A powerhouse console, a real media centre for the home (Sony Playstation 3 80 GB)

Member Name: Degeneratemoo

Product:	Sony Playstation 3 80 GB
Date:	07/08/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Solid console, makes an excellent media centre for the home

Disadvantages: Smaller game library than Xbox, PSN still needs developing further

Before I start, I just want to say that there'll be no 'fanboy' stuff here. I'm a firm believer that all the consoles have their good and bad points, they all have good games and bad games and there'll always be people who like one above the other. I've owned the original xbox and I currently own a Wii, Ps3, PC and a DS, they all provide different experiences and no one console does everything brilliantly, and that includes the 360.

Anyway, I held off buying a PS3 when it was first released, mainly due to the price but also because it wasn't getting the good reviews that I would have liked to have seen. Reports of firmware bricking systems and a lack of decent games put me off a bit and I suspect it did others too.

Fast forward a bit in time and the original 60gb PS3 can no longer be purchased new, it was replaced with a 40gb stripped down version that was considerbly cheaper, but also lacked 2 of the original 4 usb sockets, memory card reader and more importantly PS1 & 2 support.

I purchased the 80gb version when it came out, the 40gb version was really a waste of time since the piddly hard-drive would soon fill up. I've nearly filled mine and I don't have THAT much on it.

I got a bundle that included GTA 4 and an extra dual-shock controller. I haven't got a HDTV so I cannot comment on the quality of the graphics in that respect, but even on an SD telly the PS3 looks amazing. I've reviewed the controller elsewhere so I'll just say, it's excellent, fits in the hand nice, it's solid and worthy of the job.

The playstation network is the equivalent to the microsoft xbox live system and this is where the fanboys really get in a huff. Personally I'm not bothered as I'm happy with the PSN as it's completely free and works well, it's always being updated with new features so it will continue to get better all the time. I'm not sure I'd want to pay to access the xbox live system, but unless I owned one, who knows.

The system is quick to load, allows for lots of customisation in the menus etc. It can also be used as a media centre for the home, you can wirelessly transfer (yes wireless networking is included, you don't have to buy an add-on) music, photos, movies etc and play them on your telly.

There have also been newer apps released like Playstation Home and Vidzone, a brand new music video system that works really really well.

This console is big and it's black, it does attract the dust since it has a shiny surface. The powerpack for the system is built into the machine so there's only a single wire and plug used for power, I much prefer this to having a huge brick powersupply behind the telly.

Overall, this console is ace. There are some brilliant games out now with some excellent new ones coming too. Sure it's a shame when some games are Xbox exclusive, but I just play something else, if I was really bothered then I'd just get an xbox too, but I'm not. I'm glad I purchased it and I really believe that it has yet to come into it's own. The Xbox has a massive game library but the lack of blu-ray (the PS3 is also a blu-ray player) really hurt its options and I think it's probably peaked at both its popularity and potential, the PS3, having come out a while after, still has some growing to do and I don't yet think it's peak in its abilities, and no RROD!

Summary: An excellent console, I wouldn't be without it.