Sony Playstation S3 Gaming System

If one were to look at Sony Computer Entertainment Playstation 3 System objectively, it would be hard to deny that the console got off to a bit of a rocky start. It shocked gamers with a price tag that was higher than expected, and seemed to fall behind Microsoft's Xbox in terms of quality exclusive games.

Sony gradually improved its image over the last few years, releasing a number of hardware and software improvements as well as snagging some impressive exclusive games from famous third-party developers. For most users, the game selection is what matters most, so with exclusives like Heavy Rain, Uncharted, inFamous, and The Last of Us, the PlayStation offers some great gaming experiences.

Sony has included some powerful hardware in the PS3. It is the first gaming machine to use the Cell Broadband Engine, which provides the console with advanced microprocessing power and nearly unrivaled speed.

In addition, the PS3 was the first console on the market to offer a built-in Blu-ray player. Sony had been touting the Blu-ray disc as the high definition heir apparent to DVD, and its inclusion in the PlayStation 3 solidified those claims. The PS3's Blu-ray drive not only allows users to play their favorite movies in high definition, but it also offers unprecedented storage capacity for disc-based video games. Multi-platform games frequently have to ship on more than one disc for release on other consoles, but the capacity of the Blu-ray disc ensures that PlayStation users receive their games on only one disc. This eliminates the need to swap discs in the middle of a visceral gaming moment.

The PlayStation Network stacks up nicely when compared to Microsoft's Xbox Live service. The PlayStation Network offers access to downloadable games and demos and offers free online gaming for multiplayer games. Subscribing to the PlayStation Plus service offers additional features such as free downloadable games and advance access to demos.

The Playstation 3 does offer more than games, however. Third-party content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube and Hulu Plus have built PS3 apps to make their content available to PlayStation users. It's now easier than ever to access TV shows, movies, music, and much more through the PS3's easy-to-navigate interface. In short, the PS3 can potentially take its place as the entertainment hub in the living room.

With a sleek profile, impressive specs and the convenience of built-in wi-fi, the PlayStation is a highly capable multimedia device.