Should I buy a PS3?

[Alkanos]

Normally I wouldn't ask a question like this on a forum, but I seriously can't make up my own mind this time. I found a decent deal on a PS3, it's one of the old 80GB BC versions. Refurbished without an original box, with controller, and all the cables. Also a 90 day warranty if it ends up not working. And the price is a very reasonable $250.

The thing is that I'm not a really big console gamer. And I already have a 360 so I would only be really interested in exclusives. I can only think of 3 games I really want (Demon's Souls, Disgaea 3, Valkyria Chronicles), a handful of others I'm sort of interested in (Uncharted 1+2, Resistance 1+2, Little Big Planet, Ratchet and Clank), and a few future releases (God of War 3, the FFXIII spinoffs, Atelier Rorona, White Knight Chronicles, GT5).

I'm not really interested in it as a Blu-Ray player, regular DVDs are fine for me. Especially since I don't have a HDTV yet (this would be hooked up through my PC monitor like my 360). The PS2 BC is very tempting, though I wouldn't be able to play my imports on it (unless the ps3 plays all region ps2 games?).

So I throw my fate to the whims of CoG. Should I jump on this deal, or leave it til more games I'm really interested in come out?

[Urizen]

Oh great. Another one. Sooner or later, someone has to use the search function.

Call it tough love, but I vote that this thread is either closed or merged with the last one like it.

[Chris_D]

Hey, it's good to have something to talk about :). People's opinions change over time and trawling through an old thread with tons of off topic posts can be a little tough.

$250 is reasonable, but the way you talk about it, you should just wait. The PS3 and its games aren't going anywhere. You could even just pick one up when it hits $150 new in a few years! Meanwhile, enjoy playing what you have.

[Arphahat]

Hey, it's good to have something to talk about :). People's opinions change over time and trawling through an old thread with tons of off topic posts can be a little tough.

$250 is reasonable, but the way you talk about it, you should just wait. The PS3 and its games aren't going anywhere. You could even just pick one up when it hits $150 new in a few years! Meanwhile, enjoy playing what you have.

This. From the description you gave, it sounds like you don't want it, but are faced with a good deal that you don't want to miss. It isn't a good deal, though, unless you really want it and would use it. I suggest you pass, or see if there is someone else you know who would be interested in the deal that you could pass it along to.

[Alkanos]

Ack, actually I did forget to search, and really should have found another thread to add on to. :o Ah well.

But I think you're right, I should just pass for now. (Pretty obvious from how easily I was convinced!) It was mostly the relative cheapness along with the BC that made me want to jump on it, but I can just picture playing the 2-3 games I want and then having it collect dust. Thanks for the advice!

[Satertek]

Wait till you get an HDTV. You won't be able to appreciate it fully without it.

[carnage11]

I would say pass as well. For one, many of the games you're interested in haven't come out yet, so perhaps wait a little while and grab a slim when the price drops inevitably and those other games have come out. Like Chris_D said, the PS3 isn't going anywhere. Who knows, you might be able to grab one later on for even cheaper anyways.


This is what I basically plan on doing. Games like Heavy Rain, GT5, and GoW3 are games I want badly, but there's no sense in getting a console now just to wait for games to come out.

[CappinCanuck]

Wait till you get an HDTV. You won't be able to appreciate it fully without it.

/agree. Skip it for now and save up for the tv :D.

[Primus]

My PS3 purchase is a huge regret.

[johnperkins21]

I'd say it depends on whether or not you have a PS2. If not, then this might be a good deal since it has the BC. If you wait, chances are you won't be able to find a PS3 with BC. If you have a PS2, then like others, I'd suggest you wait until after you have an HDTV. Even if you don't, I suppose if you wait a year or two you might be able to get a PS2 and a PS3 for $250.

[muddi900]

GAMES! Its all that counts. You want to play the games that are only on the PS3 or you don't. Make the decision wisely.

[J Arcane]

DON'T BUY REFURBISHED!

Refurbished is just BS marketing speak for "busted piece of shit we blew out once with a can of air and then turned on once to see if it would power up."

If you want a BC PS3, wait for someone around here to sell one, otherwise, just buy a new one. You'll feel much better about it.

[Chris_D]

Don't forget that the 80g is only partially BC (no emotion engine).

[Purple Santa]

Have we decided yet if the OP is being boiled in oil or just tarred and feathered for the first offense of not using the search function?

When you do buy one, buy Uncharted 1-3 (#3 will be out by then) and inFamous. Enjoy it whenever you choose to purchase.

[Kelegacy]

My PS3 purchase is a huge regret.

You don't like games?

I say buy a PS3 to the OP. You don't NEED one an HDTV, but it only makes the experience that much better.

You can get a Westinghouse 32" 720p HDTV at Target on Black Friday for $249 if you want to go the cheap route.

Since I bought my PS3 back the first week in October, I have been nothing but happy. Awesome system and so many great games for the system.

[Chris_D]

Like J Arcane said though, I would have some reservations about the refurbished unit. I mean, it is a reasonable deal, but it's not even the fully BC model. $50 less than a brand new PS3 slim and all the benefits that entails (new 12 month warranty, lighter and smaller, quieter, 120GB HDD) seems less of a bargain the more I think about it.

[Gorvi]

There seem to be enough games that you want to play, if you think you have the time for them and the money isn't a huge issue, go for it.

[Urizen]

Don't forget that the 80g is only partially BC (no emotion engine).

I keep hearing that 'partially' nonsense. I haven't had any trouble with any PS1/PS2 title I've thrown at my PS3. And I've played more than just high profile or Sony-published titles.

I'm guessing if there are games the 80GB unit cannot play, they might not be games worth playing.

[Purple Santa]

You don't like games?

I say buy a PS3 to the OP. You don't NEED one an HDTV, but it only makes the experience that much better.

You can get a Westinghouse 32" 720p HDTV at Target on Black Friday for $249 if you want to go the cheap route.

Since I bought my PS3 back the first week in October, I have been nothing but happy. Awesome system and so many great games for the system.

I agree. If you have a list of games you want to play...buy a PS3. Just not refurbished. Not at $250 anyway. And that Westinghouse TV is so tempting...

[Chris_D]

I keep hearing that 'partially' nonsense. I haven't had any trouble with any PS1/PS2 title I've thrown at my PS3. And I've played more than just high profile or Sony-published titles.

I'm guessing if there are games the 80GB unit cannot play, they might not be games worth playing.

It is far from nonsense even by Sony's own list. The number is something like 90% (80G model) vs 99% (60G and 20G models) for BC, and many major titles such as FFXII are reported to have quirks like slow down etc. So as a complete PS2 replacement it doesn't really cut it.

PS1 BC is done in software on all models so there is no difference regardless of what PS3 model you buy.

[violent]

My PS3 purchase is a huge regret.

Sell him yours.

[OldJadedGamer]

Considering that the PS3 brand new is $299 and Xmas is coming up you'll be able to find really good deals with bundles and the such. I'd say wait on it now. It's a good secondary system but I wouldn't get one in your situation unless it's such a great deal that you can't turn it down.

Like someone else said, the games aren't going anywhere and will be there when you get it.

[rein]

Considering that the PS3 brand new is $299 and Xmas is coming up you'll be able to find really good deals with bundles and the such. I'd say wait on it now. It's a good secondary system but I wouldn't get one in your situation unless it's such a great deal that you can't turn it down.

Like someone else said, the games aren't going anywhere and will be there when you get it.
It also makes a good primary system. :D My 360 has definitely become my secondary system.

Like others have said though, it's a decent deal but not earh-shattering. I would hold off if I was only looking at it frome the perspective that I was getting a good deal. Much better deals to be had in the coming months.

[Kelegacy]

I gree with OJG...grab a bundle on Black Friday instead. The one at Best Buy isn't too shabby at all. Two free new games with it. Other stores have similar bundles.

I sorta wish I had waited a couple months, but oh well. That always happens to me and I never learn. I seem to always buy expensive electronics in September. Then again, braving those BF crowds scares me. I hate people. Especially consumer hogs in crowds.

[Kelegacy]

It also makes a good primary system. :D My 360 has definitely become my secondary system.

Like others have said though, it's a decent deal but not earh-shattering. I would hold off if I was only looking at it frome the perspective that I was getting a good deal. Much better deals to be had in the coming months.

The PS3 has become my primary system lately as well. I still game on my 360 but just not as much.

[Gorvi]

Considering that the PS3 brand new is $299 and Xmas is coming up you'll be able to find really good deals with bundles and the such. I'd say wait on it now. It's a good secondary system but I wouldn't get one in your situation unless it's such a great deal that you can't turn it down.

Like someone else said, the games aren't going anywhere and will be there when you get it.
As Kel and Rein said, it does make a fantastic primary system. I've got 30 disc based games for the thing (18 of those being exclusive), and have played most to completion, and other than the PS2, it's the system I've been the most happy with at this point in it's life.

[OldJadedGamer]

As Kel and Rein said, it does make a fantastic primary system. I've got 30 disc based games for the thing (18 of those being exclusive), and have played most to completion, and other than the PS2, it's the system I've been the most happy with at this point in it's life.

As a multi-console owner, I mostly buy games that are on the lead platform since that is the vast majority of the time the best version or if they are MP they go to the 360 by default cause all my real life friends are playing online. This has caused the PS3 to be a secondary system for me. I figure if I'm paying the full price for a game, I should be getting the best possible version. This is why I'm getting FFXIII on my PS3 over the 360.

Until more developers out there start making the PS3 their lead sku for their games outside of the small handful now, I'll keep my PS3 as an exclusive only machine. It's kind of like the Xbox was to me last gen.

[mightbe]

I go back and forth on my PS3 purchase but with a new entertainment system setup, I find myself using it as my primary dvd player and it's great at that.

[Banacek]

DON'T BUY REFURBISHED!

Refurbished is just BS marketing speak for "busted piece of shit we blew out once with a can of air and then turned on once to see if it would power up."

If you want a BC PS3, wait for someone around here to sell one, otherwise, just buy a new one. You'll feel much better about it.

While normally I totally agree with this, I got real lucky with a refurbished PS3 I got from Gamestop. The only reason I bought it was because I was at the store and got to inspect the unit before I bought it. Whoever had this machine before me treated it with an huge amount of respect. It looked brand new. And it plays PS2 games, which for me is a must. But I wouldn't buy a refurbished PS3 unless I got my hands on it first.

[Banacek]

Oh, and I barely use the 360 now that my HTPC has Windows 7 with Netflix support built in. I'm actually planning on moving my 360 to another TV in the house to be a media extender.

[Gorvi]

As a multi-console owner, I mostly buy games that are on the lead platform since that is the vast majority of the time the best version or if they are MP they go to the 360 by default cause all my real life friends are playing online. This has caused the PS3 to be a secondary system for me. I figure if I'm paying the full price for a game, I should be getting the best possible version. This is why I'm getting FFXIII on my PS3 over the 360.

Until more developers out there start making the PS3 their lead sku for their games outside of the small handful now, I'll keep my PS3 as an exclusive only machine. It's kind of like the Xbox was to me last gen.
That's great for you and all, I was just pointing out that it makes a great primary system as well, it's not just a great secondary system, like the Wii (no offense to the Wii, but the library is pretty slim).

[Kelegacy]

As a multi-console owner, I mostly buy games that are on the lead platform since that is the vast majority of the time the best version or if they are MP they go to the 360 by default cause all my real life friends are playing online. This has caused the PS3 to be a secondary system for me. I figure if I'm paying the full price for a game, I should be getting the best possible version. This is why I'm getting FFXIII on my PS3 over the 360.

Until more developers out there start making the PS3 their lead sku for their games outside of the small handful now, I'll keep my PS3 as an exclusive only machine. It's kind of like the Xbox was to me last gen.

I'm the same way--if a game is better on 360 I'll get it there. I typically don't factor online in since I don't play online much anyway (and after February when my Live expires, I'm switching to PSN since it's free) but for graphics, performance, and features I choose whichever version is best.

I bought RE5 for 360 because it has less issues and was prettier. PS3 games seem to have more slowdown sometimes. I always do a Google search before buying multiplatform games. Some titles are better on PS3, some on 360. I'm still debating which platform to get Dragon Age for, since I can't get it on PC-seems PS3 is prettier, with better textures, while the 360 seems to have a tiny bit less slowdown. And like you FF13 will be on PS3 for me.

[Chris_D]

I can't talk about prettiness since I haven't seen the PS3 version. But 360 looks fine to me and none of the slowdown. Also, with a HDD install it loads at a decent clip (no idea what it's like without, I always install my primary game of the moment).

[J Arcane]

While normally I totally agree with this, I got real lucky with a refurbished PS3 I got from Gamestop. The only reason I bought it was because I was at the store and got to inspect the unit before I bought it. Whoever had this machine before me treated it with an huge amount of respect. It looked brand new. And it plays PS2 games, which for me is a must. But I wouldn't buy a refurbished PS3 unless I got my hands on it first.
We got two refurb 60GB in a row from GS, and both self-destructed within two weeks. One burned out and stopped booting like, the day we purchased it, and the other one experienced complete disc drive failure within like two weeks. And they didn't give us any option to inspect the device, it was actually in a sealed blister pack, not that it would've mattered, they both looked fine. Finally we just gave up and bought a 40GB.

The irony of the whole ordeal though, was that part of the reason we finally broke down and went looking for one is because our PS2 has some sort of drive flaw that prevents it from playing Gran Turismo 4. Which now we still can't play, because we ran out of GS BC PC3s.

Ah well, it was still worth it. Batman AA, LBP, GT5P, MGS4, all fantastic games that made the purchase well worth it in the end, but it does mean I'm stuck waiting on GT5 now that I've burned out on Prologue.

[Banacek]

We got two refurb 60GB in a row from GS, and both self-destructed within two weeks. One burned out and stopped booting like, the day we purchased it, and the other one experienced complete disc drive failure within like two weeks. And they didn't give us any option to inspect the device, it was actually in a sealed blister pack, not that it would've mattered, they both looked fine. Finally we just gave up and bought a 40GB.

The irony of the whole ordeal though, was that part of the reason we finally broke down and went looking for one is because our PS2 has some sort of drive flaw that prevents it from playing Gran Turismo 4. Which now we still can't play, because we ran out of GS BC PC3s.

Ah well, it was still worth it. Batman AA, LBP, GT5P, MGS4, all fantastic games that made the purchase well worth it in the end, but it does mean I'm stuck waiting on GT5 now that I've burned out on Prologue.

I agree. I got incredibly lucky with the one I got. I wouldn't recommend buying a refurbed unit. I just wish they still sold a PS2 BC model, I know there is a market for it. Oh well, still love my PS3.

[OldJadedGamer]

That's great for you and all, I was just pointing out that it makes a great primary system as well, it's not just a great secondary system, like the Wii (no offense to the Wii, but the library is pretty slim).

Well, he already said he had a 360 and if he has one he has the investment of games/accessories for that. From my experience... the Wii is a third system for when there is nothing else to play or that rare Nintendo gem comes out once a year. I bought the system at launch and sold it to a soccer mom two years ago when they were hot for $450 bucks with all my games/accessories. I'll buy another one sometime but there is no rush on it at all. Maybe when the black ones come out.