Amazon.com: PlayStation 3 120 GB: Video Games

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1,791 of 1,888 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The PS3 Reloaded, August 25, 2009

By	A. Dent "Aragorn" (Minas Anor, GD) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) (VINE VOICE)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars

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RATING

I will begin with the rating part so that those who are already familiar with the PS3 line may save a little time.

On balance, I found the PS3 Slim or the 'PS3 120GB' to be a worthy addition to the current PS3 line. It comes with several major improvements over its predecessors and the 'trade offs' are few and, to most us, insignificant.

This how the new model compares to its predecessors:

PS3 SLIM vs. PS3 80/160GB

+ $100/200 less
+ Smaller
+ More energy efficient
+ More quiet operation
+ Cooler
+ Smaller Cell processor manufactured using a 45-nanometer manufacturing process
+ New, more advanced HDMI 1.3 chipset
+ Easier HDD upgrade

- No Linux support
- No on-off switch in the back
- Push rather than touch 'On' and 'Eject' buttons
- Not as pretty

= Unchanged game-playing experience
= Same great Blu-ray player
= Same PSP integration
= Same WiFi, Bluetooth built-in
= Same Dualshock 3 rumble, motion sensitive controller
= Same I/O options

The PS3 Slim is a superior product when compared with the PS3 80/160GB models. This relatively inexpensive, feature packed, versatile gaming machine, multimedia hub and outstanding Blu-ray player, earns back the 5th star that I granted the Classic models and I didn't feel that the PS3 80/160GB models deserved.

Granted, when compared to the PS3 Classic, the PS3 Slim lacks PS2 compatibility, has 2 fewer USB ports and and it lacks media card slots but these shortcomings are offset by the significantly lower price, energy efficiency, larger storage and an updated CPU and HDMI. And, keeping hope alive by feeding it rumors, who knows? Sony just might add PS2 software emulation once it stops manufacturing the PS2 sometime, next year.

MY TEST DRIVE IMPRESSIONS

The good news is that you can do just about everything you did with the PS3 80/160GB models and in the exact same way. During my test ride, I was able to play all the games I brought with me without a problem, the Bluetooth remote controller was recognized immediately and so was the Playstation Eye. Both a USB-dongle full-size wireless keyboard, a USB-connected wired keyboard and Sony's own Bluetooth mini-keyboard worked as expected. I was able to upload pictures, videos and music from a USB thumb drive and a USB-connected SATA 2.5" hard disk and play them in the same way I do it on my own PS3. The person who allowed me the test drive suggested that I do not sign into the PSN but I have no doubt that the Slim behaves exactly like its predecessors on the PSN, running HOME or while browsing the Net.

The Slim has the exact same ports in the back, the same buttons in front - albeit 'push' buttons instead of the 'touch' buttons, the same 2 USB ports, comes with the same Dualshock 3 controller, USB cable and Composite AV cable accessories.

The older PS3s weren't particularly noisy but the Slim seems to be more quiet and, after several hours of play, it didn't get as warm as my Classic. The ONLY 2 USB ports bother me a little because I brought along the Eye, a USB-wired HDD, a USB keyboard and a dongle-based wireless keyboard. That meant that I had to do a lot of plugging and unplugging when testing. In real life, it's not so convenient to charge a controller and access more than one USB-connected peripheral. There are third party generic USB hubs (ugly) or PS3-specific port extenders and media hubs that could be used to increase the number of USB ports and bring back the media card slots.

My overall impression of the Slim is "nothing new" at least on surface. The "cooler, quieter, smaller, more energy efficient" you don't notice while playing a game or watching a movie. The really great news about the Slim is that so many more will be able to afford it and, with a larger user base, more developers will feel more strongly motivated to publish more, better games that all of us will enjoy.

THE SLIM (PS3) vs. THE 'XBOX 360 ELITE FALL 2009'

This is not meant to be a 'fan' statement. I don't own a Wii but I do own an Xbox 360 so I will be able to discuss PS3 Slim vs. Xbox 360 Elite and, hopefully, it may help a little those undecided between the two or those thinking about getting a PS3 as a second gaming console. Please be aware that, even though I own both consoles and I try to be as objective as possible, I do tend to favor the PS3.

Parity
------
- Storage: 120 GB on both systems
- CD, DVD playback: both
- Bluetooth/IR: Bluetooth included with PS3, Infrared remote for Xbox
- Community: PSN/Home memberships are free, Xbox Live includes free Silver membership and one-month Gold subscription, paid thereafter

Advantage PS3 Slim
------------------
- Blu-ray: PS3 only. Blu-ray disks aren't used for HD movie playback but to deliver games as well. Since they store several times more data than a DVD disk, PS3 games can be 'bigger' and be still delivered on one disk, eliminating the need for swapping during gameplay.
- WiFi: included with PS3, available as an add-on for Xbox.
- HDMI 1.3a on PS3 (more vivid colors, better sound) vs. HDMI 1.2 on Xbox
- Controller: wireless on both systems, rumble on both, PS3's only is motion sensitive, rechargeable batteries built into PS3's, Xbox rechargeable battery packs available for purchase.
- Integration with a handheld device: PS3 integrates with the PSP, the Xbox offers Zune integration. I would call it 'advantage PS3' because the Zune integration is limited to file transfers.
- Internal power supply: yes for the Slim, a large external 'brick' for the Xbox.
- Ability to upgrade the Hard Disk: the PS3 could use any cheap 2.5" SATA on the market (a 500GB can be had for $90 at the time of this writing and the existing PS3 disk can be recycled to upgrade a laptop or as external storage) without voiding the warranty. I am not aware Xbox HDD upgrades beyond 120GB but, judging by the 120GB upgrade HDD for the smaller models, they are likely to be proprietary, more expensive solutions.
- Slim comes with USB, Ethernet and Composite cables, Xbox has only Composite in the box.

Advantage Xbox 360 Elite Fall 2009
----------------------------------
- Headset: not included with PS3 but any Bluetooth device will work, wired headset included with Xbox Elite.
- Ethernet: PS3 supports Gigabit Ethernet, Xbox is limited to 100BASET-T.
- USB ports: Xbox comes with 3, Slim has only 2.

It seems that a PS3 Slim can be brought to parity with the Xbox 360 Elite by purchasing a Bluetooth headset (possibly for less than $10 and that would make the PS3 a superior choice since the Xbox headset is wired to the controller. For the amount, the PS3 will match and surpass Xbox feature for feature if we don't factor in exclusive Xbox games or unique Xbox Live features.

To bring the Xbox 360 Elite to parity with the PS3 one would need: a WiFi adapter ($70) and rechargeable batteries ($10). I will not add the various cables to the list because, depending on setup, they may or may not be needed and PS3's Gigabit Ethernet is not likely to make a difference in anyone's gaming or movie streaming at this time. $80 would bring the Xbox closer to the PS3 but the Xbox won't support Blu-ray, does not have a motion sensitive controller, can't function without an external power supply and, Zune withstanding, it does not integrate with a hand-held gaming device. In addition, continuing the Xbox Live Gold beyond the initial month would be another $30-50 per year for the life of the Elite.

I chose not to factor in the quality of available software because it's impossible to be even remotely objective when it comes to judge Sony's exclusives vs. Xbox exclusives. My guess is that, in the end, those who must have Halo will buy a Microsoft Xbox regardless of cost or other features and those who fall in love with Little Big Planet or Uncharted have no choice but a Sony PS3. The general consensus is that, at this time, the PS3 has the superior hardware (see above) while the Xbox has an advantage in exclusive titles and some exclusive content. In addition, many multiplatform games are developed on the Xbox first and then ported to the PS3. That can make the Xbox versions appear to be superior and, more importantly, the PS3 versions do not always take full advantage of PS3s superior hardware. This seems to be less the case as developers are becoming more familiar with the PS3 platform - the software gap, if there is one at this time, it is closing fast.

ESSENTIAL ADD-ONS AND ACCESSORIES

For those who decided that the PS3 Slim is what they wanted, the list below may help them budget for the extra purchases they may want to consider. There are surprisingly few extra a PS3 REALLY needs and I listed them in order from what I view as the more to the less important or needed. Those at the top are, in my view, more 'essential' than the ones at the bottom, but with the exception of the HDMI cable which is a must have for an HD TV set, you could easily do without the rest or get them later if you really feel that you want them.

- HDMI CABLE - It's a must for anyone who already has an HD TV. It's not included in the box and I am not going to provide a link because there are dozens of vendors at Amazon, competing and that's a good thing because one can be had for only a few dollars. Just make sure it's HDMI 1.3. A 'High-Speed' rating is not necessarily a plus if the cable you need is only 3 ft. or 6 ft. long. All HDMI 1.3 cables should be High-Speed rated and only High-Speed cables support 1080p... Read more ›

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320 of 333 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For me, a new experience!, October 25, 2009

By	Alric Knebel "alric1952@cableone.net" (Biloxi, MS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

Let me start out by saying that I'm currently 56 years old and everything I know about video game consoles can fit on a fingernail clipping. A couple of years ago, my companion bought me a PS2, because she had recalled my mentioning in passing (after seeing advertisements for some pretty interesting sci-fi-themed games) that I was curious about what's going on in that medium. The game technology seemed to have progressed light years since I last paid attention, sometime in the late 80s, early 90s, which went something like this: you start out with some objective, and then the game play steadily quickens until you eventually lose against the computer. It was very dull. After she bought me the PS2, the only game I bought was Grand Tourismo 4 (she had given me with the console itself Superman Returns, but I didn't like it), with which I relaxed by racing the realistically rendered cars around some impressively detailed tracks, but never getting into the more sophisticated levels of the game. Then about four months ago, my son lent me Resident Evil 4. Of course, you gamers know this was a benchmark in game development, and can understand why I became completely immersed in it. It was truly a creepy experience. You weren't just WATCHING a horror movie; you were IN it. Here I was, at my age, suddenly finding myself lost for literally hours a day -- one weekend, twenty hours straight; my body ached -- then thinking about the game when I wasn't playing it, looking forward to the moment I could resume the story. After I beat it, I went through it three more times. Then I bought God of War II, quite by accident (I selected it for the price, a mere $20), unaware that this, too, was a hit game, and another benchmark. The graphics were so good, so stunning, so grand and sweeping, I played it six times. Again, hours seemed like minutes; I'd simply lose time. I was now addicted, and taking into account how good a PS2 was, I figured that the PS3 -- with its Blu-ray technology -- had to be out-of-this-world incredible. Four weeks ago, I bought this PS3 slim, and it has given me enjoyment that made it worth every penny, and then some.

I can't speak to the technical specifications of the PS3, or how it compares to other consoles. I'm writing instead to other middle-aged customers who might have stumbled on this page, perhaps shopping for some young relative -- son or daughter; niece or nephew; or grandchild -- to suggest that you should consider buying one of these babies for yourself. This is one powerful piece of entertainment technology. Not only does it exceed my expectations as a game console, it's also a BD player, and using the WiFi connection, it permits access to the PlayStation Store, for free demos and exclusive content; plus BD live material, and downloading movies and TV episodes; and you can import your CDs to the PS3's hard drive, to create playlists or just randomize the tracks for playback. It's become a virtual media center for me.

And the game play? Oh, man. The PS3 advances even further the features that make gaming so addictive. To those of you who snuff that it's a juvenile waste of time, I suggest you ask yourself, is it any different from watching sitcoms or reality TV? A video game requires you to REACT, to THINK, to ANALYZE. That is NOT overstating the stimulative benefits. While they are in fact merely games, game-play itself is a complete immersion in an experience, while requiring good hand-eye coordination and some mental agility. All the games I've played so far included puzzles as part of the story, and it's a very satisfying feeling when you finally solve a particularly challenging one.

If the middle-aged shopper I'm imagining I'm writing to is inclined to wonder if all that tapping on those buttons in specific patterns is difficult to learn, this is my honest answer: At first, yes, it is. But eventually your fingers learn what button is where, and it becomes second nature, like typing. To those even older, it's recommended by doctors that as you age, you need new stimuli to keep your acuity. You won't find a more fun way to do so than this. Ignore your previous misconception that video games are for teenagers. An article in USA TODAY from 2004 stated that ". . . the average age of game players was 29 and the average age of buyers was 36, with men making up 59% of the playing audience." So you can add about five years to those figures, making the average age of video game BUYERS about 40. I have spent untold hours on my PS3, and connected to my 47" HDTV, it's the ultimate entertainment. The graphics are sharp and clear, movement of characters is realistic, making it even easier to get totally engaged in the environments. I just finished Batman: Arkham Asylum, a great game with easily mastered moves, some tough puzzles, and a very dark, decayed ambiance.

True gamers who are reading this are probably chuckling right now, because this is all pretty much a no-duh to them. Well, let me offer a hardy THANK YOU for supporting the industry with enough of your dollars to permit it to advance as an entertainment medium in such awesome bounds. This is the next step toward the future of the ultimate video game experience. Oh, what will the technology deliver? A virtual reality, perhaps?
_________________________________________

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43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Xbox vs Ps3 My Opinion For whatever it's worth., November 12, 2009

By	Scott Martin (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars

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I'll try to break this down for normal folks as I own both units and I had a heck of time finding any unbiased reviews. The short answer is you can't really go wrong with either, but the ps3 price drop IMHO makes it the better buy. My main reason for buying the PS3 was my xbox 360 died RROD for the fourth time and I decided to try the ps3.

OK here goes:
-Graphics: The two units are pretty close on quality here, in my case the PS3 has better graphics because my xbox had no HDMI, apples to apples I think it would be hard to pick a winner.
-Controllers: This is really a matter of preference. Some say the xbox controller being bigger makes it more comfortable, from a technical aspect I would have to give the ps3 the win here as it has both vibration and motion, the xbox lacks the latter.
-Online Community: Xbox is the winner here with some serious drawbacks to note. For one it costs $50 per year, if you use the voice chat, group chat, etc, etc... then the xbox is the winner. If you are like myself and you hop online to play games with your friends and prefer to use a phone or email to chat with them then xbox online advantage are pretty much null.
-Netflix: this is a big one for me, now both systems have netflix, the navigation is similar, both are usable however for the moment you need to insert a DVD to play netflix on the ps3. No winner here, it's a tie.
-BLU-RAY: this is a big one, the xbox hd-dvd format died leaving it without an HD disc format, this means if you want to play HD movies via a disc you need to have a blu ray player separately, obviously PS3 wins here, but is the future of HD movies in disc format or streaming?
-Fan noise: This IMO opinion gives the new PS3 the hands down win, my ps3 slim is so quiet i can barely tell it's on, my xbox sounded like a jet engine, i often had movies cranked all the way up just to hear them over the xbox, again IMO this is a HUGE asset to the PS3 Slim.

Breakdown:
Ps3 Pros:
1) Quiet
2) Motion sensitive controllers
3) You can use any Bluetooth headset, keyboard, mouse, etc....
4) Blu-ray
5) Lack of flashing lights on front of machine!
6) Built in wi-fi card
7) HDMI included
8) Free Online Community and Game Play
9) Tech support speaks english and appears to be located in America, they understood my name and my question.
10) Controllers come with built in rechargable battery and can be charged with any usb port.
11) easy to navigate menus
12) No ridiculous power brick, one cord, if you want to take your ps3 with you somewhere you only need the controller, the unit and the power cord.

Ps3 Cons:
1) No IR receiver, you can't use your regular universal remote to control the ps3 you need a bluetooth which means an extra remote.
2) Shape, this one sounds stupid, but the rounded shape of the ps3 really annoys me because you can't stack, say your wii, or even lay your remotes on top of the unit. (maybe you shouldn't do that anyhow LOL)
3) Less games, or at this point I guess the better point would be less games made for the ps3, instead of built for the xbox and ported to the ps3, this is however changing and in the future will be less of an issue.

Xbox 360 Pros:
1) Great online setup, lots of features which some may miss on the ps3, many probably will not
2) great game line up with a head start on ps3
3) Easy to navigate menus
4) Native Netflix Support

Xbox 360 Cons:
1) Noise
2) Build Quality ( i don't have enough time with my ps3 to comment on build quality, but it appears to be well made)
3) Online service is $50 per year.
4) Tech support, I have called xbox live support several times, it is impossible to get them to understand what the issue is or even my name, I even gave up once.
5) Controller Batteries, I have had several sets of the Microsoft brand batteries and I have their charger, they don't last as long as I would have hoped.

Like I said before, you can't really go wrong with either, each side has a huge lists of hates for the competition, the reality is none of them are deal breakers. With the ps3 price reduction I think the playstation is now the clear winner. it has blu ray, plenty of games, large hard drive space, HDMI. From what I understand the xbox build quality has improved, I for one had lots of issues with my xbox and my second one was supposedly one of the better ones.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Buy- PS3
I opened it and it was exactly what I had paid for. As soon as I plugged it in and entered my info I was up and running. I do have one suggestion. Read more

Published 1 day ago by O. Hall III

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I am new to games and this seems to be the perfect machine to begin with. My only concern is that even after downloading the latest operating software from Sony, the PS 3 asks... Read more

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4.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT entertainment package
I have used a Nintendo Wii for 4 years and an Xbox 360 for 1 1/2 years so I am familiar with all the major gaming systems. We recently received a PS3 slim and I love it!! Read more

Published 4 days ago by Karl J. Storman

5.0 out of 5 stars the best thing u have
i got this for myself becaues of xbox 360 make he mad about the ways they do thing so i told then that i was going out to get me a ps3 and they didnt care

Published 4 days ago by Charles

3.0 out of 5 stars can't stand up
i just search online when i recieve it because i can't get it function right for just starting the system
becuase the tv screen is a black and says that the harddrive is... Read more

Published 4 days ago by Hai-han Sun

5.0 out of 5 stars How can you go wrong???
It really does everything and has everything I need.
Pros:
~Value, no need to purchase additional hardware to make my remote and internet connection wireless ready... Read more

Published 6 days ago by A. Harrelson

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome
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Published 6 days ago by R. Elston

5.0 out of 5 stars PS3 is for me
I have been a HARDCORE XBOX gamer since launch. I remember staying up and standing in line to buy the first black box, which I still own. Read more

Published 7 days ago by A. Ryan

5.0 out of 5 stars Sorry Xbox. Use to purchase xbox games. Converted all to PS3
THE SYSTEM IS CRAZY GOOD. SMALL BASE, SO IT FITS ANYWHERE. GRAPHICS ARE NUTS ON MY 1080P TV. GOT FINAL FANTASY 13 A COUPLE DAYS AGO, ALONG WITH TEKKEN 6 AND SOME OTHERS. Read more

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5.0 out of 5 stars nothing beats the PS3
if you want the best console ever and when I say ever is taking all generations into account this is by far the most superior console to this date.

Published 8 days ago by Felipe de Oliveira

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	66% buy the item featured on this page: PlayStation 3 120 GB 4.5 out of 5 stars (459) $369.95
	12% buy PlayStation 3 250 GB 4.5 out of 5 stars (110)
	12% buy God of War III 4.7 out of 5 stars (64) $56.99
	5% buy Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote 4.2 out of 5 stars (529) $19.99

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