I'm sure there is no way I can post without it becoming a troll-a-rama, but I'll give it a shot.

First, I have had a 360 for a little over a year and a Wii for about 8 months or so.  Prior to this gen, I had a cube and PS2.  I've owned just about every console sold in the U.S. since the NES.  I'm a gamer first...

So, I purchased a MGS4 80 gig bundle along with singstar.  After setting it up, I downloaded a bunch of demos from the store as well as rented Heavenly Sword and GT5:P.   Instead of going in depth, I'll try to keep it brief and just point out the pros/cons of the overall system and ten I'll close with a few comments.

Console:  The PS3 hardware is a shining example of quality high-tech gadgetry.  It seems to be built like a tank and is extremely cool looking.  If looks alone decided the current gen, the PS3 wins.  I will say that I was perturbed, however, by the lack of any sort of HD cable -- component or HDMI -- in the box.  I didn't have any spares and had to pull my entertainment center out a bit to steal my HDMI from the DVD player.  The innards (cell+rsx) will very likely take quite some time to master and I suspect games are going to get better by leaps and bounds.  If they do, and GT:5P, Heavenly Sword, and Uncharted are any indication of a "good starting point", PS3 owners are in for one hellavu ride.

Controller:  The dual shock three is certainly well made and I'm glad I got the rumble.  I've never been a big fan of the Playstaion controllers, though.  The rounded, cone-shaped sides don't really give me anything to hold on to and I tend to drop them regularly.  I'm going to check out the Nyko Zero and see if it is any better.  It works, but I personally prefer the larger frame 360 controllers.  (my previous favorite controller was the dreamcast which was quite similar in size to the 360).  I like the included rechargeables in the controller but I don't like having to plug it into the USB for the charge.  I'll have to get a charger stand or something.  The six-axis seemed to work fairly well in Heavenly Sword so no complaints so far.

Blu-Ray:  It is simply stunning.  There is no comparison once you have seen a blu-ray in all its glory.  I had no interest whatsoever in a high def player until HDDVD was dead.  During the HD battle, the included blu-ray had no real value to me as either could have won and if HD-DVD had pulled it off, I feared the PS3 would fail.  Now the player does have value as it is the clear winner.

Games:  This is subjective.  Clearly Sony is making proress in improving the library but it still needs some improvement.   This time next year, there will be little to complain about.  There are enough titles now to keep someone busy with some big ones coming.  Free online is great but I don't play online games so it doesn't really offer me much.  To an avid on-liner, that's a big benefit.

Dashboard:  I like the simple, straightforward dashboard layout of 2.36.

Operating system:  I'm not really sure where to put these, but I have a few gripes.  Every game has an install.  Once installed, it may check for an update, then download that and install it.  Then there is a license to review and agree to.  This is new to console gaming for me.  I'm used to firing it up and starting to play and it is very irritating.  I'll suck it up if the games are great, but just on this one feature alone, I will be more inclined to buy my multi-plats on my 360 as they are up and running a lot quicker. (assuming they are the same quality)

Sony Store:  I'll be frank.  It's weak.  There just isn't much there.  There needs to be more "stuff".  I realize the 360 is quite a bit more mature, but XBLA is stocked with many more quality titles and demos.

360 fans that hate on the PS3 should give it a chance.  It's a solid console with a bright future.  By that same token, I have had my 360 and the PS3 (currently) cannot replace it.  There are far too many games on the 360 and lots more coming.  In the end, if you can afford it, you should get both a 360 and PS3 and enjoy both.  Fanboys will be what they are, but if you gave free 360s and PS3s to 100 hardcore fanboys, they wouldn't be fanboys any more as they would realize that bouth have their strengths and weaknesses.

The games I've spent some time with:   GT5:P a few hours.  Heavenly Sword: Finished it.  Uncharted: an hour or so.  MGS4: about 3 or 4 hours.  In these games I see many flashes of brilliance with a few nagging issues such as screen tearing, frame rate hiccups, etc.  These really are stellar games, graphically, given how young the console is.  I'm happy to be along for the ride.  With that said, the PS3 games still need to see some significant improvement to reach the point of "noticeably" superior to the best the 360 has to offer.

Pretty cool review. Void of fanboyism, which is how it should be. Props.

Great post and a fair comparison. People who bash any system need to experience the system prior to posting opinions. I have a 360 and a Wii and love them both. My 360 fills my HD Gaming needs and the Wii is Soooo much fun with titles like, Mario Kart, Boomblocks, Zelda, ect. The PS3 is an awesome systems and if fundage was not an issue I would currently own one. I love playing my friends and think its great. Thanks for the intelligent post, we (Gamers) appreciate your opinion and unbiased remarks.

Great post! i think its clear that the ps3 has a bright future once they smooth out all the rough edges.

that's a great post,,,,

you pretty much covered everything without any bias .kudos to that.


both are very good systems with their own strengths and weaknesses .



as for the games for PS3 ,,,I m also very excited for what future brings to PS3,,,MGS4 ,uncharted,Heavenly sword,Ratchet and clanck are all games that came out with in a year and half from the launch of the console and they look stunning.Imagine games in 2 years as the dev get a grip on the hard architecture of PS3.

Also this gen for the first time Sony first party studios are sharing information/innovations with each other heavily meaning that the quality of sony games can improve very fast.

basically my opinion as well, except i favor sony franchises more. dont have a 360 because of that reason alone (is there any other good one *and having a good pc?).

good to see people having relative objectivity (nothing is ever perfect).

edit: and having a good pc

The 360 and PS3 are pretty much equal, I don't think either the PS3 or 360 are ever going to have a game that will be noticably superior than what the other is capable of doing.

I don't understand very well all the comments (not only yours) about not liking updates of the OS, installs and updates of the games.

Update of the OS is awesome this gen. The PS3 is much much better now than when I bought it a year ago, and has a lot more functionnality. How can someone dislike that?

Installs of games takes what? 15 minutes once? not a big deal if it brings good things like less loadings.
Now the updates of games. What's wrong with it?? Developpers can correct bugs while before they couldn't, they can add content while before they couldn't.
I'm so glad they do!

This is really surprising me that you can't accept change when it's for better.

Don't take this post personnally kn, I liked your review, it's very fair and true. But I couldn't handle not opening my mouth reading one more rant about installs and updates.

kn, i was waiting for your review as I knew it would be well-written and honest. Thanks.

I am almost certain that I will feel exactly as you do if I got a PS3. But unfortunately for me, that bump in satisfaction is nowhere near the £350-£400 that that is going to set me back. (plus I would only play Uncharted, Resistance and R&C).

That wasn't biased at all, congrats for that