PS3 accessories, Blu-ray bundle revealed

October 20th, 2006, 17:23 Posted By: wraggster

In conjunction with its Gamers' Day event being held in San Francisco today, Sony revealed the first accessories for the PlayStation 3. The initial batch of add-ons for the next-generation console, which launches in the US on November 17, will be relatively modest, consisting of just four devices.

First up is the PS3 HDMI cable, which many high-definition televisions require to display graphics in 1080p resolution. The omission of the cable from the basic PS3 package caused a bit of a stir when it was first revealed in August, and its price probably won't help matters. The PS3 HDMI cable will sell for $49.99, higher than most HDMI cables on eBay (which can go for as low as $9.99), but lower than the "generic" PS3/360 HDMI cable that was listed on GameStop for $99.99. However, since the PS3 has a standard HDMI port, any HDMI cable should work with the console.

Far more affordable is the PS3 Memory Card Adapter, which will retail for $14.99. Though not necessary for saving PS3 games, the adapter is required for loading game saves from old PlayStation 2 and PlayStation memory cards. The PS3 is fully backward compatible with both consoles, and PS2 and PlayStation games will be made available for download Xbox Live Arcade style via the PlayStation Network Platform.

Sony will let gamers purchase extra units of the PS3's Sixaxis controller for $49.99 each. With its built-in Bluetooth wireless connectivity, the PS3 will support up to seven controllers at once, without a next-gen equivalent of a multitap extension.

As it did with the PlayStation 2, Sony is selling the media remote for the PS3 separately. The Blu-ray Disc Remote will go for $29.99 and will provide single-button controls for most of the PS3's media functionality.

Speaking of Blu-ray, Sony is planning to include a single movie on the high-definition format with each PS3 for a limited time, much like it bundled a UMD movie with the PSP in 2005. However, while the UMD film was Spider-Man 2, whose comic-book roots and special effects had undeniable gamer appeal, Sony's choice for the PS3's BD movie--the Will Ferrell NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby--will puzzle many.

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