PlayStation 3

Future Shop and Best Buy Canada Clearing Out 160GB PS3 Slim for $179.99

by Jan Hutchings | Jan 24, 2013 | 3 comments

Canadian PlayStation fans who haven’t had a chance to pick up a PS3 should do so this weekend. Starting this Friday January 25, 2013, Future Shop and Best Buy Canada will be clearing out their 160GB PS3 Slim for $179.99.

According to a user on the RedFlagDeals forums, Best Buy Canada and Future Shop are set to clear out their stock on the weekend. To prove it, they even posted an image of upcoming flyers for both stores. A $179.99 160GB PS3 is quite a steal since EB Games and other retailers are still selling their systems for $249.99.

Did Ninja Theory Gives Old DmC Fans the Finger?

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 16, 2013 | 3 comments

The first game I played from developers Ninja Theory was the PlayStation 3 exclusive launch title Heavenly Sword. Filled with a lush world, rich story, and beautiful graphics, nearly 6 years later, I still consider the title a true showcase for the PS3. A bit more disappointed by Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, the team’s multiplatform title which obviously suffered from also having to work on the Xbox 360 (extremely apparant in characters’ facial features and lip syncing), the game still showcased what a wonderful team Ninja Theory is. I mention this to put things into perspective that I have nothing but respect for them and yet I couldn’t have been more upset at their take on Devil May Cry. Introduced as an exclusive series on the PlayStation 2, the series followed an adult demon hunter named Dante. While the game’s true gem was the gameplay, fans all over soon fell in love with the badass hero and his witty remarks.

So when I and other fans saw the new rebooted Dante, to say we were pissed off is an understatement. I should note though that my form of being upset is displayed by an article like this and my decision to not purchase this game. Any fan who feels like it’s appropriate for them to send hate letters and death threats to the team needs to reevaluate their life priorities and figure out a real cause to be passionate about, not video game characters. I, like many of the fans, was put off by the new Dante who seemed like a emo boy band heroin addict and not the big and tough Dante that we so wanted. I don’t have problems with reboots and different takes on a franchise, be it movies or games. Still that doesn’t mean every take is one I agree with. And while yes I do agree that the idea of a video game is gameplay which I’ve heard is amazing in the new DmC, for me personally, the world and the characters are something that truly capture me in a series and the new Dante does not fit the bill for my personal taste.

You can call it being cheeky or call it blowing off steam which is understandable, considering the fan outrage, but I call it giving old fans of DmC the finger. After the jump, an easter egg in the new DmC: Devil May Cry game from Ninja Theory to old DmC fans that will either make you chuckle or make you swear off the developers.

It’s Official, PS3 Outsells Xbox 360

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 10, 2013 | 3 comments

If it wasn’t obvious enough after the PlayStation 3 passed the 70 million mark, it should become obvious now that the PlayStation 3 is officially the worldwide leader this generation (note that I don’t take the Wii into consideration), beating the Xbox 360. Games Industry International cites a “market analysis” document by Lewis Ward of IDC that by the end of 2012, Sony managed to ship a total of 77 million PS3 units, versus 76 million Xbox 360 devices. While quite a win for Sony and the PS3, the milestone becomes that much more impressive when you consider that the 360 has always held a much lower price point than the PS3. The Xbox 360 has also been on sale for a year longer, launching in November 2005 versus the PS3’s November 2006 launch.

Lightning Returns – Final Fantasy 13 Trailer Debuts, Square Enix Gives Up on RPG

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 21, 2012 | 0 comments

Great companies rise and fall. It’s the norm of the cycle and with so much competition from large and small firms, it’s hard for any company to stay unique to its original vision and quality, be it a tech company or a video game maker. Nowhere is this trend more apparent than in Square-Enix, formally known as the beloved SquareSoft. The once famous RPG maker in the era of the PlayStation One could do no wrong and released Final Fantasy 7, 8, and 9 to critical acclaim. If three smash hits were not enough, SquareSoft would also release a bevy of titles like Brave Fencer Musashi, Chrono Cross, Secret of Mana, Parasite Eve, Romance Saga, and a personal treasure, Xenogears. Though not as vibrant during the time of the PS2, Square would still release solid titles, like Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts. Enter the current generation cycle and Square Enix seems to have forgotten entirely what RPG stands for. Final Fantasy 13 was met poorly with gamers and its sequel with even lower sales. How does Square Enix fix this? One would assume by going back to what made them king and releasing a proper RPG. Sadly, that’s not what the once-great RPG makers have done. After the jump is a trailer for Lightning Returns – Final Fantasy 13 which is the third FF13 game released this generation which no longer resembles anything that might be considered an RPG.

PlayMemories Studio 2.0 for PS3 Adds 4K Image Support and More

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 20, 2012 | 5 comments

PlayMemories Studio, the companion app for PlayMemories Online, Sony’s answer to services like Photo Stream from Apple is getting an upgrade on the PS3. The app which till now has allowed you to view images and edit them to Sony’s cloud based service is gaining a few new tricks on the PlayStation 3 with the most recent updated. While there are some lesser additions to this update like 10 new background music tracks and 29 extra sound effects, the real upgrade lies in the addition of 4K image support.

Poll: Do You Prefer a PS3 or PS Vita for Christmas?

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 13, 2012 | 0 comments

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

With Christmas less than two weeks away, ~~many parents have started their~~ Santa has started his hunt for Christmas presents. Be it the elusive iPad mini, a copy of The Amazing Spider-Man on Blu-ray, or a new gaming console, he wants to get you the thing you want most, as long as you’ve landed on the nice list. Those on the naughty list only qualify for a Nintendo Wii mini. So if you could choose what you’ll find under the Christmas tree, would you ask for the brand new PlayStation 3 or a PlayStation Vita?

Official The Last of Us VGA Trailer is Live (updated with HD)

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 9, 2012 | 0 comments

One of the big announcements during the VGA was the May 7th, 2013 release date for The Last of Us. The PlayStation 3 exclusive from Naughty Dog (Uncharted) has been a hotly anticipated game which only saw its hype grow after a killer new trailer. Sadly, the trailer was pulled shortly after being posted on YouTube by the games official Facebook account. They soon would post:

May 7, 2013 worldwide. Get ready for more news Monday! Sorry for the video trailers being removed, but will have to wait for official video to be uploaded – can’t say when but soon –

Now the official The Last of Us VGA trailer is live and available for your viewing pleasure, after the jump.

Updated:

After the jump, a new official trailer in HD from Sony.

Dear Forbes, 7 Reasons to Buy A PlayStation 3 Instead Of A Xbox 360

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 6, 2012 | 2 comments

In a recent article by Forbes contributor Erik Kain, it’s pointed out that the Xbox 360 sold like hotcakes during Black Friday, beating the PlayStation 3 and Wii U, the latest console from Nintendo. The success of the 8-year-old console led Mr. Kain into concluding that you should buy an Xbox 360 over the PlayStation 3 this holiday season. While the facts he presents aren’t off, we’d like to humbly disagree and provide a rebuttal with 7 reasons why the PlayStation 3 is the perfect choice this Christmas and beyond. It’s also worth noting that, despite the PS3 having been out for only 7 years while continuing to cost more than the Xbox 360, in some time periods by more than $200, the PS3 has officially caught up with its rival system and achieved 70 million units sold world wide. This was reported a week before Sony announced PS3 Black Friday sales which tallied past the 525,000 sold mark.

After the jump, 7 reasons to buy a PlayStation 3 instead of a Xbox 360 this holiday season.

Netflix Customers Turn to PS3 Over Xbox and Others

by Sohrab Osati | Dec 4, 2012 | 0 comments

If you’re one of the 30 million customers of Nexflix and enjoy watching movies and TV shows on a non-portable device, chances are that you’re doing it on a PS3. The service which is available on just about every device possible, including many others from Sony like the PlayStation Vita, and their Tablet S has become a staple in recent years. Microsoft, who seems to be heavily gearing the Xbox 360 and Xbox brand in general as a media hub, has always gone out of their way to tout that they give more traffic to Netflix, more than any other device out there, including iOS and Android smartphones/tablets.

Not so fast, says Reed Hastings in a press release, stating that the PlayStation 3

“this year, at times was delivering more hours of video to subscribers than regular computers to become our No. 1 platform overall.”

What a PlayStation 3 Mini Would Look Like

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 30, 2012 | 3 comments

Earlier today, Nintendo announced the Wii Mini for Canada. Offered at just $99, the smaller console is targeted at the budget contentious consumers though at a price. Unlike the original Wii which will continue to be sold along side the new iteration, the Wii Mini lacks any form of online connectivity and GameCube compatibility. Nintendo seems to think that probably a good portion of their user base probably didn’t own their previous system and were never interested in online play, seeing how the Wii is quite popular with the non-gamers, particular the elder crowd. This of course got us thinking, what would a PlayStation 3 Mini look like?

Sony Sells 525,000 PS3’s on Black Friday, PS+ Sales Up 259%

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 29, 2012 | 2 comments

By now, most of the big Black Friday numbers have been released. This includes sales of the new Nintendo Wii U and the Xbox 360 which beat it out. Appropriately so, all eyes have been on Sony to release their numbers and with no news, many began to worry. Luckily, those worries were for not as Sony has finally released their Black Friday sales figures for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation Plus membership with some encouraging numbers. In the United States between November 18th and November 24th, Sony sold 525,000 PlayStation 3 units. This is an increase of 15% for the PS3 compared to last year’s Black Friday bundles while software and peripherals grew 9% over the same period last year. If you think that’s impressive, Sony has reported that PS3 sales for Latin America were up 200% when compared to last year, though no specifc numbers were included. Even the PlayStation Vita enjoyed robust sales though not quite as gangbuster as PlayStation Plus.

PlayStation All-Stars Gets Rated by the ESRB

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 29, 2012 | 0 comments

Have you seen the series ‘Elders React’ on YouTube where current trends like PSY’s Gangnam Style are shown to the older generation and their reactions are captured? Or better yet, have you heard politicians try to explain the internet as a series of tubes? If so, you know the hilarity that can follow and, a note to my future self: don’t be like that. Now, the ESRB is joining the list of “out of touch” with their rating on PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale, the beat-em-up/fighter for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Some gems include:

Players use swords, energy blasters, fireballs, bazookas, and melee attacks to deplete opponents’ health in dynamically shifting environments’

And

During one still-frame cutscene, a woman’s posterior is partially exposed.

After the jump, the entire hilarious written rating from the ESRB.

Hilarious Robot Chicken PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale Video

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 27, 2012 | 0 comments

Those who tuned into Robot Chicken last night were presented with a hilarious and game-appropriate portrayal of PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale. Available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, the new beat-em-up/brawler from Sony houses many of the iconic characters from PlayStation’s past and current games. While many rightfully tend to point a finger at Sony’s lack of quality advertising, this 60 second spot should go a long way to prove that, at the hands of the right person, Sony’s deep history of quality content can lend itself to some fantastic advertisement. After the jump, we have the hilarious video for your viewing pleasure which takes a look at what your favorite game characters do between matches.

Sony Sells 70 Million PS3 and 15 Million PlayStation Move

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 16, 2012 | 0 comments

Sony has just announced that after six years into the PlayStation 3’s lifecycle, the gaming console has passed 70 million units sold worldwide. The PS3 was famously launched a full year after the Xbox 360 with a much higher price point and continues to be offered in more expensive models. Despite this, the PS3 is now neck and neck with the 360 in worldwide sales and ahead if you consider the consoles been available for one less year. While many questioned Sony’s strategy to pack the console with advanced tech like the Cell Processor and Blu-ray, the bet has paid off dearly. Thanks to the PS3, Sony was able to win the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD war and bring 3D to millions of owners. Many also continue to point to the PS3’s strong exclusive games like Uncharted 3 which continue to push the PS3 while many see the 360 as having been tapped out. The PS3 is currently available in 59 countries.

Speaking of sales figures, we last heard about PlayStation Move sales over a year ago which sat at 8 million units sold. The gaming peripheral which is designed to work in tandem with many great PS3 games like Killzone 3, Resistance 3, and Heavy Rain how now crossed the 15 million units sold. Designed to counter the Nintendo Wii and Kinect for 360, PlayStation Move is able to offer more precession than the competing game consoles though it never caught on like either. Despite that, just this week, Sony launched the WonderBook, a new platform that utilizes the PS Move and PS3 to create a new immersive reading experience. Having been profitable from day one, its no surprise to see Sony continue to push the motion gaming technology which seems to be doing much better than we had originally thought.

Despite Reports, PS3 Still Banned in China

by Sohrab Osati | Nov 14, 2012 | 0 comments

In China, Communism is the rule and law of the land. That means, the Chinese government dictate what websites are accessible and pass the Great Firewall of China, how many kids you can have, and what gaming consoles are allowed to be sold. Sony unfortunately is not on that list and so for the past 6 years, sales of the PlayStation 3 have not been possible to the biggest market. It should be noted that The Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii share a similar fate as all gaming consoles were banned in 2000.

Not wanting to miss on such a large potential user base, Sony has done everything it can to get permission to sell its consoles. In fact, as of July 2012, Sony was able to obtain the China Compulsory Certification (3C) which would allow for sales of the unit. Seeing this headline, many sites ran with the story that PS3 sales were not permitted in China but a more comprehensive reports shows anything but that.

According to Forbes, things are much more complicated then that and just having a 3C certification has not allowed Sony to sell the PS3.

A 3C is required if a product is to be manufactured, sold, imported and used in China. Suffice it to say that the Certification and Accreditation Administration does not fall under the MOC, but the MOC has regulatory authority over the ban on consoles. Niko Partners and Pilar Legal interviewed a key official at the MOC, GAPP, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for our report and we are certain that the ban is still in place.