PlayStation 3

The 3rd generation of console gaming has been a tight race since the start. The Wii and Xbox 360 were the front runners in the race but bringing up the rear is Sony’s latest console, the PlayStation 3.

The PS3 was released on the 17th of November (for North America). While the release was hyped up with the promise of ultra-realistic graphics, the hype was shortly lived when people realized just how much the console would set them back.

Even though the PS3 was the middle console to be released it definitely made a splash. While more expensive than the other two consoles the PlayStation 3 is the meanest when it comes to hardware. The PS3 features a blu-ray disk system, high-definition 1080p output, and is powered by a Cell Broadband Engine.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Playstation 3:

• Street price: $399.99 - $499.99
• Cell Broadband Engine
• 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
• 40GB - 80GB hard drive
• Up to 7 wireless controllers

Things I like
The PlayStation 3 is one beast of a machine. When it comes to processing power it kills everything else. Five PS3’s were networked together and were used as a super computer. This is basically where everything I like about the PS3 ends. It does produce great graphics and it is great that Sony finally realized that people wanted to play with more than 2 people. Other than the great graphics and the pure power of the cell processors, the PS3 really has nothing else to offer.

Things I don’t like
The PS3 costs way too much. While it is an amazing machine the fact that it costs $400 for the lowest end is absolutely ridiculous. Remember that this is a year after it was released. When the PS3 first came out it was even more to buy. Unfortunately the PS3 problems don’t just end with the high price. I don’t like the way their SIXAXIS controllers feel in your hand. The old controllers had a good heftiness to them but the new ones feel to light. They feel like you’ll break them with any hard gaming.

The other problem I have with the PlayStation 3 is the fact that there aren’t really any good games. Sure theres Assassins Creed and a few other big names but because of the Cell processors, developers just haven’t had the ability to develop for it. In a few years this will be another story and the PS3 will kill everything but right now I honestly think that the Wii and the 360 are a better choice.

Pros:

• Lots of processing power
• 1080p high-def output
• 7 wireless controllers

Cons:

• Very Expensive
• Not many good games yet
• SIXAXIS controller feels cheap

Final Thoughts
I wouldn’t advise getting the PS3 for another few years. Developers just haven’t really had the chance to make any good games for it yet. Wait until a number of good games come out and then I would say get it. While the PlayStation 3 does have a tonne of processing power and it does produce some ultra-realistic graphics, it just isn’t worth the high price tag that goes with it. I cannot recommend the PlayStation 3 yet.