Next Generation - PlayStation 3

I waited over an hour at E3 in anticipation to see Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3). After the long line (I felt like I was at Disneyland waiting for a ride), we were herded into a dark room to watch a video about Sony’s high definition (HD) capabilities. Then after that was done, we were herded into another dark room to watch a second video that showed clips of the PS3 and a few of its games including Kill Zone 2, a highly anticipated PS3 game. The doors to the room opened and there it was. . . the PS3, on a turntable behind a protective plexiglass case. Was it worth the wait and the long videos? Yep, it sure was.

The PS3 is about the same size as the PlayStation 2 (PS2), but it’s more rounded and sleek. The controllers are wireless Bluetooth and up to seven can be used at the same time on one PS3. (It’s rumored that these controllers can hold a charge for up to 24 hours.) I also saw that it had six USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), a removable hard drive (storage size unknown), and you can use your Memory Stick or Memory Stick Duo on it.

With its backwards capability, you’ll be able to play all your favorite games from the first PlayStation and PS2. A specific line-up of PS3 games is not yet available. The quality of the Kill Zone 2 game I saw in the demonstration video was remarkable, but there’s some controversy as to whether that was actual game play or pre-rendered video. With the PS3’s new processor, I believe it’s more than capable to have that quality. The 3.2 GHz Cell Processor gives the PS3 the power of a super computer. It’s approximately 10 times faster than the current fastest desktop computer processor and 32 times faster than the PS2. It offers high performance for movie-like realism in games and HD movies. I was not able to get an answer from Sony officials as to whether or not Kill Zone 2 was true game play.

When the PS3 comes out in Spring 2006, you can buy it in black, silver or white. No word yet on what the price will be.

A lot of people ask me which console will be better. . . the PS3 or the Xbox 360. The answer is I don’t know at this point since the PS3 was not available for play at E3. Stay tuned for more information in the future. For myself, and other hardcore gamers I know of, we’ll end up getting both.