Sony PlayStation - 3 (60 GB) Console Review

Ever since Sony got their start in 1995 they been on a role and in only a few years they even managed to capture the big number 1 name in the gaming business beating out heavy hitters like Nintendo, Sega, and Microsoft. Now the highly anticipated Playstation 3 is finally here and Sony's latest sexy George Foreman Grill-like gaming console is loaded with a bunch of new features like Blu-ray, motion sensitive controllers, backwards compatibility and much more to help make them even richer. Can Sony continue their streak with the PS3 though?

I hope you have your student loans paid off because the system costs around 600 smackers! You get the 60gb hard drive and the bonus serial ports not found on the other discontinued 20gb model. I know it sounds way too high but if you look at the numbers this is a solid package considering how expensive the standard Blu-ray players. Some system's may even come with a free game like the visually impressive Motorstorm.

I was surprised when I first seen and lifted up the system for the first time here because the system is actually much bigger and heavier then the older PS2 model. The PS3 can be hooked up easily to any TV that supports video or hi-def cables and you can even remove the system's hard drive from the side of the system just encase you run out of memory I'm guessing (hopefully it doesn't fill up too fast).

One of the things that helps the new 3D games look so good is that it comes with that fancy Blu-Ray technology here where as older gaming consoles like the Xbox 360 only come in the standard DVD format. Maybe you already seen some of these new age DVDs (are they even DVDs I don't know?) before in certain electronic stores, eh? These special discs maybe more pricey but they also come with a much clearer picture and higher resolutions so nerds can be even more smug about their gizmos. Yeah, the PS3 will even play Blu-ray movies as well so you don't need to shell out a bunch of cash for a stand alone player so that helps justify the system's high price tag even if I personally don't see what the big difference is in the movies compared to older DVDs other than a slightly clearer image.

How can I not talk about this new wireless bluetooth controller here? It may look just like the older Dual Shock controller with its typical two analog sticks that Sony has been whoring out for years but these new ones motion sensitive much like the famous Nintendo Wii-motes so you can tilt the pad around and it may or may not effect the way you play in the games. In the Resistance Fall of Man game for example you can wildly shake the controller up and down if you catch on fire or if a enemy tries to grab you. Up to 7 controllers working on one PS3 here too believe it or not but before you go out getting some more pads they launch at the girlfriend killing you amount of 60 bucks. There is no rumble or shock feature anymore but it's no big deal in my opinion.

The big problem I see with the PS3 is that it's not a very good console for the casual gamer. That's not to say there is something wrong with the games (upset that lame Sonic The Hedgehog title I reviewed here on VIewpoints of course) here but with its scary overall price may have most people going for the more accessible Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii instead. OK, some people may have no problem dropping that kind of loot, but I was still upset that I won't be eating for a week because all my money's gone now. The Blu-ray movies are nice but only a minor step up from DVDs in my opinion and some of the other launch games I tried like Gundam Crossfire, and Tony Hawk's Project 8 just don't look that impressive at all. Overall though I'm still somewhat pleased with my PS3 here and the 600 price tag itself isn't that bad for a machine that's just loaded with features like playing games, watching movies, or even the ability to customize options in the internal menus. The competition is strong this time around and you may want to try before you buy especially with a console this expensive.

PS3 overall rating: 59/100

This review is also on:
videogames101.com

-StarSoldier1 2007
(Ryan Genno)