Get a PlayStation 3 with 2 controllers for $249.99
Sign up for a Sony Visa card and walk away with a PS3 and two controllers for $250.
(Credit: Sony)So Amazon's Gold Box deal of the day is an 80GB Sony PlayStation 3 for $349.99. That's not bad, considering how rare it is to see the console selling below the $399.99 list price.
Then I got to wondering if Sony was still offering that credit-card deal, the one that nets you a $150 credit with a purchase of $299 or more. Sure enough, they just kicked off another promotion (this one ending June 20), which means you can get an 80GB PlayStation 3 for $249.99.
First, apply for the Sony Visa Card. You can do this online, get instant approval, and make a purchase (though just one) straight away.
Then head over to the PlayStation 3 product page and add one to your cart. (Bonus! Sony's offering an extra controller free of charge.) Pay for it with the new credit card.
Now for the "bad" news: You're not actually getting $150 off. Instead, you'll get a $150 credit on your card in 8-12 weeks. It's still money, of course, just not the kind you can put in your savings account. You'll have to spend it on food or gas or whatever.
The actual bad news here is that you have to pay shipping and probably sales tax, which for me added about $40 to the total (grrrr). Amazon's deal gets you out the door with no shipping or sales tax--but only one controller.
So, over to you: Which is the better deal? (Yes, you can vote "neither," but only if you back it up.) Given that the extra controller normally costs $55, I'm inclined to choose SonyStyle.
Either way, remember that you're also getting a top-tier Blu-ray player. If you want to learn about that and the PS3 in general, read CNET's review.
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
*I was going to declare it, I swear!
they have ff7 avaible
The extra controller free deal through SonyStyle is good, but your still at $250 + tax. You can find controllers through Newegg for $42 (no tax or shipping). So the better deal is still with Amazon.
Total cost through Amazon/Newegg for an 80GB PS3 and 2 controllers = $242!!! Now that's a deal! Not to mention all the cool hardware that's included in the PS3 that isn't included in Xbox 360 or the Wii!!!
I don't think it's true that the $150 credit has to be spent elsewhere. The way I understand it, the Sony Card includes no-interest financing, for anywhere from 6-12 months. Couldn't you simply pay for the PS3 full price with the card, but pay only minimum payments until the $150 card credit kicks in 8-12 weeks later?
That way you would essentially be paying $250 plus the original shipping and tax, instead of the way your article suggests. It's important to mention this as it would probably convince more people to take advantage of this great deal.
As far as I know, the credit only applies to purchases made through Sony Style, so I wouldn't risk it purchasing another bundle with this card from Amazon or elsewhere.
Just my opinion. You're going to buy that stuff anyway... right????
If Sony wants to sell the PS3, either put out more exclusive titles that people actually want, or lower their price without all these stupid hoops to go thru.
If the price were $249.99 for the PS3 everywhere with only one controller and no game, I would've jumped on the chance and bought one.
Not with this BS.
Sorry Sony, but you'll have to try better than that. I still find my PC and Xbox 360 far more entertaining than your machine. If the price is right, then you have my money.
Uncharted
Resistance
Resistance 2
MGS4
Ratchet and Clank
inFamous
Killzone 2
Flower
Singstar
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Heavenly Sword
Little Big Planet
Motorstorm
Motorstorm 2
SOCOM
Valkria Chronicles
Wipeout HD
Those are off the top of my head, and those are all top quality exclusives too! Its not 2007 anymore the PS3 has a better library of AAA games than the 360 now IMO.
Some upcoming exclusives:
Afrika
Agent
Eyepet
Fat Princess
FF13 Versus (devs themselves said it was the superior FF13 game)
Gran Turismo 5
God of War III
Uncharted 2 (my personal favorite upcoming exclusive)
Heavy Rain
MAG
FF14
White Knite Chronicles
The Last Guardian
Ratchet and Clank 2
MLB 09: The Show
Tekken 6
Those are off the top of my head too. And notice one thing, theres lots of variety in those, they aren't all shooters! The PS3 has Bluray, Wifi, web browser (you can watch hulu too), free online (which is now or soon will be on par w/ Live), PSP connectivity, and so much more. PS3!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFfL6LXZJMo&hd=1
So being absolutely 100 percent honest, you can get a much more of a vast gaming variety with a higher quality experience having a powerful PC and a PS3.
TM345 has already listed a huge list of great games. I'm not going to replicate that list of exclusives. Not to mention games that are 360 "Exclusive" continue to get ported to the PS3 WITH additional content
Tales of Vesperia
Eternal Sonata (new story additions to flesh it out, extra dungeons, new playable characters and useable items..)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (Even has online co-op 4 playable characters and a ton more additions)
Bioshock (The exclusive DLC was even given "Best DLC of the year" awards from multiple companies)
And more
Plus we're getting Final Fantasy XIV first on the console, we're getting Mod Nation Racers, demon souls, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, God of War 3, the Last Guardian, and just about every single company around points that the PS3 exclusives are much more numerous AND are great quality. The PS3 "has few games" argument makes you look like a freaking creationist. Screw the facts huh? You just can't stand being wrong?
Not to mention that the PS3 doesn't charge you extra for wifi, you can get a 320GB laptop hard drive for cheaper than a 120GB 360 one, or even charge for online play. With the additional stuff like Home and Game launching you can meet up in your apartment and can launch up to 32 people into a match rather than just 8. Game launching is gaining support and soon it will probably be mandatory on all games.
Anyway though you go ahead and enjoy some of your delusions and playing Halo 3 and Gears 2 mindlessly. I'm gonna play some Valkeria Chronicles, maybe grind a few levels on Disgaea 3, might even do a Left 4 Dead round on my PC, and then maybe kill a few zombies in Plants Versus Zombies or the PS3 exclusive Burn Zombie Burn.
I truly have the wider spectrum of enjoyable games.
$249 is a fantastic deal (£349 is still pretty awesome for what you get with a PS3)>
I hope listing games made you feel better about your choice of console there, especially since it was your SECOND TIME THIS WEEK (lol, jebus). Whew and there for a moment I though Sony was going to lose this imaginary war, with a game console, something that is ultimately devoid of any true value, even though it seems many attach their self-worth to this gadget (obviously looking at you tmt345).
As far as the games you list, I hope you realize that you listed a total of 17 games in your first list. Thats it, 17? In over 2 years of development, the elimination of backwards compatibility (dumbest move ever), and the general dumbing down of the PS3 since its launch (loss of connectivity options, etc.), and thats all you can list...I thought you were far more gung-ho than that.
Then you go and kill your whole argument by saying "the PS3 has a better library of AAA games than the 360 now IMO." Hmmmm....in your opinion, meaning that all you have said before is merely a statement of your opinion, not fact, which means all you have said before really means nothing as your reputation has no basis so why should I buy what you are saying.
On your second list of coming games is a flat out lie....you have no idea when or if they are really coming...FF14, really? How far away is that, hell 13 hasnt hit stores yet and when was FF12, 4 years ago, 5?...and dont even get me started on Gran Turismo 5, thats been promised since the inception of the PS3 and I have seen alot of video but no game yet. Oh, and Tekken 6...not exclusive...get your facts straight first.
Finally....to address your Blu-Ray, wifi, web browser, etc....I have a HTPC that does all of that better, incl. blu ray for cheaper than a stand alone...strange how that works huh? They charge you an arm and a leg for a stand-alone blu ray player and then sell the PC crowd one to install in their PC for half the price. Your statement regarding the PS3 online plan to the Xbox Live service is just plain ignorant. Either you have never been on PSOnline or Xbox Live as the statement that their service will rival that of the 360 is just plain wrong as observed by every article online that states that Sony has quite a ways to go to make their service even comparable to the 360.
This article is nothing more than a sellout to Sony to marklet their credit card to all of you sheeple who love to rack up debt....please by all means get the card and watch them jack your interest to 28% after 3 months.
I hope listing games made you feel better about your choice of console there, especially since it was your SECOND TIME THIS WEEK (lol, jebus). Whew and there for a moment I though Sony was going to lose this imaginary war, with a game console, something that is ultimately devoid of any true value, even though it seems many attach their self-worth to this gadget (obviously looking at you tmt345).
As far as the games you list, I hope you realize that you listed a total of 17 games in your first list. Thats it, 17? In over 2 years of development, the elimination of backwards compatibility (dumbest move ever), and the general dumbing down of the PS3 since its launch (loss of connectivity options, etc.), and thats all you can list...I thought you were far more gung-ho than that.
Then you go and kill your whole argument by saying "the PS3 has a better library of AAA games than the 360 now IMO." Hmmmm....in your opinion, meaning that all you have said before is merely a statement of your opinion, not fact, which means all you have said before really means nothing as your reputation has no basis so why should I buy what you are saying.
On your second list of coming games is a flat out lie....you have no idea when or if they are really coming...FF14, really? How far away is that, hell 13 hasnt hit stores yet and when was FF12, 4 years ago, 5?...and dont even get me started on Gran Turismo 5, thats been promised since the inception of the PS3 and I have seen alot of video but no game yet. Oh, and Tekken 6...not exclusive...get your facts straight first.
Finally....to address your Blu-Ray, wifi, web browser, etc....I have a HTPC that does all of that better, incl. blu ray for cheaper than a stand alone...strange how that works huh? They charge you an arm and a leg for a stand-alone blu ray player and then sell the PC crowd one to install in their PC for half the price. Your statement regarding the PS3 online plan to the Xbox Live service is just plain ignorant. Either you have never been on PSOnline or Xbox Live as the statement that their service will rival that of the 360 is just plain wrong as observed by every article online that states that Sony has quite a ways to go to make their service even comparable to the 360.
This article is nothing more than a sellout to Sony to marklet their credit card to all of you sheeple who love to rack up debt....please by all means get the card and watch them jack your interest to 28% after 3 months. So all of you out there make sure to kiss your PS3 tonight as you head off to bed and maybe magically it will make you rich, handsome, and all powerful because we all know that game consoles make you sexier and more attractive...oh wait, they really dont mean anything...huh, who knew.
Sony is a hardware company
Do I have to tell you the differences? That's why SONY will be the best and last longer. I admit that XBOX has more game titles. That's it. I spent 4 days to compare all the specs and finally picked PS3. ;) hey! it's your own decision.
It was a great deal and I highly recommend it.
Small selection of games? yea in 2007. Sony has the best lineup of exclusive games for 09, read any tech blog for that.
Do some research, Fallout 3 and all of its downloadable content is coming to PS3 and Lost Planet is out on PS3 as well.
GTA DLC hardly anyone bought so was a waste of time.
Ok Ninja Gaiden 2 is coming to PS3 in the form of Sigma 2, and if you did your own research you would see that NG Sigma 1 is the superior version of the first Ninja Gaiden, and early E3 reports already confirm Sigma 2 will be just as good.
Left 4 Dead, come on dude, it's a gimped version of a PC game. You can't do the same stuff you can on a pc, the mods, custom maps, etc. Everyone knows the superior version of any valve game is on pc, take it from this valve fanboy who's been playing valve games since half life 1.
Fallout 3 content coming to ps3, but the pc version is the best version.
Lost Planet 2, Dead Rising 2 are both multiplat now and coming out on the same day.
It's true that PS3 users have to wait because M$ throws money at devs to secure timed exclusives, but hey, i'm happy playing stellar AAA titles like KZ2, Infamous and Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Beta. Can't wait for that God of War 3. Hey, enjoy your Halo ODST dlc...um...full retail game. The only thing you got going for your console is Splinter Cell conviction. Alan wake looked half baked. Even so, i'll check it out on steam.
I wouldn't call GTA Lost and Damned being downloaded over a million times as being construed as "hardly anyone bought". Yes I seen that you guys will get the Fallout 3 content.....in October. You have to wait on things, like you did for Bioshock and Lost Planet(which looks like you'll have to wait for Lost Planet 2 also),
Dude... you fail so badly... GTA Lost and the damned is a 20 dollar product. Microsoft paid 50 million for that exclusivity... It would have had to have been downloaded over 2million times for them to break even IF they sold every single copy. So chances are they probably were trying to bribe more people to buy the game so that they can pay for an over priced Live account to play online.
Lost Planet comes out the same day as Microsoft but Sony really didn't work to hard to point that out in their E3 because they had a ton of great games. honestly he mentioned it in passing. Why? Because the PS3 lineup of exclusives is just plenty for them to go off of. They didn't have to spend the first 30-40 minutes talking about multiplatform games.
Furthermore I'd rather wait for content than... um... I don't know.. NEVER GET IT!? Cause the PS3 exclusives are way better than the 360 ones. Oh and just for E3 laughs and giggles let me point this out. You can go to any person who experienced the Milo demo and discover it was all entirely smoke and mirrors. There was no real quality to it. It is nothing amazing. Furthermore that camera has not demonstrated a SINGLE game as of yet that lets you move freely in 3D space. The games were ALL linear. There was no strafing left, no roll manuevers, no nothing. The 360 Natal is nothing more than an interface upgrade that will have some mini games designed for it (as of currently)
Where as the PS3 motion controller can accurately work so well that you can tickle the nape of the neck of an enemy with a sword, or you can trip them, and knock them back. you can build houses with blocks in a 3 dimensional space. It is by far the superior technology.
Go enjoy your Halo and Gears of War I'm going to go enjoy my Valkeria Chronicles. Great game. Very challenging, great story, and amazing art direction as everything looks like a pastel portrait.
thanks
Any help would be great!!
I tried to find a phone number to contact someone but their page was lacking information.
It's GPU is equivalent to an Nvidia 7900 Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
The 360's ATI is a far better gpu than the piece of turd in the PS3.
[CNET editors' note: Prohibited content deleted.]
It's not a 7900, it's significantly different. Both GPU's have a smilar transistor count, and are therefore roughly the same. However the PS3 can also use the Cells' 7x SPE's for rendering too, making the PS3 about 20x more powerful for GPU rendering that the Xbox.
Look at the platform exclusives, and you will see this clearly to be the case. KIllzone2 graphics totally wipe the floor with anything the Xbox has pushed. In addition, devs like EA are now saying the 360 is maxxed out, but the PS3 still has loads to give.
Sorry you seem to have been sucked in so badly by Microsofts FUD and hype.
- by cyclonica1980 June 12, 2009 7:18 AM PDT
- anyone know what the credit requirements are?
- Reply to this comment
-
Showing 1 of 2 pages (60 Comments)