Information Compiled by: abdelmessih101
Disclaimer:
I've had this post saved on a Word document for a while now since many people have been thinking about getting a PS3 recently :)
Yeah, I know it's a long post, but there have been so many threads about people thinking about getting a PS3 for a while now. Most of the time, it turns out to be a simple question (probably much like yours, TC) about the different versions, or online play, or exclusives, or something else that the TC could answer for him/her-self easily if he/she did a little research. One day, it got so bad that I did all the research for them, compiled all the information, saved it on a word document, and tried to get it stickied. However, the mod didn't "see a need for it," so I just copy and paste it whenever there is a new question thread (several times a day) and force feed the information to these lazy people (including you TC). It usually answers everyone's questions. If you have a question that needs an answer from someone who physically has the system, then OK, but otherwise, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH OR I WILL FORCE FEED IT TO YOU.
Here is a link to the GameSpot PS3 Console Resource Center. Most of this information can also be found there. If you don't want to read that, then read this:
Should I get a PS3? Is it worth the money?
The answer is yes; definitely get a PS3
Of course it's worth the money and here's why:
Amazing PS3 Exclusives (currently out, and those to come):
- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Warhawk
- Heavenly Sword
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (my personal favorite - I highly recommend this game)
- Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction
- Killzone 2
- Haze
- Home (not really a game; explained further in "Online" section)
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
- God of War 3
- Kingdom Hearts III (or whatever they call the sequel)
- Resistance 2 (or whatever they call the sequel)
- Final Fantasy XIII
- Final Fantasy XIII: Versus
- Lair, Eye of Judgement, and Folklore are all popular despite low reviews - check them out
- Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (rumored, but very likely)
- Gran Turismo 5
- Tekken 6- The King of Iron Fist Tournament
- Little Big Planet
- Socom Confrontation
- Unreal Tournament III- PS3 timed exclusive!
- White Knight Chronicles- formerly known as White Knight Story; it's an action RPG by industry pros
You can't argue with that list; trust me, it's well worth the money
For a full list that I won't put here for the sake of space, go to this site
Plus, don't forget:
Online service is free,
It's the cheapest form of Blu-Ray player on the market. In fact, other Blu-Ray players on the market START at around $800, so if you got a PS3 exclusively as a Blu-Ray player, you'd still be getting 50%+ off compared to the competition.
Most have backwards compatibility (hurry, the 60GB models w/ the best B/C are going fast)
What are the differences between the 4 SKUs (versions)?
You can check backwards compatibility for specific games here
PlayStation 3 System Comparison
80GB: $499, Black & Chrome system, has multimemory card readers, uses software emulation for PS2 backwards compatibility (85%+), has PS1 backwards compatibility, has internal Wi-Fi, has 4 USB ports, and is bundled with Motorstorm
60GB: $499 (varies), Black & Chrome system, has multimemory card readers, uses built-in PS2 hardware for PS2 backwards compatibility (99%+), has PS1 backwards compatibility, has internal Wi-Fi, has 4 USB ports
40GB: $399, Black & Chrome system, no multimemory card readers, no PS2 backwards compatibility, has PS1 backwards compatibility, his internal Wi-Fi, has 2 USB ports, and is bundled with Spider-Man 3 on Blu-Ray
20GB: $379 (varies), Black system, no multimemory card readers, uses built-in PS2 hardware for PS2 backwards compatibility (99%+), has PS1 backwards compatibility, no Wi-Fi (Ethernet cable required for online play), has 4 USB ports
Multi-memory card reader = Memory Stick slot (SD cards - used for PSP, digital cameras, cell phones, etc), Compact Flash slot (also used for digital cameras), and others
HDMI and Component cables are sold separately.
As of right now, none of the PS3s are 100% backwards compatible, but the backwards compatibility issues with some games will be improved over time through system updates.
If you've got a PS2 and it still works, there's not much reason to go with the 80GB instead of the 40GB except for Motorstorm (if you like it), the multimemory card readers and a couple of extra USB slots. The memory is upgradable anyway.
Here is a Gamespot tutorial on how to upgrade the PS3's hard drive.
If you don't have a PS2 or if it's broken, and you still want to play PS2/PS1 games, get the 60GB if you can find it or the 80GB if you can't find the 60GB.
If the multimemory card readers are important to you, then your only options are the 60GB or 80GB versions.
*Note: I went with the 60GB version before the price drop, and I don't regret the $600+ I spent at all.
What about the Online Service?
Online service on the PS3 (called the Playstation Network) is completely free.
The PS3 has the Playstation Store, where you can download free demos, videos, images, themes, and buyPS1 games, other arcade-like games, add-ons to PS3 games, and entire PS3 games (the only two available right now are Warhawk and Tekken 5).
I know that you can get TV shows and movies from Xbox Live, and the Playstation Network will be doing something like soon. The PS3 is also compatible with DivX movies from your PC and you can get movies on your PS3 that way.
Sony is due to release Home in Q1 2008; it's a virtual world where you can create and customize an avatar and a home for your avatar (ala The Sims). Also, you can access stuff from the Playstation Store in virtual shops, hang out at public spaces with other online PS3 users, and play virtual arcade games. You can text chat using your PS3 remote or keyboard or voice chat using a Bluetooth headset. You can invite your new-made friends back to your private home and share music and videos saved on your PS3, and even invite them to play multiplayer games together. There will also to be a trophy system comparable to the Xbox Live achievement point system, and you can display your trophies at you private place. In short, Home is AWESOME!
Here is a Gametrailers.com 25 minute Home walkthrough
Also, Sony is expected to make the Cross Media Bar (XMB) available to you while playing games online. It will hopefully be in one of the next few updates. Until then, however, the online format depends on the game (Resistance has a perfect format IMO).
On the XMB, once you log in to Playstation online account, you can see your buddy list, whether or not your buddies are online and what they're playing if they are online. You can send them a message or invite them to a chat room where you can use voice chat. You can also access saved music and videos from your XMB and this will be available in-game in the future.
Most online games have voice chat and the quality depends on the headset. I have the headset that came bundled with Warhawk when I bought it from the store (for a total of $60, it saves $20 over getting them individually). It's works great.
I've had my PS3 since January 2007, and have experienced minimal (little to no) lag online or other problems in general. I've heard from others on this site with both the PS3 and 360 who have said that the gamers on Xbox Live are less mature and there is a lot more racism and cursing on Xbox Live than on the Playstation Network. Of course that may be due to the fact that fewer people have the PS3 right now.
Even though I've never played on Xbox Live, I've heard from people who have used both that Xbox Live isn't that much better than the Playstation Network. 
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