Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced at Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig that the 160GB PLAYSTATION 3 will launch in October/November 2008 in the PAL markets as part of a bundle box including additional PLAYSTATION Network content. It will have the same features as the 80GB PAL PS3 except double the storage.

Other sources have also reported that there will be a 160GB PS3 for North America. This will include Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, PLAYSTATION Network Voucher for PAIN and a DUALSHOCK3 Wireless Controller.

This has come as a complete surprise as the new 80GB PAL PS3 is due to release this Friday (22nd August). Too bad I have already ordered my 80GB PS3. I might have waited for the 160GB version, but then they may have announced another one. You can always change the HDD to a higher capacity one on your own.

Press Release: Europe | North America

Looks like Amazon imported some white Dualshock 3 controllers.Check em out if you want a different colour.

After the announcement by Sony that DualShock 3 would be available come July 4th, many Europeans including myself jumped for joy (quite literally). There was however one small problem, which was that i had gotten tired of waiting and ordered mine from a couple of guys in Hong Kong.

They arrived today and i have to say that if you dont have a DualShock 3 controller, stop reading, go out and buy one.

Sony have promied “regular shipments” of the DualShock 3 to the European Territories, and i realised i posted earlier about problems with the availability of the DualShock 3, but then i thought, thats what Ebay is for.

So if you do run into problems picking up a DualShock 3 in Europe, which in all honesty i doubt you will as most of the places i’ve been that has them in stock HMV for example, is fully stocked. But again if you do run into problems, get onto Ebay and purchase one from Hong Kong or even Canada.

It is quite irritating when i’ve purchased two DualShock 3’s from Hong Kong and still managed to save £20.00 off the retail price had i have bought them in the UK. It’s something of a mystery why everything is so much more expensive in Europe, considering we are so much closer to where all of these accessories are manufactured.

So heres a tip for you, if you want a DualShock 3 controller, and some money still in your wallet, purchase a DualShock 3 from either Hong Kong or Canada.

PlayStation 3 owners in Europe have been waiting for months to get their hands on the new DualShock 3 wireless controller from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. While the demand is certainly great, the company has stated that it is unsure if it can keep up with the influx of customers on day one.

“It’s going to be a close call as to whether we can guarantee enough stock for everybody day one, however, we’ll be making regular shipments thereafter, in order to satisfy demand,” said SCEE director of sales Mark Howsen.

The DualShock 3 controller has long been clamored for by loyal PlayStation gamers who wish to continue enjoying vibration functionality that PlayStation One and PlayStation 2 systems had. In addition to the rumble feature, the DualShock 3 packs in the tilt-sensing properties of its predecessor, the SIXAXIS.

Despite the tremendous interest for the DualShock 3, Sony doesn’t seem ready to abandon the SIXAXIS just yet. “We’ll continue to offer the SIXAXIS controller for the time being, giving consumers a cost effective buying choice, based on their gaming needs,” added Howsen. “Moving forwards, we’ll monitor demand at retail.”

Better head to your local retailers early to make sure you get your pads, European PS3 fans. But if you’re not really a fan of vibration, you can always ignore it and be happy just the same with the SIXAXIS.

via QJ

Sad news to read the DualShock3 after eventually stumbling over the finish line and reaching Europe may be hit by stock shortages.

Ebay might actually be your best bet, because one its cheaper and two there is plenty of stock across the Pond in the likes of Hong Kong and Canada.

I ordered both of mine from Canada and saved £20.00 compared to purchasing two DualShock3 Controllers in the UK.

I have wanted to buy the PlayStation 3 ever since it came out in November 2006 (USA and Japan). I waited and waited. Then finally Sony released the PS3 in Europe in March 2007. After finding out that Sony had removed the “Emotion Engine” CPU from the European PS3, I was angry. This limits the compatibility with PS2 games on the European PS3 because only software emulation is being used rather than hardware emulation. For some who has a large collection of PS2 games, this is huge smack in the face. Unsure of what to do I waited and thought to myself that this situation is temporary.

Not long after (maybe a month, or two) Sony replaced the 60GB European PS3 with a lower-class 40GB PS3 that completely removed PS2 backward compatibility by removing the “Graphics Synthesizer” GPU, the last of the PS3 hardware. This new “downgrade” also removes the flash card readers, SACD support as well as lowering the number of USB 2.0 ports to 2 from 4.

I then heard rumours that there was a 65nm PS3 being developed. This means a small and less power hungry Cell and RSX chip. This in turn would make the PS3 run a lot cooler. I also heard rumour of DUALSHOCK3 coming to the PS3, which is basically the SIXAXIS with rumble. So I decided to wait (again) for them both.

Currently, I believe you can get the PS3 with the 65nm Cell microprocessor, but I think that the power hungry RSX chip is still at 90nm. Recently, IBM announced that they will soon move the console chip onto the company’s much-ballyhooed, next-generation 45nm high-k process. There are various advantages for this. The SIXAXIS is no longer being produced and being replaced by the new DUALSHOCK3 controller as we speak. All retail packages will include one or two SIXAXIS controllers and/or a DUALSHOCK3 controller beginning on June 12, 2008.

So Sony, when are you going to release the 80GB PS3 with the 45nm Cell microprocessor, 65nm or lower RSX GPU, flash card readers, SACD support and at least 4 USB 2.0 ports? And don’t forget, I will be waiting.

Hope you liked my post. If there is anything incorrect here or anything else, don’t be afraid to drop me a comment. Peace.

Update 1: Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai has confirmed that PS3 Cell processors manufactured since last holiday use the more efficient 65nm technology, while smaller RSX chips are due in the fall (autumn).

Update 2: It seems Sony will be releasing an 80GB PS3, arriving in Europe, the UK, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand on August 27 (with Russia to follow two weeks later). The 80GB PS3 will cost €399 in Europe and £299 in Britain. However, it will only be the “core” version, meaning that it lacks backward compatibility and other premium features above. It looks like we may never get backward compatibility with the PS1 and PS2 back.

Sony what the hell are you playing at! We all want the premium version back, with backward compatibility, 4 USBs, flash card readers, etc.

Update 3: The release date for the 80GB PS3 has been moved from 27th to 22nd August. I’ve ordered mine, even though it has missing features compared to the first PS3s that came out. Also, Play.com are offering a few select platinum titles and Blu-ray titles 2 for £25. Yeah that’s £12.50 each! I ordered Resistance: Fall Of Man and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Update 4: 160GB PlayStation 3 Announced for Europe and North America

Update 5: It seems the new 80GB “Core” has minimal power savings over the old 40GB “Core”, might have 65nm RSX GPU.

Update 6: Joystiq have put together a table comparing the PlayStation 3 SKUs.

Sources: My Own Knowledge | Wikipedia | And other technology websites.

Last Updated: 24-08-2008

Ya esta apareciendo el DualShock 3 en tiendas de los EU, por lo que se espera que pronto o hasta simultaneamente salga en Mexico y me imagino que despues al resto de latinoamerica, hasta da pena que Sony tardara mas de 2 años para darnos un control para el PS3 con “rumble” pero ¿que se le va hacer?, justo a tiempo para MGS4.

 Enfim saiu a definição do preço de Metal Gear Solid 4, tanto no pacote com o PS3, quanto vendido separadamente. Os preços valem apenas para o Japão e foram definidos pela famosa revista Famitsu.

 O jogo vendido separadamente sairá por ¥8,800 (aproximadamente US$ 91). O pacote especial sairá por ¥9,800 (aproximadamente US$ 101) e o pacote com o PS3 especial saíra por ¥51,800 ( algo em torno de US$ 540).
 Se for parar para ver, até que não está tão caro assim, não é mesmo? Afinal 500 doletas era o preço do PS3 quando ele saiu. Levando em consideração que o pacote trará MGS4 e o DualShock3, até que o preço sai em conta.

 A cor do console especial para o lançamento do game também foi definida. Eu, que estava morrendo de medo do console vir com um bisonho visual camuflado, finalmente me acalmei.
 A cor do console, não passa do tradicional preto, porém numa cor fosca. 

Tanto alarde por isso?

 Mas, apesar disso, o console está bonito e dá até pra ver a frase escrita “METAL GEAR SOLID 4 – LIMITED EDITION” na parte de baixo.

 Veja a foto (clique se quiser ampliar) :

[via kotaku]

Dual Shock 3

I purchased Heavenly Sword maybe a month ago or so. However I decided to wait until my DS3 (dualshock 3 vibration feed back six axis) controller arrives. it actually came pretty quick from Hong Kong. The controller itself cost 66 dollars (I used the cheapest packaging) but I got screwed over with a 12 dollar handling fee from POSTAGE, which sucks ass. so the controller comes out to be around a whopping $78.00. So considering the DS3 is coming out in April most likely retailing for about 60.00 + TAX (14%) = $69.00 dollars. So I ended up paying about 9 dollars extra but I think its well worth it so many games ALREADY have DS3 enables and that includes many of the demos.

The controller itself feels a lot more comfortable than the six axis and the triggers although I haven’t used them much yet seem a bit better as well. I doubt i’ll be using my six axis ever again, until some1 comes over and they need to use the controller.

Heavenly Sword (www.heavenlysword.com)

The style of this game is absolutely stunning. Although the audio seemed not in sync in the beginning credits, it worked fine later. The story is unique and the gameplay is varied enough to keep the game pretty interesting. The learning curve can be a bit steep simply because I wasn’t used to controlling canon balls and arrows using the controller’s six axis. Once you do get a hang of it, it is FUN. Lots of fun to do and to watch, I especially love the slow motion kills. This is probably one of the best titles to use the six axis this much and with so much finesse. Even simple things while shaking the controller while you are hit in the air came naturally to me and made the fighting that much more fun. The boss battles were pretty damn fun as well, just took a little practice and not overwhelmingly difficult.

At first I found Kai’s game play scense a bit dry and difficult to control especially since she has no melee or close attack. However only one section was only really cumbersome otherwise the game has brilliant level design. Blowing up things with a flaming arrow is truly fun. One last thing I must mention is the amazing amount of characters they were able to add on screen was truly jaw dropping. I couldn’t believe how much mass murder I could do while the game looked amazing every second of the way. Although I did finish the game in a week or so I think it’s a MUST play for PS3.

Notícia curta.

Se liga nas datas do lançamento americano de:

DualShock 3: 15 de abril (por $54,99).
Metal Gear Solid 4: 12 de junho (preço não informado).

E a bomba está por vir…
O ministério do NoReset adverte: Se estiver lendo este post no trabalho cuidado para não dar um grito!

 Será lançado um pacote (falar Bundle é pros fracos) com um PS3 com HD de 80 GB, o DualShock3 e Metal Gear Solid 4 no dia 15 de junho! 
 Isso tudo por $499!

  Vou tomar meus remédios!

Essa foi a notícia do dia! Será o início de uma reviravolta da Sony?
Depois dessa, o cacique CARAY até dá as caras de novo!