ps3

Next-gen gaming consoles go mano-a-mano

And then there were three.

The Xbox 360 has had the next-gen mantle to itself for a year, but it's about to get some major competition in the form of the Sony PlayStation 3 (November 17) and Nintendo Wii (November 19). We've compared the final shipping versions of the two newcomers with our tried and true 360, and we've posted our hands-on reviews of each.

Note to fanboys of all stripes: before you unleash venomous attacks that question our sanity (whoops--too late!), please keep a few things in mind.

With these reviews, we've focused on … Read more

PS3 backward compatibility: Less than 100 percent

One of the advantages of the PlayStation 3 that Sony's been touting is that it's fully backward compatible with games for the PlayStation 2 and even the original late 1990s-era PlayStation 1. In other words, there's no need to scrap your collection of old games: you can still play PS2 favorites such as Grand Theft Auto, SOCOM, and the upcoming God of War II while you wait for those franchises to make their inevitable jump to native PS3 versions, replete with all the attendant high-def eye candy.

Or, at least, you can play most of those PS2 … Read more

PS3 vs. Wii: What do gamers think?

As Sony and Nintendo launch their newest gaming devices in the United States, the buzz is deafening. Yet the products are difficult to compare: While Playstation 3 is aimed at hard-core gamers as the most powerful console ever released, the Wii is far less expensive and targeted at the masses. Watch our video interviews with gamers and industry insiders who are handicapping the race.

All I Want for Christmas is a PS3

Gamers everywhere are anticipating the launch of Sony's latest offering to the console market, the PlayStation 3. As the official launch day of November 17 nears, everyone is clamoring to get in on the preorder frenzy. With a severely limited production run of consoles for launch day (only 400,000 units), many are finding it hard to secure a preorder. Gamestop took in-store preorders on October 10. For a $100 deposit, consumers could get a chance (no guarantee) to obtain a unit on launch day--though each Gamestop was slated to receive only 8 to 16 units (with 2 units … Read more

Surprise: Sony's new PS3 goes on sale today--in Japan

At exactly 5 p.m. Eastern Time, 2 p.m. Pacific Time, those folks on the front edge of technology will be buying their new PS3 consoles in Japan. Here in North America, launch is set for November 17th. That's two days after the launch of Nintendo's Wii in the U. S.

Before you fly to Tokyo and pick up a new machine, check out the wise advice from our editor, David Carnoy. When will it be safe to buy you PS3, or Wii? For a comparison of the three top consoles, click on our video below.

CNET previews PS3, on video

CNET's Rich DeMuro got invited to a special preview today. Not a gamer, he was still game...and he took a look and leveled a few poorly aimed shots on the PS3. The rest of us won't get our hands on one until Nov. 17.

Un-gamer, meet PS3

I've said it here before: I'm not the most hard-core gamer. I've never owned a gaming console, and my only PlayStation-related experience thus far had been Lumines for PSP. (Don't play it. It's like crack.) But I'm willing to be open-minded about video games, especially since not knowing anything about them renders me clueless in many a conversation at our office. And who likes to be left out? Not me.

So this morning, despite the fact that I had never held a PlayStation controller before, I was pretty excited to go and try out … Read more

Don't forget about the PS2 (in silver)

For anyone scared of dropping $250 for a Nintendo Wii, $399 for an Xbox 360 or $599 for a PlayStation 3 this holiday season, fear not: Sony wants to remind you that a perfectly serviceable video game console is still available for a mere $129.

Sony Computer Entertainment of America--which, coincidentally, is also releasing the PS3 on Nov. 17--said Monday that it plans a holiday release of a "silver edition" PS2 that will retail in the U.S. for $129. Canadians will pay $139.

The company did not say precisely when the new PS2 package--which sounds like it'… Read more

Hot-handed? This PS3 controller may help

Everyone knows that defending the alternate-history Earth of "Resistance: Fall of Man" from alien invaders or slicing through a horde of enemies in "Genji: Days of the Blade" can make for perspiring palms. Sure, a little sweat might add to the excitement of the game, but it also makes it harder to keep a grip on those ever-important controllers, which can heat up easily due to their heavy power consumption.

Just in time for the release of Sony's PlayStation 3, peripheral maker Logitech has unveiled a PS3 version of its ChillStream controller, which has a … Read more

Rejoice gamers: 22 titles for PS3 debut

SAN FRANCISCO--Good news for gamers: The PlayStation 3 will hit stores Nov. 17 with 22 titles, including games from all leading publishers, such as Electronic Arts.

Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, announced the launch titles at an event here to show off Sony's long-awaited new game console.

Among the titles are "Madden NFL '07" and the skateboarding favorite "Tony Hawk's Project 8." Sony fans have been concerned about developer support for PS3, but the roster of launch titles exceeds even Xbox 360's large roster of launch … Read more