And a bit about that other system. That’s near the bottom.
So it’s finally here. Did you see it? Or did you spend days outside only to be turned away? Here are all of the reports and commentary I could find on the PS3.
First, the problems:
One analyst is speculating that there may only be 150,000 to 200,000 systems available for the launch, which is about half of the number that Sony recently promised, after they cut their target from 1.2-2 million to 400k (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14447).
There’s a rumor going around that Sony is releasing few, if any, 20GB systems which may be why there are so few PS3’s (http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor/rumor-no-20-gb-ps3s-coming-215234.php). No one is quite sure why other than that Sony is losing a lot of money on the PS3, the 20GB system in particular. More on that below.
The PS3 is currently having trouble playing over 200 PS1 and PS2 titles. It’s better than what Microsoft has offered in terms of backwards compatibility to date and they’re working to fix it. Just don’t expect to play that copy of Tekken 5 just yet. Sony has already released a software update fixing a few of the problems, though (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/745/745439p1.html). Also, sorry Guitar Hero II fans. The game, which is incredibly awesome (seriously. Even if you’re not in to games of this sort it’s a heck of a good time. Borrow it or head to your local Best Buy to check out a demo. To locate a Best Buy nearest you, look out your #$%*@&! window.), will not run on the PS3 at this time (http://ps2.ign.com/articles/745/745330p1.html). =(
For you video nuts, the PS3 is not scaling PS1 and PS2 titles to higher resolutions and we’re not sure if that’s possible. However, it is automatically down-scaling PS3 games if your TV doesn’t support 720p. Bummer. IGN is hoping for a software update to address this problem shortly (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/746/746492p1.html).
Most of the launch titles are ports of stuff already out, with a couple of exceptions (below). This is to be expected for most system launches and was certainly the case with the 360. The Wii is skating by on a gimmick (albeit a really cool gimmick, one that might become something more than a gimmick) and Zelda.
For a well-written and scathing article on the bad PS3 stuff, check out http://www.penny-arcade.com/. They use big boy language, so make sure you’ve got your parents’ permission and a thesaurus handy. While you’re there, check out their Child’s play charity. It’s a pretty cool thing they’ve got going.
There will hopefully be 750,000 PS3’s available by year’s end in the U.S (check the first linked article). If you keep checking the major retailers you might get lucky.
Sony is losing a hefty amount of money on every system sold, approximately $240 per 60GB system and just over $300 per 20GB system (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14483). This means that the system is a good value for early adopters, provided that you’re interested in what the system has to offer and you don’t go on Ebay. If you’ve got a high end TV and sound system, you’re looking to get in to blu-ray, you play games and you play games online, this is your system.
If you can’t find a PS3 there’s hope for you yet! The Wii is looking to be far more available and cheaper, and has a pretty solid launch list. They’re not all ports like the PS3, but in general are good, not great. The exception for the Wii is Zelda which is getting stellar reviews. I wouldn’t know as I’ve never been a fan of Zelda (sue me) but if that’s your thing you’re apparently in for a treat (http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928519.asp). There’s also the 360, which is making a strong showing this Christmas and is well stocked. As usual the system’s fortes are sports, racing and shooters but if like that stuff you can’t really go wrong. There are plenty of games being released for the PS2 as well. So, as long as you’re not desperate for the newest of the new, you should be in good shape this Christmas.
Check back this next week for a recap of Wii launch articles, and best of luck to you early adopters!
Bully: Showing the Mainstream’s Ignorance of Games
Written by Chase
This week Rockstar’s Bully hits stores. So far, it’s been receiving very positive reviews (gamerankings.com score: 89.3%) based on its deep storyline, good sense of humor, and its alarming… lack of violence? Worry not, virtual car-theft enthusiasts - you still fight in the game. There’s still combat. However, the game was rated Teen by the ESRB and all reviews have been talking about the elements of the game that are more important than the combat: kissing/dating people, escorting, delivering packages, and even attending class seem to be more important than throwing down. Even then, there’s no blood.
And yet, because the game takes place at a school, people have immediately taken aim at it. Last week Jack Thompson attempted to ban the game from the state of Florida, calling it a “Columbine simulator.” The case was thrown out. In the UK, two stores have banned it and Tony Blair has promised the public that he will spend a few hours playing it to make sure it is fit for children.
Wanting to educate yourself as to the content of a title is fine, but immediately jumping to the conclusion that a game is harmful to supposedly impressionable youths because of the title and the company that made it is a bit extreme. Rockstar is, after all, the company that brought you Table Tennis as well as GTA. Several news reports have quoted reporters and even a judge as saying that the game has content no worse than prime time Television. If you think that is too much for your children, then don’t let them play it. It’s not nearly the same thing as Grand Theft Auto though.
Bully carries a suggested retail price of $39.99 and was released to stores yesterday.
Wii Production Better Than Expected
Written by Chase
Well, With the PS3 being so tough to find and so expensive, a lot of people are looking to fill the area under their Christmas trees with a Wii-360 combo platter. Good news for those people – the Wii may be even more available than first expected. Nintendo hasn’t changed their numbers for the year; they’re still planning to have shipped 6 million units worldwide by the end of the year. However, a report cited at gamedaily speculates that the Wii is being produced at a faster rate than Nintendo had expected, perhaps as many as 9 million by year’s end. Prii (I know, I hate me for using that spelling too) orders have pretty much ended, so you’ll have to hope that systems will just be sitting on the shelf this holiday season. But, with numbers like that, you just might be in luck.
P.S. I know this story is a week old. I’m slackin’!
