The most recent price drop is like a breath of fresh air for anyone who has ever enjoyed a game on a sony console. The drop was long-warranted, perhaps even as long as since when the console was infamously introduced at E3 over 3 years ago.  Frankly I was thrilled that the PS3 slim was announced at the 300 dollar price spot. However, there was one aspect of it that was a complete deal-breaker for me. 
As recently as a week ago I finally obtained my own PS2 (in a straight up trade for the entire Naruto series, which i had gotten on the cheap and never bothered to unwrap). I've loved it so far, especially Odin Sphere. So you would think that I regret the trade now? Not at all. 
The main problem that I had with the PS3 is something that has been maintained, despite consumer dismay. That is the lack of backwards compatability. On its own it only has a bare minimum of games I want that I don't already own on the 360 (Those being Metal Gear Solid 4, Valkyria Chronicles, Uncharted and perhaps the Ninja Gaiden remakes). If the console at this 300 dollar price had backwards compatability, I wouldn't be here writing this blog post (my first in a few months). Instead I'd be banging on the doors at Target begging them to let me in when the sliding doors were only feet away (i can be kind of a loon sometimes).  
So, in summary:  
                               Playstation 3 worth 300 dollars for people who do own PS2s and not 360s? YES  
                                     Playstation 3 worth 300 dollars for people who do own PS2s and 360's? No
                   Playstation 3 worth 300 dollars for people who don't own PS2s and do own 360s? NOT NEARLY 
If/When Sony does release a BC PS3 at 300 dollars, I'll be there day one. Until then, I'll be happy with my PS2 (and Wii, DS, PSP, and 360)

The most recent price drop is like a breath of fresh air for anyone who has ever enjoyed a game on a sony console. The drop was long-warranted, perhaps even as long as since when the console was infamously introduced at E3 over 3 years ago.  Frankly I was thrilled that the PS3 slim was announced at the 300 dollar price spot. However, there was one aspect of it that was a complete deal-breaker for me. 
As recently as a week ago I finally obtained my own PS2 (in a straight up trade for the entire Naruto series, which i had gotten on the cheap and never bothered to unwrap). I've loved it so far, especially Odin Sphere. So you would think that I regret the trade now? Not at all. 
The main problem that I had with the PS3 is something that has been maintained, despite consumer dismay. That is the lack of backwards compatability. On its own it only has a bare minimum of games I want that I don't already own on the 360 (Those being Metal Gear Solid 4, Valkyria Chronicles, Uncharted and perhaps the Ninja Gaiden remakes). If the console at this 300 dollar price had backwards compatability, I wouldn't be here writing this blog post (my first in a few months). Instead I'd be banging on the doors at Target begging them to let me in when the sliding doors were only feet away (i can be kind of a loon sometimes).  
So, in summary:  
                               Playstation 3 worth 300 dollars for people who do own PS2s and not 360s? YES  
                                     Playstation 3 worth 300 dollars for people who do own PS2s and 360's? No
                   Playstation 3 worth 300 dollars for people who don't own PS2s and do own 360s? NOT NEARLY 
If/When Sony does release a BC PS3 at 300 dollars, I'll be there day one. Until then, I'll be happy with my PS2 (and Wii, DS, PSP, and 360)

I own a 360 but when I have a PC, I barely even acknowledge it. I use it for HD remix, when I'm feeling fighty. Otherwise, my PC does everything my xbox does and more :(
 
Also you are a loon.

" I own a 360 but when I have a PC, I barely even acknowledge it. I use it for HD remix, when I'm feeling fighty. Otherwise, my PC does everything my xbox does and more :(  Also you are a loon. "

I think the sweet spot for all consoles is about $150.  That's where consoles get the majority of their sales.  You can see why this will be a long generation.
 
I'm a hardcore gamer, to me PS3 was worth it at $600 when I bought it.  A lot of people aren't willing to do that sort of thing.
 
I'm definitely still more into console gaming even after getting this PC.  The exclusive games just aren't there on PC anymore.

I agree with Diamond. $199 is what I think the low-end SKU's for consoles should be at, with $150 being the price where I buy it no matter how little interest I have in it.

" I think the sweet spot for all consoles is about $150.  That's where consoles get the majority of their sales.  You can see why this will be a long generation.   I'm a hardcore gamer, to me PS3 was worth it at $600 when I bought it.  A lot of people aren't willing to do that sort of thing.  I'm definitely still more into console gaming even after getting this PC.  The exclusive games just aren't there on PC anymore. "

" I agree with Diamond. $199 is what I think the low-end SKU's for consoles should be at, with $150 being the price where I buy it no matter how little interest I have in it. "

" @AgentJ: Yeah it's all relative. $150 isn't exactly a lot of money. "

" @MB said:

" @AgentJ: Yeah it's all relative. $150 isn't exactly a lot of money. "

It is to me! I could buy two tacos at Jack in the Box 140 times a year with that money! I could buy 10-15 used games! "

" @AgentJ said:

" @MB said:

" @AgentJ: Yeah it's all relative. $150 isn't exactly a lot of money. "

It is to me! I could buy two tacos at Jack in the Box 140 times a year with that money! I could buy 10-15 used games! "

$150 is half a pay check for a 16 year old, working 20 hours a week making minimum wage (a.k.a. me). "

I will own a PS3 before this year comes to a close.
The exclusives arent enough to convince but, a Blu-Ray player that also plays a library of exclusive games is more than enough to make my buy one.

" @choffy21 said:

" @AgentJ said:

" @MB said:

" @AgentJ: Yeah it's all relative. $150 isn't exactly a lot of money. "

It is to me! I could buy two tacos at Jack in the Box 140 times a year with that money! I could buy 10-15 used games! "

$150 is half a pay check for a 16 year old, working 20 hours a week making minimum wage (a.k.a. me). "

So i'm stingy. Sue me. (I don't have a full time job, mostly because it would affect my grades. Some people can do college and work simultaneously. I don't think i could. I just make the pittance I do working for the newspaper) "

" Yes ofcourse it is the fuckin sweet spot. Don't fuck with me unless you're Jack or Ken. -Kaz Hirai CEO of Sony Entertainment Japan     "

When the crap will people stop complaining about Backwards compatibility?

" When the crap will people stop complaining about Backwards compatibility? "

" @Red said:

" When the crap will people stop complaining about Backwards compatibility? "

When it is finally implemented (somehow). Despite Sony touting it as the most powerful console on the market, the less powerful 360 and Wii both are backwards compatible. "

" @AgentJ said:

" @choffy21 said:

" @AgentJ said:

" @MB said:

" @AgentJ: Yeah it's all relative. $150 isn't exactly a lot of money. "

It is to me! I could buy two tacos at Jack in the Box 140 times a year with that money! I could buy 10-15 used games! "

$150 is half a pay check for a 16 year old, working 20 hours a week making minimum wage (a.k.a. me). "

So i'm stingy. Sue me. (I don't have a full time job, mostly because it would affect my grades. Some people can do college and work simultaneously. I don't think i could. I just make the pittance I do working for the newspaper) "

Same here. 16 year old senior, sports editor for the school newspaper and balance a job, allowing time to play games and keep my social life. It's all about balance man. You're going to have to learn how to balance more than one thing eventually. Might as well start now. "

" @choffy21 said:

" @Red said:

" When the crap will people stop complaining about Backwards compatibility? "

When it is finally implemented (somehow). Despite Sony touting it as the most powerful console on the market, the less powerful 360 and Wii both are backwards compatible. "

But everyone has a PS2. No one wants to play PS2 games anymore. If you do, get a bloody PS2. "

Wait, I think you forgot LittleBigPlanet, and the better version of FF13. Those are enough for me.

Yeah I think $300 is the sweet spot.........if that were the price in 2006.Don't get me wrong,I payed $600 for my 60gb launch system,but I'm a hardcore gamer.The fact that the PS3 is in last place is nobody's fault but Sony's.They were so damn cocky that they thought they could sell a console at an insane price and still achieve PS2 size sales.I don't feel sorry for them at all,they made their bed and now they have to lay in it.

" Wait, I think you forgot LittleBigPlanet, and the better version of FF13. Those are enough for me. "

" @AgentJ: It's people like you who didn't buy the PS3 in it's first year and instead complained about the price that made Sony cut corners to try and reduce the price so that they can appease you. But now you won't purchase the system because it has no BC.   I'm sorry Sony hasn't decided to just mail you a free PS3 yet, you just keep waiting until that happens. "

I have been holding off buying a PS3 due to its lack of games and the price. I already have a 360. However, I will probably get the new $300 dollar slim model because it is also a blue ray player, and most blue ray players are at least $250 anyway. Plus the PS3 is getting MAG, which is flippin amazing.

I have a PS3 that has the BC and do you know what I use it for Persona 4 that's it.

" I agree with Diamond. $199 is what I think the low-end SKU's for consoles should be at, with $150 being the price where I buy it no matter how little interest I have in it. "

Ok, this shit is ridiculous. First people bitch about the price being too high. Then when it lowers people bitch about no BC. There are loads of great PS3 games, so you won't be spending much time playing a PS2 game. If you're still thinking about PS2 games 3 years into this new generation, then just get a PS2 and quit bitching because BC isn't going to happen. Ever. 

" @MB said:

" I agree with Diamond. $199 is what I think the low-end SKU's for consoles should be at, with $150 being the price where I buy it no matter how little interest I have in it. "

The problem with the PS3 is that there is no "low-end" SKU, all of them have an HDD, wi-fi and bluetooth, if only Sony had told developers not to add mandatory installs they could release a 199 HDDless PS3. A few months ago we didn't know if the price cut was going to be this year or if it was a 50 o 100 bucks cut, it ended up being this year and the ps3 is now 299, please stop asking, 299 is an awesome price for an awesome platform, the console that is now a bit overpriced is the Wii. "

" Ok, this shit is ridiculous. First people bitch about the price being too high. Then when it lowers people bitch about no BC. There are loads of great PS3 games, so you won't be spending much time playing a PS2 game. If you're still thinking about PS2 games 3 years into this new generation, then just get a PS2 and quit bitching because BC isn't going to happen. Ever.  "

" @Valkyr said:

" @MB said:

" I agree with Diamond. $199 is what I think the low-end SKU's for consoles should be at, with $150 being the price where I buy it no matter how little interest I have in it. "

The problem with the PS3 is that there is no "low-end" SKU, all of them have an HDD, wi-fi and bluetooth, if only Sony had told developers not to add mandatory installs they could release a 199 HDDless PS3. A few months ago we didn't know if the price cut was going to be this year or if it was a 50 o 100 bucks cut, it ended up being this year and the ps3 is now 299, please stop asking, 299 is an awesome price for an awesome platform, the console that is now a bit overpriced is the Wii. "

There are games that dont do mandatory installs. And its not like an HDD for the ps3 is expensive, a 120gb HDD for the ps3 is around $60 while for the 360, MS is asking $150 for their 120gb. I remember paying like $500 for my elite and $600 for my ps3 both worth it. "

It very much is the sweetspot.  That is a very reasonable price for any console and is a legitimately competitive one.  Considering you also get a Blu-Ray player, it's a pretty good deal.
 
The issue I have and the reason I was reluctant to buy any console this generation (and why I'm primarily a PC gamer) is the cost of games these days.  $60 for new games?  Eff that jazz.  The PC is the only place where a consumer can get variable pricing on games.  Hell I've gotten hundreds of hours of entertainment out of number of games I can get for a full priced game these days.  Sure let's say I get a $299 PS3, but I could end up paying double that in games alone.  Now this does come from a kid without disposable income as of yet. 
 
And I'm REALLY jonesin' for a PS3 because of the exclusives it has and not just PS3 exclusives but games I can't get on the PC.  It's a shame that when you've committed to a platform, financially you gotta stay that way sometimes because I already payed near a grand for a machine that is very much a capable gaming machine.  Oh well.  I guess I'll wait 'till next year.

" I think the sweet spot for all consoles is about $150.  That's where consoles get the majority of their sales.  You can see why this will be a long generation.   I'm a hardcore gamer, to me PS3 was worth it at $600 when I bought it.  A lot of people aren't willing to do that sort of thing.  I'm definitely still more into console gaming even after getting this PC.  The exclusive games just aren't there on PC anymore. "

Well people can't complain about the price anymore. For $300 you're getting a PS3 AND the best Blu-ray player on the market.

" It very much is the sweetspot.  That is a very reasonable price for any console and is a legitimately competitive one.  Considering you also get a Blu-Ray player, it's a pretty good deal.  The issue I have and the reason I was reluctant to buy any console this generation (and why I'm primarily a PC gamer) is the cost of games these days.  $60 for new games?  Eff that jazz.  The PC is the only place where a consumer can get variable pricing on games.  Hell I've gotten hundreds of hours of entertainment out of number of games I can get for a full priced game these days.  Sure let's say I get a $299 PS3, but I could end up paying double that in games alone.  Now this does come from a kid without disposable income as of yet.   And I'm REALLY jonesin' for a PS3 because of the exclusives it has and not just PS3 exclusives but games I can't get on the PC.  It's a shame that when you've committed to a platform, financially you gotta stay that way sometimes because I already payed near a grand for a machine that is very much a capable gaming machine.  Oh well.  I guess I'll wait 'till next year. "

" Well people can't complain about the price anymore. For $300 you're getting a PS3 AND the best Blu-ray player on the market. "

" @LiquidPrince said:

" Well people can't complain about the price anymore. For $300 you're getting a PS3 AND the best Blu-ray player on the market. "

You do realize for someone that doesn't want to go out and buy all his movies again, that isn't really a benefit? I'm only saying that I'm waiting until the PS3 catches up in the two areas it's lagging behind its competition in. Is that too much to ask? "

" I think that the PS/PS2 list kind of dwarfs the PS3 list. "

" especially considering that we know of most of the games coming out for it for the next 1-2 years.  "

" @LiquidPrince: Does the PS3 do DTS Master Audio or Dolby True HD?Just wandering because if it doesn't then it's not the best Blu-ray option available. "

" @AgentJ said:

" @LiquidPrince said:

" Well people can't complain about the price anymore. For $300 you're getting a PS3 AND the best Blu-ray player on the market. "

You do realize for someone that doesn't want to go out and buy all his movies again, that isn't really a benefit? I'm only saying that I'm waiting until the PS3 catches up in the two areas it's lagging behind its competition in. Is that too much to ask? "

You don't have to go and rebuy them... It is a DVD player too. It's a great starting pont for people to start getting into Blu-ray and when you do, (most people do) then you'll even want to go out and buy some of those classics. Also what are those two areas? BC is non existent on the 360 and what else? "

" @AgentJ said:

" I think that the PS/PS2 list kind of dwarfs the PS3 list. "

Most definitely (at least my lists), but how they compare is not particularly important since it's not a one or the other choice. And since all PS3s can play PS1 games it's a bit disingenuous to use them in an opposing list.
 
@AgentJ said:

" especially considering that we know of most of the games coming out for it for the next 1-2 years.  "

Sure about that? "

" @Video_Game_King: How do you know which version of FFXIII is the "better one"?As far as I could tell from the trailers they've shown both the PS3 and Xbox360 versions look IDENTICAL. "

Ok people,you can't use the old "it's a great value because it has a Blu-ray player" line anymore,not when Wal-Mart is selling Blu-ray players for $98.That line worked when they were like $1000,but not anymore.

" Ok people,you can't use the old "it's a great value because it has a Blu-ray player" line anymore,not when Wal-Mart is selling Blu-ray players for $98.That line worked when they were like $1000,but not any more. "

" @Video_Game_King: That was messed up how they had all the discs just kinda thrown into the game box on Lost Odyssey,lol "

" @calidan777 said:

" @Video_Game_King: That was messed up how they had all the discs just kinda thrown into the game box on Lost Odyssey,lol "

The worst part was that they kept the fourth disc in a crappy paper sleeve. The only thing that could have topped that would be leaving it in there without support, the only justification being a note saying, "Hey, you're gonna have one disc in the 360, anyway, so..." "