So uh...what's the current desirable PS3?

[G1Ravage]

I've lost track. It's time for me to get a PS3 so I can play MGS4, but I want to know what I should get. Backwards compatibility would be nice, but it's not a necessity, because I have a PS2.

And they all make a good BluRay player, right?

[Beat]

Just get the PS3 with Metal Gear Solid 4 attached to it. That's the one with the backwards compatibility.

All of the PS3 models are solid Blu-Ray devices.

[G1Ravage]

Just get the PS3 with Metal Gear Solid 4 attached to it. That's the one with the backwards compatibility.

All of the PS3 models are solid Blu-Ray devices.

I already pre-ordered the special edition of MGS4 a long while back. But, I suppose I can give away the lame-o edition disc. Or just hold onto it.

When does this combo pack come out, and where can I get it?

[Vyse]

I already pre-ordered the special edition of MGS4 a long while back. But, I suppose I can give away the lame-o edition disc. Or just hold onto it.

When does this combo pack come out, and where can I get it?
I believe the new system/SKU comes out June 12th (same day as MGS4). It will replace the original 80 GB SKU (which came with Motostorm) and will be available everywhere PS3s are sold since it's a permanent SKU. It will set you back $499 (same price as the 80 GB Motostorm pack)

[John Pannozzi]

I believe the new system/SKU comes out June 12th (same day as MGS4). It will replace the original 80 GB SKU (which came with Motostorm) and will be available everywhere PS3s are sold since it's a permanent SKU. It will set you back $499 (same price as the 80 GB Motostorm pack)
Does it come with HDMI?

[Daxdiv]

So far I think the MGS4 bundle is the best, though one of my friends think a price drop is coming around E3, mostly because due to stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart offering a $100 gift card with purchase of it.

[Vyse]

Does it come with HDMI?
All PS3s (both current and discontinued) have HDMI ports, but HDMI cables do not come with them and are sold separately. You can get some cables on the cheap over at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&tag=mozilla-20&index=blended&link%5Fcode=qs&field-keywords=ps3%20hdmi&sourceid=Mozilla-search)

[G1Ravage]

If I wanted to go out, say, tomorrow, and pick up a PS3 in a store, what would be the one to look for? I understand that there's really only one type of PS3 in production currently, but older models may still be on shelves.

[Beat]

The $499 model with the 80GB hard drive and backwards compatibility. The $399 version lacks the backwards compatibility.

[TacoHunter]

I would strongly recommend not buying a PS3 currently. I know Metal Gear is really bad ass...but to be fair is there anything else on it that you want?

If you can, the 60 GB model is the "best" with "full" backwards compatibility. But to give you fair warning, its not. Its better then the 80 GB model, but still not 100% yet.

And the 80GB model is doing software emulation, so only is about 30% BC so far, or so I've been told. It will get more BC as the updates come out.

As of right now, you can only find the 40GB model on sale. Its kind of lame. No BC, no memory card ports, but if you just want to stick with your PS2 it might not be such a bad idea. And you can always use USB flash drives as your portal media.

The 20GB model has BC, but no WiFi so if you get a PSP no cool remote play.

But honestly...its just to damn expensive. I just can't recommend a PS3 very highly at this point in time. Especially with its lack of good exclusive games.

[G1Ravage]

I'm also gonna pick up GTA IV, and use the PS3 as a BluRay player. I really wanted to put my PS2 away and just use the PS3 (save space on the TV stand), but I may have to keep the PS2 around to play the older games.

[G1Ravage]

Office Depot has the 80 GB?

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/606945/PlayStation-3-Gaming-System-With-80GB/

Yay? Nay?

EDIT - Nevermind, it's out of stock I think I should just get the 40 GB from Best Buy.

[TacoHunter]

If you can find anywhere doing a midnight opening on MGS4, they should also be selling the new 80 GB model that comes bundled with MGS4. That might be your best chance to buy one of the 80GB models, after that point, they're probably going to be very difficult to find.

But then again, PS3's usually don't sell like hot cakes, so maybe it will be easy to find. I'm not sure.

[MegaJ]

If you can, the 60 GB model is the "best" with "full" backwards compatibility. But to give you fair warning, its not. Its better then the 80 GB model, but still not 100% yet.

Are they still updating the BC list for 60GB?

[TacoHunter]

Are they still updating the BC list for 60GB?


No one seems to know. Sony never releases statements about how or when they increase BC support with firmware updates. Users always just have to cross their fingers and test it and hope BC has been updated with firmware updates.

[G1Ravage]

I don't think I have the time available to be waiting someplace that's selling the new bundle pack. I *need* to have a PS3 already ready and waiting when my original online preorder of the MGS4 special edition arrives in the mail. I don't want to wait too long, and then suddenly find the PS3 becoming harder to find as the release date for MGS4 draws nearer.

[Space Lion]

First - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playstation_3#Retail_configurations . Wikipedia isn't the most reliable source of information. But I'm pretty sure they got this one right.

Second - If your PS2 is in good working order, and you have a library of PS/PS2 games that you want to play or keep playing, then there's no reason to get rid of it. You can keep your PS2 and save about $100 on the PS3 purchase if you choose the 40GB model. But if you really want to lose the PS2, then you'll have to go for the 80GB PS3 model for PS2 backward compatibility.

The 40GB model is the cheapest, but you won't be able to play PS2 games on it. You'll also lose the flash card readers and SACD support in the 40GB version, but those are bells and whistles that most people won't use or need.

[G1Ravage]

Yeah, my PS2 is fairly new. And the only games I have for it are MGS1, MGS2, and MGS3.

The PS3 is probably larger than I think, so it's gonna take up some hefty shelf space. But based on my needs, I suppose getting the existing 40 GB version is best. Sony's really frustrating me with this BS, though. I wish them years of financial woe.

[G1Ravage]

Y'know, while I've got this thread going, let me ask another question. Are any PS2 games actually in 16:9? The PS2 menu has three display options: 4:3, Full (WTF?), and 16:9.

I have a 37" 16:9 Sharp AQUOS HDTV capable of 1080p. When I first set up my PS2, I set it to 16:9. When I put in the original MGS, I recall an extra option appearing in the MGS video menu, a widescreen option. I turned it on, and while the game wasn't completely filling up the screen, it was wider than usual, but didn't appear stretched in any significant way.

Then I put in MGS2. There was no widescreen option, and the game was "squashed". Same with MGS3, it was squashed. Had to go back into the PS2 menu and set it to Full I think, and then all the games were properly letterboxed in non-widescreen.

Were any Gamecube games in widescreen?

[TacoHunter]

Most games don't support widescreen, the only handful i can think of off the top of my head are Soul Caliber 2, Star Ocean 3, and Resident Evil 4 for PS2. But it varies from game to game.

I'd think MGS3 should have widescreen support, but I've never bothered to check myself. Most of the high budget games at the end of the PS2's life (ironically, which is still going strong) have 16:9 support.

And Gamecube has the same problem with it being game to game, so you have to check every game's settings. I recall Star Fox Adventures having 16:9 but i can't recall any others off the top of my head.

[Tapout]

If you've waited this long I would suggest waiting for the MGS4 60GB pack. I bought my 40GB at the GTA4 launch and have loved it, but I still wish I would have waited. I'm not that worried about backward compatibility because my PS2 still works fine, but I'm sure it will die someday (its almost 5 years old) and I'd just like some of the other extras not included in the 40GB. I'm actually thinking of looking into how much I could get for a trade in and pay off the difference when MGS4 comes out.

[Jmanunknown]

If you can, the 60 GB model is the "best" with "full" backwards compatibility. But to give you fair warning, its not. Its better then the 80 GB model, but still not 100% yet.

The 60GB PS3 is as backwards compatible with the the PS2 as the slimline PS2 is with the original PS2. It can play ever PS2 game the slimline can.


And the 80GB model is doing software emulation, so only is about 30% BC so far, or so I've been told. It will get more BC as the updates come out.

The 80GB is actually about 90 percent maybe even more backwards compatible with the PS2 its just that some games dont run well on the software emulation.

[John Pannozzi]

The $499 model with the 80GB hard drive and backwards compatibility. The $399 version lacks the backwards compatibility.
Is the 80BG version backwards compatible with Playstation 1 games? Does the memory card adaptor work with Playstation 1 memory cards?

[TacoHunter]

Is the 80BG version backwards compatible with Playstation 1 games? Does the memory card adaptor work with Playstation 1 memory cards?


yes on both. But you'll need a usb to mini usb cable, which is sold separate from the adapter.


The 80GB is actually about 90 percent maybe even more backwards compatible with the PS2 its just that some games dont run well on the software emulation.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

It does look like most games have been fixed with 2.00. But I typed in a few random niche titles like castle shikigami and they still them to have issues.

[cartoonboy]

I am of the belief that unless you need it right now, wait. Sure, you get a blu ray + games for $500 but that's alot to watch movies. With wife & child, I can't remember the last time I turned on the PS2 or Xbox but we do like to watch movies. (Does Xbox360 have backward compatibility?)
I would want to make sure that the PS3 handles my library of PS2 & PS1 games work. BestBuy (Canada) currently has the PS3 80gb w/Metak Gear for $499.99 & the 40Gb for $399.99.

[TacoHunter]

(Does Xbox360 have backward compatibility?)

yes, but only the ones on the list (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm), assuming you have a harddrive and online to use the emulator.

[Strollymonster]

I just picked up a Playstation 3 yesterday. I dropped by a local games shop to look for 360 games. I just bought a premium 360 from that place a couple weeks back (for $250) so I could finally play GTA4, and wanted some other games. Lo and behold, they've got a 40 gig PS3 in, and it's ALSO only $250. I hated to spend so much cash again so soon, but I knew I'd regret not picking it up that cheap.

So, I'm now the proud owner of all three consoles of this generation. The problem is that I don't have any PS3 games yet. I'm thinking Uncharted first, but don't know what else to try.

[HEATXZ]

I'm plaining to get a PS3 sometime in the future
Is the MGS4 bungle pack the only one that can play PS2 games or is Sony plaining to get more 60GB or 8oGB

[Vyse]

I'm plaining to get a PS3 sometime in the future
Is the MGS3 bungle pack the only one that can play PS2 games or is Sony plaining to get more 60GB or 8oGB
Quick update:
20GB - DISCONTINUED; NO LONGER EXISTS NEW (full emulation)
60GB - DISCONTINUED; NO LONGER EXISTS NEW (full emulation)
80GB Motostorm Pack - DISCONTINUED (software emulation)
80GB MGS4 Pack - OUT 6/12 (software emulation)
40GB - EXISTS (no emulation of any kind, although there have been talks to include software emulation in a future update)

The main reason for the exclusion of PS2 emulation in the 40GB was because it lacks the CPU/GPU of the PS2, which was in the earlier PS3s but not anymore to shave off costs. The reason the 80GBs (either pack) can do emulation through software is because they carry only the PS2's GPU.

[G1Ravage]

I picked up a 40 GB PS3 from Best Buy yesterday, with GTA IV. MY PSN name is G1Ravage.

I also bought Bee Movie and The Simpsons movie in Blu-ray. They both looked incredible.

I played GTA for a few minutes today, and the graphics looked a bit...I dunno...weak? My TV says GTA is outputting at 720p, despite the PS3 being set to 1080p, and the box says 1080p is supported. Maybe I need to mess with the brightness or contrast settings in the game to make it look better.

[Master Moron]

Wow, I didn't even know there was more than one version of the PS3. Video games sure have gotten complicated.

[EinBebop]

I was holding out for the 80GB MGS4 bundle, but it became clear that was going to be insane to get ahold of when my local Gamestop only got one. Heard later that Amazon sold out their preorders Friday in 7 minutes. But by that time I had found out Wal-Mart was offering $100 gift cards with the purchase of a PS3... SOLD.

If someone is thinking of purchasing one, I just saw next weeks that wal-mart is continuing to run that special next week as well, and that it will extend to the 80GB model if you can get ahold of it. I also heard that Best Buy was offering $100 gift cards and that some stores were just taking $100 off the console (apparently not everyone was on the same page at best buy, not all employees knew about it) but I don't know if they're extending to next week as well.

[BigLouMan20]

Dispite the killer deals going on, I still don't see myself getting a PS3 till my 26th birthday (03/14/2009).

[Daxdiv]

To me at this rate, with multiple offers for the PS3, I think I might be getting just because it is the cheapest Blu Ray player on the market, it can be updatable with the ever increasing technology of Blu-Ray, though that might not happen for me, since I am waiting for regular DVD's to be phased out.

Another thing is that if a price drop is coming, which is sort of predictable with all these offers and such, People might buy it just for a cheap way to own a Blu-Ray capability, since at my job I do sell people PS3 more as a Blu-Ray Player rather than a console, than regular Blu-Ray playere, despite the PS3 being $10 more, but the way I look at it, you're getting a console and Blu-Ray at a good price for both.

[Strollymonster]

To me at this rate, with multiple offers for the PS3, I think I might be getting just because it is the cheapest Blu Ray player on the market, it can be updatable with the ever increasing technology of Blu-Ray, though that might not happen for me, since I am waiting for regular DVD's to be phased out.

Another thing is that if a price drop is coming, which is sort of predictable with all these offers and such, People might buy it just for a cheap way to own a Blu-Ray capability, since at my job I do sell people PS3 more as a Blu-Ray Player rather than a console, than regular Blu-Ray playere, despite the PS3 being $10 more, but the way I look at it, you're getting a console and Blu-Ray at a good price for both.

Blu-Ray's not going to replace DVD. DVD won't die until the next big breakthrough in storage technology (probably going to a memory card deal, no loading and more durable). Blu-Ray is the equivalent to the Laserdisc...better visuals and more features, but it's going to be mostly the videophiles that go for it, not the public in general.

[John Pannozzi]

yes on both. But you'll need a usb to mini usb cable, which is sold separate from the adapter.
Where can I buy that?

[TacoHunter]

Where can I buy that?


Anywhere that sells electronics, from Gamestop, Apple Store, Best Buy, Target, or Radio Shack. Anywhere that sells electronics should also sell a usb to mini usb cables. And if not...I'd be very surprised.