So as can be seen by my profile, I now have a new gaming system. I purchased the PS3 60GB when the price cut was announced. I already had the PSP so I was playing around with the Remote Play feature (very cool). Because of the price cut, I purchased Ninja Gaiden Sigma (great game), Blazing Angels(good game but seems a little easy at times), and an extra controller. I couldn't be happier with the system. I'm researching now some HDD upgrades but I'm not getting warm fuzzies on the specific model of drive to get yet. I've looked into some and there are reviews of users who are finding that the replacement HDD is either running much slower than the OEM HDD,much hotter, or isn't physically fitting into the bay (footprint is too big). If anyone reads this and knows of a good replacement drive or has a suggestion, let me know.

As a gift, I was given LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth II for the 360. Love the game...hate the performance on my 360. I choose 3 or 4 groups and frame rate goes to 0 and then picks back up after a second or two. This also happens during larger battles. So annoying. I had to trade it in. I'll get it for the PC where I know the system will be able to handle the load.

I'm exceedingly happy with both the PS3 and the 360. I've been a fan of Play Station since the first one came out but play the 360 a lot too. I never thought I would be one of those people that had multiple systems, but there are compelling reasons for both systems. And now that I have these 2 consoles out of the way, what's another $250 for a Wii? ...and how do I hide it from the wife when I set it up ... (jk. She knows I'm a gamer. Love you, babe!)

Later...

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Work has been ungodly lately so I haven't really had time to do much here.  I did notice that I reached level 21...not b/c of a lot of activity, but b/c of the length of membership.  Unfortunately, I just don't have enough time in the day and gaming comes before commenting on gaming.  :~)

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I may be off, but I'm a little put off by this move by MS to put out another SKU for the 360.  It seems early in the life cycle of the 360 to upgrad the system with a brand new SKU.

I'm not sure what they really wanted to have happen.  Unless you have a lot of spare $, I don't think that any current owners are going to go for a more expensive unit.  So the real target market are those that don't have a 360 yet.

My personal opinion is that MS waited to see if the PS3 was really going to see at it's price point and then decided, "Hey, if people are really buying the PS3, lets upgrade our system and increase the price just enough that it's nearing the price point of the PS3.  People will obviously pay."

Just my opinion and a little disappointing to me.  Please feel free to agree or disagree.

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Well I finally had some time to run the data line and am online...kinda.  I'm not totally online yet, though.  I need to get an XBox Live account totally setup.  My gamer name is the same as my name on Gamespot.

I'm getting myself caught up on the achievement points thing and how they work.  Sometimes it can be a little intimidating seeing as how I have only 10 points out of 1000 in Gears of War (fun game)...but it will be fun trying to get the points up there.

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So the 360 is hooked up and goin' great!

There is a learning curve for me, though.  I have to get used to the controller.  With the obvious layout differences, I'm finding myself getting confused at times.  (you have to understand that I really haven't played any system besides the PS2 since it first came out)

I picked up a couple of games for the 360 with some gift cards I recieved (Gears of War, Splinter Cell) and also got LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth II as a gift.  Since I like racing sims, I also found PGR 3 for $20 at Gamespot.

I'm re-running a data line to the gaming area in the family room as I had only really patched together a line for the PS2 and it didn't look that pretty.  So until I'm finished, I'm only on the local box.  When I'm done, I hope to see some of you online.

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I have been waiting for the PS3 to come out for a long time.  Now that it's finally out, I haven't picked one up.  Why?  Because of the final cost of getting everything.  So for right now, I'm getting the XBox360 this year. 

It actually works out for the best.  I'll get the 360 this year and then get the PS3 next year.  Normally I would only have one system.  But by next Christmas, I'll have two.

It isn't b/c I think that the 360 is better, but it is cheaper and can more easily fit into the budget this year (especially since both the stove and dishwasher decided to bite the dust in November).