The Official "Console War" and Video Game Thread

[Dynamo of Eternia]

That sucks man, I wonder if there was an "issue" with it before you got it because I have never heard of it powering off (I would assume there is a problem on the board or the power supply). I have heard of some overheat problems but the thing has so many exhaust areas it has been tested to rarely overheat.

Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with that. I know that the lower right side of the system (when positioned horizantally) was getting pretty warm.

This technically was a refurbished PS3, so I guess there must have been some issue with it to start with, but I would have figured it would be resolved by being refurbished... apparently not.

Since the PS3 is slot loading I dont think it contains a pinhole to force the disc out like old tray systems did.

I read online that you might want to try a pair of tweezers, the blu ray discs are very scratch resistant so you wont really damage it but you should be able to get a hold of it enough to pull it out.

I don't know. That kind of worrys me. Plus I'd be worried about doing more damage to the system in trying that, thus possibly voiding my ability to be refunded for the machine.

Also what I would do is take their USPS label and add signature confirmation and insurance, it might cost you $5-6 overall but you will be protected if something happens to it rather than spent $20-30 (which it will cost you via UPS Ground) and then have to deal with he said she said issues at amazon.com

That's decent advise, though refunding shipping in instances like this is not all that uncommon. Plus I'd just rather use UPS as I find them more reliable to get the item there faster. At this point, even if I end up being out $20 (which shouldn't be the case as it should get refunded to me), I'd just deal with it just to get this thing over with ASAP.

I also read that Samsung should be providing new firmware this weekend or next to take care of any Pirates of the Carribean At Worlds End issues, with that release Disney moved over to an upgraded Java that is similar to what was causing initial problems with FF4 ROSS and Day After Tomorrow. The issue apparently lies in the fact it worked with Samsung firmware 1.9 which the mass market never got (they went from 1.0 to 2.0, you have to call and ask them to get 1.9 on a CD) and so something in the internal "upgrade" from 1.9 to 2.0 killed the Java implementation.

Ah, well hopefully this will take care of some of my compatibility issues. I may just stick with my Samsung a little while longer until something like this happens again. I guess I should eithre just get the 80gb $500 PS3, or even just get the 40GB model. I'd prefer the 60gb, but I don't see that happening for a reasonable price anytime soon.

I feel your pain Dynamo. I got my second ring of fire on my 360 last night. It just dawned on me that my GH III game is still in there. hmmmmm.

I've had a really bad run of luck past year or so with Systems. Like I keep saying I take really good care of my stuff and I've now burnedup two 360's, two PSPs, and a Nintendo Wii. Nothing I really did...just hardware failure on all of them. My DS is the only thing going strong!

Man, that sucks. At least your 360 should still be under warranty. It still royally sucks, but at least there's some ray of hope.

I think its the shoddy nature of the industry these days, for instance the Wii had a run of bad gpu's that overheated, the 360 has the RROD, and the PS3 can overheat. It must be easier for companies to replace them then figure out whats causing the problems.

But I don't remember problems like this in earlier generations, the only thing that comes to mind is the fact NES games got dirty or the tray lost its locking power and sometimes would not read unless you did the infamous stacking trick (put the game in and use another to keep it locked down in the tray).

Yeah, pretty much all of my older system, going back to Atari 2600, are still working (well, as far as I know, it's actually been a while since I've used the Atari). Even my original NES that I got when I was 5 still works. Sure, it doesn't work perfectly and you have to find the 'sweet spot' to get the game to work, but I can still play the games on it after all of these years.

Technology just isn't built to last like it used to be.

[Skullface]

Yup, hardware and peripheral makers are just lazy as all hell these days and save $$$ by offering "warranties" instead of fixing the actual problems.....

I've been fortunate enough to not have had any console problems, but peripherals are another story.

My GH3 Les Paul controller's strum bar stopped working after 10 days. It's on its way back to get replaced/repaired. So now last night my X-plorer controller's tilt sensor went out, so now I cannot use Star Power. (Tried the back button as well, which works in menus, but not to activate SP in game) Of course that's way past the warranty period, so for now the only GH I'll be playing for the next month+ is on my PS2. We'll see how much longer those guitars hold up...... Hopefully Red Octane will make sturdier hardware, and also start complaining to Activision/Neversoft about these note charts that put excessive wear & tear on their peripherals......

I learned my lesson years ago to NEVER buy 3rd party accessories. Not so much for the warranty void, but after several instances with a 3rd party PS1 high capacity memory card randomly erasing itself, I gave up.

[GeologyMule]

so now I cannot use Star Power.

Look on the bright side. Now you can go for the "Who Needs the Power" achievement....200k on Cult of Personality without Star Power

[Skullface]

Look on the bright side. Now you can go for the "Who Needs the Power" achievement....200k on Cult of Personality without Star Power

True, but I was trying to get the both the "Inhuman Achievement" & the one where you have to activate SP 3 times on TTFAF on Expert, which'll NEVER happen w/o being able to use SP.......

Oh well......

[Dynamo of Eternia]

As far as the 80GB model of PS3 goes, how is the backwards compatibility as of now? Have they put up a lot of updates to improve it?

Does it only work with PS2 games, or will it work with PS1 games as well?

Is there anywhere that I can go to get a comparison list of what it compatible with both the 80GB and 60GB PS3s?

If it turns out that the 80gb version is compatible with most of my games (at least the ones I care about the most), I may just go that route rather than trying to find an older 60gb version.

[hemanrep]

As far as the 80GB model of PS3 goes, how is the backwards compatibility as of now? Have they put up a lot of updates to improve it?

Does it only work with PS2 games, or will it work with PS1 games as well?

Is there anywhere that I can go to get a comparison list of what it compatible with both the 80GB and 60GB PS3s?

If it turns out that the 80gb version is compatible with most of my games (at least the ones I care about the most), I may just go that route rather than trying to find an older 60gb version.

I believe the 80gb version is basically the same as the 60gb model, but I think the 80gb model no longer has the emotion engine inside of the PS3. In other words, PS2 games play via emulation. That is the only difference with the exception of MotorStorm being packed in. I haven't heard any horror stories when it comes to compatibility via emulation.

If you can find a 60gb model, I'd go with that unless you like MotorStorm.

[wolf-manj]

I believe the 80gb version is basically the same as the 60gb model, but I think the 80gb model no longer has the emotion engine inside of the PS3. In other words, PS2 games play via emulation. That is the only difference with the exception of MotorStorm being packed in. I haven't heard any horror stories when it comes to compatibility via emulation.

If you can find a 60gb model, I'd go with that unless you like MotorStorm.

no the 80 gb does not have the emotion engine chip.
Try Sony's playstation website for a list that shows compatibility issues with games. I know there is one because I looked at it prior to buying my 60gb version. You choose which PS3 model you have and then type in the name of the game and it pulls up a list of problems people have reported if any.

[krosfyah]

you know, I've been hearing and reading people saying that such and such is the TRUE next gen game etc. and to be honest I've spent some time with some of those games, and while they look impressive and are generally fun, it still doesn't WOW me in terms of what I feel is next gen.

now to be fair I don't quite KNOW what that feeling would be, but overall it's mostly felt like older stuff with better grapihcs, audio and more control options. Kind of like a 2000 model car vs a 2007 model car. driving them doesn't really seem much different just that the 2007 has standard auto door locks an mp3 player, gps system and passenger side and curtain airbags. yeah there are more bells and whistles but overall once you get behind the wheel it's pretty much the same experience.

The Wii while not really a next gen system is the only one that has given me something NEW to do. now it also doesn't make me think 'next gen is here!' but in general it's a new experience not always but sometimes. anyone else feel that the only real thing that's been 'next gen' has been the graphical and audio upgrades?

[Dynamo of Eternia]

I'm aware of the fact that the emotion engine chip was removed and that it's now emulator based, but it's supposed to have less compatibility now, which worries me.

I actually tried that thing where you pick the model on the Sony site. I entered the names of several games (for both PS1 and PS2) and no matter which version of the system I picked, it seemed to come up with exactly the same info. So, I'm not sure how reliable the info that site is giving out really is.

I would prefer to get the 60GB model, but they are now scarce in stores, and I really don't want to buy one off of ebay or the secondary market. I just attempted something kind of like that, and now I'm going through hell trying to get it straightened out.

If I can find a new (as in never used) 60GB model sitting in a store somewhere, I will get it. But if I can't, then I may have to settle for the 80GB model (Though I really don't care that much about Motorstorm, and odds are I will trade that in if I ever do get the 80GB model) as I don't want to go through some Joe Schmoe seller just to get one.

I'm just trying to determine what games will and won't work on which versions of the systems, so I know what I am dealing with.

The Wii while not really a next gen system is the only one that has given me something NEW to do. now it also doesn't make me think 'next gen is here!' but in general it's a new experience not always but sometimes. anyone else feel that the only real thing that's been 'next gen' has been the graphical and audio upgrades?

Yeah, in many ways I agree with you.

I mean, look at Halo 3 (just as an example). The graphics are better, and the AI might be a little improved over the two Original Xbox games, but all in all it's more or less the same thing, and game-play wise they easily could have made the game for the original Xbox and the experience wouldn't be a whole lot different.


I think the problem is that graphical upgrades and upgrades to how much memory is used to store the game do not offer the same advance in gameplay that they used to.

I mean, look at the original Atari 2600 generation of games, then look at NES. There was clearly a pretty big difference in gameplay (a few more buttons, and more info being used to make games that were comparably more complicated). Then the move to the 16 big systems was pretty similar. More buttons and more that could be done. Then the leap to 3D changed things quite a bit, too. The leap then to the PS2/Xbox generation wasn't as big, but the whole 3D thing was still new enough that it didn't matter that much. But now we're on the 3rd generation of 3D console systems, and things haven't changed that much for the most part. Heck, PS3 has essentially the same controller (all be it slightly modified) that the previous two PS systems have had, and the Xbox controls aren't all that different either.

Something more than just the graphics really needs to change to make the newer systems more worth while.

[markatisu]

I'm aware of the fact that the emotion engine chip was removed and that it's now emulator based, but it's supposed to have less compatibility now, which worries me.

As it should, Sony has been pretty good about the compatibility with high selling big hit games (Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy's, Jak and Daxter) but you have to wonder when they will become like MS and just decide that half the library (or at least a big portion of it) wont run because they dont have time, resources, etc.

The box even states "This product has limited backwards compatibility with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format software"

I would caution anyone who wants PS2/PSX compatbility to only go for the 60gb model if you can get your hands on one. Otherwise keep your old PS2's around.

[Skullface]

I would prefer to get the 60GB model, but they are now scarce in stores, and I really don't want to buy one off of ebay or the secondary market. I just attempted something kind of like that, and now I'm going through hell trying to get it straightened out.

If I can find a new (as in never used) 60GB model sitting in a store somewhere, I will get it. But if I can't, then I may have to settle for the 80GB model (Though I really don't care that much about Motorstorm, and odds are I will trade that in if I ever do get the 80GB model) as I don't want to go through some Joe Schmoe seller just to get one.

I'd try Meijer or K-Mart first. (The last Meijer I went to which was the night before Rock Band launched had a few 60 GB models for $449, and K-Mart I don't think even stocks them in the lock up cases, so they may have some 60GBs in the back) I'd tend to think the hardcore electronics stores like Best Buy, Circuit City & Fry's are all out, but you never know. And there's always a SLIM chance you could find one at Wal-Mart/Target/TRU. But you'd probably have to find a store that is kind of outta the way or not shopped hard to find one there......

And there's always the slim chance of like Deep Discount having them, and other online sites like Newegg, J&R electronics, etc....

EDIT: Oh, and don't forget Sam's Club/Costco too. And this time of year there's Sears as well.....

[hemanrep]

I'm soooo glad I bought the PS3 early on. Neither of the current PS3 models interest me and I would have been screwed if I waited. I guess there actually was a reason to own a PS3 early even if there wasn't any games to play.

[Skullface]

I'm soooo glad I bought the PS3 early on. Neither of the current PS3 models interest me and I would have been screwed if I waited. I guess there actually was a reason to own a PS3 early even if there wasn't any games to play.

Sure there were games to play - they just happened to be for PS1 & PS2!



Glad I bought my 60GB back in July.......

Though I wouldn't be surprised down the road to possibly see SONY putting the Emotion Engine back into the system once tech prices come down in another year or two. If sales start slowing down again but tech prices drop, they could keep the prices for the systems the same, and then start advertising again that the systems are 100% BC again......

Honestly, look how fast HD & BR players prices dropped, and they've only been out for what, a year and a half max?

[krosfyah]

Honestly, look how fast HD & BR players prices dropped, and they've only been out for what, a year and a half max?

Was that drop based on cheaper tech or to really try to get a consumer foothold? The PS3 drop seems to be based more so on needing to get into households more so than cheaper tech, but I could be wrong.

[markatisu]

Was that drop based on cheaper tech or to really try to get a consumer foothold? The PS3 drop seems to be based more so on needing to get into households more so than cheaper tech, but I could be wrong.

The PS3 drop was solely due to losing marketshare, the tech is getting cheaper but Sony knew (and the Canadian/US NPD as well as Media Create numbers in Japan prove) they were getting their butt handed to them in a bad way. The price cuts and new SKU's were solely to get sales going.

They removed the EE chip completely but I think they only saved like $6 a unit overall.

Blu-Ray players overall have not really come down that much in price (yes they are no longer $800 but compared to the HD-DVD units its still a big difference) so its further proof of what was behind the PS3's drop.

The HD-DVD drop is actually based more on cheaper technology, it had been coming down slightly month per month. People had been anticipating $99-199 players for Christmas 2007 for some time so that is not in the same way the PS3 was.

[Skullface]

Was that drop based on cheaper tech or to really try to get a consumer foothold? The PS3 drop seems to be based more so on needing to get into households more so than cheaper tech, but I could be wrong.

I'd go with a little of both. There were numerous reports of cheaper blue diode lasers for the BR players earlier this year as far as equipment costs, but yeah, the Hi-Def war and desire to get units into homes was mainly responsible for the price drops.....

With the Wii flying off shelves and Sony's price drops/new configurations leading to increased sales, Microsoft was pretty much forced to drop their prices as well to stay competitve. If Microsoft were ever able to get off the ground in Japan, they probably wouldn't have changed a thing, even though while they've lost their worldwide sales lead, they currently still have a significant lead in the US over the Wii in sales. (But probably not for much longer.....)

[markatisu]

With the Wii flying off shelves and Sony's price drops/new configurations leading to increased sales, Microsoft was pretty much forced to drop their prices as well to stay competitve. If Microsoft were ever able to get off the ground in Japan, they probably wouldn't have changed a thing, even though while they've lost their worldwide sales lead, they currently still have a significant lead in the US over the Wii in sales. (But probably not for much longer.....)

You are correct, if they had even held ground in Japan they would be on top comfortably and there would not have been one price drop (just like how the Wii does not have to drop in price even though the 360 Arcade set is just as cheap for what it is) but the loss in Japan is what ate away at their 1 year lead.

If Sony can get themselves straightened out then they can exploit the same opening as right now in Japan is the Wii vs the PS3 and the gap is slowing (even then the PS3 would have to outsell the Wii for almost 1 year by a large margin of 50k-100k a month to gain the ground they themselves lost earlier this year when the Wii was outselling it monthly by almost 8 to 1).

But MS losses worldwide around 500k units a month to Nintendo and Sony in Japan, after 1 year that starts to add up (6 million a year).

[Skullface]

Yeah - when that slightly over 2 million unit US lead for Microsoft is gone, I see them running around frantically to try and gain ground. Maybe sell the console in Japan for the equivalent of $150-$200????

[markatisu]

Yeah - when that slightly over 2 million unit US lead for Microsoft is gone, I see them running around frantically to try and gain ground. Maybe sell the console in Japan for the equivalent of $150-$200????

Well they have already started having bundles with games like Blue Dragon, the problem is people are buying the system to play the game then selling back the system They had quite a bump in sales when Ace Combat 6 came out, but then again you saw the systems and games in the used dept not more than a few weeks later, its almost like they rent the system...

I just don't know what else they can do in that area to make anything any better, if you have paid attention to any Japan gaming and sales news the last year and a half its completely crazy.

They pretty much hate anything thats not casual and not a JRPG, things like Mario Galaxy are bombing compared to the last generation (many more examples of games that "should" be selling but just are not can be found).

[Skullface]

Here's some promising PS3 news.....

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/840/840830p1.html

200K systems a week in Europe? Very nice.
40K-50K a week in Japan? Also pretty good.....

Though I wonder if that was a typo, and they meant 20K in Europe. That 200K # seems REALLY high, even for the holiday season.....

[markatisu]

Here's some promising PS3 news.....

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/840/840830p1.html

200K systems a week in Europe? Very nice.
40K-50K a week in Japan? Also pretty good.....

Yeah they have been getting a big bump from their white 40gb unit (because everyone owns a PS2 and does not care so much about the compatibility). Last month they actually topped the Wii in monthly sales (depending on which sales reports you go buy the margin was very small but still it beat it out).

Though they suffer the same problem as the 360, once the hype surrounding the white lower priced 40gb set in the sales went back down and the Wii's went back up (mostly due to Mario Galaxy sticking around in the Top 15 and the release of Wii Fit). We are starting to see things return to normal now with the DS as #1 and the PSP fighting the Wii for #2...the interesting thing is even though the PSP is selling it cant sell games for anything!

But at least Sony is now beating or getting ahead of the PS2 in weekly sales, for the longest time it could not even beat the Gamecube which is not being made anymore! The coming weeks will be telling but it seems things might have finally stabalized over there for them.

[Predabot]

Markatisu... why the heck would you buy a PSP if not to play games? And I really, really thought the PSP was at it's last leg at the beginning of this year, but now it's back in power once more?

Haven't the UMD-format pretty much flopped? What the heck are the buyers using that thing for then, anyway?

I'm a bit surprised to hear that the Wii can't keep the top position even with Mario Galaxy and christmas coming up. Hmm. This does not bode well.

[markatisu]

Markatisu... why the heck would you buy a PSP if not to play games? And I really, really thought the PSP was at it's last leg at the beginning of this year, but now it's back in power once more?

Haven't the UMD-format pretty much flopped? What the heck are the buyers using that thing for then, anyway?

Piracy is blamed as the #1 reason since there are custom firmwares and you can now run old PSX games directly from the mem stick, plus Sony markets it similar to the ipod and anything but a gaming device. It sells about 65-75k a week but yet software sales are dismal.

I'm a bit surprised to hear that the Wii can't keep the top position even with Mario Galaxy and christmas coming up. Hmm. This does not bode well.

Oh no trust me the Wii has the top position, the price drop in japan caused the PS3 to spike and sell about 20,000 units more overall for November but as soon as December came it was business as usual with the PS3 going back down to normal levels (around 35-50k a week). The release of Wii Fit saw Wii sales go back up to around the high levels again.

Whats more shocking is Mario Galaxy in Japan, it opened to low sales but has stuck around for the last 5 weeks while most releases die off (thats how it goes the 1st week in Japan is 50% of its lifetime sales), so its steadily getting to 1 million in Japan, just not as fast as it should have (and this is not just a Mario issue, almost all hardcore games are bombing in Japan).

[CowboyGuy]

I think that the Wii vs. PS3 sales were very close and Sony came out on top this time.

Anyway I am not afraid to admit that I love Nintendo. But with the release of Wii Fit, Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart Wii drawing nearer...it makes me wonder what will come after that to keep the console afloat? Those 3 games alone are all Q1 2008. It seems like Nintendo brought out all their big franchises right away this time compared to Gamecube. I don't mind cause I hate waiting for the games I buy Nintendo systems for...but still.

Could we see yet another Zelda title on this system? As far as I remember, for the last few systems we have only had one Mario and one Zelda game (excluding Majora's Mask).

I love the new casual gamer games they make, but I still love the in-depth games as well. Maybe a true Donkey Kong is in the works, or a sequel to Kid Icarus??

[DamageCity]

Piracy is blamed as the #1 reason since there are custom firmwares and you can now run old PSX games directly from the mem stick, plus Sony markets it similar to the ipod and anything but a gaming device. It sells about 65-75k a week but yet software sales are dismal.

Yeah most English people I know out here just pirate their games for PSP, where as I have to order mine from Bares and Nobles which is quite expensive. Sometimes I will buy the Japanese version of a game but for RPGs and such it's just too much hassle to play while constantly flipping through a dictionary.

As far as the Japanese go, this is handheld country. Every kid has a DS and every Junior High to High School student has a PSP. I've seen 50 year old women playing DS on the train.