I'm not a fanboy for any one system or brand; I own all three of this generation's consoles. In fact, I loved the PS2 so much that I purchased more games for it than I had for all of my previous systems combined. I got so much use and enjoyment out of my PS2 that I never thought it necessary to own an original Xbox. Still, owning and playing all three consoles of this generation causes me to notice that in several ways Sony has screwed the proverbial pooch this time around and I find myself collecting more dust than games for my PS3.

Without further ado, here are the top ten things I hate about my PS3:

1) System Updates

All too frequently, Sony updates the firmware with some trivial function I won't ever use and forces me to spend an hour downloading and installing it before I can get back to enjoying my games or movies. Did I mention that the Xbox360 only updates itself about once or twice a year, with legitimate feature upgrades (like Netflix streaming) and takes only a few minutes to download and install.

2) Game Patches

Likewise, games also take an inordinate amount of time to patch. Xbox360 games, on the other hand, take only seconds and even offer the option of skipping the update (at the expense of online play) for those who just want to get gaming.

3) Lack of Voice Messages

There's no option (or if there is, it's a well-kept secret) to send a brief voice message to a friend like Xbox Live. Instead (unless you want to shell out for a keyboard peripheral) you have to hunt and peck the virtual keyboard with the joystick, a genuine exercise in frustration.

4) Controller Batteries

The controller batteries are sealed inside. This means that my rechargeable AAs, which work in just about every other piece of electronics I own, cannot be used to quickly get back up and running if a controller dies mid-gaming session. Sure, the included USB cable offers "play & charge" capability... if I want to sit ten inches away from the system, completely defeating the purpose of a wireless remote. With my Xbox360 or Wii I can just reach to my battery charger, grab a fresh set and away I go.

5) USB Ports

The USB ports are not powered when the system is off. This exacerbates the aforementioned battery issue since you can't just leave the controller plugged in between sessions, unless you want to leave the system on 24/7, which I highly recommend against. If you want to charge while the system is off, you're practically forced to purchase an after-market charger.

6) Lack of Infrared

No built-in IR (infrared) port. What difference does that make? If you went to the expense and trouble of buying a universal remote to reduce clutter and make your (or your spouse's) entertainment experience easier, you can forget about using it with your PS3 unless you plan to fork out more cash for an expensive IR to Bluetooth adapter. This item seems particularly boneheaded since one of the main selling points of the PS3 is that it serves as your Blu-Ray movie player.

7) Install-to-Hard Drive

This "feature", which supposedly reduces game load times, does little more than force you to sit around and wait before playing your latest eagerly-awaited purchase. It also has the side benefit of devouring hard drive space by installing several GBs of data for just about every game you put in the disc drive. Did I mention it's mandatory?

8 ) Multiple Users

Only one user can sign in at once. This really puts a damper on social gaming. Any user-specific abilities (preferences, unlockable game content, trophies, etc.) are null and void when playing together because only one person can actually be signed in to the same console at the same time.

9) The XMB

The XMB (Cross Media Bar) isn't accessible in-session. Wait a minute, you protest, they added that feature in one of the thousand system updates since the console was released! Not really, because while you can *access* the XMB, half of the XMB functions still require you to exit your game or movie.

10) Online Support

The Playstation Network has an archaic feature set. Sure, it may not require the insignificant three or four dollars a month that Xbox Live does, but let's face it- you get what you pay for. There's no pervasive party chat to connect you and your friends during and between games, there isn't even a decent party matchmaking system. Some games (SOCOM: Confrontation, for example) still require you to pick a specific server, make a "room" and hope all of your friends can get in before the server (or room) reaches its cap. Almost everything about the PSN is completely wonky. Even the features Sony introduced to try and stay competitive with Live, like the achievement copy-cat "trophies", are so band-aided that they appear to be little more than a cruel joke. Dear Sony: Online gaming has changed dramatically in the decade since the PS2 was released; get with the times.


Is the PS3 a good system? Sure it is and I'm not saying it's a complete waste of money. After all I'm glad I own one for a few exclusive games and Blu Ray movies but it just isn't the superior platform Sony would have you believe. Due in whole or in part to the flaws mentioned above, I own about 40 games for Xbox360, 20 for Wii, and only about 6 for PS3... and those six were all PS3 exclusives.