So. Bought the kids a used PS3 for Christmas (budget and all that, donchaknow) A few questions already and surely more to come on the future. #1. there's no traditional memory card slot. I've read that you buy a card-reader which plugs into the USB port. That's fine but - can you save to the card by that method or only read an old save? if not, how do you save progress on a PS3 game? On a computer-style memory stick? (the accessory costs are already killing me) #2. is there a place to get a manual online or something? #3. how do you find out how many gb the machine is? there's nothing obvious on the outside which identifies it.
I don't own a PS3, but I'm assuming you'd save game progress right on the hard drive? I own a Wii, which doesn't have nearly the amount of storage space as a PS3, and I still save my games on the internal drive. I may have to buy an SD card at some point... but that shouldn't be necessary with a PS3. Those things have huge hard drives.
Save games go on the hard drive. The manual is online here: http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/index.html
What do you need, or think you need? All I picked up was an extra controller and the hdmi cable. The hdmi cable I only bought because I'd just bought an HDTV and I wanted to get the most out of it. I didn't need it. If you're looking for a second controller, a lot of big box stores (at least in Canada) will sell you one that comes with a Greatest Hits title for an extra five bucks. It's a cheap way to expand your library. It might just be because I live in a socialist paradise, but my library also carries PS3 games. Worth looking into. Oh, and if you can get rid of the kids for a couple hours, it's worth connecting the thing to the internet a few days before before Christmas so they don't have to sit around and watch it update on Christmas morning. Charging the controllers would be a good idea too.
A controller (wired ones turn out to be inexpensive on E-bay) and a card reader, assuming the mystery machine is backwards compatible (which it might not be) and the games of course...not sure what else yet. knowing i don't have to buy memory cards is a big plus though. Wireless controllers seem to be ~$30 or more...might or might not invest in that - the little buggers are pretty hard on controllers. Haven't seen a game packaged with a controller around here.
All PS3 controllers are wireless. Be sure to look for Dual Shock 3 controllers. If the first party Sony controllers are too expensive, there are several third party manufacturers that make PS3 compatible controllers for less. I don't know how cheap they are since they communicate with the console via Bluetooth technology. Careful... The PS2 controllers look almost exactly like a wired PS3 controllers but they won't work with a PS3. I've also seen a lot of used controllers at Gamestop. I've also seen the games with a controller at SAMs Club and BJ's, so try some big box chains like that.
Just got back from browsing the game aisle at my local Walmart and I have to correct myself... there are indeed third party manufacturers that produce wired PS3 controllers for a very fair price. My bad.
where did you buy this soon to fail unit? is this a ps3 or a ps3 slim? does the font on the unit look like spiderman font?
Yeah, I've never heard of a Sony branded wired PS3 controller. All of them CAN be connected to the PS3 via USB cable, in fact that's how you charge them, but I don't know of any that lack the wireless feature.
I did see some PS3 controllers that had a stationary USB wire made by Mad Catz. They were $19.99 each, which is very good considering the Sony wireless ones are $55.
Yeah, but does a PS3 come with Mad Catz controllers? I think not. EDIT: Durrr, he bought it used. Never mind.
Yes, bought it used - i don't even know how many gigs it is - it's a fat one (I'm pretty sure) and it came with a wired controller (which didn't necessarily come with it new) but it's wrapped now so I can't see the brand name. Definitely not a Sony controller though. We hooked it up, played it, everything we got works.. My son did all that hooking up and such though so I don't know the details. We just ordered a second controller from e-bay, and paid under $10 for it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190458665515&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
How old are the kids? Are you familiar with the Entertainment Software Ratings Board or ESRB? Theyre the ones that slaps those labels on games that says thus ones for everyone, this one's for teens and these are mature games and what not. Depending on age, you'll want to know what your kids are getting into. I have a 17 y/o that I let play God of War while my 13, 8 and 4 y/o sticks to the Little Big Planet, Ratchet and Clank and Lego Batman type stuff.
I love my older-model PS3. It's like a brick shithouse. I sat it right on my subwoofer, and it has never skipped.
I have an 80GB fat model that I dropped a 320GB HDD into about a year ago. It runs great, but I'm thinking about selling it and getting a PS3 slim model. It's much better on power consumption.
you're fucked. or atleast you could be. First, and this is important! There is a good chance your controllers won't work after your ps3 updates, which has to happen to be able to use the ps store. Sony cut out third party controllers. Second, that ps3 is probably cooked. If you've got no warranty I strongly suggest you open it up and look at the thermal paste. If it's cracked and funky you can expect a yellow light of death in your near future. Fat boys put out the heat, and they will fry themselves unless they're well taken care of. Sony used cheap thermal paste to begin with and if that thing is full of dust too then you've got a problem. If you knew how many gigs it was then we could tell you how old it is. You can look in the "available space" section of the menu. Pray its not a 20.
younger turns 14 in a few weeks, older is 18 six weeks later. Usually the rating things are not at issue, except the younger loves GTA - but we have a very strict understanding that he's good about on that. Everything else they play is amine based (currently, any and everything Gundam related) or things like R&C or Sly Cooper. there just are not a lot of good free-roaming driving games out there. As far as i know.
That's cool. I just wanted to be sure that you understand the ratings systems so you can decide accordingly. It's great that you have had a conversation with your kids about violent video games. I let my 17 y/o play call of duty and God of War but i'm certain that he understands that of course, this is nothing to imitate or emulate.
Yeah mine sat on my subwoolfer for the first year I had it. It's never skipped. The only complaint I have is that the fans on the fat PS3's are really loud, but that's not enough to make me go buy a slim one. I don't even know if the slim ones are quieter to be honest.
So, I'm going to get a game "from the kids" for Christmas, and the candidates are: 1. Arkham Asylum - almost certain winner in this race, looks fantastic and has great reviews. Any voice of caution here? 2. MGS4: Guns of the Patriots - cheaper, and I'll likely end up with it somewhere down the road. I've played and enjoyed the previous entries, I assume this won't disappoint? 3. Lost: Via Domus - a much more questionable choice. Also cheap enough to get later. Worries me but i like the mystery type games more than straight-up shooters so it tempts me as well. Ok, reading some reviews now - nevermind. I'll save this for a salvage from the bargain bin at some point.
Arkhan Asylum was the only game I've played of the 3, but it is a great game. I don't see how anyone couldn't like it.
