rodzik@www

I couldn't talk myself out of it, or maybe I just talked myself into it, but I bought a PlayStation 3 on Tuesday. I'd been thinking about it for a few weeks (ever since they cut the price by $100), primarily due to it being the best value Blu-ray player on the market and due to Rock Band being the same price for it as the 360 version, but it having wireless guitars instead of wired ones. The fact that I won an iPod touch at a raffle last week sealed the deal for me, as it pretty much cut the price of a PS3 in half.

I originally planned on getting the 40GB version as it was $100 cheaper than the 60GB or 80GB versions, but I eventually decided on the 60GB version. It's the same price as the 80GB model but includes full hardware backwards compatibility for PS2 games, meaning it essentially has a PS2 built into it. This also means it can play PS1 games. While I don't own a PS1 or a PS2 I figured I'd spring for the backwards compatibility because there are a TON of games out for these platforms, many of which are stellar games, and all of which are now available for around $1-$5 if I look in the right place.

Planet Earth is absolutely spectacular. From the moment I saw commercials for this on TV I knew I had to wait to watch it on HD (whether it be HD-DVD or Blu-ray), and once I decided to get a PS3 I immediately picked up Planet Earth on Blu-ray. The visual quality is spectacular, and much of the footage is breathtaking and unbelievable. I think the word "wow" has been said at least 200 times in the last 6 days by about 40 different people.

I still don't have a full-blown PS3 game yet, and probably won't until Rock Band comes out, but I've still been playing on it a ton. I probably logged about 20 hours of Grand Turismo 4 already, and bought a $10 game from the online store titled "Everyday Shooter" which is a simple, yet fun, game, and thus a great time sink.

I am a bit ticked off that I didn't get a bundle deal though. Walmart.com had a 60GB PS3 with a free game and remote control included, but that sold out on their website and Walmart stores apparently don't price match their own website. Circuit City doesn't match bundles, so they wouldn't give it to me. Oh well, I still got it as a pretty good deal thanks to the iPod touch!

Update: I just found a coupon for 20% off (including electronics) at K-Mart and picked up a PS3 for $106 cheaper than Circuit City. I'll be returning my extra PS3 to CC in the next couple days (no restocking fee), so hello cheap electronics!