A Late Adopter's Guide To The PlayStation 3

Some gamers don’t adopt new hardware when it first becomes available. There can be a lot of advantages to waiting to buy a new console. Not only is the hardware cheaper, but there is a greater wealth of content to explore. Sony’s PlayStation 3 doesn’t just play games; this entertainment system will let you play DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, and stream a variety of content from the Internet through portals such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Pandora. If you spent the last eight years with another console or are new to gaming, here is everything you need to know to become an expert with the PlayStation 3.

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SYSTEM

Which Model Should I Get?
Historically, if you wanted a console, there were usually one or two versions to get, and the updated models rarely functioned any differently than previous entries. However, the choice of a console model has gotten a lot more complicated over the years. Deciding which model to purchase depends on which one you want to hunt down, how much hard-drive space you think you need for downloading games and DLC, and how much you care about PS2 backward compatibility. Newer models generally have larger hard drives, but older models feature unique backward compatibly for PS2 games. Bear in mind, you can always upgrade the size of your hard drive, regardless of what model you buy. Here’s a breakdown of the many different PlayStation 3 versions.

• Original Model – This is the first model that Sony released in November 2006. They released versions that included various hard-drives sizes, including: 20, 40, 60, 80, and 160GB versions.
• Slim Model – In September 2009, Sony started releasing this slim model, which has a case that's 32 percent smaller than its predecessor, 36 percent lighter, and consumes about a third less power. You can choose between 120, 160, 250, and 320GB versions of this model, but the Slim only supports PSone emulation.
• Super Slim model – In September 2012, Sony released this version of the PS3, which was roughly 25 percent smaller and about 20 percent lighter than the first Slim model. The Super Slim also features a sliding disc cover rather than the slot-loading drive found on previous PlayStation 3 consoles. You can find 250 and 500GB versions of this system on the market. This is the only model currently sold in traditional retail stores. Like the original Slim model, the Super Slim only supports PSone emulation.

What If I Really Care About Backward Compatibility?
All PS3 models are backward compatible with PSone games. However, only the original model features backward compatibility with PS2 games. Even then, most original models are only backward compatible via software emulation, meaning that not every PS2 game is supported. However, the original 60GB version features internal hardware that allows it to run nearly every PS2 game without a hiccup, so if you’re really interested in backward compatibility, that is the version to hunt down.

Model numbers can be used to determine if a PS3 is backward compatible. These numbers are found on the bar-code sticker on the back of the console right after the serial number.

• 60GB model numbers that begin with CECH-Axx are fully backward compatible.
• 20GB models that begin with CECH-Bxx, 60GB models that begin with CECH-Cxx, and 80GB models that begin with CECH-Exx are backward compatible via software emulation.
• Original models that include G, J, K, L, M, P, and Q in the model number are not backward compatible with PS2 games but are compatible with PSone games.
• None of the Slim or Super Slim models are backward compatible with PS2 games but are compatible with PSone games.

How Much Does A PS3 Cost These Days?
The PlayStation 3 Super Slim model is the only model you can find new these days, and the 12GB version generally retails for $199, but you can also find various older models that are used and refurbished for around $200.

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GAMES

What Are The Best PS3 Exclusives?
You might be new to the PS3, but maybe you're not new to its generation of gaming. If you already own and Xbox 360 or Wii, here's a quick rundown of some great games you can only find on the PlayStation 3: 3D Dot Game Heroes, Demon's Souls, God of War III, Gran Turismo 5, Heavy Rain, Infamous series, Journey, The Last of Us, LittleBigPlanet series, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ratchet & Clank Future series, Resistance series, Uncharted series, Valkyria Chronicles

Which Games Should I Buy?
If you haven’t been paying attention to PS3 releases for the last few years you might not know which games are worth your time. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

For those who love a good story: The Last of Us

Naughty Dog’s tense survival game won Game Informer’s 2013 Game Of The Year award for its gripping depiction of two embattled survivors fighting for their lives in the aftermath of a gruesome fungal outbreak.
Also Try: BioShock, Heavy Rain, Red Dead Redemption, The Walking Dead

For The Sports Buffs: NBA 2K11

Visual Concepts has consistently delivered one of the best basketball sims on the market, but the 2K11 entry let fans take on the The Jordan Challenge and recreate the biggest moments from this sport icon's career.
Also Try: FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, MLB 14: The Show, NBA Jam, NHL 14, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, Skate 2

For the thrill seekers: Uncharted 2

Nathan Drake and company continues their globetrotting-adventure to unearth history as they race to find Marco Polo’s lost fleet. Naughty Dog's storytelling is top notch, and this remains of the gaming's biggest roller-coaster rides.
Also Try: Dead Space 2, Devil May Cry, God of War III, Tomb Raider

For those who want bang for their buck: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda’s massive open-world RPG lets you live out your fantasy. Explore giant castles and underground caverns, then do battle with bloodthirsty dragons or get married and settle down to craft iron daggers.
Also Try: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Fallout 3, Burnout Paradise, The Orange Box

For those who dream of being a super hero: Batman: Arkham City

The Dark Knight soars through an open world taking down the Joker, Two-Face, and Penguin in this ambitious follow-up to Rocksteady’s surprising blockbuster, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Use Batman's wealth of gadgets to sneak across Gotham's skyline before punching crime in the face.
Also Try: Infamous, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

For the creative type: LittleBigPlanet 2

If you're tired of just playing games and want to try making them, then Media Molecule's adorable platformer should be up your alley. This massive toolbox has everything you need to play, create, and share with other players. If you can dream it up, you can probably pull it off in LittleBigPlanet 2.
Also Try: Infamous 2, Minecraft, ModNation Racers

For those looking for online action: Grand Theft Auto V

One of the most polished and intense games on the market, Rockstar's epic is hard to beat. The main game is filled with dozens of hours of open-world fun, and the online component doesn't feel tacked on at all. Expect to lose several hours building up your reputation and boosting cars in the fictional city of Los Santos.
Also Try: Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Splinter Cell: Blacklist

For those who like to throw a party: Rock Band 3

Like poker or chess, classic games never grow old. While Rock Band isn't as culturally relevant today as it once was, just set four people in front of a copy of Rock Band and watch the party explode. Rock Band 3’s massive selection of songs, as well as its mesmerizing guitar, drum, and keyboard simulation makes it one of the best party games of all time.
Also Try: Castle Crashers, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, You Don't Know Jack

For those who love puzzles: Portal 2

Not only is Portal 2 one of the funniest games on the market, its physics-bending portal mechanics set the stage for a wealth of creative environmental puzzles. The game’s co-op mode lets you and a friend tease your brains together.
Also Try: Braid, Echochrome ii, Limbo, Lumines Supernova, Peggle

Which Games Should I Avoid At The Bargain Bin?
Buying old/used games is a great way to save cash, but online play is no longer supported for some games. Here is a list of games you may want to avoid. You can still play the offline modes for many of these titles, however games like MAG and SOCOM: Confrontation do not have offline modes.

• Buzz!: Quiz-TV
• Buzz!: Quiz-World
• Buzz!: Brain of the World
• Buzz!: The Ultimate Music Quiz
• Calling All Cars
• The Eye of Judgment
• Formula One Championship Edition
• Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
• The Lord of The Rings: Conquest
• MAG
• MotorStorm
• MotorStorm Pacific Rift
• Pain
• Race Driver: GRID
• Resistance: Fall of Man
• SOCOM: Special Forces
• SOCOM: Confrontation
• White Knight Chronicles
• White Knight Chronicles II

Note: Starting May 31, 2014, you will no longer able to use the online features in Gran Turismo 5

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SERVICES

Should I Get PlayStation Plus?
Unlike Microsoft’s online Xbox Live service, you do not need to pay to play PlayStation 3 games through Sony’s online PSN service. However, in 2010 Sony announced a paid subscription service, called PlayStation Plus, which gives subscribers a few incentives for a yearly $50 fee. Subscribers have early or exclusive access to game betas, demos, premium downloadable content, discounts at the PlayStation Store, and up to up to 3GB of free online game-save storage. Additionally, every month (check out April's offerings here) Sony puts up a selection of free games and discounts that PlayStation Plus members can download and play as long as they are a part of the service. Past games have included Metro: Last Light, Borderlands 2, and Shadow of the Colossus. The service is a good deal and a great way to bolster your game collection.

What Other Types Of Entertainment Does The PlayStation 3 Provide?
The PlayStation 3 does a lot more than just play games. In addition to playing DVDs and Blu-ray discs, you can download a variety of apps that give you a wealth of new ways to access your entertainment. Here's a quick list of some of the most important apps for the PS3:

• Amazon Instant Video – Buy or rent movies and TV shows and get access to Prime Instant Video's unlimited streaming.
• Crackle – A hand-picked list of some of the biggest full-length Hollywood movies, TV shows, and originals content.
• Crunchyroll – offers the latest Japanese Anime and Asian drama.
• Epix – Over 3,000 streaming movies, concerts, comedy, and boxing.
• Gaiam TV – A streaming media service that provides a wide selection of yoga and fitness videos.
• HBO GO –  Gives access to HBO original shows, hit movies, comedy specials, sports, documentaries as well as behind-the-scenes extras.
• Hulu Plus – Subscribers of Hulu Plus get access to the full current seasons of dozens of popular TV Shows from NBC, Fox, ABC, TBS, and WWE, among others.
• MLB.TV Premium – Stream live baseball games, track your favorite teams, view standings, and utilize DVR functionality to rewind and pauses live games.
• Music Unlimited – A library of songs, playlists and channels that streaming music from your mobile devices.
• NBA Game Time – The official app of the NBA lets you watch basketball any time of the day.
• Netflix – Members can watch thousands of streaming TV episodes, movies, and Netflix original shows.
• NHL – Get NHL action to your TV as well as the latest scores, stats, and highlights.
• Qello – A large collection of full-length HD concerts and music documentaries on demand.
• Redbox Instant – Another popular streaming service for movies and TV.
• SEN Live Events – Watch live Sony press conferences and events in your living room.
• TuneIn Radio – Listen to a wide range of radio station from around the world, including music, sports, news, talk, and comedy.
• VidZone – Features the latest music videos from popular artists and bands.
• Vudu – Watch movies and shows that are out on DVD using Vudu – you can even watch the first few minutes for free.
• WWE Network – Subscribers get 24/7 streaming of wrestling content including pay-per-views, original series, reality shows, and documentaries.
• YouTube – Watch your favorite videos and channels from YouTube.
• YuppTV – Streams more than 150 south Asian channels.

How Do I Set Parental Controls?
The PlayStation 3’s wealth of content is great, but not all that content is appropriate for everyone. If you’d like to restrict certain movies, games, or websites from being used on your PS3, simply scroll to the Settings tab on the PS3’s cross media bar (the main screen you see when you turn on the system), then scroll down to Security Settings. Here, you can create a password. You’ll still be able to watch R-rated movies and play M-rated games on the system, but you’ll have to input that password before accessing them.

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PERIPHERALS

Which Controller Should I Buy?
The original Sony-branded DualShock 3 is still one of the best controllers for the system. When the PS3 first released, Sony packaged it with a Sixaxis controller that featured motion-sensitive controls instead of rumble feedback. Few games use the Sixaxis motion controls in a meaningful way, but there are still Sixaxis controllers floating around the used market. If you’d rather have a controller that vibrates, make sure you purchase a controller with DualShock 3 written in blue letters along the top of the controller. Most console bundles come packaged with one controller, but you may want to buy an extra DualShock 3 ($55) if you plan on doing any kind of local multiplayer.

If you’re looking for an off-brand controller, check out Mad Catz Major League Gaming Controller, which retails for $99. This controller is shaped more like a Xbox 360 controller, and its modular design allows you to swap the placement of the analog stick and d-pad, and choose between concave or convex sticks. The MLG's 70-gram weight system also lets you add extra heft to the unit.

What Other Peripherals Will I Need?
HDMI Cable – The PlayStation 3 can output to a resolution of 1080p, but most new PlayStation 3s come packaged with composite cables. This won’t do your movies and games any justice. If you don’t have a widescreen HDTV then it might be time to upgrade that as well. If you do have an HD television with an HDMI port, then you should pick up an HDMI cable to take advantage of the PlayStation 3’s high-definition output. Thankfully, you can grab a good HDMI cable for less than $10 online these days.

Headset – Headsets are only necessary for in-game communication and other online chat, but if you plan on doing a lot of online gaming you’ll want to pick up a good set. The PlayStation 3 works with most Bluetooth and USB-certified headsets. If the headset you use for your PC needs to install drivers, then it might not be compatible with your PS3, but you can use the same Bluetooth headset you pair with your mobile phone. If you need a good set of headphones, Sony’s own Pulse wireless headset is a comfortable pair of headphones that delivers 7.1 virtual surround sound for around $150. If you have more money to throw around, check out Astro A40 Audio System, which comes with a mixamp allows for Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound and produces some of the best audio on the market for $249. If you're on the other side of the spectrum and need to save some cash, check out Turtle Beach's Ear Force PLa Gaming Headset, which produces great amplified stereo sound and works with PC and Mac as well as PS3 for only $39.

Charging Station – PS3 controllers use internal batteries and need to be recharged from time to time. You can use a standard USB cable to charge your controller through your system, but these cables are usually only a few feet long. If you want to make sure your controllers are always charged and ready to go, consider a charging station. Sony's official charging station retails for $35.

Remote Control – If you plan on taking advantage of the PlayStation 3’s media capabilities, then you may also want to invest in a media remote. The PS3 controller can function as a remote, but many people complain about the sensitivity of the side buttons, which sometimes trigger when you don’t want them to. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 3 doesn’t have an infrared sensor, so many universal remotes aren’t compatible with the system. You’ll need a universal remote with Bluetooth in order to pair it with your PS3. Sony’s own media remote gets the job done, but we also recommend Logitech’s line of Harmony remotes, (though you will need a $60 adapter for these remotes to work with the PS3) which can be programmed to control all of your entertainment devices.

Should I Get A PlayStation Eye Or Move?
Sony’s PlayStation Eye camera peripheral allows users to participate in video chat with other PlayStation Eye owners, and also works with a small selection of games such as EyePet and Wonderbook. Sony’s Move is a wand-like motion-sensing game controller works in conjunction with the eye to sense a player's movements and allows users to participate in certain motion-controlled games similar to Nintendo’s Wii. Browse the full list of supported titles to see if something catches your fancy, but since so few developers fully embraced either device we generally do not recommend you purchase either product. 

Should I Upgrade To A 3D TV?
3D is a fad that failed to catch on entirely. Even so, for a time Sony pushed the 3D capabilities of the PS3. If you already have a 3D TV, there are a few games worth checking out on the system (we recommend Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection), but if you don't already have a 3D TV, save your money for the 4KTV that will be hitting the market in the coming years.

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Game Informer's Recommended Console Bundle
Haven't dived in a purchased a PS3 console yet and need to know where to start? Here is a recommended console bundle and a list of great game collections of older titles that will quickly boost your game library without breaking the bank.

Sony PlayStation 3 500GB The Last of Us Bundle
This PS3 bundle includes a 500GB PS3 console, a DualShock 3 controller, and a Game Informer's 2013 GOTY The Last of Us.

Game Informer's Recommended Game Collections

• Assassin's Creed Ezio Trilogy (includes: Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Assassin's Creed: Revelations)
• God of War Collection (includes: God of War I, God of War II)
• The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection
• Infamous Collection
• Mass Effect Trilogy
• The Orange Box (includes: Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, Team Fortress 2)
• Prince of Persia Trilogy
• Ratchet & Clank Collection
• Rockstar Games Collection: Edition 1 (includes: Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, Midnight Club: Los Angeles Complete Edition, L.A. Noire)
• Skyrim and BioShock Infinite Bundle

Game Informer's Recommended Downloadable Games
You used to have to go to a store to buy every game you played, but with the PS3's generation that all changed. Now a large selection of a console's library is downloadable. In fact, the PS3 saw a wealth of indie and otherwise download-only titles that shouldn't be missed. Here's a quick recap of some of the most notable titles for the system: Braid, Castle Crashers, EchoChrome II, Flower, Joe Danger 2: The Movie, Journey, Limbo, Mega Man 10, Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, PixelJunk Shooter, Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game, The Walking Dead

Game Informer's Recommended Apps

• Netflix – Streaming movies and TV Shows
• Amazon Instant Video – More movies and shows – Great for Prime subscribers
• HBO Go – Watch HBO Shows
• TuneIn – Radio from around the world

Even though Sony's PS4 has already hit the market, you can see that there are still plenty of great reasons to own a PS3. If you already have a console, or just want to squeeze a bit more life out of the system before moving on, hopefully this guide gave you want you needed to know. Come back anytime, we'll always be here.