Christmas PS3 Blues

Patience is a virtue, and you're going to have to be pretty virtuous if you're one of the millions of UK PlayStation Fans awaiting the arrival of the ps3. As if it wasn't bad enough we had to rewrite our letters to Santa this year (because it now won't hit our shelves until March), we're also all going to be green with envy as the web fills up with the usual reviews, cheats, and walkthroughs etc from sites in the States where they will get their hands on the console from November 17th.

Personally, my patience (lost my virtue a long time ago) ran out already, and my craving for HD gaming led me to the xbox 360. I suspect many others will do the same this Christmas and I don't blame you. To not release the most hyped console of all time for Christmas has got to be the craziest decision Sony has made (apart from the choice of software packed with their MP3 Walkman - but don't get me started on that one). It can't even be based on format because the ps3 will be region free, and you can play any ps3 game on it no matter what part of the world you bought it from.

If you do decide to cut your losses and go for the xbox 360 you won't be disappointed, I certainly haven't been. But you should be aware that in their hurry to steal the HD gaming market, Microsoft left a couple of jobs as 'work in progress'. Although the list is growing, the xbox 360 still only plays a handful of original xbox games. If you're starting afresh that?s fine, but if you've got a hefty back-catalogue of xbox titles you were planning to play then that?s a real bummer. Backwards compatibility was a target that simply wasn't reached in time for release and early release was obviously of greater importance to Microsoft than it appears to be for Sony.

However, if you're a PlayStation purist, or simply do not fancy the xbox 360 or the nintendo Wii, then your virtue will be well rewarded. Although I find it difficult to understand some of Sony's business decisions, I can fully understand the hype surrounding the ps3. It will be without doubt the most powerful domestic games console available, boasting the 'Cell' processor, twelve times faster than processors found in top range PC's. The ps3 will also offer 'Blue-ray' technology which Sony are heavily promoting to take over from DVD, as well as offering free 'out of the box' online gaming (broadband connection required).

All of this extra 'oomph' inevitably comes at a cost, and you should expect to pay more for the prestige of owning such a machine. You'll also need to keep an eye on game prices too from November and compare them to its rivals, afterall there is no point owning the thing if you have to rob a bank every time you want something to play on it. On the plus side it will play any PS2 or PS1 titles you have tucked away.

Whatever you decide, have a happy Christmas, and keep on gaming !

Rob O'Neill is owner of console Fun, the one stop shop for information on video games consoles including xbox, xbox 360, PS1, PS2, ps3, PSP, nintendo gamecube, Wii, and DS.

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Premiership Betting Review - 5 February 2006

Alan Shearer broke Jackie Milburn's all-time newcastle scoring record with his 201st goal in a vital 2-0 win over relegation strugglers Portsmouth. The Magpies were playing their first match under temporary manager Glenn Roeder and were 4/5 to win before kick off. An opener from Charles NZogbia and a second from Shearer gave newcastle their first premiership win in seven attempts.

In another personal goal scoring feat, Thierry Henry netted his 200th goal for arsenal as the Gunners overcame their away day fragility to win 2-0 at Birmingham City. Arsene Wengers side had not won away since beating Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day and will have had plenty of support at 11/10 against bottom-three Birmingham. A debut goal for Emmanuel Adebayor and Henrys landmark strike was enough to keep arsenal in fifth place.

chelsea extended their lead at the top of the premiership by 15 points after beating liverpool 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The rather generous 10/11 on offer of a home win will have had punters drooling and goals for William Gallas and Hernan Crespo secured the Blues 21st win in 24 league matches this season.

West Bromwich Albion did their relegation battle the power of good with a convincing 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns. The Baggies have won more home games than any of their rivals in the bottom seven and were an attractive proposition to punters at 19/10. Kevin Campbell marked his 36th birthday with a goal and Jonathan Greening secured the points after 32 minutes.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough slipped closer to the relegation places when they succumbed 4-0 at home to Aston Villa. A Luke Moore hat-trick and one for former england striker Kevin Phillips secured victory at 21/10 and Middlesbrough, with just one win in their last 11 premiership matches, can be backed at 9/2 for relegation.

West Ham united condemned Sunderland to their fifth defeat in six league matches with a 2-0 win at Upton Park. At 1/2, the Hammers will have been on many punters accumulators but it took until 81 minutes for Dean Ashton to break the deadlock and repay some of the 7.25 million invested in him.

On sunday, Jermaine Defoe continued Tottenham's claims for a Champions league spot with a brace against former club Charlton Athletic. Despite never beating thr Addicks at home in the premiership, Spurs were odds on at 4/5 before kick off. Two Defoe goals sandwiched Jermain Jenas strike while Jerome Thomas goal after 70 minutes was a mere consolation for Charlton.

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