Topic: Buy a PS3 now?

For quite a while lately, I've been wanting to get a PlayStation 3. There are so many great games that I'd like to own and play on that console, but then there's the PS4, which I'm interested in. I heard there's a service for the PS4 that lets you play past PS3 games, but I also heard that the games are only streamed — not downloaded. In addition, I'm more of a physical copy kind-of-guy.
The burning questions: is it too late to buy a PS3, and should I get one? If you recommend one, which model? Note: I plan on getting a PS4 in the future when Kingdom Hearts 3 is released, but since it isn't backwards-compatible, I don't want to bother with it at the moment.

It's never too late to get into a system. The PS3 has a very large library (Much of which is really really cheap right now, new), has great multimedia functionality, and is fairly cheap. Heck, it's still getting new games announced for it.

As a PS3 owner, I would say get one and hold off on the PS4 until it gets cheaper and the library builds up. With the PS3, you have hundreds of games to choose from, all of which cover a wide array of genres. I noticed you brought up Kingdom Hearts 3, did you know the PS3 got an HD port of Kingdom Hearts 1 that also includes Chain of Memories? Not to mention, an HD Port of Kingdom Hearts 2 has also been announced for the PS3, that includes HD Ports of Kingdom Hearts 2, Birth by Sleep, and Recoded.

The PS3 is also a good system if you are into JRPGs. As I said before, the PS3 has a vast library, and arguably has the best selection of games out of any system that is currently out on the market.

You also have PS1 and PS2 classics that can be downloaded as well, along with tons of other classic games from previous generation on the shop.

The PS3 also has robust multimedia features, and is still one of the best Blu-Ray players on the market.

You really can't go wrong with a PS3 at this point. Its built up a sizable library of great games, has numerous classics from past generations on the Playstation store, and is a good multimedia machine. I would hold off on the PS4 for another few years and go with a PS3. Discover the classic games on the system, while the next-gen platforms build up their own library of games. One good thing is that the PS3 is still getting good support, and will have several high-profile games released for it this year.

I bought a PS3 a couple months ago. It's easily worth it, especially if you get PS+ with it. I managed to grab Tomb Raider, BioShock Infinite, Borderlands 2, Batman: Arkham City, Shadow of the Colossus, PES 2014, NBA 2K14, Metro: Last Light, and a whole bunch of others for free, and a bunch of other great games for ridiculously low sale prices.

To be fair though, you're better off getting the far superior Xbox 360 instead... The games run better and have high quality textures compared to the PS3

PS3 has a ton of good software, is much cheaper, and will probably be supported to some extent for a few more years. The PS4 will probably take a few years to start getting decent support, is more expensive, but is also more technically impressive and obviously much more future-proof. The big AAA releases will likely start going to PS4 from now on. I will again hasten to note that, due to it being a new console, there is a dearth of good software, and will likely continue to be until next year.

It kinda depends. Call of Duty and Elder Scroll games tend to look better on the Xbox 360, but I've seen other games like Castlevania: Lords of Shadows that look better on the PS3. It depends more on which system was the lead platform during development.

Although in my opinion, I think PS3 exclusives look much better than Xbox 360 exclusives.. That, and you don't have to pay a fee to play PS3 games online

I guess it depends more on if you want to just watch your games (PS3) or actually play your games (Xbox 360)

Well my PS4 is basically gathering dust now that I'm done with Black Flag and Infamous. My 360 I haven't even had plugged in .. in like 2-2.5 years. In the end it depends on what games you intend to play but by now the PS3 has a pretty good library (not PS2 level good mind you of course). But there is something for everyone. The exclusives are definitely the big draw over the the 360 except if you are into Halo. As you mentioned there will be no BW compability with PS4 for PS3 games except via streaming. Still you are probably better off getting a PS3 and playing the games you like locally.
Not sure if it is your cup of tea but don'T forget that Persona 5 is still coming to PS3 next year, which to me ensures that my PS3 will stay connected for the forseeable future

No.
There is a VERY good chance that Sony drops the price(which should have already been done) before the year is out.

I will say though, this is probably going to be the case. OP should probably keep this in mind before making a decision.

I got a PS3 only a couple of months ago and don't regret my decision, as others have said you may wait until after E3 to see if there's a price drop but you can also look for a used one, they go for cheap on ebay...... PS3 is better than PS4 at the moment, lots of games and PS store have very frequent sales so you can get games at good prices, older PS3 games are also cheap used if you are into physical copies..... The PS3 also have a few upcoming high profile titles, mainly JRPGs, Kindgom Hearts 2.5 HD remix, Talex of Xillia 2, Tales of Zestiria and Persona 5 so its not totally a dead console like the 360

Thanks so much for the responses! I really would like to get one, as I'm interested in titles like Persona 5, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Tales of Xillia 2, Kingdom Hearts HD Remixes, a whole bunch of JRPGs...whew, the list goes on. I'll wait until after E3 and see if I'd like to get it much sooner, although the decision process may be a bit lengthy.

Definitely. It has a large and great software library. Even without buying any games, a PS3 with a PS+ subscription offers a ton of value. I've been a PS3 owner since launch in 2006 and I STILL have a fairly large backlog to work though.

Shame, but you just missed a great RPG flash sale too. There were about a dozen JRPGs on sale for up to 75% off.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/06/03/flash-sale-over-15-...

I'm still deciding between a PS3 and a Vita myself, though I probably won't get either this year.

I would honestly just get a new console. Even if the new consoles don't have as many games, they will eventually. I'm not a huge RPG fan, so my opinion might not be as in line, but if I really wanted RPGs, I'd get some for 3DS, wait for X(which I am getting for sure) and get whatever system KH3 and FFXV are on.

If you're still set on PS3, you might want to wait for a price drop, and after this year's E3.

You'll want both.

Source: The Almighty Himself ordains it.

Don't buy a PS4 yet if you're looking for hardware to play JRPGS on.

Gamers do that every gen and end up waiting or feeling burnt when games that they think are being released soon take a while or dont come at all. Most Japanese publishers wont be making the transition over to the new hardware for another year or two at the earliest. If you're looking to play games from Squeenix, Atlus, Namco, etc then the PS3 is the console to get. This year is a pretty good time to get one too.

Nice YouTube channel btw.

Yeah wait to see if there is a price cut if not buy it anyway, the system is quite affordable (so are the games) the library is fantastic (especially for RPGs) now is the best time to get one as 8th gen has been off to a slow start all round there is no real need to get a PS4 or Xbox One just yet.

I want a ps3 as well, but I'll wait till a price drop, maybe that will make used ones cheaper too.