Is a PS3 purchase worth it at this point?

[Gunstar Hero]

As a gamer my Xbox 360 just has not proved satisfactory. Don't get me wrong I love Rock Band and my Kinect games but as for normal run-of-the-mill controller based games I just don't see the fun. I love game systems like Atari 2600, NES, SNES, Master System, Genesis, Saturn, PS1, and N64 for consoles so I just assumed I was a "Retro Gamer." But then I discovered I was in love with PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox original, so I knew I was a gamer for all decades and the only console I didn't like as much anymore was my Xbox 360. I thought then that I just would have to see If a new console came out, when at gamestop yesterday with my friend I spot a PS3. I remembered my friends telling me post-Xbox 360 purchase, that the PS3 was the way to go. I of course thought it was filled with games similar to Xbox 360 (First person shooters without a light gun? No thank you.) so I never played one until yesterday. I tried out a Ratchet and Clank demo (A PS3 exclusive) remembering how much I loved the PS2 versions. It was up to four players which was very appealing, so my friend an I played through it and beat the demo like 3 times. We were in love with the game and wondered if the PS3 had more awesome games to offer. I tried Uncharted 3 and loved the split second button pressing mayhem and state of the art Blu-ray graphics. I was surprised the PS3 wasn't chock full of FPS's like the 360. Then I started to see FPS's and I started to lose hope... But suddenly I saw they could be played with an AWESOME LOOKING LIGHT GUN!!! I LOVE light gun games, so this definitely held my interest. All that, plus PS2 and PS1 backwards compatability? It seemed too good to be true, but after some research, it seemed as a saw it.

So after reading that, you probably have guessed my question. Is it worth it to get a PS3 at this point in it's lifespan? Will a PS4 come out soon with backwards compatability? Should I wait, or get the PS3? I ask beacause my 15th birthday is in July, and a PS3 seems like a perfect Birthday present.

[Cloud121]

I'm in the same boat. I've essentially been PS3less for about a year. Works fine, it's just that the thermostat is screwed, so the fan runs when it shouldn't. My 20GB was my baby, and I very reluctantly packed it up a few months ago and put it in the closet.

I want to buy a new slim this fall, but with Sony's new console being next year, part of me wants to take a wait and see approach. It's not that I wouldn't get any use out of it, as I have quite a few games (not too mention A LOT of PSN stuff) , but it's the cost factor.

[duffmanth]

I'm in the same boat. I've essentially been PS3less for about a year. Works fine, it's just that the thermostat is screwed, so the fan runs when it shouldn't. My 20GB was my baby, and I very reluctantly packed it up a few months ago and put it in the closet.

I want to buy a new slim this fall, but with Sony's new console being next year, part of me wants to take a wait and see approach. It's not that I wouldn't get any use out of it, as I have quite a few games (not too mention A LOT of PSN stuff) , but it's the cost factor.

Don't forget the PS4 is probably not going to be very affordable at launch, so getting a slim PS3 later this year is probably worthwhile.

[kupomogli]

No. The PS3 is a terrible system, get a Wii.

All kidding aside, the PS3 has the best line up of exclusives and multiconsole titles this generation. It took them awhile to get there and for few years, the 360 was the go to console having the better exclusives and all the multiconsole titles the PS3 had. Sony has been churning out great first party titles on a regular basis, they've been getting a lot of amazing exclusives, and most of the best exclusives for the 360 took a year or two, but have since came out on the PS3.

If you import, then even more so. Gundam Extreme Vs is definitely worth it, as you don't need to know Japanese in order to enjoy the game.

Then there's also PSN+. It's $50 for a year and it's pretty much a monthly rental service, but it's a damn good program, and if I didn't hate digital content so much and wanted to own a physical copy, then I'd pay the $50 a year for it. Well. That and my best friend pays for PSN+ and I just gameshare with him. Anyways. Each month you get quite a few PSN games, usually it's one really good item and the other ones range from good to mediocre. Some of the games, if it wasn't for the PS+ I never would have played being digital only. This month alone is offering Just Cause 2, Far Cry 2, Infamous 2, LBP2, Warhammer 40,000, Ratchet and Clank All 4 One, Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown(just came out this month,) and Hard Corps Uprising as the games that I'd say are either really good or good. People will argue that everything on there is random and you might not get anything you'd like, which is true, but what has been released has been good for the most part(although this months releases, I already own everything aside from Far Cry 2, Warhammer, Ratchet and Clank, and the digital titles.) If it runs out in a year and you don't resubscribe, once you resubscribe is when the games you previously subscribed to will be available to play again as well as new games offered, so it's worth it. Every month PSX titles are also pushed onto there as well. One month every Syphon Filter game was on the PSN+, another month the entire Crash series, Spyro series, Final Fantasy 5, SotN, and Castlevania Chronicles. Those are just the ones that I remember. PSN+ is a great deal. If I wasn't game sharing with my friend, I'd get it for myself, and even thought about getting my own on a few occassions because my friend has two PS3s, which I sometimes deactivate my account so his kid can play games on other console.

*edit*

Btw. The PS3 is not backwards compatible for PS2 games on newer models. PSX games yes, but not PS2 games. If you want a backwards compatible model, I'd suggest looking up the codes on a Wiki somewhere for the 20 and 60GB model numbers and pick one of those up on Ebay. Sony is allowing you to send your console back now and get a refurbished version of the exact same model you currently own, so you could always find a cheap one on Ebay and then send it in for a replacement, although the replacement is $100 something, you'll get practically a brand new 60GB PS3.

If you don't mind keeping your PS2 and then using your PS3 for just PSX and PS3 games, then I'd say get a newer model. I think they come standard with a 320GB hard drive now so you won't have to upgrade your hard drive like those of us with a 60GB more than likely did.

[SEGA_Queen]

I think they come standard with a 320GB hard drive now so you won't have to upgrade your hard drive like those of us with a 60GB more than likely did.

Actually, there's two models available right now. A 160 GB and the 320 GB model. So you've got a choice, depending on how much storage space you need.

I'm personally hoping for a permanent price drop on the system. But I don't expect that to happen until Sony's next system is announced.

[Cloud121]

I'd suggest looking up the codes on a Wiki somewhere for the 20 and 60GB model numbers and pick one of those up on Ebay. Sony is allowing you to send your console back now and get a refurbished version of the exact same model you currently own, so you could always find a cheap one on Ebay and then send it in for a replacement, although the replacement is $100 something, you'll get practically a brand new 60GB PS3.

How long has this been going on? I want to say I'm screwed as I got my 20GB PS3 fixed by a third party (The thermostat was screwed before the fix. I didn't realize it until after I had dropped over $100 on repairs, essentially wasting my money)?

Also, even if I were able to do this, would I just get another 20GB HDD back, or would they do a data transfer of some kind, so I keep everything on my 400GB HDD?

[kupomogli]

Also, even if I were able to do this, would I just get another 20GB HDD back, or would they do a data transfer of some kind, so I keep everything on my 400GB HDD?

You could always question them about it. I mean it does cost either $100 or $150 so it's not a free trade, but they give you the same model you have now(or atleast they were doing so six months to a year ago.) I'd question a representative about the issue first to make sure about it though before going through with it. It's always best to talk to a live person about everything rather than just send it and hope for the best.

With the hard drive you could ask the representative as well if they change it for you or if you would need to remove it and then just replace it once you receive the console or the refurbished console back.

I personally don't know because a friend of mine had his returned and he told me about it, still getting another 60GB back and he stated that it's not the same one because his old one had a scratch in it that this one didn't have. I think Frankie said he returned his as well. My PS3 has never had a problem so I haven't had to return it.

[Leo_A]

Easily 95% of the software library for both platforms is identical for the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3.

If you don't like the 360's library of software, you're not going to enjoy the PS3's.

[kupomogli]

If you don't like the 360's library of software, you're not going to enjoy the PS3's.

Yet that five percent can potentially make all the difference to which library you like more. But I agree that there are a lot of amazing multiconsole titles. Lords of Shadow, Dante's Inferno, Sacred 2, Army of Two the 40th Day, and Grand Theft Auto 4 are only a few of my favorites. In two months Sleeping Dogs is coming out and looks like it has the potential to be my favorite GTA style game.

[substantial_snake]

Easily 95% of the software library for both platforms is identical for the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3.

If you don't like the 360's library of software, you're not going to enjoy the PS3's.

Although possible, I doubt it from the OPs opening post.

Just a quick bullet point rundown of the features you get with a PS3.

Positives/Features:

• Varried Genera selection of exclusive first party titles like Ratchet&Clank, Infamous, Killzone, Grant Turismo, Little Big Planet, Uncharted, etc.
• Diverse selection of "quirky" exclusive games like Heavy Rain, Flower, Journey, Disgaea, Yakuza, Valkyria Chronicles, etc.
• Access to a lot of the heavy hitter PS1 games through their download selection like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, etc.
• Entire section devoted to PS1 imports if your into that
• (slowly :/) growing selection of PS2 games to download
• Near full physical disc PS1 backwards compatibility with all PS3 versions
• No region locking for PS3 games, so a wide selection of current gen import possibilities
• PSN+ is a pretty good subscrition service offering free games, early demos, and good discounts...and its not required for online play..or watching netflix on your console
• Easy to upgrade harddrive (buy a cheaper model and stick a 500 gig in, literally a plastic panel and a screw and doesn't ward your warranty last I checked.)
• Most big releases in the last year have MOVE and/or 3D support if your interested in that
• Growing selection of exclusive HD remasters sometimes including 3D support like Jack&Daxter, Ratchet&Clank, Sly Cooper, RE Chronicals, Ico&Shadows of the Colossus, etc.

Negatives/Drawbacks

• Large number of different models are confusing, do your research first if your buying used and want PS2 compatibility
• PSN isan't as "slick" as XBL, lacking features like cross game chat
• System Updates and Game Updates can be very fusturating if you don't connect often
• Third Party games will usually be inferior ports, depends on the game how inferior (some of the timed Xbox ports are the "complete" versions of the game with DLC included on the disc or other added features just check on a per game basis)
• Removal of PS2 backwards compatibility on mid to late models..fucking bullshit they did this..(and linux support too I guess)

PS3 has a really diverse library and I really can't understand the "no games" complaint at this stage of its life unless said person literally just doesn't like anything put out on the console for some reason.

I also wouldn't put your hopes in the PS4 retaining backwards compatibility with the PS3 from early reports. If you do get one go the cheaper route, buy the smaller HD model, and put in a larger one the whole process literally takes less then 5 minutes and on the older models it told you how to do it in the manual. Its really a great console and its a shame that a lot of people are going to miss out on its wide variety of awesome games.

[duffmanth]

Easily 95% of the software library for both platforms is identical for the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3.

If you don't like the 360's library of software, you're not going to enjoy the PS3's.

I would agree that the vast majority of games are the same on the 360 and PS3, but in my case all it took was that 5% of exclusives on the PS3 to be the deciding factor for me to get a PS3. The 360 has some great exclusives like Halo, Gears, Forza, Fable etc, but it just doesn't enough for me to go out and spend $200-300 on it. If I was deciding what to buy between the 360 and PS3, I wouldn't be looking at which console has the most exclusives, I would looking at the system that has the games that cater to my gaming tastes.

[duffmanth]

As a gamer my Xbox 360 just has not proved satisfactory. Don't get me wrong I love Rock Band and my Kinect games but as for normal run-of-the-mill controller based games I just don't see the fun. I love game systems like Atari 2600, NES, SNES, Master System, Genesis, Saturn, PS1, and N64 for consoles so I just assumed I was a "Retro Gamer." But then I discovered I was in love with PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox original, so I knew I was a gamer for all decades and the only console I didn't like as much anymore was my Xbox 360. I thought then that I just would have to see If a new console came out, when at gamestop yesterday with my friend I spot a PS3. I remembered my friends telling me post-Xbox 360 purchase, that the PS3 was the way to go. I of course thought it was filled with games similar to Xbox 360 (First person shooters without a light gun? No thank you.) so I never played one until yesterday. I tried out a Ratchet and Clank demo (A PS3 exclusive) remembering how much I loved the PS2 versions. It was up to four players which was very appealing, so my friend an I played through it and beat the demo like 3 times. We were in love with the game and wondered if the PS3 had more awesome games to offer. I tried Uncharted 3 and loved the split second button pressing mayhem and state of the art Blu-ray graphics. I was surprised the PS3 wasn't chock full of FPS's like the 360. Then I started to see FPS's and I started to lose hope... But suddenly I saw they could be played with an AWESOME LOOKING LIGHT GUN!!! I LOVE light gun games, so this definitely held my interest. All that, plus PS2 and PS1 backwards compatability? It seemed too good to be true, but after some research, it seemed as a saw it.

So after reading that, you probably have guessed my question. Is it worth it to get a PS3 at this point in it's lifespan? Will a PS4 come out soon with backwards compatability? Should I wait, or get the PS3? I ask beacause my 15th birthday is in July, and a PS3 seems like a perfect Birthday present.

The PS3 has had the best exclusives for quite a while now. Metal Gear Solid 4, the Uncharted games, the God of War games, Infamous 1 and 2, Resistance 1,2 and 3, Killzone 2 and 3, etc are among the best games out there. The PS3 has many more years ahead of it with some of the best games coming next year like GTA5, Metal Gear Rising, God of War Ascension, The Last of Us etc. Don't let the possibility of the PS4 launching next year affect your decision to buy a PS3, the PS3 is gonna be supported with great games for many years to come.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

First person shooters without a light gun? No thank you.

Holy CRAP, how could I have missed that comment?!

If your personal barrier to enjoying an FPS is the lack of a "light gun", seriously, Gunstar Hero, if you do ever get a PS3 - get yourself the Move bundle with Killzone 3 and the Sharpshooter attachment.

I'm really bummed that more people didn't experience Killzone 3 with that setup ... once you tweak the sensitivity settings to your personal liking (and it does have a wide enough range to allow for ultra-sensitive to not very sensitive) it works SO much better than one would imagine a setup like that to.

If you think about it, it's actually just a mouse/keyboard type aiming setup with the move tracking X/Y on the screen like you would with a mouse pointer and the nav controller handling your movement.

I can't speak for any other game that uses the sharpshooter attachment, but Killzone 3 is a perfect application of the tech that the developers obviously spent some serious time engineering to work.

Also, if light gun games are your thing, Move has proven to be a very competent traditional light-gun simulator. The Time Crisis Rizing Storm disc has some NAMCO arcade classics on there (though admittedly Rizing Storm itself isn't very good), and SEGA released House of the Dead 3 and 4 on PSN and Move works awesome with them.