I Got One (A PS3 Story)

[Tempest]

Yesterday I finally broke down and bought myself a PS3. My poor old PS2 is on its last legs, so I thought I should replace it while the hardware BC PS3 models are still available. I didn't really get a chance to play with it much last night, but here are my first impressions:

 

1. The girl who got the PS3 out of the case at the Best Buy for me *almost* was able to hide her "Oh my god, someone is actually buying one of these!" smile, almost… I picked up Oblivion and the DVD remote while I was at it because the PS3 will now be my main DVD/BluRay player (replacing an old crappy DVD player).

 

2. The game boxes are cheap looking. Not only are they smaller than the average DVD case, but they have that clear top as well for no reason. They almost look like they're just a placeholder for the real game case. Hopefully Sony will update the look eventually.

 

3. Speaking of the games, why are they $10 more than all the other systems? I assume it's because you're paying for the BluRay disc, but still… No wonder these things haven't been selling well.

 

4. The PS3 is much bigger and heavier than I would have thought. I swear it weighs almost 3 times what the PS2 does. It does have a nice sharp look to it though.

 

5. This thing runs HOT! I had to put the PS3 on its own shelf in my cabinet to keep it from melting the console next to it with its red hot exhaust. Looks like I'll be able to keep my family room warm this winter just by playing PS3 games.

 

6. The Crossbar interface is rather neat, I like it better than the Wii's "Channels".

 

 

I downloaded the Armored Core 4 and Resistance demos last night but haven't had a chance to play them yet. I guess I'll do that tonight.

 

Tempest

[Bucket]

1. Yeah, I decided to buy my PS3 at a Walmart for that reason. I don't need some kid giving me advice on what console to buy. I'd like to go back in time to when video game store clerks didn't want to talk about video games and just rang me up. I bought Oblivion at Gamestop later on; the guys were talking about how Wii would win this generation and they shut up real quick when I got to the register.

 

2. Meh. I think the boxes are pretty sleek.

 

3. It's the future!! Seriously, it's a new format and more expensive than, say, DVD or CD. Remember, we saw $60 games back in the NES/SNES days.

 

4. Yeah, it's big, but it doesn't have the same 'doorstop' quality of the XBox or N64.

 

5. Heat blowing out of the system = heat not in the machine. I'm not actually hearing many incidents of PS3s breaking down, which is good.

 

6. I agree. It definitely feels less like a toy and every aspect of the design makes you feel like the $600 is well-justified.

 

+ The AC4 demo didn't impress me, sadly. The graphics and the gameplay both felt dated. Resistance is a solid shooter. Go download Gran Turismo HD also, even if driving games aren't your thing.

[+remowilliams]

5. This thing runs HOT! I had to put the PS3 on its own shelf in my cabinet to keep it from melting the console next to it with its red hot exhaust. Looks like I'll be able to keep my family room warm this winter just by playing PS3 games.

The key is that it doesn't run hot. All that hot air is blown out quietly and effectively by the great cooling system in there.

 

Yeah, I'm not thrilled with the game cases either, they're BD movie cases.

 

The PS3 can do some awesome looking gaming - Motorstorm kicks all kinds of ass, Resistance is an excellent shooter with exceptional outdoor environments and scenes, and well Oblivion is it's own mind blowing experience.

[jedijeff]

5. This thing runs HOT! I had to put the PS3 on its own shelf in my cabinet to keep it from melting the console next to it with its red hot exhaust. Looks like I'll be able to keep my family room warm this winter just by playing PS3 games.

The key is that it doesn't run hot. All that hot air is blown out quietly and effectively by the great cooling system in there.

 

The key word there is quietly. My cousin got his 360 back from being repaired and noticed that the fan was even louder than before. Maybe they upped the fan speed to help keep it cool, not sure.

 

Anyway, congratulations Tempest. I hope you enjoy your new PS3. If you decide to run folding@home while your PS3 is idle we would love to have you (and anyone else who is interested) in our Atari Force group. While f@h is running, just hold down the square button to see the controls. You can change your donor name and join a team under the Identity option. Our team # is 56067. I've been runnning my PS3 for 3 weeks straight, 24 hours a day. When I'm not playing Oblivion, demos or watching videos it's been folding. I did reset it 2 times, so we'll see how it does in a few more weeks of running constantly.

[Tempest]

Ok a bit of a personal request, but does anyone have a PS2 Memory Card adapter I could borrow or buy cheaply? You really only need it once, and I'd rather not spend the $15 or so it costs to just use it once.

 

Tempest

[Scumdogg]

2. The game boxes are cheap looking. Not only are they smaller than the average DVD case, but they have that clear top as well for no reason. They almost look like they're just a placeholder for the real game case. Hopefully Sony will update the look eventually.

 

 

This was my very first reaction to anything concerning the PS3. The first time i saw the games in stores, i thought they actually *were* placeholders for the real games. They remind me of the crappy double-feature DVDs they sell out of a $1 bin at Target. I know that it's what's inside the case that counts, but i have a hard time getting amped up to pay $70 for something in dollar store packaging.

[Shannon]

Before you ask you can use a PS2 component cable to hook up component. Regular HD cable for HD.

 

The XMB is ok, but it really does not work well when there are alot of entries to go thru. The settings menu is a good example.

 

Lemmings and Q*bert are great games to have. Grip Shift look ok but I'd try it to make sure it fits your driving preference for driving games. If your into fighting games Tekken 5 is supposed to be real nice.

 

Put some pictures on a memstick (psp\photo) is the easiest and run the slideshow in photo album mode. Pretty cool. Profile mode is pretty neat as well.

 

My experience was different when I picked up a PS3. The person who rung me up looked like they'd rather be somewhere else.

Edited April 14, 2007 by Shannon

[Tempest]

2. The game boxes are cheap looking. Not only are they smaller than the average DVD case, but they have that clear top as well for no reason. They almost look like they're just a placeholder for the real game case. Hopefully Sony will update the look eventually.

 

 

This was my very first reaction to anything concerning the PS3. The first time i saw the games in stores, i thought they actually *were* placeholders for the real games. They remind me of the crappy double-feature DVDs they sell out of a $1 bin at Target. I know that it's what's inside the case that counts, but i have a hard time getting amped up to pay $70 for something in dollar store packaging.

 

They actually do use placeholders for the games when they're out on the shelf (at Best Buy at least). I thought it was funny because when they finally went in the back to go get the real game I thought they handed me back the placeholder, then I realized that they almost looked the same (the placeholder used a real DVD case though). I still think they look cheap, maybe if they weren't clear they would look better?

 

Tempest

[darklord1977]

1. Yeah, I decided to buy my PS3 at a Walmart for that reason. I don't need some kid giving me advice on what console to buy. I'd like to go back in time to when video game store clerks didn't want to talk about video games and just rang me up. I bought Oblivion at Gamestop later on; the guys were talking about how Wii would win this generation and they shut up real quick when I got to the register.

 

2. Meh. I think the boxes are pretty sleek.

 

3. It's the future!! Seriously, it's a new format and more expensive than, say, DVD or CD. Remember, we saw $60 games back in the NES/SNES days.

 

4. Yeah, it's big, but it doesn't have the same 'doorstop' quality of the XBox or N64.

 

5. Heat blowing out of the system = heat not in the machine. I'm not actually hearing many incidents of PS3s breaking down, which is good.

 

6. I agree. It definitely feels less like a toy and every aspect of the design makes you feel like the $600 is well-justified.

 

+ The AC4 demo didn't impress me, sadly. The graphics and the gameplay both felt dated. Resistance is a solid shooter. Go download Gran Turismo HD also, even if driving games aren't your thing.

 

 

yeah, i also agree while i got my ps3 at work right off the truck...my friend asked me to go with him to target to get his ps3 because everytime you go into a best buy or a circuit city you always get that " know it all, pimple faced geeky teen " who thinks hes gods gift to retail sales pouncing on you the minute you enter the coveted video game area ... and then trys to give you "advice" that you really dont need...i just tell these guys ..look, if i need your help ill ask it..that usually shuts them up..

 

i remember when i bought god of war 2 a few weeks back the clerk was telling me that i should wait till the ps3 version that the ps2 version "sucks" blah blah blah ...i finally just said look , just ring me up huh? or ill go elsewhere... its the same in the computer dept...i know what i need/want just ring me up and let me get on with my life i know your doing your job but drop it down a few notches...

 

as for you getting a ps3 congrats...its a awesome system just like the 360 your going to have a great time... the one game you have to get is resistance fall of man..and then check out spider man 3 lots of good stuff there..... but i have to say, why are you griping about the game prices? .its new technology so its to be expected remember the nes/genesis/super nes/ days the prices were up there as well... the ps3 is worth it..same with the 360 these systems are the real deal for next gen... you get a lot for your money..

 

as for the dorks at gamestop, saying that the wii will win this next generation...they dont know whats going on period (remember they are usually 5-6.00 dollar an hour slackers who cant get a real job)...how can you compare the wii, to the ps3 and 360?? its like comparing a ford mustang to a ford pinto..

 

the wii is just a novelity game system... yeah, if you want to look like a idiot waving your hands etc at your tv screen and then your wiimote sails into your tv screen cracking it...by all means get a wii.. ive tried out the wii at a friends house and after 20 minutes i had enough ..my gamecube games look so much better...nintendo dropped the ball with this one.

[+remowilliams]

the wii is just a novelity game system... yeah, if you want to look like a idiot waving your hands etc at your tv screen and then your wiimote sails into your tv screen cracking it...by all means get a wii.. ive tried out the wii at a friends house and after 20 minutes i had enough ..my gamecube games look so much better...nintendo dropped the ball with this one.

Brace yourself for the Attack of the Acolytes of Nintendo !

[Tempest]

I just got through messing with some of the game demos that I downloaded. I had downloaded Genji, Armored Core 4, and Resistance. Out of the three, I liked Genji best so I'll probably pick that up when it comes down in price (as a launch title that shouldn't be too long). Resistance was alright (I'm not really a FPS fan to begin with), but the controls were annoyingly difficult to get the hang of. I'm also more of a "run out in the middle of the area and start shooting" type of guy, not a "carefully hide in the bunker and take pot shots" person which fits well with Genji, but not Resistance. I'm not saying that RFoM is a bad game, just not my kind of game.

 

Armored Core was a bit of a mixed experience. Like Resistance, I had trouble getting the controls down, but like Genji I was able to just go out there and start shooting. It was alright, but I probably won't end up getting it.

 

One thing I noticed is that all the games played in 720P, is this normal? My TV can do 1080i so I assumed they would play in that resolution. The games did expose a bit of a flaw in my TV, when there's a solid light color (like a blue sky or orange desert), I see a faint sort of "snow" in the picture. I didn't notice it anywhere else except where there was a big splotch of solid color, and even then I had to be looking for it. I wonder if this is because my TV is a CRT? Oh well, it's not a big deal, it still looks great.

 

Tempest

[+remowilliams]

One thing I noticed is that all the games played in 720P, is this normal? My TV can do 1080i so I assumed they would play in that resolution.

Is your PS3 displaying 1080i in the dashboard?

 

Check the back of the game boxes for max output resolution. It seems like 720p is the norm, and the PS3 will not scale them to 1080i.

 

GTHD can run in 1080i/p

[darklord1977]

the wii is just a novelity game system... yeah, if you want to look like a idiot waving your hands etc at your tv screen and then your wiimote sails into your tv screen cracking it...by all means get a wii.. ive tried out the wii at a friends house and after 20 minutes i had enough ..my gamecube games look so much better...nintendo dropped the ball with this one.

Brace yourself for the Attack of the Acolytes of Nintendo !

 

i mean seriously, Nintendo has had really GREAT systems such as the nes,snes,n64, gamecube... i still HAVE these systems and STILL play them and enjoy every minute ... sure the wii, was a interersting idea and such but nintendo sorry to say "jumped the shark" with this one..and i know im not alone in saying this... sure the downloading classic games is a nice feature but for me, its not needed because,i still have all my original games...but to a newcomer this is something to check out..i suppose..

 

where i work, the wii was mostly purchased only because people could not get their hands on a playstation 3 or a xbox 360 or afford them and some of them were returned later because of controller malfunction..or the person didnt want it people would call in and ask do you have any 360s or ps3s? and we say no but we have a lot of wiis then there was a click...

 

the graphics are not really next gen quality when i went to e3 with my boss , and first saw the wii, i said "this is it?..this is what nintendo has been raving about?" and then when i first saw the controller my boss was saying " you have to be kidding? " sure its unique but nothing we havent really seen before there have been other motion sensor related controllers/products in the past...anybody remember the nes power pad?

 

id be interested in possibly purchasing a wii for one thing...a star wars game that features lightsaber combat.. other than that ill stick with my Playstation 3 and my xbox 360 for true next gen gaming and my classic nintendo systems for "playing nintendo"

Edited April 15, 2007 by darklord1977

[Tempest]

One thing I noticed is that all the games played in 720P, is this normal? My TV can do 1080i so I assumed they would play in that resolution.

Is your PS3 displaying 1080i in the dashboard?

 

Check the back of the game boxes for max output resolution. It seems like 720p is the norm, and the PS3 will not scale them to 1080i.

 

GTHD can run in 1080i/p

 

Yeah the dashboard does 1080i, the games seem to do 720p. I'm amazed that the games are in 720p because I didn't think my TV could display 720p. It takes a 720p signal, but I thought the TV by default upscaled it to 1080i, guess I was wrong.

 

Can we keep the Wii vs PS3 crap out of this thread? I have both systems and I like them both. Take your fanboy ravings elsewhere please.

 

Tempest

[Shannon]

the wii is just a novelity game system... yeah, if you want to look like a idiot waving your hands etc at your tv screen and then your wiimote sails into your tv screen cracking it...by all means get a wii.. ive tried out the wii at a friends house and after 20 minutes i had enough ..my gamecube games look so much better...nintendo dropped the ball with this one.

Brace yourself for the Attack of the Acolytes of Nintendo !

 

As tempting as it was to say something, no matter how mild. I chose not to derail the thread.

 

One thing I will say. The PS3 controller contains pretty much what I consider the tilt-ssential stuff one would need to make a decent game. For example super monkey ball series, Super Rub-A-Duck, etc. The advantage the wii has is the pointer.

Edited April 15, 2007 by Shannon

[agradeneu]

I bought mine at launch but only was able to play it on a normal TV. Now I have bought a 26'' LCD and the visual quality is just AMAZING.

I have bought RFoM and Motorstorm as launch titles. RFoM looks great in 720p, but its a liitle too standard FPS fare for my taste. The firefights are gutsy and relentless. The AI is rock solid though nothing groundbreaking.

Motorstrom I like best, its a blast and the graphics are very impressive. The scale of the tracks is an impressive technical feat and gives me an insight of what we can expect from the PS3 for future games. The online mode is impressive too. The game lacks a bit content though, 8 tracks of this scale are ok but the game seriously lacks diversive single player modes like leagues, tournament etc. to keep things interesting. It feels like this game was rushed.

The core gameplay is sensational and worth the price of admission.

Edited April 15, 2007 by agradeneu

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

2. The game boxes are cheap looking. Not only are they smaller than the average DVD case, but they have that clear top as well for no reason. They almost look like they're just a placeholder for the real game case. Hopefully Sony will update the look eventually.

 

 

This was my very first reaction to anything concerning the PS3. The first time i saw the games in stores, i thought they actually *were* placeholders for the real games. They remind me of the crappy double-feature DVDs they sell out of a $1 bin at Target. I know that it's what's inside the case that counts, but i have a hard time getting amped up to pay $70 for something in dollar store packaging.

 

The cases are the same cases that are used for BluRay disks. The same way that the cases for PS2 disks were DVD cases and PS1 games came in CD cases. If you don't like the cases, blame whoever designed the cases for the BluRay disks.

 

JY

[shadow460]

5. This thing runs HOT! I had to put the PS3 on its own shelf in my cabinet to keep it from melting the console next to it with its red hot exhaust. Looks like I'll be able to keep my family room warm this winter just by playing PS3 games.

 

You mean it melted even the 7001 series PS1? I thought those things were built like tanks...

 

Someone mentioned Star Wars, and this brings to mind a question: how likely is the Sixaxis's tilt response to be used to simulate a lightsaber or even hand to hand combat? Would it be possible to grip the Sixaxis tightly and literally throw punches or swing a saber with the thing?

(Oh, no, it's gonna be Masters of Teras Kasi again...)

[jedijeff]

5. This thing runs HOT! I had to put the PS3 on its own shelf in my cabinet to keep it from melting the console next to it with its red hot exhaust. Looks like I'll be able to keep my family room warm this winter just by playing PS3 games.

 

You mean it melted even the 7001 series PS1? I thought those things were built like tanks...

 

Someone mentioned Star Wars, and this brings to mind a question: how likely is the Sixaxis's tilt response to be used to simulate a lightsaber or even hand to hand combat? Would it be possible to grip the Sixaxis tightly and literally throw punches or swing a saber with the thing?

(Oh, no, it's gonna be Masters of Teras Kasi again...)

 

IMHO, the EyeToy would probably work better/ be more accurate than the motion sensing in any controller at this point. On one hand I don't see anything stopping them from making a special controller with certain games (like a guitar in Guitar Hero) if the motion sensor is accurate enough. On the other hand I think they should just have golf, tennis, bowling and a bunch of other games using the EyeToy. I would happily try those for $60 over paying $250.

[Tempest]

5. This thing runs HOT! I had to put the PS3 on its own shelf in my cabinet to keep it from melting the console next to it with its red hot exhaust. Looks like I'll be able to keep my family room warm this winter just by playing PS3 games.

 

You mean it melted even the 7001 series PS1? I thought those things were built like tanks...

 

Actually I think it was trying to set fire to the Wii. Sibling rivalry I guess...

 

Tempest

[+remowilliams]

Actually I think it was trying to set fire to the Wii. Sibling rivalry I guess...

My Wii sits to the right of the PS3 as well. Needless to say it's not turned on when the PS3 is doing its thing.

[Shannon]

My PS3 sits on the left, the Wii to the right of it, and my Xbox (XBMC) to the right of that. All hooked up to my HD tv. The Xbox 360 is hooked up to my son's TV since he uses it more than I do ATM.

Edited April 16, 2007 by Shannon

[Bucket]

My PS3 is sitting in its own cubbyhole with the controllers and etc. stuffed in there with it. Fortunately, I was able to refrain from wrapping it in fiberglass and plastic wrap, so I haven't had any overheating issues.

[CPUWIZ]

Fortunately, I was able to refrain from wrapping it in fiberglass and plastic wrap, so I haven't had any overheating issues.

 

LOL

[darklord1977]

My PS3 is sitting in its own cubbyhole with the controllers and etc. stuffed in there with it. Fortunately, I was able to refrain from wrapping it in fiberglass and plastic wrap, so I haven't had any overheating issues.

 

 

my ps3 and ps2 are right accross from each other... my 360 in the middle....my brother calls this set up the sony towers of power..its funny...