The new generation is here, so I thought I would look back at the systems of the last generation and discuss some of the highlights these systems offered to each of us.
The PS3
Hardware:
The PS3 was a monster piece of hardware. The fine folks at Sony love their customers so much, they couldn't cut anything from their hardware plans that would take away something from the experience they wanted to offer, so they left it all in. The cell, the blu ray, the emotion chip, everything. However, that left this with a very pricey piece of technology, but they went ahead and launched it at one of the highest prices every for a console, $600. Even at that price Sony was losing hundreds of dollars on every console sold.
However, from a consumer point, while the price was high, you couldn't really argue with the value. You were getting a system with full backwards compatability while at the same time delivering a blu ray player for half the price of other blu ray players on the market. Unfortunetly, Sony did end up removing the emotion chip which meant bye bye to backwards compatability, but most everything else remained intact.
The capabilities of the hardware, specifically the cell processor, may have been a bit overexagerated at the launch of the ps3. I remember the forums always argueing about how much more powerful one system was than the other. While in the end the ps3 didn't seem to be all that much more powerful than its competition, you can't deny that some of the most beautiful and graphically intesive games appear as ps3 exclusives.
Software:
The biggest part of any gaming system is its catalogue of games, and to me these 5 game series are what defined my time with the PS3
Uncharted
The uncharted series has proven to be one of the most successful series to come out of this generation. Uncharted has produced arguably the best graphics of the entire generation as well as some of the funnest gameplay. While the first game struggled a little bit in the story department, having a somewhat B action movie kind of feel, the subsequent games delivered on the story big time. Adding depth and emotion to its characters while ramping up the action. This is the cream of the playstation crop.
Infamous
Fun, that is the word I would use to describe these games. They are a blast to play (literally) 
. Zooming down cables from building to building while dropping bombs of electricity on unsuspecting villains or citizens was surprisingly intuitive and at the same time exilerating. The story was engrossing and the characters were engaging. These games were great, and a must have for any playstation owner.
Killzone
For a series that started out on the ps2 as a halo killer, it never did quite manage to slay halo, but it did manage to make a name for itself. The killzone series really took hold on the PS3 hardware creating some of the richest and most detailed graphics for a shooter this generation. The gameplay was engrossing and the multiplayer had more depth than a lot of shooters out there.
God of War
Ah, God of War. Probably the best action game out there. The visceral nature of the combat emphasizes the rage of the main character in such a way that it is hard not to feel the blood start pumping in your own chest as you play these games. Everything about these games are top notch, the graphics, the gameplay, the story, everything. Although the last entry was a little underwhelming, these games help define the experience of the ps3.
Metal Gear Solid
I debated on this one for a while, but I went with Metal Gear Solid because this game is what started turning the system around, at least here in the states. It is a great game, with an amazing story (if a bit convoluted at times) and engossing stealthy gameplay. However, the release of this game spurred hardware sells like nothing before it. It helped the playstion 3 get a firm foothold in America and reversed the trend for the ps3.
So what are your fondest memories of the PS3? What moments, games stood out to you as defining for the PS3?
