Modern gaming (Sony Playstation 3 60 GB)

Member Name: samgriff

Product:	Sony Playstation 3 60 GB
Date:	06/03/08 (143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great machine, Blu-ray

Disadvantages: Not many big games

Well as a computer geek and a hard core fan of the Playstation series I just knew that I would be destined to purchase the Playstation 3. But I ended up waiting a few months before I purchased this wonder machine, basically because I'm a cheap skate and wanted it to come down in price before I bought it. So about six months ago I walked into GAME and walked out with rather a big bag of entertainment goodies.
So for anybody that doesn't know what a Playstation is, I will dutifully inform you. The Playstation was released in 1995 and fast became the leading brand in console gaming. This lead to the hugely successful PS2 and in 2007(UK release) the PS3. The console is primarily a gaming unit; it plays video games such as 'Gran Turismo' a driving game. There are many other types of games such as RPG and shoot-em-ups which have all graced the Playstation. The PS3 has taken this to the next level, not only is this a gaming machine, it's a whole entertainment system. It can store and play MP3s, videos, photos and can play DVDs, although I will go into greater detail of these later.

The machine
First off I will say that I will be reviewing the 60GB version of the PS3. Well on first looks the PS3 sort of looks like a George Forman grilling machine. On closer inspection you will see the PS logo and the shiniest console you will ever see. It isn't the most lightweight machine, it is quite hefty, and you couldn't really carry it about for long without your arms dropping off. But it is a stylish machine; it just looks cool and futuristic. The CD insert slot is now automatic, so you just slide the CD in. There are now four USB ports for if you want to attach accessories or load some music or photos onto the machine. I will give you the specifications for the machine, and I will try and explain what some of the information means.
* CPU: Cell Broadband Engine
* GPU: RSX
* Main Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM
* Embedded VRAM: 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
* Hard Drive Disk: 2.5" Serial ATA (60 GB HDD)
* Main Input/output: USB 2.0 (x4), Memory Stick/SD/Compact Flash
* Ethernet: 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T
* Bluetooth: 2.0 (EDR), Wireless Controller (up to 7)
* Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 b/g
* Screen Size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
* HDMI: HDMI out - (x1/HDMI)
* Analog: AV MUTLI OUT x1
* Digital Audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL x1)
* Disc Drive: Blu-ray/DVD/CD (read-only)

Honestly I don't understand what most of this gobbley-gook means but some you can sort of read. Basically the CPU is just how the machine runs; the memory is concerned with how fast the information can be processed. Screen size is just how detailed you can get your games to be on your TV. For example 1080p is the best you can get if you attach a HDMI cable to a HDTV, it's pure brilliance. I'm so sorry but I don't really know what the other bits mean but I have put the information there in case you would like to research the product yourself.
So upon first opening the box I noticed that there are an awful lot of wires and booklets that I found rather confusing. Luckily I automatically knew which leads I needed to get set up but I felt sorry for anyone who was new to the whole gaming experience. When reading the booklet I felt it wasn't explained as well as it could have been. Lots of fussy diagrams and technological words that many people would be scratching their heads at. I recommend that anyone who hasn't had a console before ask someone who has to help out with all the leads and wires and connecting the PS3.

Gaming
The main reason that I and I suppose many other people have bought the PS3 is for its gaming capabilities. With its superior engine and Blu-ray technology the gaming discs are capable of containing much more information which for us gamers means better graphics, more freedom and quality of game play. When the PS3 first came out there wasn't that many games worthy of spending the money. But now there are dozens of games that are absolutely fantastic and truly show just what the PS3 is capable of. The best game for me is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the graphics are simply top notch and the PS3 plays it's smoothly, especially online. 2008 seems to be the year for the PS3 to come into its own with many new games on the horizon.

Online
Over 90% of gamers have their console connected to the internet for online gaming. This is one of the best features of the PS3 as all online connectivity and gaming is completely free! So I could spend hours online COD4 and not spend a penny. Online is just fantastic, you can really get caught up in the action of playing people from all over the world. I love it when you can hear people over their head-sets getting stressed and laughing. Completely insane, but it's one of the best features of console gaming and especially brilliant on the PS3 for being free.

Entertainment
As I have already mentioned the PS3 is primarily for me a gaming unit but it can also serve another purpose, well a few actually. The machine can actually store and play all of your photos and music from your computer using simple transfer methods. It can play all your CDs and DVDs. I think the new feature and one of the primary selling points for the PS3 is its Blu-ray capabilities. When connected to a HDTV whether gaming or watching Blu-ray DVDs the picture quality is literally out of this world. For poor little me I don't have a HDTV so I can't have this glory. I did get to play on my friends PS3 which is connected to a 42" HDTV capable of 1080p and I have to say I was blown away. Not only in gaming do you feel you are actually there, but the DVDs just look stunning. While playing Resistance Fall of Man I have to admit I did get pretty freaked out by the realistic graphics.
Playing old games from the PS and PS2 is fine on the 60GB model, they can have a few problems with some games but mostly it's ok. You have to create an internal memory card for them which isn't a hassle.

What's new?
For everyone that has played on the PS2 knows what a leap the PS3 has taken. First off the PS2 never got online gaming up to proper speed that we gamers wanted. There were only a few games that were capable of network play which took ages to get set up. On the PS3 it literally takes two minutes to set up a wireless internet connection. Also pretty much every game you buy on the PS3 is capable of online play. COD4 I just love online and within two minutes of loading up the game I am playing online. This is at the best of times; sometimes it may take a few minutes extra to get onto a game.
The huge leap I think is that the PS3 now deals with a system where you can choose what to do, whether it being gaming, watching trailers or playing demos. This is the screen which comes up as soon as you turn the power on. Its predecessors were only capable of playing the games and checking your memory card, a bit boring really. You can have a friends list to keep in touch with people you meet while playing or just friends you know who have PS3s. You can send free messages to them and voice chat to them.
The wireless controllers I find to be a nice addition, only taking a few hours to charge they literally play for about thirty to forty hours before needing to recharge. The only negative function is they no longer have rumble qualities which I did like in earlier controllers. The Sixx-axis controllers are quite unique as they have motion sensors. So when playing a driving game you can tilt the controller to make the car turn. I thought this was a nice little touch.
The Playstation Store is one of the main parts of the PS3. From here you can buy games that are either full massive online games or smaller classic games such as Crash Bandicoot. You can download demos and trailers all for free. I love this as I can download a demo of a game I think looks interesting and then play it, deciding on if I shall buy it or not.

Costs
So on to what people really care about, how much does it all cost? Well the PS3 started out at a heart stopping £525 which was a little unacceptable to ask people to pay. They were shown it was too much by poor sales. Now the PS3 has brought out a 40GB model which has no backwards compatibility unfortunately which means you can literally only play PS3 games on the machine. This now costs £300 from most shops. The price can vary depending on the deals with games and controllers you get with the machine. From GAME you can usually get a game with the PS3 for £300. The controllers are quite robust and can last a while if kept properly. My friend complained that his gave out within two weeks but I know he threw his controllers about quite a bit and at £35 a controller it's a bit of money so please take care of them. At the moment games cost around £40-45 pound each so they are a bit pricey. I usually only buy the games that I really want and wait for others to come down in price.

Overall
On the whole I am glad I purchased the PS3, its makes a nice addition to my room! The gaming is just superb; I have literally spent hours playing on Oblivion and COD4. Online is just fantastic and I really recommend it to anyone. The graphics are great but I think at the moment they really don't show just what the PS3 is capable of. The new features are pretty great but you really don't get the full advantage of them unless you connect to a HDTV which is a bit annoying as I don't know many people that have them. The price for the PS3 is pretty reasonable now considering you do get a Blu-ray player in the deal, they usually cost upwards of £500! I just love the thing and really cannot wait for some of the games that are coming out this year and just loving the thought of what possibilities lie ahead. For any gamer this is a worthy machine.
P.S. Sorry if this review is a little long I just wanted to fully explain the necessary features of the PS3. However I probably have forgotten some things so please comment if I have. Thanks for reading.

Summary: A great machine with excellent potential