PS3 Holiday Gift Guide
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Hardware | Games | Accessories
The PS3 might end up costing you a little more than the other platforms, but you end up getting a lot for what you pay for. With Blu-ray support, free online play and a growing catalog of great games, the recently discounted PS3 is well worth the investment. Here's some of our suggestions, should you decide to take the leap.
Hardware
PlayStation 3 Value Bundle - $369.00 [Walmart]
Stop what you're doing right now, and call your nearest Walmart to see if they still have any of these Black Friday bundles in stock. It includes a 120GB PlayStation 3, an extra controller, a Blu-ray movie remote, The Dark Knight on Blu-ray, and two incredible games for the console: inFamous and Batman: Arkham Asylum. If they've still got 'em, buy 'em -- this is an absolutely ridiculous offer.
120GB PlayStation 3 - $299.99 [compare prices]
Here's the most inexpensive option if you're looking to get into the PS3 racket. Comes with a ridiculously large hard drive, and all the accoutrements you need to start gaming right away.
250GB PlayStation 3 - $349.99 [compare prices]
We're not certain why you'd need one quarter of a terrabyte of storage on your PlayStation 3, but if you plan on downloading everything ever, then this might just be the SKU for you.
Games
Assassin's Creed II - $59.99 [compare prices]
Don't bother with the first entry in the franchise -- just pick up the recently released Assassin's Creed 2. It's prettier, faster and way more compelling than the original, and you should be able to follow it without knowing too much of the first game's backstory.
Batman: Arkham Asylum - $59.99 [compare prices]
Well, it's the best superhero game of all time, and easily one of the best titles to come out in 2009. If you're purchasing a PS3 for a Batman fan in your life, they want this more than you'll ever know.
Demon's Souls - $59.99 [compare prices]
With a difficulty level most would consider masochistic, this super-long RPG is going to beat the crap out of anyone you give it to. And they'll love every single second of it.
God of War Collection - $39.99 [compare prices]
It's two games! Two really, really good action games, originally from the PS2 era, which have been given new life (and new graphics) on the PlayStation 3.
inFamous - $39.99 [compare prices]
At last, the age-old question of "what would you do if you suddenly developed lightning-based super powers while living in the middle of a post-apocalyptic metropolis" is answered. (Hint: You blow things up in an awesome fashion.)
Killzone 2 - $59.99 [compare prices]
Arguably the most well-received first-person shooter on the platform, Killzone 2 does a great job of demonstrating the PS3's graphical strength while offering a fun, addictive online multiplayer mode to boot.
LittleBigPlanet - $49.99 [compare prices]
One of the best family-friendly and high-quality titles on the PS3 platform, LittleBigPlanet is a fun multiplayer platformer with one of the most powerful level-creation engines in video game history.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - $29.99 [compare prices]
If the recipient of your generosity is a fan of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, this one is a no-brainer. If they're not, there's still plenty to enjoy in MGS4 -- though the game's admittedly nebulous plot might be lost on them.
Uncharted - $29.99 [compare prices]
One of the first games to catch a lot of attention on the PS3, and one of the greatest action games of all time. Of course, it kind of pales in comparison to ...
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - $59.99 [compare prices]
Somewhat similar to its predecessor, only so much better. Uncharted 2 may just be the best game on the PS3 right now. Unless the person you're shopping for has some bizarre aversion to really satisfying cinematic action sequences, you should probably make this one a priority.
Wall-E (Blu-ray movie) - $19.99 [compare prices]
We're not talking about the mediocre Wall-E video game, mind you. Remember, the PS3 plays Blu-ray movies as well, and Wall-E looks absolutely spectacular in HD. Also, it's just a really good movie. It's got cute little robots.
Accessories
Dualshock Wireless Controller - $54.99 [compare prices]
You may want a few more of these -- particularly if you're hoping to hop around with friends in LittleBigPlanet. And by "hop around with friends," we of course mean "slap your friends into pits of lava."
PS3 Bluetooth Headset - $49.99 [compare prices]
If you've already got a Bluetooth (or even a USB) headset, it should be compatible with the PlayStation 3. If not, you'll need one of these if you want to chat with your friends (or enemies) on the PlayStation Network.
