PS3 Launch Stories

The PS3 launched this morning in North America. Many of you have been standing in line for hours (some even days) to get your hands on one of the 400 000 PS3s that Sony have shipped to retailers. Though recent reports suggest that the number of PS3s available on launch day will only be 200 000. To make things even worse eBayers have been paying homeless people to stand in line for days making it even harder for real gamers to get their hands the much anticipated next-gen console from Sony.

So did you get your hands on a PS3 today or did you leave empty handed? Please share your PS3 launch story with our readers in the comment section below.

Here are a few YouTube vidoes from the launch

Playstation 3 Dash - Ames Best Buy
The mad rush to get in line for the Playstation 3. The goal was to run across at midnight and get as close to a sign on the wall.


Playstation 3 BestBuy Campout
In front of the Best Buy in Daytona Beach, somebody meet a crazy dude. ...



PS3 Madness - Cleveland Style
10 year old Ebayer waiting in line for his PS3 which he hope will make him filthy rich. The sad part is that it probably will..


Midnight Launch Lineup
The lineup at the Best Buy in West Hollywood 24 hours prior to the PS3 launch. The person at the front of the line has been waiting since last Tuesday, at 1 am. The line was probably over 150 people.




PS3 fans quit jobs and postpone engagement to wait in line
What are you willing to go through to get a Sony PlayStation 3? We went to the Best Buy store in Burbank where people already started lining up eight days before the launch. One guy quit his job to stand in line, while another won't have enough money to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend.


Homless wait in line for PlayStation 3
A man drops off homeless people at a local target so they can buy him some PS3s he can later sell on eBay for $2000 a piece.

[HaHa]

'i don't really need one'
'i don't really need one'

[Capt CHAOS]

the console craze so much stronger on the PS3 launch than with the 360 launch? I don't remember such long lines etc on the 360 launch.

[super bill]

rather them than me.

[splitrockvideo]

I am 5 in line at EB in upstate NY, picking it up this morning and will be plugging it in by noon. IF your a PS3 basher and don't like what I say, just skip by my comment and go on to better things in life. You may voice yourself graphically at keepyourps3 dot com.

[kingboy]

Happy gaming dude!

[BigPimpin]

Enjoy playing the PS3 today. I won't be getting a PS3 until February but if you guys want to know what my online name will be, I'm going to call myself "BigPimpin" like my name is on here. Enjoy :)

[djtek184]

got two from walmart! hell yeah!

[Microsoft Master]

I've heard some crazy launch stories. Really, i don't see what the fuss is. Get a PS3 March/April time next year when...
there will be less faulty consoles
there are more games (decent games)
and more importantly, when more units are available in larger batches.
I heard of 5 guys who camped outside a Best Buy store for 2 weeks before the launch. 4 were mugged and the 5th person's didn't work when he got home. Stupid people...

[Master of Menace]

Look, I'm hanging out for a PS3 too but to wait in line for four days? I've waited a year already, I can certainly wait another couple of months. You won't see me rushing over to ebay to pick a PS3 up for $2000.00 or any price that's above retail. I must not be a true fan after all. Those guys who waited in line for four days to make some money, could have made almost as much if they had been working, DOH! Maybe they don't have jobs, which makes you wonder where they got the money to buy one in the first place!

[power of Green]

You're talking like you been out in the cold for days with out sleep, WTF are you talking about?.

[Anerythristic26]

My buddy and I took some small arms fire around 4 AM. We took cover behind a Buick and engaged the enemy. I suppressed them with the light machine gun , my buddy made short work of the enemy with the 30mm. grenade launcher. Nobody was gonna stop us from getting the PS3. Nobody. How is that story ?

[PhantomMD]

That is a good story!

[Anerythristic26]

We high fived , it was all good. Johnson wasn't so lucky though. He died from wounds recieved in combat. We will rembember him by selling his PS3 on Ebay.

Update: Enemy combatants identified by intelligence officers as XBOX NOW! an ultra violent splinter group of the 360 Liberation Front. These Fanboy Wars aren't going to end until we can reach a civilized dialouge. LOL I'm done.

[Anerythristic26]

I think this says it all , from the boys at Penny Arcade, check it out.

http://www.penny-arcade.com...

[Ugly American]

I walked into EBGames at approximately 10:45 a.m. I asked for my PS3. About five people in the store asked me to sell it to them. Like an idiot, I did not. Now it is under my television.

[Reed-]

The target and best buy around my house kicked people off property at 12 and we couldn't line up until 3 am so it was a mad rush to the doors. Well being only fourteen and small for my age i got up to the door 3rd but ended up being crushed and almost fainted. I started dry heaving because the only thing in my stomach from that day was one bowl of cereal and Monster energy drink. I was pulled out of the line and taken to an ambulance. meanwhile people are getting their tickets and don't mention that i was supposed to get one. so here i sit today as pissed off as i have ever been.

[Phytonadione]

I actually only waited in line for 2 hours (for the pre-order), but unfortunetly it was between some rather hardcore Wii fans. I actually endured 2 straight hours of some mad Mario and Zelda talk that would have probably sent the strongest of mind and will straight to the insane asylum and the rest to go postal. Thinking back on the experience (and the numerous nightmares since), I would have rather braved the cold Chicago nights and the possible/probable mugging.

[Liquid Ocelot]

wish i was living in america have to wait till march

[joemutt]

I love a major launch like this, while I wont be getting a PS3 until after my house is finished, I still wanted to drive by my neighborhood gamestop to see all the crazyness.

This is the same gamestop I waited in line at Midnight for the launch of both Halo2 and the 360. To my suprise it was CLOSED!!

It was right next to Wal-mart so I drove by and didnt see any lines, although they would probably be waiting inside.

Best Buy had no lines either. It seems only major cities got them, how many consoles did north america actually get??

[Ugly American]

Joe, why would GameStop open when the 6 people who have preordered are asleep in bed? They are not going to stay open for four hours and have to pay employees for six people who are already committed to the console.

GameStop called me three days ago to confirm my reservation and ask when I would pick it up.

While the launch was jacked up, your point is nil. The Xbox 360 had the same deal.

[joemutt]

They didnt get alot of 360's but still stayed open for the customers, and loads of people who couldnt get one where buyibg other stuff.

Just about everyone in line had something, whether it be a current gen game or whatever.

Think about it ugly american, you have 100 kids running around town with $600 in their pocket. Would you want them in line at your store, or in line at the competitors store?

Think about the business end of things for a minute, thats what they are, a business. They should have been opened.

[Grown Folks Talk]

at my gamestop. just depends on where you were. plus we were told by microsoft that we would have a lot more than we actually got, and had already told customers we would be doing a midnight launch. gamestop barely even took preorders for the ps3. they were going to do 1st come, 1st serve like everybody else. but all of the stores in my area just opened at regular time.

[Maddens Raiders]

Been in line since Monday night and I'm not even in my home state. It was quite lively. I've never met sooooo many interesting people in a parking lot in my life. As you all know I'm from TX, but waited in line at a very large Best Buy in Missouri (been working on a project here since July). It was f##kn freezin' and the grouping of tents and wild-out vehicles and gamers of all ilk, was surreal. I felt like Slim Thug or the Deftones were gonna break out on a makeshift stage anytime for the "PS3 Rock and Wait Tour '07". It was un-freekin'-believable. I met this cool chick from Michigan who was buying one to pay for medical bills. There was a guy who missed a flight back to his home in Hawaii and decided to say screw it and buy it here while he could get it. There were people who were hard core gamers who had TV's in their tents playing PS2 to people bragging about how many they were gonna sell on Ebay and for how much so that they could pay bills and eventually buy one for themselves. Excuse me for ramblin', but I've had like 4 hours of sleep the past two days. A/W the pinnacle of the Missouri Tent City Marathon was when some guy (had to be one of the Rams or Cardinals or something) came buy in this super-tricked out Benz and started offering groups of people $10,000 for their tickets in line. He yelled out of the car that he'll pay ten people $10,000 to take their spot and obviously split up the money -- I knew that this was not my normal launch party when the people gave the guy the finger and yelled back we want $10,000 a piece for our tickets. The guy peeled off and then came back by creepin' slowly by the camp. These people were at the front of the line and all had 60 gig tickets -- there was no way they were giving those up. I've never seen so many cops, and sherrifs, and undercover cops at a Best Buy in my life. And believe me, their presence was much appreciated. I can't tell you how many people I saw getting stalked and hunted before those guys showed up in massive force. Hell, everytime the store manager came outside to talk to us, he looked like a foreign diplomat with 10 secret service guys around him. Mindblowing. All of this, I can live without next time.

Wow -- I'm exhausted. When I finally got my 20gig system at 2:15 a.m. this morning -- I couldn't have been more happy. I really wanted a 60, but their was just no way, unless I would've quit my project (out of the question) and got in line on Monday 13th. Overall it was quite an experience. I still have a 60 gig reserved for me in TX and I'm up next. One of my homies is going to pick it up for me next week and take it to my sister's house. I've got nine games and haven't even cracked 'em yet. I'm gonna crash and talk to you guys later.

P.S. -- just a thought. Best Buy, Costco, Wal-Mart and the rest have GOT TO figure out a better way to launch systems in the future. I fear a nuclear holocaust at the next launch camp if this distribution / order sh** doesn't improve whole-heartedly, Just a thought. I mean, people dying at a console launch --- people getting punched and all of their stuff stolen from their tents ??? -- there's just not anything cool or tough, or unique about this at all. Get it together retailers. Designate a REAL "launch waiting area" -- with hired security. Print up tickets. Time stamp them with numbers. Go as far as putting a watermark on the damn things. Hand them out to the first people you see in line and so on, that coincides with how many systems you expect to receive. This way -- the extra 200 people that were left empty handed could've gone elswhere hours and hours ago instead of sitting around to the end totally PISSED OFF. The stuff that happened at the store I was at was on the brink of bedlam. It's a miracle someone wasn't killed or seriously injured at that store last night and that's the honest to God truth.

A/W I'm out guys. Gotta rest to play. I'll talk to y'all later.

What I'm Playing Now:
My Bed (Serta)

[Maddens Raiders]

I stated "in line since Monday night." I was in line since Wednesday night. Sorry -- tired as hell.

[Tengen X]

so me and my friend pre ordered this thing last december 2nd. we were "guarenteed" one. he was first on the list, i was third. so my buddy goes in yesterday, and tells him he wants to get rid of his pre order and get gears of war. the guy at the desk flips out but gives it to him. they only recieved ONE PS3. ONE. instead of my friend giving his pre order to me, some jerk gets the only one. now i have to wait for the new shipment because sony didn't send the 400,000 they said. thats what the guy told me, he said they sent 85,000. any one got the facts on this?

[HyperBear]

1.Camped outside BestBuy
2. Waited 12 hours
3. 8am rolled around, I was the 1st person not to get one, meaning the store had 21 I was #22 in line.
4. Rushed into BestBuy, took apart the PS3 kiosk, and pissed on it, infront of the store., and then spat on it, it disgust over Sony.
5. Told my boss, (Its weird, but I work for that Best Buy, so im prolly gonna get fired) to see ya tomorrow
6. Went home and Played KICK ASS GEARS OF WAR FOR 5 STARIGHT HOURS.
7. Went to my friends house and played PS3 for 4 straight hours, loved it, finished RFOM, then pissed and spat on his system.
8. Wait till next week, and Ill get my own PS3, and drop it off a 80-story Building.
9. Went to the Sony Store, and told them to suck my d!ck you fukas.
10. Play Xbox 360 rest of year, PISS ON SONY and PS3, and play Halo 3 all year for 2007 and 2008.

[NJ1307RSX]

Your hatred towards Sony shows...In a Canadian style ;)

[drewdrakes]

Woo, Canada. And wow, your really mad, i can tell because you were relatively neutral between the 360 and ps3.

[triniwi]

ps3 will die like the dreamcast

[NJ1307RSX]

Actually the xbox 360 has more similarities with the Dreamcast than the PS3.

[THELANDOFSANDS]

Actually the PS3 has more similarities with the Dreamcast than the 360.

[THELANDOFSANDS]

okay, so who here has one, and what (honestly) do they think of their PS3 and games?

[ApocalypseShadow]

but after hanging with my girlfriend all day,and watching battlestar galactica(west coast),i finally started playing it.my impressions:

1.the system is huge.as big as my xbox.

2.blows warm air but doesn't seem to be hot.also don't hear the thing.

3.plays my ps3 games.no glitches yet with rr7(love all racing,but love drifting)

4.plays my ps2 games and will test some ps1 soon.

5.put in my memory sticks from my psp and it immediately read my movies of buzz bunny and ace bunny(funny stuff)

6.read my music on another memory stick and i was able to play my music while looking at photo mode.PHOTO MODE IS KILLER!NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

7.controller responds while playing ps3 and when i played devil may cry 1 and urban reign.still need to test all my games though.

8.controller charged real fast and i was wireless in no time.

9.tried a karate movie and it played without a hitch.probally the last time i will put a movie in it.it's a game system first for me.

10.it's weired touching the thing and it ejects my game or when i turn it on.must keep cleaning clothes available at all times.the system is shiny.VERY SHINY(60 GIG VER.)

11.still need to test online,and see what the store is like and web browsing.

12.graphics so far is as good as anything i've seen on 360 with the exception of gears.but very good.if you're moving up from ps2,you will love it.if you have a 360,it will be graphics you have already seen.but i need to get that motorstorm demo and f1 fast.hope to see heavenly sword sometime in the future.

so all in all for what i've seen,especially the photo mode,i'm impressed.hope to be still impressed with the quality of the system(means working) for the next couple of years.it's backwards compatible,has great graphics,cool features,and just looks slick to look at.i feel bad for the rest of the people who didn't get one yet.i was first on the preorder list at a local gamecrazy.and they only got "TWO" in.you're going to see a lot less of me in the future unless i do find something i find cool to play online and see some of you guys who like ps3 and want to have fun.for the haters(mart,top deal and the rest),it's a good system.plain and simple.for those who like it,it's worth waiting if you're a fan.not just of playstation,but as gamers.now i got to check that wii.my girl wants one.guess i'll be playing that too.will bring more news as it comes.

[HyperBear]

You americans are soo perfect arent yea. Yea easy for you to say, you americans got fricken 390,000 Consoles to sell, while they only gave us like 10,000 fricken consoles. You know how that spreads. take 10,000, divide it by 10 provinces, then divide that by 15(on avg.) cities per province that would sell them. then divide that by about 10, because 10 stores per city that would sell them. You get on avg. 6 consoles per store, in a country where its going rapid for gaming, and very, very hard to get one. Now if i want one its either pay up 2000 grand, which is retarded as fuk, or wait till March, either way, My Xbox 360 is out, I have one, I have Gears and COD3 and thats all i need. No Game on PS3 has interested me that much anyways, except for RFOM, but ive already played it and got to the last level. So really, not worth it.

[Marriot VP]

"You americans are soo perfect arent yea"

i don't know what your talkin aboot but you need to chill with the racism. America's the market center of the world so stop hating. Yah it's unfair I guess, but at least your in europe or australia waiting months.

[power of Green]

How can Kaz H. look folks in the eyes with the shameful launch of the PS3; unit numbers and the fact that it's games are being compared to early PS2 tittles.

It's launch tittles are getting very poor scores and graphics isn't the only major issue.

Last gen inovation, gameplay, graphics and games running poorly make for the worst launch that i can remember.

It will quikly be know by the masses that the PS3 is less powerful graphically, im sure other capabilities will be proven false about PS3 that will prove the console's use of memory isn't it's only weak point.

[FKN Unbelievable]

Don't worry i'll be there online to play Gears with you brother.

[ImTheNumber12]

remember remember the 17th of November...
both the other consoles made games that are better...
than anything sony tried to put together...
some people were shot, some were robbed, others endured the bad weather...
but the smartest ones are still the ebay sellers!!!

If I had one I would have sold it for 3-4 grand and bought myself another one...and RFOM, another controller, a Wii, Zelda, red steel, GOW, R6, some MS points, some points for the wii, some christmas presents for my friends. Tis the season.

[FadeToBlack]

I thought when i waited in line 19 hours for my 360 was bad. Those guys that waited for 8 days have some serious issues.

[TheMART]

Why

Why is that guy on the picture of this article laughing so hard?

1. He bought himself the next overpriced Betamax
2. Because Sony can't produce the console, he probably even got an empty box filled with stones for 600 dollars

Because you pay for potential! (even though you may never experience it... PS2 story remake anyone???)

[NextGen24Gamer]

That the ps3 playing on my 1080p tv worked perfectly fine. The graphics across the board when compared to the 360 is interesting. In some cases its sharp but for the most part the games lack the level of textures and bump mapping that 360 games have. Its wierd and I can't fully describe it but I will try. The ps3 games are kind of cartoony. Nba 07 and other games trick your eyes. At first glance you are impressed by the sharpness of the games. But in the same breath you can see the loss of graphical fidelity. What I mean is 360 games have more bells and whistles in their games. The ps3 games don't have as good of lighting, shadowing, and textures. So it makes the games look cartoony but sharp. If someone has never played a 360 and makes the jump from ps2 to the ps3...they will be happy....ONLY IF THEY HAVE a 1080p tv. When I plugged it into my 720p/1080i tv. it would not let me play games in the 1080i signal. And from experience with the 360....I know for a fact that 1080i looks better for games than 720p. So if you have a 1080i tv but dont have 720p...it will downscale to 480. But, honestly the games don't look bad...They just don't look as fleshed out as 360 games look on average. I can now see why developers have said that Prey, Gears of War, ect...can't be done on the ps3. Its not because the ps3 isn't as powerful. It just handles game code differently. For example....Motorstorm looks very sharp...but the textures are flat...The game moves right now at under 20 fps when I played it. Nothing in the game is revolutionary either. Its fun to some degree. But its clear that ps3 games and 360 games look different. Sharp graphics vs high fidelity graphics.

My 9 year old didn't like the looks of the games. Him and his friends said the games look cartoony. Which from a kids perspective I can see why. The textures are flat but sharp. The mapping of textures seems none existant to slight. The games are sharp but not fleshed out. Its hard to describe in words...but I'm trying folks. Now, I can see why across the board ps3 games are getting bad reviews. BUT, I think that some of the reviews are being a little harsh. But, after playing the 360 for a year game editors expect more from the ps3. I don't think its fair to compare the 360 to the ps3. Ps3 goes about games in a different way. Their games have a different look. I believe thats why 3rd party games aren't stacking up to well to 360 games and many ps3 3rd party games get pushed back to cancelled. Developers are having a hard time implimenting textures and shadowing. All I can say is the ps3 games look sharp and shallow graphically and I have witnessed a ton of slow down in frame rates. The 360 games even at launch last year had detailed textures and lighting. The 360 games just look more life like due to the graphical fidelity, HDR and aa.

Now, I am being completely honest. I haven't bashed the ps3. I am a tad disappointed but in the same breadth my son is more critical of it than I am. Ps3 games just have a different look that I'm not used to. Its not bad. Its not revelutionary. It is what it is. Whats obvious to me is Sony decided a long time ago with the ps3 to go about making games differently than what people are used to. Some games may benefit from it. Others will hurt from it. But anyone who says that the ps3 is better than the 360 in any way what so ever is lying. Its not. Its just different. And me as a gamer welcomes difference in gaming. But when you look and play the ps3 you will enjoy the sharp graphics and immediately notice the lack of texture depth and detail. Its pretty much exactly what devs have been saying folks. So now I say...Thanks Microsoft for offering a system in the 360 that is clearly the best gaming machine on the market. And I also have to Thank Sony for being innovative and different in the way they are trying to take games and finally releasing it.

P.S. I would never recommend the ps3 to anyone who doesn't have a 1080p or 720p tv. The way the games look change drastically on 480. Its wierd because the 360 when played on 480 still looks good...just not HD. Ps3 games in the same scenerio drops drastically when on a reg tv. I believe its due to the fact that ps3 games looks ultra sharp but don't have all the extra graphical bells and whistles. So on a reg tv...they litterally don't look any good.

So there you have it. I hope I described what I have wittnessed for myself. I tried to describe what I have seen and played the best I can.

[NextGen24Gamer]

I have my ps3 connect to my tv via hdmi and my 360 with componant. The movies on my hd dvd player via Microsoft....Look notibly better than blu ray movies. I have 25 hd dvd movies in my collection right now. And 3 blu ray movies. But its clear that HD dvd has a better look to it. I don't know if its due to the ps3's blu ray player. I don't know if its the film grain tech that is in all the hd dvd's... But its clearly better looking on HD dvd. So, the comparissons by many reviewers have been right on stating that hd dvd looks better. And its wierd because I thought hdmi would make a big difference. And when I watch hd dvd movies on my hd dvd player my tv is recieving a 1080p signal from componant. Which I thought wasn't suppose to happen. Wierd indeed.

[Weapon X]

We've been playing my 60 gig system ever since I got home and ripped it open after waiting in line for four days. My cousins and friends and I have been playing Madden, NBA 2K7, and Resistance all night long and haven't even put ultimate alliance in yet -lol. I can tell you that on the 32" Bravia and on the 52" Bravia in full 1080p for NBA2k7 looks fu*n sick -- 4 real. The players jerseys and expressions on their faces, the court, crowd is better than anything I've ever seen. Still haven't gottten used to the controller scheme and motion sensing add-ons for Madden, but man it's MADDEN - and it looks great --the player physics look fluid and too damn real sometimes. We were laughing like little kids at the new movements on defense. Now I could write an essay on Resistance alone. The game looks gorgeous and more than that we spent prolly and hour or two just screwing with the weapons and looking at the damage physics. Its silly good. Sgt Nathan Hale is a psychopath and we love 'em! I'll go more in depth after we get some damn sleep around here.

Don't know what the "top gamer" saw through his MS colored eyeglasses, but There ain't nothing "cartoony" about these games man. Cartoony is that skewed / fake / biased review you just typed up.

Man, we're sooo tired right now that we'll have to sleep for a week 'cause our eyes are bloodshot and watering (hate when that happens), but I'll be back to report on alliance, back-compat with my P2 games, and the browser. We haven't even put Ricky Bobby in yet and I love that movie -lol!

If you're going to embrace the next generation of gaming or movie watching or w/e -- whether you have a P3 or a 360, you need to come into the fold as far as televisions go. Gaming is becoming more mature and is not for the faint of wallet (or purse). Gaming is a hobby, and most worthwhile hobbies are expensive -- just be glad you're not a car collector like I am -- you're eyes would pop out of your head at some of the asking prices -- but I digress.

So just save, beg, borrow, or steal to get yourselves a fully HD capable set. If you're playing the wii -- this won't matter as much, but pretty much a no brainer for graphics-heavy machines. So for your thinly veiled snipe at the sony fanboys hidden behind you and your son's (coerced) opinions on cartoony graphics (WTF??) here's a salute:

You forgot to say, "Thanks Microsoft"

Oh, and you must be mighty HIGH if you think we can't see what you're doing here. Go throw your imaginary PS3 in the garbage, save your "reviews", and continue to play gears of war and wait for Halo3. You're hatred runneth over bro. But when you put themart, and topgamer back2back on the same PlayStation thread whaddya expect? It's so predictable.

[NextGen24Gamer]

That explains the average review score for ps3 games being 7. That explains just about every 3rd party title looks and plays worse on the ps3 than the 360. That explains the fact that there isn't an editor on the planet that thinks there is ONE ps3 game that even comes close to Gears of War.

The truth has never sat well with sony fans when the truth is their system doesn't stack up to the 360. I'm being honest and I have the ps3. The 60 gig version. I have played blu ray movies on it and the HD dvd add on HD dvd movies look better. 360 games have much more detail in the texutres, lighting, and shadowing. So, thats what I mean by cartoony. The graphics for the ps3 are sharp...but the textures are flat and lack the fidelity of 360 games. Thats real. And anyone who has a 360 and goes to a friends house or Best Buy to play ps3 games can see if for themselves. Motorstorm is slow. Thats a fact. The graphics look sharp and cartoony. I'm not saying it sucks. I'm saying its a different type of look.

[S A G A T]

top gamer YOU really are predictable. Next thing you'll tell us that the 360 has been cooking you breakfast every morning and making you're bed too for the past year! What a joke. lol Lemme guess, you're using your ps3 as a bookend now right? You're too much man.

IMHO - the PS3 I have (a 20gig) system looks great & btw I do have a 360. I bought it to hold me over 'til the PS3 came out, because I'm a sony fan at heart. From a system only standpoint it is stunning to look at. I only have resistance now, but when I get paid I'll go get Madden and RR. The Chimerea are a little creepy and it all looks really good on my flat panel -- just as good as gears or the IU on my 360 mind you. As a matter of fact the PS interface has a little more of a slick, "polished" look about it. I'm not sure what you and your son mean by cartoon graphics, but the graphics I'm looking at don't look that way (w/e that means??). Oh well, gotta get back to gaming and oogling over the system. Maybe I'll write a review too later. It seems like all the PS fans are pretty tired right about now!

[HyperBear]

I dunno TopGamer. Ive played the PS3 at my friends house on his crap regular TV, and the picture came out pretty nice, just like if you were playing your 360 on a reg tv. Comes out about the same. But yea, Ill agree that the lack of games and the genre of games right now for the PS3 are weak and un-detailed. The only game that has very sharp textures and graphics and everything youd expect in next-gen, is Resistance. That game is sick and fun. The game basically is the killer-app for PS3 and I can see why, Its just amazing. The fast gameplay, the 40-Player Online, PLUS THE WEAPONS. Totally sweet. But yea, maybe its different brands of tv's but i dunno. Like i said my friend had his plugged in with crap composite plug-ins on a reg. tv, and it looked great. Then we tried it on my 720p/1080i tv, using HDMI, and played it in 1080i, Looked FABULOUS. Although, I would prefere playing Xbox 360 in HD thru component, just cause it looks better and brighter, but there is nothing wrong/cartoony/weird about PS3 when hooked up to any TV. Plus I dont really follow shading textures and lighting and all that. All i do, is see thegame in action, get reviews from it, see in-game action, then I say if I want this game or not. And I gotta say, RFOM is AWESOME.

P.S. - Do you have an extra PS3 you can sell to me, you said that you would get 2 and then possibly sell one to me. I was unlucky as every god damn store in my city sold out of them, mostly cause all stores only got like 6-10 systems. So yea, get back to me on that please. Thanks man

[NextGen24Gamer]

Sorry buddy. I don't have one I can sell you. And I think I'm being misunderstood with my comment on cartoony graphics. What I meant was that like cartoons...the graphics are flat and crisp. The textures, shadows, and lighting effects is what seperates the 360 in my opinion thusfar from the ps3's lineup of games. Ps3 graphics don't look like a cartoon. I was just trying to describe the look of the games. If you do a side by side comparisson you can clearly see what I'm talking about. Its not a bad thing. Its just different. For example...the crowd in Nba 07 looks like sharp paper cut out charactors...On the 360...charactors have normal mapping, bump mapping,textures and shadows...which makes them look more 3d and life like. Maybe I'm not being discriptive enough. But one thing is for certain. And ALL the reviews agree with this. The ps3 games are not on par with xbox 360 games. Resistance comes the closest but yet graphically it only matches Call of Duty 2 from a year ago. And I'm not bashing it. I'm keeping my ps3. I'm just giving you the opinion of a Gamer who has both the ps3 and the xbox 360. I don't win money if one console is better. I just give my perspective as a gamer who spends 10k to 20k a year on games. If sony fanboys are in denial and hate xbox....thats your problem...if xbox fans bash me for getting a ps3 as many think sony is the enemy....same thing...thats their problem...I'm a Gamer. A True Gamer at that...and I'm honest regardless of what people think or if my views dissappoint or go against their own personal views....All I can say is that most of the reviews out just so happen to be on par with what I have wittnessed with MY PS3. Get it? Got it? Good. The war is Over.

P.S. After a day with the ps3...I can safely say that the xbox 360 is a better gaming console thusfar and HD dvd looks notibly better than blu ray. But I will still by the must have games for both consoles and 3rd party games on the 360. Thanks Microsoft.

P.S.S. Have any of yall watch G4 TV lately? They are extremely dissappointed in the ps3 as well. Watch x play on G4 and see that they are more harsh than I am about the ps3 launch lineup and the major let down from SONY who said the next gen don't start untill the ps3 launch. So wrong. And a Major lie.

[NextGen24Gamer]

I'm being honest and real about my views on MY PS3 and my 360. But I will leave this thread with one last quote that sums up what I see with all the ps3 games compared to the 360 games. This quote is from Gamepro....

"One last point of comparison that we would like to make between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions: the graphics are better on the 360. It's shocking but true. Although the PS3 is a beastly machine, the 360 runs the game much smoother, and zooming in on any weapon in the game reveals that the 360 version has far better texture quality."

Its FAR better texture quality. Just like what I have been saying about my hands on impressions of the ps3 games vs the 360 games. Sorry if its shocking or dissappointing to fanboys...but the truth is the truth. So you can continue to be in denial or realize that it is what it is. 360 is outperforming the ps3 as far as games go.
Thanks Microsoft....

http://gamepro.com/sony/ps3...

And here is one last quote from the Gamepro article...

"if you're looking for a straight answer as to which version is better, here it is: the PS3 version's weaker graphics and moderately interesting Sixaxis controls come in second to the overall experience on the Xbox 360."

[Weapon X]

Thank God that's over with - whew. Man, if you put that much effort into actually playing your precious 360, then you wouldn't be here typing up a book, trying to convince us that you know EVERYTHING in the f'n world. Give it a rest mate. Your gonna have a massive coronary typing all that biased hatred so fast. Slow down and breathe in -- now breathe out slowly and back away from the keyboard.

Again, throw your imaginary CellStation in the trash and thank Microsoft in your dreams tonight.

PS - don't forget to send Bill Gates a Valentines' card this coming year.

Man, I love resistance. C-ya.

[FKN Unbelievable]

Ya'll Know how the textures in GOW pops in after sec in sometimes loading on the Backgrounds in Multi-player? On PS3 the Pop in don't come in for the details It just stays bare and Crisp in other words. No detail meaning the Rust texture in the armor or the multiple hghly detailed stitch patterns would be missing and it would be bare.

[ApocalypseShadow]

is being his usual self and i don't care if he doesn't have any bubbles to respond.the system produces graphics on par with 360.and these are launch games.i do believe some games need better textures,but that's the same on 360.not all games on 360 look like gears.but he neglects to mention that.fkn,the system is just great.worth every penny.i saw your post surfing the web through the ps3,but i don't have a keyboard with usb hookup.

further impressions:

1.downloads are cool and fast.motorstorm,resistance,and others are fun to play.simple as that.the big ones didn't take more than 15 minutes to download.

2.ps3 games don't have you waiting long to play.bluray discs boot up and your playing in no time.loads are just like 360.so don't let the haters fool you.their just haters,not gamers.

3.surfing the net will not work with the controller.you need a keyboard and mouse.it reminded me of dreamcast surfing with the controller.words do pop up on the right to speed up things,but definitely get the proper tools.multiple pages is cool too.

4.it's no wonder people are acting a fool to get a ps3.it just has that something that says "high tech".when you look at it,it fits right there with your other high end components.

so all in all,instead of comparing it to 360,i'll say it competes esily with 360.both systems should offer great games in the future.but don't believe these HATERS who say that 360 is a better machine or that its games look better.we all know games are being produced on 360 and ported to ps3.just like xbox had ports from ps2.soon fans of playstation will see that ps3 offers great value for what you get.and when the developers learn how to produce games for the system,it's going to be a site to see.so save that money and get it if you can.DON'T BE HATERS LIKE SOME SUPPOSED GAMERS ON THIS SITE.THEY'LL PROBALLY TALK DOWN WII TOO.BUT IN THE END,THAT SYSTEM WILL BE FUN TOO.BACK TO THE SYSTEM I GO.

[ApocalypseShadow]

DJ,
while all the haters will still be coming to this site bashing the system,instead of being gamers,gamers like you and me will be playing games.the system is cool and worth the investment.these dummies are comparing launch games of ps3 where developers don't know fully how to program for a multi processor chipset(cell),to a pc like design of 360 where developers have had more than a year to pump out high quality games for the system,but end up with one hit game which is gears.the rest are just better on pc.so since 360 is easy,they port code from 360 to ps3 and some games are not equal in quality because of laziness.make you wonder.look at the screenshots of HALO 3.LOOKS NOTHING LIKE GEARS OF WAR.NOT EVEN CLOSE.THE CINEMAS WILL,THE GAME WON'T REACH GEARS LEVEL.SO I SAY AGAIN.ONE HIT GAME AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR ON THE MARKET.AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF THE GRAPHICS.it's time to stop comparing and just playing.

NOW THAT THE PS3 IS OUT,AND THE NINTENDO WII,THERE WILL BE SOME COMPETITION THAT MEANS BETTER GAMES FOR ALL.

[Grown Folks Talk]

you know how it works. people jock. the majority of xbox fans jock halo. the majority of playstation fans jock mgs and ff. what game are wii fans talking about? zelda. i don't hear people hoopin and hollerin about wii sports or rampage. each system has it's signature title it's known for. you say it like gears is the only good game on the 360, yet claim you're a gamer unlike others. graw is very good, oblivion is very good. both got better scores on the 360 version over pc. everyone doesn't have a pc capable of playing them. there will be great, good, average, and crappy games on all 3 systems. so do you talk down on the 360 and praise the other 2 because of the mart, top gamer, and others? or are you BIASED like everybody else? preference is always biased. it's YOUR opinion. it's funny to me how people post and complain about someone bashing, yet they always get their own bash in during the complaint.

[Grown Folks Talk]

since when are opinions not biased?

[ApocalypseShadow]

but the thing is i PLAY microsoft systems too.there are so many sony haters on this site that it's just imbalanced.instead of liking the system for the games and what it can do for gaming,they(sony haters)bash it because it's "SONY".IF A GAME IS COMING OUT FOR PS3,IT GETS BASHED BECAUSE IT'S ON PS3.there are going to be average to below average games on ps3 just like there will be mega hits.same with WII.same with 360.

through the whole year all we have been hearing is sony will fail,jump in,thanks microsoft,wait until gears shows up,wii60 and so on.if you look at all my past posts,it will be balanced.i might like sony's system more because i don't really like fps games.their fun,but i like to see who i'm playing with.more action games are on sony's systems.but it doesn't stop me from playing my other systems that are not made by sony including xbox.you won't EVER find a post where i say "microsoft sucks".you will find that i don't like add ons.because iv'e seen so many in the past.they all failed.where as if it was built in,you don't have to worry about support.halo 3 had better release for hd-dvd,because if sony starts pumping out ps3s,its (hd-dvd) days are numbered.i don't like patches.but who does?mods yes.patches no.sony's doing it,i didn't like that either for psp,and i don't like it for ps3.i had to patch the system just to go online to a new firmware.hate that.doesn't stop me from liking the system.

ps3 is a good system.plain and simple.so is 360.so is wii.but to bash is to not have any class and being a fan when the companies don't care about you,your friends or family,just your wallet,is to be an idiot.opinion is good.preference is good.to be a fanboy is not good.i was playing games way before sony ever entered the market.and if they happen to go,i'll still be playing just like when sega stopped making hardware.comparison time is done.be gamers.

ps.ask yourselves if being a fan of certain type of movies,music,food,sports teams,women makes you better than anyone else?makes that thing better than the next?do you receive any type of payment?if the answer is no,then fanboyism needs to die.you can like one thing more than another thing.but liking that thing doesn't make it better.

i'm off to do some more playing and enjoy my new purchase.then when superman comes out,i might have to put it down even though i still hate EA,i got to have it if it is good for me.

[Grown Folks Talk]

and you can also have a negative opinion about a certain aspect of something, yet still like it. every negative comment about sony or ps3 is automatically bashing, sony hating, ps3 hating, ect. like i've said before, you probably love your mother, but you don't always agree with her and she sometimes makes you mad. you have an argument or dislike something your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfri end does that doesn't mean you don't like them anymore. to me sony and ps3 is like bush and the troops. people always say if you don't support bush you don't support the troops. that's bs. they are 2 separate things. you can want or like the ps3 without liking sony or vice versa. if i absolutely despised the ps3 but all of my friends bought 1, i wouldn't stop being their friend. everybody has different tastes. everyone has their own preferences. regardless of my feelings, i could care less what you spend your money on. if you look at my posts, i've never said the ps3 sucks. i've never said it won't sell a lot, told people not to get it, or that it costs too much. it's all subjective. to 1 it's too much, to 1 it's just right, and to another it's a bargain. just depends on the person and what they are looking for. my reason for not wanting 1 right now is because i'm not a fan of sony's exclusives and every game that i would get for it i have or will have on my 360. i would play resistence, but i'm not going to buy the system for it. i'm sure at some point there will be specific titles to warrant me getting 1, but not right now. i've had an atari, nes, genesis, ps1, dreamcast, xbox, gamecube, and the 360. i'm not a fan of companies, i'm a fan of what i like and think is good. i'm not going to say this game sucks because of the platform it's on. if it's good it's good period. there was a time when people were happy if someone they knew had a different system because then you could play different things at your buddies house. now for some reason, it's like east coast/west coast rap. sony fans in blue bandanas and microsoft fans in green. worst yet, if half of the posters here met in real life they'd probably end up friends, but on the internet we're all tough sh*t talkers that can't get along or express an opinion without personal insults. enjoy your ps3, enjoy whatever you get. you paid for it. as i've said before, the only time someone makes a bad choice is when THEY are not happy with the outcome. if you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks?

[Ugly American]

I have been vehemently pissed at my PS3. My wife pointed out that it is just me dealing with a different system than the 360. So I made a concerted effort to get involved with it tonight:

I am became a bigger fan of my PS3 tonight. I got into some Resistance games that were only 8 players, and they were a blast. I have gotten further into the Campaign and while the textures might still be an issue, I didn't have a chance to stop and gawk. The action got hot and heavy, and there really WAS a lot of stuff going on(oh my God, I can't believe I am going to say this...)like Videl said.

I also downloaded one of the PS3 Store games, and it was pretty and entertaining.

All of that being said, my 360 is no hotter than my PS3. The 360 is definitely louder than my PS3, but then again, it is a white noise. Once I am into my games, I don't even notice it.

Now only if Sony could move past the Xbox's Xbox Live and catch up to the 360's Xbox Live, we would have something. I have a MAIN friends list, and then a friends list in EACH game? Kind of ridiculous these days. And now I am going to have to go buy a Bluetooth headset just to talk to people? Resistance offers Text Chat. How cute.

[FKN Unbelievable]

Well.

[Maddens Raiders]

but I've been playing resistance guys for I dunno how many hours like a kid from the 50's playing with a new train set. I'm sure playing on this particular telly doesn't hurt either -- let's just say it's very nice and oh yeah this game is rock'n the walls tonite.

Thankfully I have no close neighbors or the cops would've been here a long time ago. I suppose it might sound like the shootout from "Heat" outside on a perpetual loop. Prolly doesn't help that I keep pausing and restarting to go back and look at different things in each level to catch different morsels of detail that I might've previously missed from being all caught up in the surprisingly quick action! The tank kics A$$ -- period.

a/w That's all I can type 4 now. I'm worthless right about now. I know I promised a review, but It's 6:43 in the a.m here at the time and I've got to get some more sleep somehow.

Damn you Insomniac!!!lol

[THAMMER1]

I think Sony was right when they said the PS3 is smarter than "YOU". Because it is turning out that it is. $600.00 to go home and force it to be worth the trouble. "LAME"
ONE last thing THE BUCKEYES BEAT MICHIGAN WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

!!O...H...I...O!! MICHIGN SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

It is good to be a Bucks fan.

Troy Smith is getting the Heisman trophy. #10 OHIO STATE BUCKEYE TAKEN NAMES

P.S As of this time the Sony has not sold 300,000 PS3's and it is the 8th day since the launch in Japan.

[TheMART]

"One last point of comparison that we would like to make between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions: the graphics are better on the 360. It's shocking but true. Although the PS3 is a beastly machine, the 360 runs the game much smoother, and zooming in on any weapon in the game reveals that the 360 version has far better texture quality."

And it's not only on COD3. It's on all the other games. Topgamer seems to be right on on that one.

I have no idea why but I guess the GPU of the PS3 is really weaker then the 360 one. It all just falls in place when you think of the coverup of specs like Nintendo does on it's supercharged gamecube

[The great 1]

Is that why you are on here making a fool of yourself and better yet that game only came out liketwo days ago; and i bet you were on here all day as well, it's great that PS3 is finially out, so now all you idiots on here can witness the potential and the power of PS3, i watched a program on tv, which showed the PS3 being played on a HD tv and it looked simply amazing, unlike all the you tube quality videos that are posted on this site, the games look avery bit as good as the 360 versions if not better and RFOM looked a hell of a lot better in the video i saw, so you my friend are in for a big shock, i mean you live in Europe just like i do so how the hell would you know anything about the machine other than what you are told and see, also to the fella above who said PS3 has only sold so much, please give me a link to who actualy has any in stock, oh wait you can't nobody has them, my point has been made!

[TheMART]

Listen Sony fanboy.

It's not me making the reviews.

The reviews of Gears of War all say it's a killerapp that the PS3 doesn't have.

The reviews of Resistance say it's a nice game, but nothing to buy a PS3 for.

The reviews on COD3 all say the 360 runs good in fps and the PS3 doesn't. Overall on graphics it looks better on the 360.

The comparing on RR7 for PS3 and RR6 for 360 from a year ago let us see that RR6 is looking better.

It goes on and on and on. I guess being in denial is a hard thing to have.

And yeah I enjoy Gears of War a lot. Co-op with my best friend we've played some time and watched the great difference in enemies, getting the Berserker to run after us and watching the large spider creatures being shot by the special gun.

Unlike resistance with all the same looking enemies with dumb AI. You saw the games on a normal TV looking on par with 360 games in HD? That's strange on a lower TV program resolution!

I'd rather believe reviews then you, doesn't matter where you live. You're a freaking fony fanboy on the run

[The great 1]

You called me a Fony fanboy, what else do i have to do to prove that i'm a Sony fanboy don't you believe me that i'm a Sony fanboy, the difference between u and i is i don't come on Xbox news anymore and bad mouth it, because i got better things to do like play my PS2 or Xbox, and 2 u need to get a fricking life, u need to get out and meet people mabye get a job or something, i know people who are similar to you and they are going now where in life, jealousy gets you know where, that's why Xbox and it's fans will die!

[TheMART]

I wouldn't call myself the Great 1 little guy

The funny thing is that I have my own company and you're probably in high school seen your spelling...

What the freak is:

"gets you know where"

Do you KNOW??? funny guy or...

"they are going now where"

So where are you NOW going?

You actually are a SOny user. They're young, don't think about what they buy. Last gen the PS2 was the weaker console and this time the PS3 will be with the GPU specs coverup.

So teach yourself first, maybe you'll get somewhere in live. I already have my own house, office and hobby's. And one of them is typing some messages overhere. I love when the truth is out about the lying Ken and the PS2 with the sh!tty DVD drive they sold me years ago. Which is now catching dust in my closet

[FKN Unbelievable]

Until Summer of 2007. If he Was any smarter he'd have a 360 in the meantime. But no his allegiance to his Pimp is unheralded.B1tch slap after B1tch slap he still Answer his daddy running.

[ChickeyCantor]

"yess i quit my job, i told my mom and she freaked out"

...........you told your mom.............and you quit your job for a machine?..........the saddness is just waaaaaaaaaaaaay to big

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

"17 - Enforcer....why did you change your name on here or did you create a multi acc?
TopGamer - 29 Minutes ago | Let him/her speak
You give away that you was xbug because of all the childish name calling you do. I won't even reply to your talk of my child or my family.
But, in regards to games...which is what this site was intended for us to discuss.....I love hearing you and others make excuses daily for games that have been recieving 2's, 3's, 5's, and 6's.... ha ha ha ha ha....
And one game that averages an 8 is not a killer AAA title buddy. The 360's launch saw just about every game get 8's. and 4 recieved 9's. So make what every excuses you want...it just makes you look childish and sad buddy.
And if we take your advice and compare 1st party games....ha ha ha ha ha....
Your first party launch games have an average score of 6 out of 10 buddy. Ps3 scores have been F's and D's buddy. And thats the 1st party games....
What excuse will you have now? I love hearing them. Its hilarious. You are a Joke and everyone on this site knows it.
P.S. how many bubbles did your xbug account loose from those type of personal attacks before you switched to your new account? ha ha ha ha ha...
Thanks Microsoft..."

Haha poor, poor boy:
http://img142.imageshack.us...

"97 - real dealio
LuvforSONY - 03 Sep 2006 20:22 | Let him/her speak
u da man. u always keep it real. & blow away sony fanboys like leaves in da wind

102 - The Real Deal
LuvforSONY - 30 Jul 2006 13:48 | Let him/her speak
good job with presenting facts to combat the spreading of lies by sony fanboys. you come through again. dj and other sony fanboys obiously have trouble handling the truth. complete denial even when u present clear facts with multiple links. kudos real deal.

103 - Thanks
The Real Deal - 30 Jul 2006 13:50 | Let him/her speak
I do what I do. I just want people to know the truth. If the truth benefits MS. So be it. If the truth benefits SONY. So be it. Just as long as the Truth Prevails. Its really that simple."

Haha that's as ridiculous as it can only get, you are pure comedy buddy. I'm a joke cause I question your stories? Look at you Real Freakio, how can't I question you? Buddy, you are the poor fella here that uses mutliple accounts. You are the poor fella here that talks with himself and applauds himself. As I said earlier, you ain't in the position to point fingers, call names or call somebody a joke. Just look at you haha and no Real Freakio I didn't make another account, just look at my post history. Not everbody is as sad as you and not everbody goes as low as you ;-) I lost my bubble for enforcing the truth just like I'm doing now. Buddy how many accounts do you have with 3 or less bubbles? Haha
Real Freakio RFOM received 8s and 9s and many reviewers are saying it's a killer app, not just me ;-) Some of the PS3 1st party games suck, but these are not show off titles and never intended to be. There are always games that suck, even on your beloved overheating ripp off hoover haha

[TheBeginningOfTheEnd]

hmm, i bet that was a whole family right there, ese.

[brockbrockcoconut]

Hello, this past Wednesday I stood in line to buy a PS3. My hobby is making videos and I thought that this would be an intersting topic to check out first person. I have a PS2 and enjoy playing it. I saw the prices that people were paying on ebay and I thought I would try and get one and then see what I could get for it.

Here is a youtube link of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Feel free to add the list.

[THE TRUTH]

Reading this topic is pointless! Half of you see just 360 fanboys who have no launch stories to present! The other half either has a launch story or is trying to fend off these rabbid 360 fans!

Seriously if your system of choice was SO GREAT why are you even here? Some of you claim GOW as the best game of all times? Then why are you here!

My point is this is SUPPOSED to be about PS3 launch stories or at least PS3 user reviews after launch!

[scriptkiddie]

why are you here?????

[EnforcerOfTheTruth]

...maybe cause he didn't get one?

[borgome]

Howard Stringer, you have a problem. Your company’s new video game system just isn’t that great.

Ever since Mr. Stringer took the helm last year at Sony, the struggling if still formidable electronics giant, the world has been hearing about how the coming PlayStation 3 would save the company, or at least revitalize it. Even after Microsoft took the lead in the video-game wars a year ago with its innovative and powerful Xbox 360, Sony blithely insisted that the PS3 would leapfrog all competition to deliver an unsurpassed level of fun.

Put bluntly, Sony has failed to deliver on that promise.

Measured in megaflops, gigabytes and other technical benchmarks, the PlayStation 3 is certainly the world’s most powerful game console. It falls far short, however, of providing the world’s most engaging overall entertainment experience. There is a big difference, and Sony seems to have confused one for the other.

The PS3, which was introduced in North America on Friday with a hefty $599 price tag for the top version, certainly delivers gorgeous graphics. But they are not discernibly prettier than the Xbox 360’s. More important, the whole PlayStation 3 system is surprisingly clunky to use and simply does not provide many basic functions that users have come to expect, especially online.

I have spent more than 30 hours using the PlayStation 3 over the last week or so and may have played more different games on the system - 13 - than probably anyone outside of Sony itself. Sony did not activate the PS3’s online service until just before the Friday debut. Over the weekend a clear sense of disappointment with the PlayStation 3 emerged from many gamers.

“What’s weird is that the PS3 was originally supposed to come out in the spring, and here it came out in the fall, and it still doesn’t feel finished,” Christopher Grant, managing editor of Joystiq, one of the world’s biggest video-game blogs, said on the telephone Saturday night. “It’s really not the all-star showing they should have had at launch. Sony is playing catch-up in a lot of ways now, not just in terms of sales but in terms of the basic functionality and usability of the system.”

Sadly for Sony, the best way to explain how the PlayStation 3 falls short is to explain how different it is to use than its main competition, Xbox 360. When I reviewed the 360 last year, I wrote: “Twelve minutes after opening the box, I had created my nickname, was in a game of Quake 4 and thought, ‘This can’t be this easy.’ ”

I never felt that way using the PlayStation 3. With the PS3, 12 minutes after opening the box I realized that Sony inexplicably does not include cables to connect the machine to a high-definition television. Keep in mind that one of Sony’s main selling points has been that the PS3 plays Blu-Ray high-definition movie discs. But high-definiton cables? Sold separately. The Xbox 360, by contrast, ships with one cable that can connect to either a standard or high-definition set.

Then, before you are even using the PS3, you have to connect the “wireless” controller to the base unit with a USB cable so they can recognize each other. If you bring your PS3 controller to a friend’s house, you’ll have to plug back in again. The 360’s wireless controllers are always just that, wireless.

If there is one thing one would expect Sony to get perfect, though, it would be music. Wrong. Sure, you can plug in your digital music player and the PS3 will play the tunes. But as soon as you go into a game, the music stops. By contrast, one of the things I’ve always enjoyed most on the Xbox 360 is being able to listen to my own music while playing Pebble Beach or driving my virtual Ferrari. Doesn’t seem too complicated, but the PS3 can’t do it.

In that sense it often feels as if the PlayStation 3 can’t walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. In the PS3’s online store (which feels like a slow Web page) you can access movie trailers and trial versions of new games, but when you actually download the 600-megabyte files, you’ll be stuck watching a progress bar crawl across the screen for 20 or 40 minutes. Astonishingly, you can’t download in the background while you go do something that’s more fun (like play a game). On the Xbox 360, not only are files downloaded seamlessly in the background, but you can also shut off the machine, turn it on later, and the download will resume automatically.

The PS3’s whole online experience feels tacked-on and unpolished. On the Xbox 360 each user has a single unified friends list, so you can track your friends and communicate with them easily, no matter what game you are in. On the PlayStation 3 most games have their own separate friends list and some have no friends function at all. There is a master list as well, but in order to communicate with anyone on it, you have to quit the game you are playing.

There are some high points. The multi-player battles in Resistance: Fall of Man are excellent. The arcade-style action in the downloadable Blast Factor is suitably frantic.

But the list of the PS3’s disappointments remains, from its undersupported voice chat to its maddening cellphone-like text messaging system. (In frustration I ended up plugging in a USB keyboard.) Overall, Sony seems to have put a lot of effort into cramming as much silicon horsepower under the hood as possible but to have forgotten that all the transistors in the world can’t make someone smile.

And so it is a bit of a shock to realize that on the video game front Microsoft and Sony are moving in exactly the opposite directions one might expect given their roots. Microsoft, the prototypical PC company, has made the Xbox 360 into a powerful but intuitive, welcoming, people-friendly system. Sony’s PlayStation 3, on the other hand, often feels like a brawny but somewhat recalcitrant specialized computer. (Sony is even telling users to wait for future software patches to fix some of the PS3’s deficiencies.) The thing is, if people want to use a computer, they’ll use a computer.

Through the decades of the Walkman and the Trinitron television, Sony was renowned as the global master of easy-to-use, seamlessly powerful consumer electronics. But recently Sony seems to have lost its way, first in digital music players, in which it ceded the ergonomic high ground to Apple’s iPod, and now in home-game consoles. For now Sony’s technologists seem to have won out over the people who study fun.

As a practical matter, given the limited quantities Sony has been able to manufacture, the PlayStation 3 will surely remain sold out throughout the holiday season. If you can’t find one, don’t fret. Sony still has a lot of work to do. As Mr. Grant of Joystiq put it: “Maybe in six months it’ll be finished. Maybe by next fall I’ll be able to do all the cool stuff. I’m still kind of waiting.”

[MicroGamer]

That a game dude would find getting a PS3 on launch day more important than continued sex with his girlfriend. I would hate to be him when she finds out he blew a big chunk of the money for her engagement ring on that overpriced piece of crap.