as much as for what it's capable of offering, the equivalent of purchasing a Ferrari only to be told afterwards that you're only allowed to drive it in the parking lot at 15 mph for a couple of years.
In the final analysis, one arguably can only judge a gaming console on it's content, and this is where the PS3 is sorely lacking ("Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted" notwithstanding), deservedly placing this console in a distant third place behind the Xbox 360 and the Wii. The Wii may have a fairly feeble library itself, but at least it has SOME killer apps (Mario Galaxy, Zelda, Metroid Prime, even Wii Sports)... and that console has only been out a year, as well (yeah, yeah, I know: "In the future...")!
 A quantum leap in digital entertainment November 30, 2007
J. Olivas
29 out of 30 found this review helpful
I've owned game consoles since the Atari 2600; all of Nintendo's consoles from the NES to the Gamecube; Playstations 1, 2, and Portable; and Microsoft's original X-Box. In my household currently are all three of the next-gen systems - Wii and the 360 (owned by housemates) and now Sony's latest creation, the Playstation 3 (owned by me, by way of Amazon).
I was torn between getting my own 360 Elite, and this system. I took a very hard look at both, and backed both out of my shopping cart multiple times. A number of factors went into my final decision to purchase the Playstation 3.
1. I am a PC gamer first and foremost. My gaming rig with an Intel Quad and an 8800 is my primary platform, and likely always will be. It also means that owning an 360 is a little redundant, as most of the killer apps for that system are also available for the PC. The only exceptions are 360 exclusives like Mass Effect and some (few) games that simply run better on the 360 (Madden '08). Generally speaking, though, having a top-flight PC cancels out a lot of the benefit of owning a 360.
2. The sheer value of the Playstation 3 at this time. As stated by other reviews, $499 gets you a game console, a Blu-Ray player, a media center that can wirelessly connect (out of the box) and stream from your libraries on any Windows Media Player 11 PC, free multiplayer access through PSNet, and far and away the most powerful computer you can get for under a grand (type "Cell BE" into Wikipedia and read up). It's a fully-capable entertainment center and media hub that can power your 1080p/7.1 Home Theatre straight out of the box - and it may be the single biggest reason that Blu-Ray will likely win the format war.
With the 360, you pretty much just get the game console ($399-499 if you want the hard drive and HDMI). Want to watch HD-DVDs? Have to buy the extra drive ($150-200). Want wireless networking? Have to buy the wireless adapter ($50-100). Heck, want to play your games while charging your wireless controller? Have to buy the play-and-charge kit ($20). Even XBOX Live, outstanding as it is, costs and extra 5 bucks a month. Geez, Microsoft.
3. The expanding game library. I'm no "fanboy" - XBOX at this moment has a superior game lineup. Mass Effect almost made me buy the 360 by itself, and even though I'll be able to play it on my housemate's console, it still kills me not to own it. ;) But 2008 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for Sony's monster. With Uncharted, and Ratchet and Clank, Sony finally has some jealousy-inspiring exclusives. It only gets better as the year goes on - Final Fantasy XIII, Home, LittleBigPlanet, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear, etc. Game devs and their tools are finally catching up with the Cell BE - and that's something to be excited about.
4. Interoperability. I have the PSP, and it can do some pretty wondrous things with the PS3, from streaming media to playing downloaded games. I also plan to get a Sony HD Camcorder that uses the AVCHD format, and the PS3 supports it natively. I have the Sony Ericsson Walkman phone. All these things can work with the Memory Stick Pro Duo - from PS3 to PSP to my phone to my PC, I can access movies, pics, MP3s, you name it. That is extremely handy for me. Now, not everyone has that kind of Memory Stick-centric lifestyle, but lemme tell you - apart from being annoyed with Sony's penchant for proprietary hardware, it's a beautiful synergy when you do play along. Everything just works.
5. The Red Ring of Death. The new 360 have supposedly solved this problem, and they very likely have, but I won't lie... it was a huge worry for me. My housemate's 360 was out of commission for a month while he had it sent in for repairs. I didn't want that sort of headache. The PS3 doesn't have that sort of recallable flaw, and it's really a load off the mind.
Those were my reasons for buying the Playstation 3, and I was not disappointed in any sense once I got it home and set it up. It's a substantial, attractive, well-engineered piece of hardware, and you're in awe of it as soon as you take it out of the box. After a firmware update and a couple of downloads, I was browsing my entire MP3, video, and photo library wirelessly, and it looked and sounded great streamed right off my PC. I read a couple of my favorite internet forums from the comfort of my couch. I downloaded game demos while playing Ratchet and Clank (great game, by the way). And when I got off for the night, I turned on Folding@Home and did something for humanity :)
If gaming is all you want, and if you don't have a cutting-edge PC, perhaps the 360 and it's killer game lineup is a better option. In all other aspects, Playstation 3 is unbeatable. It's a technophile's dream and an A+ piece of hardware with vast potential, even now and into the immediate future. It's an amazing machine, an evolution of the gaming console, and I for one am proud to say I own a Playstation 3.
Only for PS3 games and blu ray discs September 9, 2007
T. Sharpe
27 out of 48 found this review helpful
Do NOT get this system if you plan on using this for PS2 and Playstation games. The backwards compatibility of the 80GB ps3 is a joke. The 60GB version is far superior, especially considering how easy it is to upgrade the hard drive. Guess what? The 60 GB version is $100 cheaper too.
Great System! Which One Should You Choose? November 14, 2007
J. Rusk
27 out of 29 found this review helpful
The Blu-ray player was probably the deciding factor for me (for multiple reasons), but for those looking to buy a PS3, here is what my recent research on the different versions has produced (which is true to the best of my knowledge):
40 GB:
Backwards Compatibility: PS1 ONLY
Bluetooth Hardware Upgrade: YES
SACD Playback: NO
USB: 2
Card Reader: NO
GPU: 90nm
Cell: 65nm
60 GB: (DISCONTINUED)
Backwards Compatibility: HARDWARE (approx. 98%)
Bluetooth Hardware Upgrade: NO
SACD Playback: YES
USB: 4
Card Reader: YES
GPU: 90nm
Cell: 90nm
80 GB:
Backwards Compatibility: SOFTWARE (approx. 85% and improving)
Bluetooth Hardware Upgrade: YES
SACD Playback: YES
USB: 4
Card Reader: YES
GPU: 90nm
Cell: 65nm
The 60 GB PS3 (which I have) has the best backwards compatibility due to the Emotion Engine. The 80 GB version has good (not great yet) backwards compatibility and will most likely improve over time. However, getting the actual guitars from Guitar Hero I, II, and Encore to work with the PS3 (via an adapter purchased separately) is another thing altogether! The Guitar Hero series was the main "backwards compatibility" I was looking for, and it ranges from good (GH I) to downright frustrating (GH II and Encore).
That being said, I would be tempted to buy the 80GB version if I had to do it over again due to the fact that they used the 65nm die for the cell processor which is smaller, uses less power, and PRODUCES LESS HEAT.
If you have a huge PS2 library and having the best backwards compatibility is extremely important to you, get the 60GB version and get it soon if you can find one.
|
|
|
We'll be adding even more exciting features to assist you in the coming year.
Thank you for shopping at the Depot.com online shopping depot.
©2008 Depot.com | |
