Playstation Tracker
The PlayStation 3, often referred to as the PS3, was released in the United States on November 17, 2006. It is the third game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, following the PlayStation and the PlayStation 2. It is similar to the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii in that it is part of the seventh generation of game consoles.
The PS3 was the first game console to include a Blu-ray Disc drive, but it also supports DVDs and CDs. Originally, there are four hardware models: a 20, a 40, a 60, and an 80 gigabyte model. However, in April 2007, Sony quit selling the 20 GB PS3 in America, saying there was not a big demand for it, although it is still sold in Japan. Each package contains one or two Sixaxis controllers, a USB cable, a composite video/stereo audio output cable, an Ethernet cable, and a power cable.
Our tracker is finding the Playstation 3 (PS3) at the following locations (as of Feb 18, 2009 11:30:34 AM)
Tracking Results
| Store | Item | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| EBGames | Drake's Fortune Bundle | $499.99 |  |
| GameStop | Drake's Fortune Bundle | $499.99 | |
| Sears | Drake's Fortune Bundle | $499.99 | |
| Walmart | PS3 Entertainment Bundle | $469.00 | |
| Walmart | PS3 160GB w/ Bonus Uncharted game | $499.00 | |
| Walmart | Gamers Choice Bundle | $539.00 | |
| Walmart | Customer Choice Value Bundle | $482.00 | |
| Walmart | Starter Bundle | $454.00 | |
The system software on the PS3 can be updated through the PlayStation Network or through the Official PlayStation website on the gamer’s PC, then transferred to the storage media, so it can be installed on the PS3. Some game discs also include updates that must be installed in order for the game to be able to run. On December 18, 2007, the latest version of the system software (2.10) was released.
PS3’s can support many different types of media formats for photos, audio, and videos. Formats supported include jpeg, gif, tiff, mp3, wav, audio cd, mpg, avi, and mp4. Players can multitask on the PS3, such as listening to music while surfing the web.
The graphical user interface of the PS3 (referred to as XMB) has nine options: users, settings, photo, music, video, game, network, PlayStation network, and friends. The PS3 allows for various master and secondary user profiles. It can manage photos, play music, or copy audio CD tracks to an attached device. The PS3 can also play movies and video files. With the friends menu, gamers can send mail with attached pictures to others or engage in video chat. The network option allows gamers to shop online through the PlayStation Store.
When the PS3 was originally launched in November 2006, there were 12 games available, with three more added before the end of the year. Resistance: Fall of Man, a first person shooter game, was the top selling game and receive much praise from gaming websites. Resistance: Fall of Man remains a fan favorite. MotorStorm, a racing game, is also a top seller. Both games have sold over one million copies each and sequels for each are planned. Upcoming games that will be available for the PS3 are Heavenly Sword, an action/adventure game, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, a single player platform/shooter game, and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, an action/adventure game. In 2008, a highly anticipated sequel to Killzone will be released – Killzone 2.
