New Slimmer Top Loading PS3 Annouced - Prices Suck

[Skykid]

As for Zelda, while I can appreciate its contributions to 3D, I don't see a point in playing it now when there's stuff like Dark Souls or Gothic (or even Vagrant Story, even if it isn't completely 3D), except for the nostalgia I guess. Since I didn't own an N64 at the time I don't even have that incentive.

Find the incentive, go and play the games. You will not regret. I've got no qualms in saying OoT still tops those you mentioned (even if they are very different games.)

I have understanding of your arcade preference, I was practically raised in the arcade. But having experienced the best console gaming has offered over the years, I'm still comfortable to shoot the N64 Zeldas into any question regarding videogame eminence.

I'm on Ganon's Castle now on the 3DS version, and I went into it the game with doubts about how it would stand up. I'll actually grant you Mario 64 hasn't held up as well - I'd rather play Galaxy or Mario 3D land...

But Ocarina has aged like a fine wine. And I didn't even know videogames could age like fine wine until I came back to one blessed with such poetry. It is, by rights, a masterpiece, and although I hate to find myself agreeing with mainstream presses, it's quite clear that no-one, no matter how special, could fail to see its achievements. To that end all those 10's are warranted, for once.

I've been as impressed today as I was when I played it when I was 17, perhaps even more so: it illustrates how far gaming hasn't progressed at all. Even Nintendo have never managed to match their 64 duo. For that the N64 was worth its weight in gold.

[Hagane]

I tried playing them a couple of times a few years ago, but they just didn't click with me. I'll give them another go due to your posts, but I doubt my opinion will change.

[Skykid]

I tried playing them a couple of times a few years ago, but they just didn't click with me. I'll give them another go due to your posts, but I doubt my opinion will change.

I'd love for you to do that. in Ocarina, make sure you push through at least to the point where you make the first quantum leap. It actually lays it on thick early on - it surprised me. It opens up rapidly and it takes a while to get the lay of the land, but after the initial training blitz of places to go and things to do, you start determine how you're going to skin the rest of it, and it's a pleasure every step of the way. Enjoy!

Oh, and if at all possible, 3DS XL is the way to do it these days. Silky smooth, looks and sounds beautiful. No 64 emulators unless the appropriate pad is present.

[Ganelon]

I favor systems based on the number of games that appeal to me, not the ratio of such games to uninteresting games, and not games that are "widely considered" to be hits. And for that, I'd much rather play Legend of Oasis and Alundra than The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

I've never really understood why most 3D Nintendo games are praised as they are. Sure, the controls are almost always excellent and the quality assurance is top-notch but those rank pretty low on my list of wants. But the other aspects of the games are about as appealing as those in Madden NFL. Give me a faultier, uglier, but more surreal 3D game like Ecstatica II anyday. I respect the opinions of other experienced players, especially since Nintendo games are held in such high regard in the industry, but this enjoyment is something I've never gotten and probably never will. Super Mario 64 was a blast to play but now, it just seems like the next step in the decline of Mario titles—after 2D classics Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and Yoshi Island, and before the uninspiring later polygonal Mario games. And if you don't find Nintendo first-party games to be the best things ever, then the N64 is sorely lacking.

As for innovations, I don't recall any major ones on the N64 platform besides the controller design and Super Smash Bros.'s concept. 3D visuals and mechanics were nothing new on the PC and in earlier "next gen" consoles. And even with the controller, folks tend to give Nintendo too much credit: the N64 pad wasn't the first to support force feedback or to offer an analog stick. But really, innovations are trivial compared to software quality. One reason most of us are big fans of the Sega Saturn isn't because it was innovative (which was hardly the case) but because it had such amazing games we can relate to.

[Jonathan Ingram]

No, the PSX had a vast rubbish tip of complete garbage that far (far!) outweighed the total sum of its good games, especially in the west. Considering it had the highest developer support of any console prior, that's an enormous discrepancy where quality is concerned. I'd even go as far as to say the equilibrium of quality and quantity is superior on the 360 and PS3.

The good-to-bad ratio is irrelevant to me since I tend to avoid rubbish. All I know is that I`ve played through a sick amount of great PSX games over the years(gotta be in the hundreds) and I still keep discovering interesting stuff to play on it, whereas when it comes to the N64, the system is effectively dead to me since I`ve long played everything that I could`ve ever wanted to play on it - from mainstream stuff like Zeldas and Mario 64 to JP only titles like Shiren, Wonder Project, Bangai-O and some Evangelion fighting game. The N64 really didn`t have much to offer to the player; the selection of great games is incredibly small and with very little genre variety too. I`m surprised someone would try to defend the N64 in this regard. Replace the PSX with the Saturn and the N64 will still fair very badly in the comparison.

[dannnnn]

I'm also playing through OoT 3D at the moment Skykid and your sentiments totally mirror my own. I hadn't played it since the first time through as a 12 year old back in 1998 and it's just as great as I remember it, a genuine masterpiece. It makes me wonder why Nintendo can't make a Zelda like this anymore. I do still enjoy the newer releases, but absolutely everything about Ocarina is quality of the highest order.

[KAI]

How can you hate these cuties?

[Skykid]

The N64 really didn`t have much to offer to the player; the selection of great games is incredibly small and with very little genre variety too.

That hasn't been the topic of discussion. No-one ever said it doesn't have a small library or a limited variety of games. As I mentioned, its architecture cut itself out of the picture when it came to arcade ports (or just about anything 2D.) But it's that architecture that's behind OoT 3DS 15 years on, and it's amazing how current it still is.

What's irritating is when folks carry on like it's a console with no value. To have that opinion you either didn't own one or never properly paid it its dues.
When it had hits, they were revolutionary, and when a 3rd party stuck their neck out, they graced it with excellent alternative adventures not really possible on competing consoles.

Folk can dislike it all they want, whether for nostalgic or petty brand allegiance reasons, but I was lucky enough to have all three consoles during their era of prevalence, and when the N64 hit its high points, they were often the highest of all the competition.

I got nothing but respect for it.

I'm also playing through OoT 3D at the moment Skykid and your sentiments totally mirror my own. I hadn't played it since the first time through as a 12 year old back in 1998 and it's just as great as I remember it, a genuine masterpiece. It makes me wonder why Nintendo can't make a Zelda like this anymore. I do still enjoy the newer releases, but absolutely everything about Ocarina is quality of the highest order.

I think what's special about OoT is that it's not just an apex in design harmony, but its universal. I feel like I could give it to someone who had no affinity or interest in videogames, show them the ropes, and it would ultimately consume them. Although Majora is just pure unsung genius, it doesn't share that accesibility - it's like the hardcore gamer's follow up.

[Friendly]

Apparently people in the UK have a problem with math. Instead of buying fewer PS3s as might be expected after the price hike, they bought more:

Last week also saw the release of new hardware in the shape of Sony's new super slim PlayStation 3. The 500GB monster gave PS3 sales a 138 per cent boost on last week

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... -in-a-week

[ryu]

sony did this because they know people are dumb and will buy just anything that's "new"

[Ganelon]

Does anyone know what the exact model 500GB drive is being used in the new PS3?

[Friendly]

Do you mean brand name or form factor / speed? From what I've read it's a regular 2.5" notebook hdd, just like the ones all previous PS3s had. Probably 5,400 rpm. No idea which maker; Sony has used different brands in the past.

[Ed Oscuro]

exact model means just that, like Z7K500 (I doubt that is the drive, it's just a 500GB 2.5" Hitachi Travelstar)

Knowing the exact model might give an indication of how much value the system actually represents. I bet 500GB 2.5" drives are much cheaper than when I got one in 2009, though.

[Friendly]

New Japanese commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3oOO1b5N-E

[Ruldra]

Cool, it comes with a zombie inside.

[shmuppyLove]

I bet 500GB 2.5" drives are much cheaper than when I got one in 2009, though.

They're about $60 now at retail. Bulk costs for Sony are obviously less.

[Ganelon]

I reckon the 500GB drive will be the biggest one available in an official PS3 bundle before the next generation arrives. Sometime down the line, I want to upgrade my PS3 drive used. There are numerous 2.5" hard drives from 500GB onwards that have been reported to cause additional slowdown and/or stuttering with the PS3. Buying the officially included hard drive would be the most effective way to avoid those issues. Hence, I'm looking for the exact model HD being used.

[Ed Oscuro]

Buying the officially included hard drive would be the most effective way to avoid those issues.

Well, we'll know if the officially included hard drive induces additional stuttering soon enough, right?

[Ganelon]

Thanks to Digital Foundry (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df-ha ... ystation-3), it appears that the specific 500GB hard drive used for the 3rd rev PS3 models is the Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380. 500GB is apparently the largest storage size of this particular design. So far, there haven't been any complaints about stuttering.

[Friendly]

I suggest getting Western Digital WD7500BPVT Scorpio Blue 750GB instead. Been using one in my most-used PS3 for ~2 years, no stuttering, and it doesn't get hot at all. Excellent hdd.