Topic: So I'm going to buy a PS3.

[Quemaqua]

Here's my question to those of you who own it:

A huuuge deal for me is the backwards compatibility.  That's more than half of the reason I want the thing, because my PS2 is dying and I don't want to replace it if I can't fix it manually.  So do I try to find one of the older models on ebay that had the actual chip, or do I go for the newer ones with the software?  I'm asking this primarily because I thought it was a no-brainer to get the one with the chip, but then I read something about there being some conflicts where it wasn't running certain games right and the newer ones were?  This is obviously an issue for me since if FFXII doesn't run on the thing, it may as well go in the trash.

Anybody have any advice for me?  Hell... and if you feel like listing the good games you've got for it, that wouldn't hurt either.  The only thing I know I want right now is Folklore.

And yes, I know I said I probably wouldn't buy one, but I recently came into what is more or less a decent sum of free money.  A new TV is probably in order as well, then the rest goes into savings.

[Cobra951]

I just read, earlier today, that the 2 PS3 models which support backward compatibility in hardware were selling for like 3 times the price of the others.  I'll see if I can find the link.

Actually, twice the price.

[Pugnate]

I'd say screw backwards compatibility, and just wait a few months for the 120GB version that will be bundled with the new dual shocks. You can make do with your PS2 slim on the side.

Cobra I read on CNN they were going for that much.

An import store here has the backwards compatible 60GB version for $450 because people don't want a PS3. Hmmm....

[Ghandi]

It seems like you could just buy the cheaper ps3 and a used ps2 for less than the really expensive one.

[JacksRag(e)]

This is a place that sells used 60 gb PS3s for cheaper than the 40 gb PS3s.
I've heard a lot of good things about the site, too.  So, if you really want the backwards compatibility, you should try here.

http://www.gamefunk.com/product.detail.cfm?ProductID=410000233948

[TheOtherBelmont]

Ghandi's suggestion isn't too bad of an idea, you wouldn't have to worry about backwards compatibility crapping out on you and you would save a little money even if you got a brand new PS2.

I would say get Devil May Cry 4 and Assassin's Creed as well but you've got both of those for the 360, so yeah get Folklore, I played the demo of it and it was enough to make want to get it.  I ended up getting the $399 PS3 recently because my PS2 is working well enough to where I don't need backwards compatibility and if I REALLY need more space I can replace the HD later, I doubt I'll need to though.  Also, getting a new TV is a good choice, I have my PS3 hooked up with an HDMI cable to my 26" RCA LCD HDTV and it looks amazing compared to my brother's standard TV with A/V cables.  I also decided not to hold out for the dual shock bundle because it was going to be more expensive and the dual shock controllers will work with my PS3 anyways so I can grab a controller when they come out since I need a 2nd controller anyways and I'll definitely want one for when Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out this summer.

[K-man]

I've got a 60 and have yet to experience any problems playing any ps2/ps1 games with it.  I mean there shouldn't be any issues at all, considering the hardware is in the console.

Before I'd pay ludicrous prices for one though, I'd probably just buy a 40 gig ps3 and a new slimline ps2.  I lucked up and found my 60 gig at a podunk retail store after Christmas.

One game I wholeheartedly recommend playing is Resistance.

[iPPi]

I plan on picking up a PS3 myself in the near future as well.  But I'm picking one up for the blu-ray player, and not for PS2 backwards compatibility, and like you, I am only interested in Folklore.  I'll likely pick up the 40GB model, since I see no reason to spend $100 for an extra 40GB and PS2 compatibility.

[K-man]

It was worth it to me because I was able to carry my PS2 upstairs and put it in the bedroom.  In fact, since the ps3 adapter for my MAS Stick happens to lag a little bit, the upstairs PS2/LCD tv has basically become a 2d fighting mecca.

[Pugnate]

I've been meaning to get a PS3 for a while. I heard some guys from EGM raving about Uncharted. Kevin Levine (Bioshock, Freedom Force) wrote in his PCG column that he really loved it as well.

K-Man, have you played the game? Any opinions?

[K-man]

I've played the demo.  It's an absolutely beautiful game, and in my opinion it really sets the graphical bar high.  I've also been told that the story is very well done, like a good Indiana Jonesish type action flick.  I was a bit peeved that the pirates were able to take more than one headshot, but I'm told it depends on where in the head you shoot them.

The only caveat about the game (and really it's a reflection on what we've come to expect as gamers) is that you're basically paying for a 15 hour single player campaign.  I wouldn't think there would be much replay value at all, but then I haven't played it all the way through either.  There aren't any multiplayer options (and I really don't think it would translate well to a multiplayer environment anyway - perhaps co-op).  I think it being just a single player game hurts it a little, especially at a 60 dollar price point. 

Everyone I've talked to that's played through the game absolutely loves it, but a lot of them say it's basically a rental.    I guess if games like God of War and Bioshock scream 'good deal for the money' to you, then Uncharted would be a worthy purchase.  I'm going to pick it up at some point, but I've got so much crap already that I haven't tackled that it would make little sense to pay full price for it only to have the price drop when I get around to actually playing it.

I have to wonder if it would garner as much attention had it been released on the 360.  By all accounts it is a good game though, and a great start to a (hopefully) fruitful original IP for Sony.  God knows they need a few.

[K-man]

Also Que, I don't know if this will influence your decision in any way (and with the apparent death of HD-DVD the offer may not happen again), but when I bought my PS3 I was able to submit my UPC, a copy of my receipt, and an order form to get 5 free Blu-Ray movies.  The deal is expired now however, and I don't know if it will repeat again.  If you purchased it from Ebay you wouldn't have that luxury.  Just a thought.

If there were any off the beaten path retail stores in your area that sold PS3's, I'd fish for a 60 gig there.  I found mine right after Christmas at one of these:

http://www.pamida.com/

It's like a wal mart for towns that couldn't support a wal mart.

Otherwise, it might be worth your time to hold off until later on this year when Sony will be releasing those bundle deals.  I know there's going to be a MGS4 bundle, an GT prologue bundle, and a Blu Ray bundle.

[Pugnate]

From what I understand the gameplay is a mix of Tomb Raider and GoW. Like you said, the gameplay doesn't seem very original, but is apparently a lot of fun. What attracts me is the seemingly strong narrative, which is why this is going to be the first game I pick up for the PS3.

[K-man]

Yeah, it's basically Tomb Raider with a cover system and more gunplay.  Not a bad formula.

It's derivative for sure, but I had a lot of fun with the demo.

[Quemaqua]

So I'm actually posting this from my PS3.  This is the first time I've really gone online with a console.  Well, aside from the Wii at Sy's place.  Trippy.  I guess I'll go check out the Playstation Store and junk.  Cheers from console land!

[TheOtherBelmont]

So I'm actually posting this from my PS3.  This is the first time I've really gone online with a console.  Well, aside from the Wii at Sy's place.  Trippy.  I guess I'll go check out the Playstation Store and junk.  Cheers from console land!

Add me as a friend when you make your Playstation Network ID, my name is TheOtherBelmont unsurprisingly.

[K-man]

Yeah, mine's VeryUnclever

[Quemaqua]

Excellent.  I'll add you both.

Hey, does anybody know if you can play Burnout Paradise crossplatform?  EA seems to use their own system, so I'm wondering if Cobra and I could play together even though I got it for PS3.  I suppose I should have just gotten it on 360, but it just seemed to make more sense to try it on PS3 since I already have TDU on 360,

Anyway, it isn't like I'll be on this thing all the time.  But you guys can add me as the usual and maybe we can try to play something sometime.  Maybe then I'll finally get off my ass and get a router!

[K-man]

No cross-platform online gaming, I'm afraid.

[Quemaqua]

Ah well.  I don't think Cobra plays online anyway, thinking about it.

[Cobra951]

You got it!   

As good as the 360 version of BP is, you got the better one, Que.  The PS3 was the lead platform during development.  For once, PS3 development didn't bring up the buggy rear.  (I think we'll see that trend go away entirely this year.)

So how are you liking the new toy?  You're posting from it?  Isn't that a bitch with a controller, or is there something else about the PS3 I don't know?

What are you using for a display?  Got your new TV too?

Edit:

Ah well.  I don't think Cobra plays online anyway, thinking about it.

It's not just a general lack of interest.  I seem to have technical issues with game servers, including this game.  What Criterion do is use the servers to set up P2P hookups between players directly, which is great.  But if I can't reach the servers, I'm out of the loop.  The 1.2 patch is supposed to address the long hang when attempting to connect to the servers.  If that is solved, then I can go ahead and attempt to connect repeatedly until it works.  It does work occasionally.  Another problem I have is no headset.  Apparently, that makes me deaf and dumb in Paradise.

Forget EA.  The Criterion BP forums are the best resource for this.

[scottws]

You don't have a headset?  My 360 came with one.

[Quemaqua]

Well Cobra, I'm just using the controller at this point.  Yes, it's a bitch and then some.  I wouldn't even be posting with it at all but for the fact that I have to swap my ethernet cable and cycle the modem every time I switch the connection between the PC and whatever console I plan to use.  I've been putting off a wireless router for ages now since I never figured I'd bother with console connectivity.

As for the PS3 itself, I'm actually pretty damn happy with it.  The interface is basically that of the PSP, just beefier.  In general, I far prefer this to the 360's look and feel.  That just feels like a toy in comparison to the attempt at elegance on the part of the PS3.  It isn't perfect (the Wii has a much nicer shopping area in terms of design, for instance), but it's much more to my liking than anything on the 360 side.

I'll likely post more once I'm off this damnable controller for typing.  Thankfully the word assistance thing here is quite helpful once you learn to stop fighting it.

[Cobra951]

You don't have a headset?  My 360 came with one.

I got a core system, which was a mistake.  I liked the wired controller, the lack of a headset and the price, but I still gave up too much.  I added the long ethernet cable and HDD later.  I've resisted the headset with all my might.  I have a phobia against talking into my games.

Que, you can use a USB keyboard with the 360.  Does the PS3 allow the same?  It surely would help you.  And if you can afford all this new geeky goodness, I don't want to hear that you can't pick up a $50 Linksys router.   

[TheOtherBelmont]

Using the browser with the controller is surprisingly smooth, yeah a keyboard would be a little better obviously.  I use a 26" HDTV and its very clear and easy to read, even decent YouTube videos show up nicely in the browser and like Que said the word assistant thing makes it a little easier.

[scottws]

Yeah no kidding.  I thought everyone had a router in their house these days.

[Quemaqua]

For what?  I have absolutely zero reason to own one but for giving my consoles connectivity, which I haven't really cared about up until pretty much yesterday.  I've never had more than one PC, and never really had a laptop at the same time as a functioning desktop (except once, and I had no need to hook the laptop to the net).

Anyway, to expand on what I said earlier... yeah, I'm digging the PS3.  I always kind of assumed that it would be nicer than the 360 in general, and that I'd probably like using it better, but the price and lack of games made that entirely irrelevant.  Since the price became a non-issue, the lack of games was no longer a big thing since I expect the library to increase and there are a number of cross-platform titles that I'd give the nod to the PS3 versus the 360 if I had the option.  Plus it's nice to know that if my 360 ever dies, which seems all but inevitable at this point with things being as they are, I'll still have a console to play.

To answer your other question, Cobra, I don't have an HDTV yet.  Still just playing on the old TV.  So far that's been relatively fine, with caveats.  Folklore plays, but instead of a nice letterboxed display or an intelligent change in display method, it just squashes the widescreen and makes everything look like ass.  I'll be waiting to play that one.  Burnout Paradise fairs much better.  It's a little hard to read some text, and I get the impression that I'd be able to see distant objects a good deal better if I had a better TV running at higher resolution, but the game is perfectly playable.  Uncharted seems to generally be the best of the bunch, as it suffers no issues whatsoever from being on a standard TV and still looks flabbergastingly good.  I'm very much looking forward to the new TV, but I feel no particular urgency for it.