Gaming Would it be worth it to buy a PS3 now?

[Ykr1113]

Well, I dont plan on updating to next gen for a little while because they literally have 3 games out. So would it be worth it? And any clue on how long the online servers will stick around?
Another question can you run homebrew on a ps3? Like for example run emulators? Even iso's? If so what model would you recommend? Thank you

 

[ilman]

Well, I dont plan on updating to next gen for a little while because they literally have 3 games out. So would it be worth it? And any clue on how long the online servers will stick around?
Another question can you run homebrew on a ps3? Like for example run emulators? Even iso's? If so what model would you recommend? Thank you

If you want a hackable PS3, you'll need to find either a Fat or an early Slim one. Super Slims are out of the question in terms of homebrew.
What you want your PS3 to have is Official FirmWare (OFW) 3.55 or lower.
If you get a Fat or an early Slim with a higher OFW there is a way to downgrade (via a flasher, which is gonna cost you 60$).
I suggest you go around some local shops and ask the person to check which Firmware it has. That way you can get the Slim, which has a lower failure rate than the Fat.

As for homebrew, there are a couple of emulators here and there (Retroarch), but it's nothing compared to the Wii.
For backups, you're going to need a program called Multiman and they are going to fill up quite a bit of your HDD.

Pretty much my 2 cents.

Tip: Pre-3.55 Slims usually have a production date before 2010. That's an easy way to check. If it's after 2010, you'll need to check manually.

 

[Ykr1113]

If you want a hackable PS3, you'll need to find either a Fat or an early Slim one. Super Slims are out of the question in terms of homebrew.
What you want your PS3 to have is Official FirmWare (OFW) 3.55 or lower.
If you get a Fat or an early Slim with a higher OFW there is a way to downgrade (via a flasher, which is gonna cost you 60$).
I suggest you go around some local shops and ask the person to check which Firmware it has. That way you can get the Slim, which has a lower failure rate than the Fat.

As for homebrew, there are a couple of emulators here and there (Retroarch), but it's nothing compared to the Wii.
For backups, you're going to need a program called Multiman and they are going to fill up quite a bit of your HDD.

Pretty much my 2 cents.

Tip: Pre-3.55 Slims usually have a production date before 2010. That's an easy way to check. If it's after 2010, you'll need to check manually.

"Failure Rate"? What could happen? So I'm guessing I'd have to most likely look for a refurbished or used one? Because I doubt they sell the old ones before 2010 as new.

 

[ilman]

"Failure Rate"? What could happen? So I'm guessing I'd have to most likely look for a refurbished or used one? Because I doubt they sell the old ones before 2010 as new.

Used is your best bet, although there is a chance that someone might have updated it and you'll need to downgrade.
And by failure rate I mean the Yellow Light Of Death(YLOD). It happens a lot more often on Fats than on Slims.

 

[Ykr1113]

Used is your best bet, although there is a chance that someone might have updated it and you'll need to downgrade.
And by failure rate I mean the Yellow Light Of Death(YLOD). It happens a lot more often on Fats than on Slims.

So I guess I'll just have to get it checked when I'm purchasing it. Also if you use backups can you play online?

 

[ilman]

So I guess I'll just have to get it checked when I'm purchasing it. Also if you use backups can you play online?

You can play, but you will get banned eventually.
It can range from a week to several years.
So, don't get PS+ on the account on your PS3.

 

[Ykr1113]

You can play, but you will get banned eventually.
It can range from a week to several years.
So, don't get PS+ on the account on your PS3.

Well Judging from that I'd rather just game share instead of playing backups. I probbably sound so cheap right about now but I dont want to spend alot on whats currently outdated even though I prefer it.
So If I run homebrew on it have backups but dont play online with them but have ps+ at the same time, can I still be banned even if I play online with a legit copy of a game but have backups and homebrew
on my system?

 

[cearp]

Super Slims are out of the question in terms of homebrew.

that's not true, cfw syscalls are not available to homebrew running on ofw (using an ode), but you can still run homebrew.

 

[Ykr1113]

that's not true, cfw syscalls are not available to homebrew running on ofw (using an ode), but you can still run homebrew.

On latest firmware?

 

[ilman]

Well Judging from that I'd rather just game share instead of playing backups. I probbably sound so cheap right about now but I dont want to spend alot on whats currently outdated even though I prefer it.
So If I run homebrew on it have backups but dont play online with them but have ps+ at the same time, can I still be banned even if I play online with a legit copy of a game but have backups and homebrew
on my system?

If you don't play online with backups you should be fine.

that's not true, cfw syscalls are not available to homebrew running on ofw (using an ode), but you can still run homebrew.

I know about ODEs, but they can be a pain to set up and I personally tend to avoid them. Also, as you said CFW syscalls aren't available, so using an ODE will break compatibility with some homebrew.

As for the OP: Use an ODE only if you accidentally get a non-moddable PS3. Otherwise stick to CFW. It provides a lot more functionality (although I'm not certain if ODEs are detectable in online play).

Edit:

On latest firmware?

Yes, ODEs run on latest firmware.

 

[Foxi4]

If you are interested in a library of 750+ games then yes, it's perfectly reasonable to buy one today. The PS4 does not offer backwards compatibility, so even if you save up for that, you'll still miss out on a lot of games.

 

[Arras]

"Failure Rate"? What could happen? So I'm guessing I'd have to most likely look for a refurbished or used one? Because I doubt they sell the old ones before 2010 as new.

From my personal experience, I have had 3 Phats and all of them got a YLOD eventually. My Slim is still going strong, so if you can, get one of those.

 

[Ykr1113]

If you don't play online with backups you should be fine.



I know about ODEs, but they can be a pain to set up and I personally tend to avoid them. Also, as you said CFW syscalls aren't available, so using an ODE will break compatibility with some homebrew.

As for the OP: Use an ODE only if you accidentally get a non-moddable PS3. Otherwise stick to CFW. It provides a lot more functionality (although I'm not certain if ODEs are detectable in online play).

Edit:

Yes, ODEs run on latest firmware.

Ah I see, well I'd like to thank you for being so patient with me and answering all of my questions. While we were having the conversation I did some research at the same time and feel that I am knowledgable
to go out and get a ps3 and soft mod the shit out of it. Thank you!
BTW still open to any other warnings.

From my personal experience, I have had 3 Phats and all of them got a YLOD eventually. My Slim is still going strong, so if you can, get one of those.

Is a pre 2010 slim easy to find though?

If you are interested in a library of 750+ games then yes, it's perfectly reasonable to buy one today. The PS4 does not offer backwards compatibility, so even if you save up for that, you'll still miss out on a lot of games.

That's honestly exactly why I am interested, wont be going next gen for 2-3 years.

 

[Arras]

Ah I see, well I'd like to thank you for being so patient with me and answering all of my questions. While we were having the conversation I did some research at the same time and feel that I am knowledgable
to go out and get a ps3 and soft mod the shit out of it. Thank you!
BTW still open to any other warnings.



Is a pre 2010 slim easy to find though?
That's honestly exactly why I am interested, wont be going next gen for 2-3 years.

I don't know, mine is non-modded. I have no idea how you'd go about finding one. All I know is that if you get a phat, chances are you'll end up having to fix it at the very least once.

 

[Ykr1113]

I don't know, mine is non-modded. I have no idea how you'd go about finding one. All I know is that if you get a phat, chances are you'll end up having to fix it at the very least once.

Hmm well thank you for the insight.

 

[ilman]

On the topic of emulation, I will also mention that PS1 games are fully playable and many PS2 games can also be played via PS2 Classics.
Just pointing out that there can be a lot more than 750+ games.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

Depends what you're going to use it for.

The games for it are pretty cheap now, as well as Blu-ray films and series but if you want PS2-BC then you'll need to look for a fatty PS3 compatible unless you hack it. I read hackable PS3s with the "PS2 Classic" thing works.

Also, with a hacked PS3 it seems that you can play PSP games on it which I wish I could do on my legit PS3 but Sony doesn't allow me. >_<

 

[Mario92]

I would almost like to say just completely trash the CFW idea. It's already pretty good media device with relatively cheap games so benefits from CFW is pretty low compared to what kind of device you actually have to find to actually install CFW. However either way regular slim model is best bet.
Either with PS+ extra discound with sales or second hand copies most games won't cost more than couple euros. Actually I'm amazed when I bought Ni No Kuni for 7€!

Online services most likely will be supported for long time because of PS+ and how every Sony device uses same store and some games are available for multiple devices with same purchare. Actually when you think about it they could just milk PS3 out with PS+ forever and that way keep services running. When they finally decide to shut it down they will most likely still keep store open to redownload everything.

On the topic of emulation, I will also mention that PS1 games are fully playable and many PS2 games can also be played via PS2 Classics.

Just pointing out that there can be a lot more than 750+ games.

PS1 games are also playable with PSP, Vita and PS4 but what about PS2 Classics? Do they work with PS4?

 

[fatsquirrel]

I bought one few months back, and I dont regret that decision at all.
HUGE library of games, and awesome console which will last you for years.

 

[Ykr1113]

I would almost like to say just completely trash the CFW idea. It's already pretty good media device with relatively cheap games so benefits from CFW is pretty low compared to what kind of device you actually have to find to actually install CFW. However either way regular slim model is best bet.
Either with PS+ extra discound with sales or second hand copies most games won't cost more than couple euros. Actually I'm amazed when I bought Ni No Kuni for 7€!

Online services most likely will be supported for long time because of PS+ and how every Sony device uses same store and some games are available for multiple devices with same purchare. Actually when you think about it they could just milk PS3 out with PS+ forever and that way keep services running. When they finally decide to shut it down they will most likely still keep store open to redownload everything.


PS1 games are also playable with PSP, Vita and PS4 but what about PS2 Classics? Do they work with PS4?

What are the cons of the super slim?
Soooooooo reconsidering the fact that I bought an xbox 360 2 years ago :|