PlayStation 3 – 320 GB System/PlayStation Move Bundle
Ever since the launch of Slim, the PS3 has been undertaking a quiet revolution or… could it be the console’s midlife crisis? 
Here’s what happened recently – and I will only note the more important developments going 12 months back (writing this in Oct., 2010):
- NetFLIX streaming, now disc-less, 1080p, 5.1 surround sound
- Much larger disc (this one is triple the size of the original Slim)
- Move
- 3D gaming
- Blu-ray 3D
This is a lot of new ‘stuff’ for a 4 year old console. I am not going to go into bean-counting mode and compare the PS3 improvements with what we see at the other guys but, clearly there is a lot of life in the PS3 and a lot of what the PS3 has to offer today – 3D gaming, Blu-ray 3D – either cannot be duplicated or is unlikely to be implemented by other consoles of this generation.
I went out and bought my PS3 320GB Console w/ Playstation Move this morning and must say that I’m pleasantly surprised at how accurate and fun Move is. As stated in the description, the bundle comes with the 320GB Slim PS3 console, a Dualshock controller, the Playstation Vision Cam, the Playstation Move controller and Sports Champions which is a game that is PSMove supported.
Concerning the Sports Champions game, it’s a great way to get introduced to the controls of the new PSMove but it’s not a breathtaking stand-alone experience. All that didn’t really matter to me though as I wasn’t looking for something captivating but more so a tutorial for the controls. It’s very easy to pick up and learn so it should supply loads of fun for gamers of any age.
Our review will take a look at the PlayStation Move Starter Bundle, which will retail for $100 when it’s released September 17. It includes a Move controller, a PlayStation Eye camera, and a copy of Sports Champions. We’ll also look at other PlayStation Move titles we’ve been able to test out, along with whether we think the Move is worth a purchase if you already own a Nintendo Wii.
The standard PlayStation Move controller
The standard PlayStation Move controller has a rubberized ball on top that’s capable of switching colors via LED lights that are embedded at the bottom of the ball. We’ve been told that this functionality was included in the remote so that the device could change color if clothing or background interfered with what the PlayStation Eye could distinguish.
Most of the DualShock 3′s buttons are represented on the Move controller, except L and R buttons. Instead, the Move controller replaces them with a standard “T” trigger button and an “OK” central button that has the PlayStation Move logo emblazoned on it.
The Navigation controller
Though the Navigation controller is not included in the bundle reviewed here, it is available separately for $30. The Navigation controller can be used in tandem with the Move controller to play certain games, like SOCOM 4. That said, during our testing with the software samples that Sony supplied us, we almost never had to use the device.
The Move controller and
Navigation controller each have USB ports (just like the one found on a DualShock 3) so it’ll first need to be paired to the console via a wired connection. Additionally, that port is used to charge both devices.
Sports Champions
The game included with the Move Starter Bundle is Sports Champions, Sony’s take on Wii Sports. Though Sports Champions only includes Disc Golf, Archery, Table Tennis, Gladiator Duel, Beach Volleyball, and Bocce Ball, these games feel much more fleshed out and give the player a healthy number of options and unlockables.
Conclusion
To be clear, the PlayStation Move has shown that it’s capable of some of the best motion controls we’ve seen in a game. That said, we’re just not sure the launch library of titles provides a compelling reason to spend $100 on the new technology. Sure, we think adding on Move support with pre-existing and yet-to-be released games is a nice touch, but we don’t think that justifies purchasing new hardware for only the option to play it with the Move.
As more titles release for the Move, we’ll certainly reconsider our current rating. But for its launch date of September 17, we think gamers will need to think twice before they pull the trigger.
If there’s one thing we’re learning about motion controlled gaming, it’s that we’re not sure this is what the hard-core gaming audience wants.
