PS3 is here

The PlayStation 3 is available in the UAE from today (22nd March 2007) at a recommended price of Dh2,499. About one million PS3 units will be made available during the initial launch period across the PAL territories of the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Australasia.

However, Sony Gulf confirms that initially only the deluxe 60GB model will be available at launch so that consumers can receive the full PS3 experience straight out of the box.

Purchasers of PS3 during the launch promotion will receive the James Bond movie Casino Royale on Blu-ray disc. A line-up of over 30 game titles (each costing Dh229) for PS3 are also availabl.

George Mathis of the New York Times News Service adds: Is the PlayStation 3 worth all the hype? Here's what you need to know:

What is it?
A next-generation console that promises games worthy of the latest high-definition televisions. The PS3 is available in two versions, both of which feature a Bluetooth controller, a Blu-Ray disk drive and standard Ethernet port. For the first time, PlayStation also has a hard drive, 20 gigabytes in the base version vs. 60 gigabytes in the deluxe unit. The more expensive model has built-in wireless capability, meaning it will work seamlessly with most home networks, allowing users to transfer music or photos onto the PS3 hard drive.

Why does your kid want it?
The PS3 features eight processors. A typical home computer has only one. Once developers get up to speed on spreading the workload among these processors, the realism in PS3 games will be unrivaled.

Higher-resolution games
The PS3's best resolution is 1080p (progressive scan) compared to 1080i (interlaced) for the Xbox. Sports and other motion-sensitive content – such as video games – appear smoother on a progressive scan monitor.

Interactivity
The wireless motion-sensor controller promises new levels of interactivity. Instead of pressing a button to escape an enemy's grasp during game play, players simply shake the controller. However, the PS3 version lacks a vibration feature available in Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 controllers.

Free online play
Sony promises an online experience similar to that of Xbox Live, Microsoft's immensely popular game subscription service - without an annual fee.

Backwards compatibility
All original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 discs should work on the new system, while most original Xbox games do not work on the Xbox 360.

Blu-Ray DVD drive plays high-definition movies
Blu-Ray discs can hold five times the data as traditional DVDs.
Compatible with traditional DVDs and audio CDs, Blu-Ray drives can quickly rip CDs to MP3s using built-in software.
Four USB ports can be used for peripherals including the keyboard or mouse.

GAMES AVAILABLE NOW