Game Availability:  

As with the PS2, the PS3 offers full backward compatibility with PS2 and PlayStation games requiring neither software updates nor advanced storage capabilities. With more than 415 PS3 game title releases in two years, PS3 is eclipsed only by the Nintendo Wii for average monthly game releases. However, with over a thousand PlayStation and PS2 titles to choose from as well, the PS3 stands greatly outnumbers both the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii for available games.

Though there are dozens of games that have come close to eclipsing the million-mark in sales, the best-selling games that have exceeded one million in sales for the PS3 as of early 2008 are:

▪ MotorStorm (3.31 million)
▪ Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (3 million)
▪ Resistance: Fall of Man (2.5 million)
▪ Grand Theft Auto IV (1.97 million)
▪ Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (2.23 million)
▪ Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (1.2 million)
▪ Heavenly Sword (1 million)
▪ Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (1 million)

Online Community:  

The PlayStation Network, despite early delays, has proved highly successful, offering users unique user IDs, rankings, trophies, avatars, video chat, audio chat and full messenger integration, all while providing online play that intuitively matches users according to skill set, age, language, region and other custom preferences. PlayStation Network accounts offer advanced parental controls by enabling account users to create Master accounts and manage Sub accounts that may include children, dependents as well and others whose use requires content or community restrictions.

Less than two years after the launch of the PlayStation Network, Sony has expanded its PlayStation Network by providing a video site that enables users to download videos, films and TV shows from Sony Pictures and several other major production studios directly to their hard drive. Summer 2008 also saw the launch of ‘Qore,’ a lifestyle gaming program that airs new material monthly that covers the ins and outs of PS3, PSP and the PlayStation Network, providing tips, tricks, updates and upcoming releases to PlayStation Network users.

PS3 utilizes IEEE 802.11 wireless and bluetooth technologies to achieve connectivity. With faster CPU and GPU capabilities, increased memory and expanded storage, the PS3 offers exceptional speeds and reliability for online gameplay, video downloads, game rentals and web browsing.
 

Multimedia:  

The PS3 stands apart for its multimedia capabilities. Functioning equally well as both video game console and web browser, the PS3 also makes a strong argument as a central entertainment fixture by functioning as a CD, DVD and Blu-Ray player, while offering full compatibility with several audio file formats. The PS3 is the only video game console that can play the Blu-Ray format, and with the launch of its video downloading service on the PlayStation Network, videos, films and TV shows can downloaded directly to the hard drive.

Handheld Compatibility:
The PS3 also offers compatibility with Sony’s handheld video game console, the PSP. The PSP can be used as an additional controller, while the PS3 can be used to download and transfer original PlayStation games to the PSP, either directly or remotely.

Available Accessories:
Though PS2 was sometimes criticized for its reticence in developing wireless controls and accessories, the PS3 has been very proactive, developing wireless headsets, controllers, USB and Blue-Tooth keyboards, network adapters and even a web camera in the form of the PlayStation Eye. All of these accessories help cut down on the mess and allow users an increased range of play and function.

Technical Support:  

Sony offers a variety of options for help and support, ranging from telephone, email and online chat assistance. Their official website also offers detailed information for how and where to obtain repair services, including status repair updates. Best of all, Sony offers a dedicated customer service department to respond to customer concerns, as well as downloadable user manuals and tutorials.

Though the Xbox 360 does offer better video and graphic output features, as well as a strong, well-developed online community, the PS3 stands apart from both the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii for its multimedia functionality, which includes Blu-Ray, DVD and several audio file formats, and its impressive game library which is due in large part to its generous and ingenious in-built backward compatibility. For gamers that are looking for a console that will provide for broad multimedia functionality, the PS3 is the video game console for you. However, if you are looking for an edge in energy requirements or hardware features, you might want to look to its competitors, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii.