I have made it no secret that, out of the 3 ‘this gen’ consoles, I believe the PS3 to have the most potential.  This is for reasons of power, capability and having a wireless control pad.  However, it seems that each of the three consoles – PS3, Xbox360 and Wii – have reasons to doubt them.  I have covered the latter two here already, so lets move on to the PS3.

One of the most obvious that things that hits you about the PS3 is the lack of rumble.  Now that Sony has settled a suit with Immersion there shouldn’t be a problem.  But there is.  All the consoles shipped already don’t have force feedback.  To find out how enjoyable force feedback is, try the new Microsoft Wireless Steering Wheel.  For a previous gen experience, try Forza Motorsport on the Xbox.  Rumble and feedback feels just as it should on that.

Price is the major point that everyone has pulled up the PS3 on, and with good reason.  Over in the UK it is still retailing at over £420 – which is more than $700.  That’s not far off half a month’s wages for some people.  You can now get an 32 inch LCD TV for that price.  Or a new washer, or cooker.  Any essential for the home really.  This should really put into perspective how much it costs.

So if the PS3 is so expensive, is it still being bought?  Well, yes.  However, as I’m a cynical marketer I’m 100% sure that even if it were a couple of hundred dollars more, people would still flock to the Sony brand.  This is evidenced in the fact that as much as it’s been slated in the gaming press, the console is still being sold.

Games, and the selection thereof, is perhaps the number one criticism of the PS3.  What do you want to play at the moment beyond Motorstorm?  For me, it’s nothing really.  That’s a shame given the power of the console and the matched motion-sensing controller.  The number of exclusive games has been reduced (Devil May Cry 4 anyone) – though this is a symptom of the industry and something I’ll cover in another article.  However, if there aren’t any AAA exclusives, why wouldn’t someone just buy the cheaper 360?

Online functionality is an issue, though in my opinion I see the PS3 as between the Wii and the Xbox360 in terms of current ability.  Rubbish friend codes ruin the Wii, whilst Live is hampered by being a paid-for service.  Home looks impressive, if similar to Second Life.

Overall, I guess that the PS3 doesn’t have any spectacular detractions to what it is currently providing, more like niggly faults.  This speaks in turn to potential in the near future, and I’m hoping for great things.  Of course, two of these great things would be a price cut and some games I am genuinely excited to play.  This will come with time though, I know I certainly wasn’t an early adopter of the 360…

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