Where's the new US PS3 bundle/hardware?

[SiliconJon]

Is it me, or are we here in the US left in the dark regarding any upcoming PlayStation 3 hardware, or bundle packs? Or am I just missing it...because right now all I see is the 40GB and no word on another setup.

Is backwards compatability out, or do we know? I've sold our Wii in anticipation for a new gaming machine, and so long as Sony doesn't disappoint with their next PS3 box we're going that direction, otherwise it's time to build a gamer PC.

[RamonGTP]

It's you.

Not sure what you mean by "disappoint" the games are the games regardless of what PS3 version you get.

The 80GB version is due out in June IIRC it will be backwards compatible via software emulation, which means it won't be 100% backward compatible. Sony says it should be backwards compatible with roughly 70% of PS2 games. There is really nothing ground breaking going on here, so not sure exactly why you sold your Wii in anticipation of the next PS3. All it is is some additional storage capacity and limited backwards compatibility. Word around the net is that it will also sport a die shrink of the Cell processor allowing Sony to cut costs as well as reduce power consumption and heat. Do not expect the cost cutting on the CPU to be passed on to us consumers. At least not right away.

[vass0922]

Grand Tourismo 5 was just released, and Metal Gear Solid comes out next month
Good times for PS3 gamers

Ya I haven't seen much in the way of their new system coming out either.
I keep an eye on ps3fanboy.com for info, its a decent source.

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/

[RamonGTP]

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was released. This is NOT the full version of GT5. The FULL version of GT5 is still about a year out.

[paul9]

Originally Posted by RamonGTP

Word around the net is that it will also sport a die shrink of the Cell processor allowing Sony to cut costs as well as reduce power consumption and heat.

This usually increases reliability, as an added benefit.

[SiliconJon]

I was really hoping they would bring back the emotion chip. We have a stack of PS2 games sitting idle since the PS2 died. I guess Sony didn't notice, or care, that the emotion chip models are fetching a premium still.

I didn't sell our Wii in anticipation of the PS3 alone, but we have been greatly disappointed in our Wii titles. Granted several of the titles were purchased without my oversight, and there are bad titles on any system, overall we found the Wii's play value to be sub-par for our gaming desires, so I sold it while demand was still good for it. Mario Kart almost had me hold on to it, though...that was my favorite N64 game and I was tempted to get that title and hang on the Wii a bit longer.

While the die shrink is good to hear, I really wanted a return of the emotion chip...but at least they're keeping the emulator software. I wish they would open the emulator so anyone could add compatability to it...but that would be so not-Sony.

[RamonGTP]

Sony dropped hardware support for PS2 titles for two reasons.

1) Cost. It costs more for them to add hardware than it is to do the same thing through software emulation. They can and probably will still sell the 80GB, software emulated models at a premium.

2) They don't want customers playing PS2 titles on the PS3. They'd much rather you go out and buy PS3 games.

[Rootstonian]

I, for one, am glad I'm holding-out for a PS3 system. Sometimes it's nice to be a late adopter to console systems.

I plan on buying in the next few months...maybe get a price drop, maybe new features...who knows.

IMO, you still can't beat getting a Blu-Ray player and gaming console for $400

[RamonGTP]

Probably closer to $500 or more after taxes, unless you plan on watching your bluray movies and playing your PS3 games using the supplied composite cable and 2 channel audio.

[SiliconJon]

Even at $500 that's a nice gaming & media machine. I can so easily spend $1500 on a much higher maintenance PC...but of course the title availability on a PC is gargantuan.