Thanks for all of the responses! I'm going to get a wii, for sure. I'm just not going to stand in line for one. I will probably pick up a second console (actually, it'll probably be first) as I have a big hdtv and would like to see it in it's full glory. (It's too far from the pc to run an hdmi cable over) So, I'm in a bit of a quandary. I'd like to consider a 360, but there's no way I'm buying the current version. The ps3 certainly looks to be a nice piece of hardware, and with the included bluray player, it's actually a pretty good deal. This whole cut the price on the 60gb version so we can produce a nerfed 80gb version bothers me. One of the main reasons for me to buy a ps3 would be to have the ability to play all of the back catalog of games for the ps2. So, here's the issue. I'd like to see if MS will respond with a pricecut and improved hardware (the falcon chipset). But, will this happen before all of the 60gb ps3s are gone?

Thanks again,

chuck

Stop Choosing! Just be willing to play them all and let the guy beside you play them all. This will be more fun trust me. Be willing to give all of it a chance.

Out of PS3 X360 I would say the X360 is probably the best - but it might be an idea to wait for the current backlog of screwed up X360's to clear up.
If your going to get a PS3 - get it now, I doubt the EE will ever be put back in so for backwards compatibility you will need to buy the 60GB before its sold out.

My personal opinion is buy the X360 and a PS2, that way you get the playstations back catalog and a piece of hardware which in my opinion is currently a better deal than the PS3.

 it seems many people are confused by this. Even if the PS3 you buy doesn't have the EE chip in, it is STILL backwards compatible. Just not 100%. I think at the moment the backward compatibility is about 90%, and will increase in the future due to firmware updates. Also, if it does it with emulation, you have the advantage of the games (and DVDs for that matter) being upscaled to full 1080p. Also, loading times are dramatically reduced (which I can vouch for) for PS2 games with emulation. You should remember that the 360 isn't 100% bc aswell, and unlike Sony, Microsoft is not trying to increase it.

I agree with akuma587 that as you are a PC game, there is little/no point of a 360, as most of it's games Halo 2, lost Planet for example, come out on PC later anyway, whereas I can't imagine Zelda or Ratchet coming to PC! :P

Well, this thread was good until Your Mother couldn't resist the urge to start disagreeing with other posts.

Yeah, that's true. Microsoft hasn't updated their backwards compatability for an entire FIVE DAYS. 

http://kotaku.com/gaming/once-more-unto-the-breach/microsoft-updates-360-backwards-compatibility-list-277977.php

those damn slackers at Microsoft...

 Well, I think it's important to remember that after the 60GB sells out the PS3 might never have the Emotion Engine again, but the Xbox 360 will ALWAYS have the improved hardware in the future.  

Also, I would like to reiterate that, since you're looking for a fresh experience unlike that of PC games, you really owe it to yourself to get a DS.  

 Opps my bad :P I though they weren't updating it, I guess I read something wrong :/

The backwards compatability thing is sort of a non-issue when you get down to it.

Go to this website to check your compatibility for each individual game. It gives you a VERY, and I mean VERY, specific detailing of what problems, if any, exist with the game you type in.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

60 GB PS3's may be gone sooner than later if they really aren't producing anymore. You can always by another hard drive if space is an issue for you. But, as I and some other people said, the likelihood that you will have significant problems with more than 1 or 2 of your PS2 games is not very likely. Just punch in the names on that website so you can see for yourself.

Likewise, no one will be able to tell you how reliable the 360's new hardware is until several months from the change, which might not happen until 2008...MS has a bad track record with their hardware (just ask my multiple friends who have had to replace their 360 and/or their original Xbox). I am almost certain that the new chipset in the 360 will be much better, but can you really trust a manufacturer who put together such a shoddy console in the first place?

A little of topic, but yesterday I went by best buy and noticed a 500gb Harddrive compatible with the ps3, I was suprised it was only priced at $169.99.