Darren joins the twenty-first century

No, I didn't get a mobile phone (that would be joining the twentieth century). Last night I finally got a Playstation 3.

This was really the one good thing to come out of getting robbed a month or two ago. I used the insurance payout on my stolen PS2, and put in a bit more cash, to upgrade to the PS3.

First of all though I needed games, so took all my old PS2 games to JB Hi-Fi at lunch time to trade them in. I got $118 in credit, which I thought was pretty good considering how dated some of the games were. I mean, who is going to go and buy a five year old second hand copy of NBA Live 03 for their Playstation? Anyway I used the credit to get a copy of "The Simpsons Game" for PS3, as well as a second controller (since I'm still planning on having some human contact, even with my awesome new gaming system).

So with my new game and extra controller in hand, I went to the games shop as specified by my insurance provider to pick up my new console after work last night. It was the same place they sent me the last time my Playstation got stolen a few years ago - a dark, dingy specialist games store on Payneham Road. Of course, this wasn't terribly convenient for me, since I work in the city and live on the other side of town, but I guess it was cheaper for the insurance company. Anyway, I got there a bit after five, and I swear the place hadn't changed in the last few years. The place was overrun with old games - and I'm talking PS1 and Nintendo 64 - which I can't see them ever selling. Especially since they were all still marked with their original prices. I kind of wanted to pick up a copy of "Golden Eye" and say "I'll take it - $49 right?". The whole place was just horribly depressing. After getting the console sorted out, the guy who worked there tried to convince me to outlay for a game, and when I declined he said "No worries, well you know where we are now" like I'd be back. Short of getting this Playstation stolen, I don't see it happening.

So I got it home and fired it all up last night and was rather happy with the whole thing. My first impressions of The Simpsons Game are that it isn't very challenging, which is good, since I'm not particularly skilled as a video games player. It's quite funny too, all of the comments made by the characters. My favourite was a conversation I heard passing Officer Lou and Martin on the street, with Lou complaining about some chocolates that Martin had sold him, and whether almond was an acceptable subsitute for rice in a "Crunch" chocolate bar. I also liked the cut scenes, which were basically like watching an episode of The Simpsons.

Today I went out and got some component video cables so I can use the system in HD, and more importantly, watch Blu-Ray movies on it in full high definition. I'm guessing I won't be leaving the house too much in the next few weeks . . .