PC Magazine: "PlayStation 3 Simply the best Game in Town"

It's been two years since Sony launched the PlayStation 3, and although the box itself looks the same today, a lot has changed. The price has dropped; developers have released dozens of cool new titles; and Blu-ray has triumphed as the high-definition video format of choice. Perhaps most important, Sony's continual upgrades help the PS3 constantly evolve—bringing new functionality, including enhanced online game play, offering support for the latest Blu-ray features, and adding access to downloadable videos. At $399.99 (direct), the PS3 is still pricier than Microsoft's Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 Arcade, and the Nintendo Wii, but it has matured into a multifunctional console that fits perfectly at the center of any home entertainment setup. For serious gamers and Blu-ray buffs alike, the PS3 is simply the best game in town.
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Much of what we said in the original PS3 review still holds. This review will focus on what has changed since 2006: the addition of the Dual Shock controller, the numerous improvements to the PlayStation Network, and improved Blu-ray playback.

The baseline PS3 costs $399.99 and comes with a 80GB hard drive, two USB ports, and integrated Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Sony also sells a 160GB version for $499.99, which includes the game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and a free voucher to download another title, Pain. Keep in mind that these new models won't play your old PlayStation 2 games, but there are now plenty of PS3 games to choose from.

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On the outside, the PS3 hasn't changed much. The slick, shiny curved black frame remains a fingerprint magnet. Measuring 12.8 by 3.8 by 10.8 inches (HWD) and weighing 11 pounds, the PS3 is bigger and heftier than either the Xbox 360 or the Wii. It includes the aforementioned two USB ports and an Ethernet port, as well as an HDMI output and an optical digital audio output (SPDIF). In the box, you get a composite AV cable, but you'll have to spring for an HDMI cable. Get one. It's worth it.

Unfortunately, Sony chose to leave out the media card readers that were included in the first-generation PS3. The media card slot, which supported SD, CompactFlash, and Memory stick, is simply sealed over on new units. This is a serious disappointment for digital photo fans. I use these slots on my original PS3 often: I simply pop in an SD card for an easy way to watch slideshows on my HDTV. Losing these slots cuts costs, but it's a definite step backward. Now, to move images and other files on and off the PS3, you have to attach a thumb drive or a PC via cable to one of the USB slots on the front of the unit.