I actually saw this question come up a while back on some gaming forums. It is not the first time either, so I thought I would address it here.
The just of it is this: Many people want to start a collection but are unsure of where to put it or how to take care of it. Others are worried about the money that you have to sink in and even others are worried about which consoles to start with. I will try to answer all of these questions. If you have more, leave them in the comments! I was a moderator for a while on a major gaming website and worked for a major gaming retailer before that. I have heard all kinds of questions and know some pretty obscure stuff...remembering it for the blog can be the hard part.
1) If you are living in a small space, like an apartment, think of renting a climate controlled storage unit. This is just a good idea in general. Even with renter's insurance (which you NEED. It is very cheap and very worth it) there are some things you just cannot replace. If you find yourself running out of room, put your discs in CD cases and leave the boxes/jewel cases in storage.
2) Taking care of a gaming collection is pretty easy. Keep it out of direct sunlight and make sure that the humidity in the room is not too high. In addition, you want to make sure that the temperature never gets to hot (or cold) if possible. I live in the deep south and have no central A/C or heat. I know you guys are thinking it doesn't get cold here...think again. I live in a sun room with little insulation. Things have iced over in the night before. I have had to make sure that my collection is in a normal "room temperature" climate so that nothing gets warped or brittle. For most, this will not be a huge issue, but I know there are people like me out there so I wanted to go ahead and address it. This is another good reason to have that storage space!
3) Money. Check out my last blog on the matter!
4) Where to start: Start collecting wherever you like! If you only own one console right now, start looking up games for it that have gone down in price, but you know you would love to play. There are also tons of awesome collectibles on Ebay. I have recently started collecting the Gameboy comics. There were only about 4-5 issues made, but they are easily found for about $6 each including shipping. They are cheap, fun things to add to a collection.
If you have more money to spend, I highly recommend finding another console you think you would enjoy and buying it. Research its library of games first of course, and start collecting! Basically just know what your interests and favorite genres are and do some research.
The next two blogs for the week will focus on the 3rd Gen PS3 bundles and early Harvest Moon games.
Once again, thanks for reading!
Showing posts with label gaming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gaming. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
Collecting Tips - How to Collect on a Budget
In this economy, most people are on a budget, especially those in my age range. I just graduated with my undergrad, but as everyone knows, jobs don't come crawling to you. In fact I have been living at or below the poverty line for some time. There have been times where $25 was the budget me and my husband had for "entertainment" (movies, games, museums, etc.) for the month.
This does NOT mean you cannot collect games though. Here are some ways to collect on a budget. Sure, the games might be a little worn, but playing them is what counts when you need some fun in your life!
1) Go old school: Dust off those older consoles and buy games for them. Remember that the PS2 has the biggest gaming library of any console for example. Search around online for games that were under rated and did not sell well. I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a game for under $5.
2) Price check/compare all the time: While you may think that Ebay and Amazon are going to have the best deals, this is not always the case. Retail chains like GameStop and 2nd and Charles that sell used games are now trying to stay competitive with online retailers. If you see a game you like, pull out your phone and check all the major websites for their prices. In addition to this, retail chains will mark down games even more if they think they are too damaged. Ask to take a look at these super marked down games. There have been countless times where the game was actually fine besides one or two minor scratches that, for some reason, someone thought were major issues.
Here are some quick tips about scratches: If you can run your fingernail across it and it doesn't catch, it usually will not be a problem. Use common sense for these on the underside. Also, remember that scratches on TOP of the disc are the ones that are going to make it unplayable. Often, the underside will be fine, but the staff will miss these marks on the top. It is a good reason to check any disc.
3) Check out local stores, thrift shops, Goodwills, and flea markets/swap meets/bazaars (whatever they are called where you live): You will be surprised at the little treasures you can find on occasion. Sometimes people simply do not know what they have or what they donated to the Goodwill and you can find some rare stuff super super cheap.
4) Don't let a dirty/beat up box deter you: If the box is dirty, they can be cleaned with the right solutions. I will have a blog dedicated to that soon. For now, non-acidic cleaners (water and a little Dove soap) and Goo Gone for the stickers. If the box is beyond repair, but the disc is okay, you can find replacement boxes online (usually) for a couple of dollars, unless it is a super rare game. In that case, go ahead and buy that thing if you find it cheap and screw that ugly box!
5) Keep all receipts: I know this one is common sense, but they are easy to lose. To not do so, keep them inside the box with the game until you play test it. If you don't want to do this, create a folder for them.
Once again, thanks for reading! Next week I will be talking a bit about my experience selling video games and how we were not all just high pressure sales demons. We can actually be quite helpful!
This does NOT mean you cannot collect games though. Here are some ways to collect on a budget. Sure, the games might be a little worn, but playing them is what counts when you need some fun in your life!
1) Go old school: Dust off those older consoles and buy games for them. Remember that the PS2 has the biggest gaming library of any console for example. Search around online for games that were under rated and did not sell well. I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a game for under $5.
2) Price check/compare all the time: While you may think that Ebay and Amazon are going to have the best deals, this is not always the case. Retail chains like GameStop and 2nd and Charles that sell used games are now trying to stay competitive with online retailers. If you see a game you like, pull out your phone and check all the major websites for their prices. In addition to this, retail chains will mark down games even more if they think they are too damaged. Ask to take a look at these super marked down games. There have been countless times where the game was actually fine besides one or two minor scratches that, for some reason, someone thought were major issues.
Here are some quick tips about scratches: If you can run your fingernail across it and it doesn't catch, it usually will not be a problem. Use common sense for these on the underside. Also, remember that scratches on TOP of the disc are the ones that are going to make it unplayable. Often, the underside will be fine, but the staff will miss these marks on the top. It is a good reason to check any disc.
3) Check out local stores, thrift shops, Goodwills, and flea markets/swap meets/bazaars (whatever they are called where you live): You will be surprised at the little treasures you can find on occasion. Sometimes people simply do not know what they have or what they donated to the Goodwill and you can find some rare stuff super super cheap.
4) Don't let a dirty/beat up box deter you: If the box is dirty, they can be cleaned with the right solutions. I will have a blog dedicated to that soon. For now, non-acidic cleaners (water and a little Dove soap) and Goo Gone for the stickers. If the box is beyond repair, but the disc is okay, you can find replacement boxes online (usually) for a couple of dollars, unless it is a super rare game. In that case, go ahead and buy that thing if you find it cheap and screw that ugly box!
5) Keep all receipts: I know this one is common sense, but they are easy to lose. To not do so, keep them inside the box with the game until you play test it. If you don't want to do this, create a folder for them.
Once again, thanks for reading! Next week I will be talking a bit about my experience selling video games and how we were not all just high pressure sales demons. We can actually be quite helpful!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
General Update
Next week, as promised, I will be bringing you blogs on the many PS3 bundles and what they included. Much like I had to do this week, I am probably going to have to break this up into several blogs. However, they will all come out next week.
As to what will be covered: I will mainly be going over what was included in the bundle with a focus on the collectibles. I will point out the storage size and the model number of the PS3 as well. I will try not to re-cover anything I have already gone over, as I don't want to bore people to tears.
New schedule:
I have decided to add to my schedule and will attempt to stick to it as best I can. If I cannot, I will post an update stating when to expect new blog posts to be up. I shouldn't be off by more than a day or two because I generally work pretty far in advance. As a note: Some weeks I may have insomnia, as is pretty common for me or I might just be really inspired, and I might release more blogs than usual.
Tuesdays: Collector Tips
This new series will focus on various tips for saving money while collecting, clearing out your backlog, maintaining a collection, how to preserve certain items, where to shop for good deals, etc.
Wednesday: Collectible Consoles
My next console I will be researching will be the Nintendo GameCube. However, first I have to finish the PS3 and its bundles. You may see an intro to the GameCube next week to get prepared though.
Thursday: Collectible Games
This will focus on either a rare game or just a game series in particular. The first series I will be looking at, by request, is Harvest Moon. It is a favorite of mine, so I am looking forward to this!
Thanks to those that are reading! You guys are making this so much more worth it and I feel even more inspired to do one of my favorite things: research!
As to what will be covered: I will mainly be going over what was included in the bundle with a focus on the collectibles. I will point out the storage size and the model number of the PS3 as well. I will try not to re-cover anything I have already gone over, as I don't want to bore people to tears.
New schedule:
I have decided to add to my schedule and will attempt to stick to it as best I can. If I cannot, I will post an update stating when to expect new blog posts to be up. I shouldn't be off by more than a day or two because I generally work pretty far in advance. As a note: Some weeks I may have insomnia, as is pretty common for me or I might just be really inspired, and I might release more blogs than usual.
Tuesdays: Collector Tips
This new series will focus on various tips for saving money while collecting, clearing out your backlog, maintaining a collection, how to preserve certain items, where to shop for good deals, etc.
Wednesday: Collectible Consoles
My next console I will be researching will be the Nintendo GameCube. However, first I have to finish the PS3 and its bundles. You may see an intro to the GameCube next week to get prepared though.
Thursday: Collectible Games
This will focus on either a rare game or just a game series in particular. The first series I will be looking at, by request, is Harvest Moon. It is a favorite of mine, so I am looking forward to this!
Thanks to those that are reading! You guys are making this so much more worth it and I feel even more inspired to do one of my favorite things: research!
Collectible Consoles - The PS3 (Part IV - The Super Slim)
Previous entries:
Part I (PS3 Background Info/Model Numbers)
Part II (Generations 1-3)
Part III (The Slim/Gen. 4)
This blog is going to be a bit more short than the previous two because there are fewer colors and models for the 5th generation. Sony has moved its focus away from the PS3 and onto the PS4, so it is to be expected. It is important to note, however, that the 5th generation is still in production. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Sony would release another special edition before ceasing production, like they did with the PS1 and PS2. If they do, I will post a separate blog as well as coming back to edit this one.
The Charcoal Black model, just like the previous generation, spans the entire 5th generation and does not deviate in color or other details. Finding one is very simple as they are still being produced and sold at retail price. While the Charcoal Black has been around since the beginning, the Classic White was not made until the 250GB came out and was also later released as a 500GB system. What is a mystery about the white model is that it was supposed to be Japan only...except model numbers are not matching up. In fact, I am finding model numbers that do not match up to any model numbers I, Wikipedia, or Sony America have listed. I am quite confused honestly. However, I promise to solve this! I will update this with an edit and new blog when I do.
As for the Classic White's rarity...it is a bit more difficult to get a hold of than the Charcoal black, but far from impossible. You may pay a tad bit more.
Once again, model numbers are slightly off regarding what is listed on various sites and on Sony's site. That seems to be a common thing with this generation. This is beyond confusing and I cannot wait to figure it out! Anyways. To start with, this 250GB was a Japan exclusive until July 2013 when it was released for the US as a GameStop exclusive. This console is pretty easy to find and can be found for its retail price new on various sites.
The model numbers! This was released as a 500GB which means it should be region locked for region 02 (Europe) but this was made for North America...okay. I give up for the time being. I will figure this out at a later time.
This was a released in March 2013 and bundled with all six God of War games. Personally, I would love to own one of these because my undergrad university's colors were Garnet and Black...maybe when I have money one day. If you are not dirt poor like me, this can be really cheap. Used it can run for about $200 and new about $400.
As I do further research, I am feeling unsure about the model numbers for the Japanese only PS3s...Sony has ones I have never seen before listed. This model is HSN-0023 according to the Japanese website. So, there may be another model number list coming soon. Either way, it makes no difference as this is not region locked. This was released as part of a pretty awesome and hilarious bundle during December of 2012 and I will be discussing it next week as part of my bundle blog(s).
If you are looking to purchase this console, a quick note. Type in the Japanese name of the game or you will not find results. There are usually a couple for sale on Ebay and they go for about $400-500. However, these are usually new and have been unopened so it isn't too bad of a deal.
Also released during December 2012 was this Shin Hokuto Musou PS3, or Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 for us Americans (because THAT is how that translated...). It was released as a bundle pack with the game and is a 250GB PS3. If you are looking to purchase this, do just as recommended for the previous PS3: type in the Japanese name. This model goes for about $450-600, depending on the condition.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was released in February 2013 in Japan. For the release of this game a special 250GB PS3 and bundle was created. This bundle was released for Japan and Latin America (with the exception of Argentina). If you want to buy it outside of those countries it will cost you a bit more of course, but it is nothing extreme. Like the others on this list it goes for about $450-600 depending on the condition.
Keep in mind when collecting the 5th generation that many of these are still being produced. If you want to start collecting PS3s, this is where I would begin because not only are they more easy to find but they are going to be much cheaper than the previous generations.
Next week, I'm am on to bundles. I will post an update blog on that soon. In addition, I will most likely release not PS3 related blogs within the next two weeks, so keep an eye out.
Thanks for reading!
Sources:
All images belong to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
1)http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2013/08/26/azurite-blue-ps3-coming-exclusively-to-gamestop-priced-at-249-99-and-dated-for-october-8th/
2)http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/hardware/hsn0023.html
3)http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/hardware/cejh10024.html
4)http://blog.latam.playstation.com/2013/02/11/presentamos-el-paquete-de-ps3-con-metal-gear-rising-revengeance/
5)http://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ascension-ps3-bundle-includes-all-six-games/1100-6403196/
Part I (PS3 Background Info/Model Numbers)
Part II (Generations 1-3)
Part III (The Slim/Gen. 4)
This blog is going to be a bit more short than the previous two because there are fewer colors and models for the 5th generation. Sony has moved its focus away from the PS3 and onto the PS4, so it is to be expected. It is important to note, however, that the 5th generation is still in production. It is not out of the realm of possibility that Sony would release another special edition before ceasing production, like they did with the PS1 and PS2. If they do, I will post a separate blog as well as coming back to edit this one.
 |
| Charcoal Black and Classic White |
As for the Classic White's rarity...it is a bit more difficult to get a hold of than the Charcoal black, but far from impossible. You may pay a tad bit more.
 |
| Azure (Azurite) Blue - 250 GB CECH-42xxB (possibly 40xxB) |
 |
| God of War Ascension Legacy Garnet Red - 500GB CECH-40xxC...? |
This was a released in March 2013 and bundled with all six God of War games. Personally, I would love to own one of these because my undergrad university's colors were Garnet and Black...maybe when I have money one day. If you are not dirt poor like me, this can be really cheap. Used it can run for about $200 and new about $400.
 |
| Yakuza 5 (Ryu ga Gotoku 5) Black and Gold - 250GB |
If you are looking to purchase this console, a quick note. Type in the Japanese name of the game or you will not find results. There are usually a couple for sale on Ebay and they go for about $400-500. However, these are usually new and have been unopened so it isn't too bad of a deal.
 |
| Shin Hokuto Musou (Fist of the North Star) Legend Edition - 250GB |
Keep in mind when collecting the 5th generation that many of these are still being produced. If you want to start collecting PS3s, this is where I would begin because not only are they more easy to find but they are going to be much cheaper than the previous generations.
Next week, I'm am on to bundles. I will post an update blog on that soon. In addition, I will most likely release not PS3 related blogs within the next two weeks, so keep an eye out.
Thanks for reading!
Sources:
All images belong to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
1)http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2013/08/26/azurite-blue-ps3-coming-exclusively-to-gamestop-priced-at-249-99-and-dated-for-october-8th/
2)http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/hardware/hsn0023.html
3)http://www.jp.playstation.com/ps3/hardware/cejh10024.html
4)http://blog.latam.playstation.com/2013/02/11/presentamos-el-paquete-de-ps3-con-metal-gear-rising-revengeance/
5)http://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ascension-ps3-bundle-includes-all-six-games/1100-6403196/
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Collectible Consoles: The PS3 (Part III - PS3 Slim)
For the fourth generation Sony went all out with the colors and special editions, so this will be a fun blog. Just like my last post I will be discussing the different types of PS3 Slims released, their aesthetic differences, general specs, and rarity.
This is your standard PS3 "Slim". The color is called Charcoal Black and is a matte finish, as are all the finishes for the PS3 "Slim". It seems that Sony listened to customer feedback regarding fingerprints with the original PS3 and returned to what they do best: matte and rough finishes. These Charcoal Blacks are extremely easy to find. Used ones only cost a couple hundred while a new one may cost $400+. It all depends on which model you are getting, as this color runs throughout generation 4 and is available for every model.
For the release of Final Fantasy XIII, of course Japan rolled out a fancy PS3. Because all of generation 4 is region free though, feel free to pick one of these up. They honestly do not cost too much (around $500-600), although beware of scams (a general good rule of thumb). When it comes to anything Final Fantasy related make sure to check the fine details. Look at model numbers. Make sure that the PS3 itself is not just a regular white PS3 Slim with a cover. I have seen this more than once on Ebay. Keep an eye out folks!
Speaking of white consoles...
With the release of the 160GB and 320GB PS3 "Slims" in July 2010, Sony began to get more brave with their colors...well, at least in Japan. Like I stated earlier though, generation 4 is not region locked. They may have been sold exclusively in certain regions during the time, but it is fairly easy to import these guys now. Since a ton of these were made, they are fairly easy to find and will only run you a couple hundred.
The Satin Silver has the EXACT same story as the Classic White, so I will not repeat myself. The only reason I did not group them together is because I wanted to point out that the Satin Silver is a bit more difficult to find, even though plenty were made. My theory is because the Satin Silver of any Sony Entertainment product has always sold better than the Classic White models. I believe that they are more popular and therefor more difficult to find. If they do pop up on the marketplace, they run slightly more than the Classic White, although not by much.
Finally getting to some color! This is the Titanium Blue that was released as part of a bundle with Gran Turismo 5 in Japan. It is a 160GB CECH25xxA model. This thing is rare and difficult to catch. IF you do find it you most likely will not find a price lower than $1100, which is the lowest I have seen. If you must have it, save up some money and be patient.
I LOVE this PS3 Slim. Yes. Personal opinion, right there. My opinion of the game, Level 5, and Studio Ghibli could be shaping that a bit. However, if you are like me, this is not actually all that expensive of a purchase. The entire bundle can be found new for $300-500. It is a CECH25xxA model with 160GB of memory. Now if only I had some money...
As a side note, the Splash Blue looks similar in color to the earlier Titanium blue in these photos, but if you watch an unboxing of it on YouTube it is more of a sky blue. Very pretty!!These lovely PS3s were exclusive Japanese only release at the time of their production. Their model numbers were CECH30xxB and came with 320GB of storage. They were marketed as limited editions and after a quick internet search, I can safely say that Sony missed a huge market in North America and Europe for these colors. These were highly coveted at the time of their release, and are more so now. Still, prices can be reasonable if you are patient enough and both are easy to find. I have found the Splash Blue used for around $400, although buying new it will run you about $800. It is about the same story for the Scarlet Red as well.
The Tales of Xillia PS3 is another one of my personal favorites. This CECH30xxA 160GB model was sold as part of a bundle in Japan along with the release of the game. While it generally costs between $600-700, I have seen used ones go for as little as $400.
As with every main Final Fantasy release, the big guns must be pulled out...at least for Japan. Come on Sony Entertainment America. Do you still not trust our crazy love for all things Final Fantasy yet? My only theory behind this is the pink on both FF consoles. God forbid they sold to the 48% female portion of the gaming population PLUS any guy who doesn't mind pink. *clears throat* Sorry about that. I got a bit off topic...
Anyways, This is a CECH-30xxB model with 320GB of memory and was, of course, part of a bundle. It is commonly referred to as "Lighting Edition 2 PS3", "Lightning Ver 2", or some variation thereof. Keep this in mind while searching for it. Although you shouldn't have to search far as this is pretty easy to find. Used, it runs about $300 and up depending on the condition. New, it will cost between $500-800.
It is anime related, therefor it is rare. Just wanted to get that out of the way. It is also gold and shiny. Who wouldn't want this? So yes...it costs an absurd amount to buy. Used it runs about $600-800 and new it is $700-1200. This is a CECH30xxB model with 320GB of memory. It was part of an exclusive bundle pack in Japan that included the first Kaizoku Musou (aka Pirate Warriors) game.
For an added bonus...
While this was not something promoted by Sony, I am including it because it is one of a kind! For those unfamiliar with Child's Play, it is a charity set up by the guys over at Penny Arcade. It is for children living hospitals and shelters. You can go onto their website (found here) and make donations, but they have other events as well. Every holiday season they compose a list of various games and consoles requested by various shelters and hospitals. You can buy them and they will be sent to that establishment for the benefit of the kids. In addition they have auctions on occasion to raise money.
On this occasion they teamed up with the industry's biggest names to create an awesome signed console. The full list of those that signed it and who they work(ed) for/on is listed here. According to the Ebay listing, this CECH-30xxA 160GB console was sold for $3100 after 39 bids.
That wraps up the PS3 "Slims" (4th Generation)!
My next blog will be out shortly. Stick around and thanks for reading!
Sources:
ALL IMAGES BELONG TO SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.: Exception of last image. That belongs to IGN (I believe. It was on multiple sites with no sources).
1)http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-ps3-in-splash-blue-and-scarlet-red-to-launch-on-17-2)november/13562.html
3)http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/two-new-ps3-colours-red-and-blue/084692
4)http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-320gb-Splash-Cech-3000bsb-Import-3/dp/B005N60F56
5)http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/719055/childs-play-charity-auction-get-a-playstation-3-or-6)xbox-360-console-signed-by-g4-and-the-biggest-names-in-videogames/
7)http://www.childsplaycharity.org (X-Play)
8)http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?9)ViewItem&item=250953264900&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123
10)Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist
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| Charcoal Black - All 4th gen. model numbers |
 |
| Final Fantasy Lightning Edition White - CECH20xxB |
 | |
|
With the release of the 160GB and 320GB PS3 "Slims" in July 2010, Sony began to get more brave with their colors...well, at least in Japan. Like I stated earlier though, generation 4 is not region locked. They may have been sold exclusively in certain regions during the time, but it is fairly easy to import these guys now. Since a ton of these were made, they are fairly easy to find and will only run you a couple hundred.
 | |
|
 |
| Titanium Blue (GT5 Special Edition) - CECH25xxA 160GB |
 |
| Magical Gold (Ni No Kuni Edition) - CECH25xxA 160GB |
 |
| Scarlet Red and Splash Blue - CECH30xxB 320GB |
 |
| Tales of Xillia Edition - CECH30xxA 160GB |
 |
| Final Fantasy XIII-2: Lightning Edition Version 2 - CECH-30xxB 320GB |
Anyways, This is a CECH-30xxB model with 320GB of memory and was, of course, part of a bundle. It is commonly referred to as "Lighting Edition 2 PS3", "Lightning Ver 2", or some variation thereof. Keep this in mind while searching for it. Although you shouldn't have to search far as this is pretty easy to find. Used, it runs about $300 and up depending on the condition. New, it will cost between $500-800.
 |
| One Piece: Kaizoku Musou (Pirate Warriors) Edition - CECH-30xxB 320GB |
For an added bonus...
 |
| Child's Play Signed CECH-3004A |
On this occasion they teamed up with the industry's biggest names to create an awesome signed console. The full list of those that signed it and who they work(ed) for/on is listed here. According to the Ebay listing, this CECH-30xxA 160GB console was sold for $3100 after 39 bids.
That wraps up the PS3 "Slims" (4th Generation)!
My next blog will be out shortly. Stick around and thanks for reading!
Sources:
ALL IMAGES BELONG TO SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.: Exception of last image. That belongs to IGN (I believe. It was on multiple sites with no sources).
1)http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-ps3-in-splash-blue-and-scarlet-red-to-launch-on-17-2)november/13562.html
3)http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/two-new-ps3-colours-red-and-blue/084692
4)http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-320gb-Splash-Cech-3000bsb-Import-3/dp/B005N60F56
5)http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/719055/childs-play-charity-auction-get-a-playstation-3-or-6)xbox-360-console-signed-by-g4-and-the-biggest-names-in-videogames/
7)http://www.childsplaycharity.org (X-Play)
8)http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?9)ViewItem&item=250953264900&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123
10)Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Collectible Consoles: The PS3 (Part II - The First Three Generations)
Quick Note: I am sorry about how the layout looks. Blogger.com decided to erase ALL my images for ALL my posts as well as my entire template. I am working on the problem.
I am releasing this blog a tad bit early since I will also be releasing the blogs for Part III ("Slim" PS3) and Part IV ("Super Slim") this week. As mentioned in my update blog, I have broken this up because this project ended up being larger than I anticipated.
For this blog I will present each PS3 released and its cosmetic differences as well as some of its specs, the generation it belongs to (those model numbers will begin to become handy), and their rarity. As previously stated, I will only be covering the first 3 generations of the PS3 for now. The other 2 will be covered in the other blogs. If I missed a PS3 by chance, please let me know in the comments and I will add it!
I thought it would be appropriate to start with the first PS3 released. This is the CECHBxx, otherwise known as the 20GB launch PS3. As discussed in my previous blog, it was discontinued shortly after production. This was most likely due to the lack of Wi-Fi support or a flash memory card reader. It has four USB ports and like all "fat" PS3s, a main On/Off switch in the back. One major cosmetic difference between it and the other standard black PS3s to follow is its all black trim. This would soon be replaced with a chrome trim for the 60GB model made during the same generation. Perhaps this look didn't test well?
Keep this trim in mind though. I have seen many sellers try to scam people on Ebay with 60GB PS3s. A CECHBxx will always look like this. No exception. Speaking of trying to find one...most I found were being sold for parts. Basically, if you are looking to find one used, be prepared for either a scam or a broken console. On the other hand, there are plenty of new ones still out there. The problem is that they will run you about $1000-2000.
Even though this is a picture of a launch 60GB (CECHAxx) PS3, this is what any Piano Black "fat" PlayStation 3 is going to look like, regardless if it is generation one, two, or three. There are a couple of details that will change over generations. The most noticeable is that by the third generation there are only two USB ports instead of four. These are fairly easy to find and generally won't cost much, although it depends on what generation you are buying and if you are buying new.
The first one is called Ceramic White while the second is called Satin Silver. Both were Japan exclusive releases and were third generation models. Originally released as 40GB consoles, they were later released with 80GB. Their model numbers could be CECHHxx (most likely this one) and/or CECHJxx and CECHLxx. As far as prices: Used, they can go for as little as $300-500. New, in a bundle, they can go as high as $2500.
The Metal Gear Solid 4 Gun Metal Black 40GB bundle was sold in the US and in Japan exclusively, although it was not region locked. The system had a matte finish. In tiny writing at the bottom of the console reads "Metal Gear Solid 4 - Limited Edition". Finding one of these can be simple...but finding one working, undamaged, or in a box is a bit more tough. For ones that simply "work" I have found consoles for as little as $300. If you manage to find one that has not been taken out of its box, it will set you back about $800. There seems to be no in between with this one. (Where are the "lightly used" ones you guys?)
This was released only as a bundle and was not region locked, although it seems to have been sold exclusively in Japan for a very limited time. It is a third generation 80 GB in standard piano black with matte stencil of the Tricell logo on the bottom of the console. While rare, they CAN be found on Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist. However, be willing to shell out some money as I have not seen them run under $2,000 in the time I have been looking. I will however, update this if I see anything lower.
The Cloud Black was released alongside Advent Children in Japan. It is 160GB and its model number is CECHQxx. This means that it was produced at the tail end of the third generation. It was only released as a bundle, but they seem to have made plenty of them. Finding one on Ebay is fairly simple and they go for about $400-500. If you want a sealed version, it will run you about $800. For the limited releases, this one is probably one of the cheaper ones as far as the first three generations go.
While not region locked, this 80GB PS3 was bundled with Yakuza 3 (Ryuu ga Gotoku 3) and sold exclusively in Japan. I'm going to insert my personal opinion in here...out of the first three generations, this is the most awesome in my opinion. Sadly, only a limited number of these were made and I haven't seen ANY listed. If this changes, I will edit this and post the price they were listed for. I will go ahead and say that anyone looking to buy one should probably be ready with a couple thousand to spare.
The Ultra Rare Red!
Now we are getting into PlayStation 3s you most likely cannot buy yourself. These were either personally made for people or in this one case, the result of a contest.
I have only found WHEN the contest took place, which is not a huge help in determining whether or not these are generation 2 or 3. I will be doing some further research to find one of the winners or even just the specs. If I do, I will edit this post.
Hideo Kojima/Yumi Kikuchi Signed PS3
This is not an official Sony PS3, but it is rare and AWESOME. It is actually a modded version of the 60GB CECHAxx (generation 1/launch PS3). It has been fitted with LEDs and backlights and best of all is signed by Hideo Kojima, the brain behind the Metal Gear series and Yumi Kikuchi, a voice actress in MGS4. This was signing was apperently luck as the seller got them to sign it during their MGS World Tour in New York. This is not the end of the awesomeness though. The controller is also backlit and custom made. Eight more rare items were included, a list of which can be found here.
The Ebay seller pledge to donate 15% of profits to Child's Play. a charity I will discuss in more detail in the next blog. Wondering how much all of this sold for? $17,100.
NBA All-Stars Sony Event Suite 2007 (Las Vegas)
I am just going to throw this out there right now. I am not a sports person...well, I can enjoy sports, but I do not follow teams except my university's football team. So please forgive me if I do not fully know the importance of the people I mention. All I know is that occasionally Sony likes to throw an after party where NBA stars, and some other sports legends, test their skills in games, drink, party, and get gifted personalized consoles. It is difficult to know exactly who all attends these things because the general public is, of course, not invited. These pictures were part of Sony's blog and are very selective.
Thanks to the Youtube video found here (thanks ncroal!) I was able to find out that the event was held at the PlayStation Parlor Sky Villa at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas during the NBA All-Stars Weekend of 2007. All in all, I could only find 7 of these made for this event. Given the time period during which they were made (February 2007) it stands to reason that these are all second generation and their model numbers CECHExx.
As far as those that received these consoles, we know for sure that those pictured above did. Clockwise from the top left we have: Brooke and Linda Hogan, Chris Bosh, Michelle Wie, and the Maloofs (not sure which ones :S). In addition, we know that Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant at least attended. The Egyptian-esque looking PS3 also fits very well with Lebron James' "King Tut" persona. In fact, that model has been called "King Tut", although no one is sure who came up with the name and it does not appear in the picture.
Two more things to note about these consoles: The Yellow PS3, said to have been formally owned by one of the Maloofs, that has the event name inscribed on it is currently owned by someone who goes by the user name lim-handek on Gamescollection.net.
The second is that the Nike Air Force One PS3 was being housed in the lounge of the hotel during the event. This leads me to assume that an athlete may not have acquired that one but someone from Nike, if anyone at all. It may have been commissioned simply for advertising.
NBA All-Stars Sony Event Suite 2009 (Las Vegas)
Just like 2007, Sony threw one great big party for NBAs biggest athletes during All Stars Weekend in February 2009. Sadly there are fewer pictures this time around, although thanks to the official PlayStation blog, there is a full list of this time names regarding who stopped by. As this took place in February of 2009, these technically could have been from generation 1, 2, or 3. However, considering these are special made for the rich and famous, it is safe to assume that these were probably the CECHPxx models (160GB).
The full list of names that attended is as follows: Nate Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, David West, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Devin Harris, JR Smith, Dikembe Mutombo, Luis Scola, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Daequan Cook, Gary Payton, and Brian Shaw.
Note that Brandon Roy is not on that list. However, the Sony blog points out that the "B.Roy" PS3 IS supposed to have been made for him. It is also clear that Lebron James once again received a PS3, because lets be honest...who else is "King James"? As for those posed with the PS3s, clockwise starting from the right: Thaddeus Young, Paul Pierce, Luis Scola, and Al Harrington. Wait...Al Harrington wasn't on that list either. How big was this party REALLY Sony??
The 2007 Super Bowl Party/Sole Magazine PS3s
I have been able to find out next to NOTHING about these PS3s. It seems that most of the credibility that they have as to being official has to do with people on forums saying that they were there at "an awesome party". I would love if someone could provide more sources on these 4 consoles. Even original sources for the pictures would be great!
Whether or not these consoles are official or not, because they are from early 2007 they are most certainly CECHAxx (60GB) first generation PS3s. Like the NBA All Stars PS3s, it is rumored that these were given away as swag for those who attended.
That was a LONG blog. The next two will be shorter, but still interesting. As stated previously, they will be put up this week. Part III will discuss the different types of PS3 "Slim" and Part IV will discuss the "Super Slim". Next week I will be discussing the many types of PS3 bundles.
Thanks again for reading and check back soon!
Sources:
1)http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-Lounge/Playstation-Canada/td-p/9749698
2)http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/27/all-star-treatment
3)http://gamescollection.forumcommunity.net/?t=29230772
4)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCs3J7dw8N8
5)http://www.cnet.com/news/playstation-3-at-nba-all-star-weekend/
6)http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/02/17/sony-playstation-at-nba-all-star-weekend/
7)http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php/52933-Super-Bowl-Playstation-AF1s-PS3-Party
8)http://www.exophase.com/307/sony-shows-off-ps3-case-mods/
9)Amazon, Ebay, Craigslist postings/personal experience at shops
10)http://www.geek.com/games/kojima-signed-mgs-4-ps3-console-sells-for-17100-610111/
11)All pictures besides the very last four, belong to Sony Entertainment America. The last two seem to belong to Sole Magazine.
I am releasing this blog a tad bit early since I will also be releasing the blogs for Part III ("Slim" PS3) and Part IV ("Super Slim") this week. As mentioned in my update blog, I have broken this up because this project ended up being larger than I anticipated.
For this blog I will present each PS3 released and its cosmetic differences as well as some of its specs, the generation it belongs to (those model numbers will begin to become handy), and their rarity. As previously stated, I will only be covering the first 3 generations of the PS3 for now. The other 2 will be covered in the other blogs. If I missed a PS3 by chance, please let me know in the comments and I will add it!
 |
| CECHBxx - 20GB |
Keep this trim in mind though. I have seen many sellers try to scam people on Ebay with 60GB PS3s. A CECHBxx will always look like this. No exception. Speaking of trying to find one...most I found were being sold for parts. Basically, if you are looking to find one used, be prepared for either a scam or a broken console. On the other hand, there are plenty of new ones still out there. The problem is that they will run you about $1000-2000.
 |
| CECHAxx - 60GB |
The first one is called Ceramic White while the second is called Satin Silver. Both were Japan exclusive releases and were third generation models. Originally released as 40GB consoles, they were later released with 80GB. Their model numbers could be CECHHxx (most likely this one) and/or CECHJxx and CECHLxx. As far as prices: Used, they can go for as little as $300-500. New, in a bundle, they can go as high as $2500.
 |
| MGS4 Gun Metal Black - 40GB CECHHxx |
 |
| Piano Black Resident Evil 5/Biohazard 5 - CECHLxx 80GB |
 |
| Cloud Black 160GB - CECHQxx |
 |
| Yakuza 3/Ryu uga Gotoku 3 Satin Silver - CECHLxx |
The Ultra Rare Red!
Now we are getting into PlayStation 3s you most likely cannot buy yourself. These were either personally made for people or in this one case, the result of a contest.
 |
| Contest from June 2007 - Generation 2-3 |
Hideo Kojima/Yumi Kikuchi Signed PS3
 |
| CECHAxx 60GB Modded and Signed MGS themed PS3 |
The Ebay seller pledge to donate 15% of profits to Child's Play. a charity I will discuss in more detail in the next blog. Wondering how much all of this sold for? $17,100.
NBA All-Stars Sony Event Suite 2007 (Las Vegas)
I am just going to throw this out there right now. I am not a sports person...well, I can enjoy sports, but I do not follow teams except my university's football team. So please forgive me if I do not fully know the importance of the people I mention. All I know is that occasionally Sony likes to throw an after party where NBA stars, and some other sports legends, test their skills in games, drink, party, and get gifted personalized consoles. It is difficult to know exactly who all attends these things because the general public is, of course, not invited. These pictures were part of Sony's blog and are very selective.
Thanks to the Youtube video found here (thanks ncroal!) I was able to find out that the event was held at the PlayStation Parlor Sky Villa at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas during the NBA All-Stars Weekend of 2007. All in all, I could only find 7 of these made for this event. Given the time period during which they were made (February 2007) it stands to reason that these are all second generation and their model numbers CECHExx.
As far as those that received these consoles, we know for sure that those pictured above did. Clockwise from the top left we have: Brooke and Linda Hogan, Chris Bosh, Michelle Wie, and the Maloofs (not sure which ones :S). In addition, we know that Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant at least attended. The Egyptian-esque looking PS3 also fits very well with Lebron James' "King Tut" persona. In fact, that model has been called "King Tut", although no one is sure who came up with the name and it does not appear in the picture.
Two more things to note about these consoles: The Yellow PS3, said to have been formally owned by one of the Maloofs, that has the event name inscribed on it is currently owned by someone who goes by the user name lim-handek on Gamescollection.net.
The second is that the Nike Air Force One PS3 was being housed in the lounge of the hotel during the event. This leads me to assume that an athlete may not have acquired that one but someone from Nike, if anyone at all. It may have been commissioned simply for advertising.
NBA All-Stars Sony Event Suite 2009 (Las Vegas)
The full list of names that attended is as follows: Nate Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, David West, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Devin Harris, JR Smith, Dikembe Mutombo, Luis Scola, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Daequan Cook, Gary Payton, and Brian Shaw.
Note that Brandon Roy is not on that list. However, the Sony blog points out that the "B.Roy" PS3 IS supposed to have been made for him. It is also clear that Lebron James once again received a PS3, because lets be honest...who else is "King James"? As for those posed with the PS3s, clockwise starting from the right: Thaddeus Young, Paul Pierce, Luis Scola, and Al Harrington. Wait...Al Harrington wasn't on that list either. How big was this party REALLY Sony??
The 2007 Super Bowl Party/Sole Magazine PS3s
I have been able to find out next to NOTHING about these PS3s. It seems that most of the credibility that they have as to being official has to do with people on forums saying that they were there at "an awesome party". I would love if someone could provide more sources on these 4 consoles. Even original sources for the pictures would be great!
Whether or not these consoles are official or not, because they are from early 2007 they are most certainly CECHAxx (60GB) first generation PS3s. Like the NBA All Stars PS3s, it is rumored that these were given away as swag for those who attended.
That was a LONG blog. The next two will be shorter, but still interesting. As stated previously, they will be put up this week. Part III will discuss the different types of PS3 "Slim" and Part IV will discuss the "Super Slim". Next week I will be discussing the many types of PS3 bundles.
Thanks again for reading and check back soon!
Sources:
1)http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-Lounge/Playstation-Canada/td-p/9749698
2)http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/27/all-star-treatment
3)http://gamescollection.forumcommunity.net/?t=29230772
4)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCs3J7dw8N8
5)http://www.cnet.com/news/playstation-3-at-nba-all-star-weekend/
6)http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/02/17/sony-playstation-at-nba-all-star-weekend/
7)http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php/52933-Super-Bowl-Playstation-AF1s-PS3-Party
8)http://www.exophase.com/307/sony-shows-off-ps3-case-mods/
9)Amazon, Ebay, Craigslist postings/personal experience at shops
10)http://www.geek.com/games/kojima-signed-mgs-4-ps3-console-sells-for-17100-610111/
11)All pictures besides the very last four, belong to Sony Entertainment America. The last two seem to belong to Sole Magazine.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Collectible Consoles: An Update!
Hello all!
I wanted to give a heads up regarding the ongoing PS3 blogs. Because they are containing far more information and images than I anticipated, they are going to be broken up into 4 more parts, at least.
However, I hope to have the first 3 of these parts up this week. The fourth will be up next week.
They will be broken up like so:
- PS3 "Fat" (Generations 1,2,3)
- PS3 "Slim (Generation 4)
- PS3 "Super Slim" (Generation 5)
Next Week:
- Bundles (at least one part)
Once again, these first 3 blogs are covering aesthetics, release dates, rarity, etc. Generally basic information on each type of PS3.
Next week I will be discussing the various bundles that were released for the PS3. There will most likely be some overlap. If you see that I mention that a PS3 was bundle only in a blog this week, but don't mention what it came with, it is because I plan to go more in depth during the bundles blog(s).
I hope someone out there is enjoying these blogs and I thank people for reading!
I wanted to give a heads up regarding the ongoing PS3 blogs. Because they are containing far more information and images than I anticipated, they are going to be broken up into 4 more parts, at least.
However, I hope to have the first 3 of these parts up this week. The fourth will be up next week.
They will be broken up like so:
- PS3 "Fat" (Generations 1,2,3)
- PS3 "Slim (Generation 4)
- PS3 "Super Slim" (Generation 5)
Next Week:
- Bundles (at least one part)
Once again, these first 3 blogs are covering aesthetics, release dates, rarity, etc. Generally basic information on each type of PS3.
Next week I will be discussing the various bundles that were released for the PS3. There will most likely be some overlap. If you see that I mention that a PS3 was bundle only in a blog this week, but don't mention what it came with, it is because I plan to go more in depth during the bundles blog(s).
I hope someone out there is enjoying these blogs and I thank people for reading!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Collectible Consoles: The PS3 (Part I)
As previously stated, I wanted to break this up into several parts because it is far more complicated than I anticipated and I am delving deeper than I thought I would. Also, as stated in my previous post, a lot of this info can be found on Wikipedia, however...I have gone a bit beyond that! I decided to take my research further and of course, fact check (I am a historian *insert snark here*). I will be giving a list of sources at the bottom of my post as well.
A quick note about specs before getting started: I will not be going in depth. I will go over the very basics. If people want me to post more, I will. Feedback is always welcome. Onwards...
I will follow this list up with more information on the differences between the main three types of body styles.Now onto the fun stuff! Model numbers...okay. Maybe not that fun. However, when searching for the right PS3 for your collection these are VERY necessary. This is especially true if you are looking for a particular bundle or collectors edition. I have had to find this out the hard way before. When searching on Amazon, Ebay, or other sties, some sellers will make the model numbers keywords, making it difficult to find what you are looking for without having some background info. Also, I know collectors. Just having the same model number again can be enough to deter a purchase. So here is a simple list.
PlayStation 3 ("Fat")
1st Generation:
CECHAxx = 60GB/Fully backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games
CECHBxx = 20GB/Fully backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games
Both = For Japan and North America. Launched on November 11 2006 in Japan and November 17 2006 in North America. EU/PAL did not get a PS3 launch until the 2nd Generation.
2nd Generation:
CECHCxx = (EU/PAL ONLY) 60GB/Backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games (part emulation)
CECHExx = (NA ONLY) 80GB/Backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games (part emulation)
The PAL (European/Australian) launch date, for those curious, was on March 23 2007.
3rd Generation: No more backwards compatibility! Also, I believe this was the end of 4 USB ports and they cut it down to 2.
CECHGxx = (NA/EU/PAL ONLY)40GB
CECHHxx = 40 GB
CECHJxx = (JP/EU/PAL ONLY) 40GB
CECHKxx = (NA/EU/PAL ONLY) 80GB
CECHLxx = 80GB
CECHMxx = (UK ONLY/Region code 03) 80GB
CECHPxx = 160GB
CECHQxx = (JP ONLY/Region code 00) 160GB
PS3 (PS3 "Slim")
A quick note about the name. What most of us refer to as the PS3 Slim or PlayStation 3 Slim was actually rebranded as the "PS3" instead of the "PlayStation 3". Introduced in 2009.
4th Generation:
CECH-20xxA = 120GB
CECH-20xxB = 250GB
CECH-21xxA = 120GB
CECH-21xxB = 250GB
CECH-25xxA = 160GB
CECH-25xxB = 320GB
CECH-30xxA = 160GB
CECH-30xxB = 320GB
PS3 "Super Slim"
Introduced September 25 2012. This model doesn't actually seem to have an official name from Sony. They usually refer to it as "Slim" or "Slim Chassis Model".
5th Generation:
CECH-40xxA = 12GB (These were sold at a lower price. The 250GB models were not sold in Europe for some time for whatever reason, so the hard drive was sold separately as an add on.)
CECH-40xxB = (NA ONLY) 250GB
CECH-40xxC = (EU/PAL ONLY) 500GB
CECH-42xxA = (EU/PAL ONLY)12GB (The difference between these three models are that they stop analog output as of January 1 2014.)
CECH-42xxB = (NA ONLY) 250 GB
CECH-42xxC = (EU/PAL ONLY) 500GB
CECH-43xxA = (EU/PAL ONLY)12GB
CECH-43xxB = (EU/PAL ONLY) 250GB (They finally got a 250GB Super Slim!)
CECH-43xxC = (EU/PAL ONLY) 500GB
Additional Information on the three types of PS3s:
As far as the first two generations of the PS3 are concerned, most people covet them for their backwards compatibility. They have not been in production for some time, so finding one is quite difficult and/or costly. The last of this generation to be made was the NTSC Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle, making this type of PS3 pretty rare by 2009.
Out of all of these I have found the 20GB to be the most difficult to find, mainly because Sony stopped making it fairly soon after production started. This may have been due to the lack of Wi-Fi support or a flash memory card reader. If you manage to find one, expect to pay roughly $1000 for it new or used.
Onto the "Slim" PS3 and "Super Slim" body styles. The "Slim" PS3 is 32% smaller and 36% lighter than the original PS3. It also consumes on average about 1/3 the power that the original did. I tested this myself to see to make sure. Just the sound alone is a great indication of difference. Both "Slim" versions fixed the ever running fan issue that the original model had. Like the PS2 "Slim", Sony removed a main power switch on the back of the console. This was most likely a money saving and weight reducing measure. The "Slim" was launched on September 1 2009 in NA and September 3 2009 for JA/EU/PAL.
The "Super Slim" PS3 was introduced in October of 2012. It is 25% smaller than the "Slim" and 20% lighter. Instead of inserting discs into a drive, it has a sliding door on the top of it that slides to the side so you can physically place the disc inside.
That is all for now. Thanks for reading! Next Wednesday I'm going to have a fancy blog, full of pics. I will be covering all of the types of PS3s out there, color and design wise. I will also discuss rarity and where to locate some of them. I will also discuss ones that were only made for celebrities.
Get familiar with this list as I gave it to you guys and gals for a reason. Well...I also wanted to educate myself. Next week, when talking about bundles and fancy consoles I will be referring to model numbers.
See you guys (if anyone is reading yet) then!
Sources:
1) https://web.archive.org/web/20080224185451/http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/about/specs
(I went through this history timeline as much as I could)
2)http://web.archive.org/web/20080119221144/http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4317&NewsAreaID=2
3)http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/09/25/new-ps3-model-out-today-exclusive-first-look/
4)http://us.playstation.com/ps3/systems/uncharted3-playstation-plus-bundle.ht
5) AMAZON and EBAY!! Also, my personal collection.
A quick note about specs before getting started: I will not be going in depth. I will go over the very basics. If people want me to post more, I will. Feedback is always welcome. Onwards...
I will follow this list up with more information on the differences between the main three types of body styles.Now onto the fun stuff! Model numbers...okay. Maybe not that fun. However, when searching for the right PS3 for your collection these are VERY necessary. This is especially true if you are looking for a particular bundle or collectors edition. I have had to find this out the hard way before. When searching on Amazon, Ebay, or other sties, some sellers will make the model numbers keywords, making it difficult to find what you are looking for without having some background info. Also, I know collectors. Just having the same model number again can be enough to deter a purchase. So here is a simple list.
PlayStation 3 ("Fat")
1st Generation:
CECHAxx = 60GB/Fully backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games
CECHBxx = 20GB/Fully backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games
Both = For Japan and North America. Launched on November 11 2006 in Japan and November 17 2006 in North America. EU/PAL did not get a PS3 launch until the 2nd Generation.
2nd Generation:
CECHCxx = (EU/PAL ONLY) 60GB/Backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games (part emulation)
CECHExx = (NA ONLY) 80GB/Backwards compatible with PS and PS2 games (part emulation)
The PAL (European/Australian) launch date, for those curious, was on March 23 2007.
3rd Generation: No more backwards compatibility! Also, I believe this was the end of 4 USB ports and they cut it down to 2.
CECHGxx = (NA/EU/PAL ONLY)40GB
CECHHxx = 40 GB
CECHJxx = (JP/EU/PAL ONLY) 40GB
CECHKxx = (NA/EU/PAL ONLY) 80GB
CECHLxx = 80GB
CECHMxx = (UK ONLY/Region code 03) 80GB
CECHPxx = 160GB
CECHQxx = (JP ONLY/Region code 00) 160GB
PS3 (PS3 "Slim")
A quick note about the name. What most of us refer to as the PS3 Slim or PlayStation 3 Slim was actually rebranded as the "PS3" instead of the "PlayStation 3". Introduced in 2009.
4th Generation:
CECH-20xxA = 120GB
CECH-20xxB = 250GB
CECH-21xxA = 120GB
CECH-21xxB = 250GB
CECH-25xxA = 160GB
CECH-25xxB = 320GB
CECH-30xxA = 160GB
CECH-30xxB = 320GB
PS3 "Super Slim"
Introduced September 25 2012. This model doesn't actually seem to have an official name from Sony. They usually refer to it as "Slim" or "Slim Chassis Model".
5th Generation:
CECH-40xxA = 12GB (These were sold at a lower price. The 250GB models were not sold in Europe for some time for whatever reason, so the hard drive was sold separately as an add on.)
CECH-40xxB = (NA ONLY) 250GB
CECH-40xxC = (EU/PAL ONLY) 500GB
CECH-42xxA = (EU/PAL ONLY)12GB (The difference between these three models are that they stop analog output as of January 1 2014.)
CECH-42xxB = (NA ONLY) 250 GB
CECH-42xxC = (EU/PAL ONLY) 500GB
CECH-43xxA = (EU/PAL ONLY)12GB
CECH-43xxB = (EU/PAL ONLY) 250GB (They finally got a 250GB Super Slim!)
CECH-43xxC = (EU/PAL ONLY) 500GB
 |
| This was the first PS3 I ever bought...oh the memories! |
As far as the first two generations of the PS3 are concerned, most people covet them for their backwards compatibility. They have not been in production for some time, so finding one is quite difficult and/or costly. The last of this generation to be made was the NTSC Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle, making this type of PS3 pretty rare by 2009.
Out of all of these I have found the 20GB to be the most difficult to find, mainly because Sony stopped making it fairly soon after production started. This may have been due to the lack of Wi-Fi support or a flash memory card reader. If you manage to find one, expect to pay roughly $1000 for it new or used.
Onto the "Slim" PS3 and "Super Slim" body styles. The "Slim" PS3 is 32% smaller and 36% lighter than the original PS3. It also consumes on average about 1/3 the power that the original did. I tested this myself to see to make sure. Just the sound alone is a great indication of difference. Both "Slim" versions fixed the ever running fan issue that the original model had. Like the PS2 "Slim", Sony removed a main power switch on the back of the console. This was most likely a money saving and weight reducing measure. The "Slim" was launched on September 1 2009 in NA and September 3 2009 for JA/EU/PAL.
The "Super Slim" PS3 was introduced in October of 2012. It is 25% smaller than the "Slim" and 20% lighter. Instead of inserting discs into a drive, it has a sliding door on the top of it that slides to the side so you can physically place the disc inside.
That is all for now. Thanks for reading! Next Wednesday I'm going to have a fancy blog, full of pics. I will be covering all of the types of PS3s out there, color and design wise. I will also discuss rarity and where to locate some of them. I will also discuss ones that were only made for celebrities.
Get familiar with this list as I gave it to you guys and gals for a reason. Well...I also wanted to educate myself. Next week, when talking about bundles and fancy consoles I will be referring to model numbers.
See you guys (if anyone is reading yet) then!
Sources:
1) https://web.archive.org/web/20080224185451/http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/about/specs
(I went through this history timeline as much as I could)
2)http://web.archive.org/web/20080119221144/http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4317&NewsAreaID=2
3)http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/09/25/new-ps3-model-out-today-exclusive-first-look/
4)http://us.playstation.com/ps3/systems/uncharted3-playstation-plus-bundle.ht
5) AMAZON and EBAY!! Also, my personal collection.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Collectible Consoles
Here in the states, historically speaking, we have been lucky if a console is released in grey, white, and black. In Japan, however, it has been common practice to release consoles in a WIDE array of designs and colors. Luckily for those not living in Japan, we are starting to get more of these consoles released over here and in Europe as well. As many of these consoles are not region locked (although some of the games are), it is less of a issue if people import the Japanese consoles anyways. *clears throat* Nintendo...exception * By the way Nintendo...you used to be so good about the colors! What happened?! Anyways. Sorry about that mild outburst.
This is going to be an on going research project, so there will be multiple lengthy blogs on various consoles. However, my next blog post is going to focus specifically on the PS3. Why the PS3 you ask? Simple. Because I spotted a pretty Ni No Kuni one the other day and it stuck out in my mind.
I will be discussing the background of the PlayStation 3 a bit and all the wonderful variations of PS3s I can find. I will give details on their specs, release dates, bundle info, and how rare they are. So check back next week!
EDIT: As I want to give proper background on all the various types of PS3s, their model numbers, and a bit of info about them, I am breaking this PS3 blog up into several parts. Yes, some of this can be found on wikipedia, but I have gone more in depth with my research, so stick around!
As mentioned before, this blog will be updated at least every Wednesday. If I have more time I may write two blogs in one week. If there are going to be delays, I will try to warn in advance.
This is going to be an on going research project, so there will be multiple lengthy blogs on various consoles. However, my next blog post is going to focus specifically on the PS3. Why the PS3 you ask? Simple. Because I spotted a pretty Ni No Kuni one the other day and it stuck out in my mind.
I will be discussing the background of the PlayStation 3 a bit and all the wonderful variations of PS3s I can find. I will give details on their specs, release dates, bundle info, and how rare they are. So check back next week!
EDIT: As I want to give proper background on all the various types of PS3s, their model numbers, and a bit of info about them, I am breaking this PS3 blog up into several parts. Yes, some of this can be found on wikipedia, but I have gone more in depth with my research, so stick around!
As mentioned before, this blog will be updated at least every Wednesday. If I have more time I may write two blogs in one week. If there are going to be delays, I will try to warn in advance.
Name Choice and Topic!
First I would like to introduce myself a bit. I am a 25 year old unemployed woman who recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with my B.A. in History and Art History with a minor in Japanese and Asian Studies. I have kept up with my Japanese studies, although I do have to admit my ability to read kanji has suffered a bit. God help if I try to write it! I'm currently studying for the GRE so I can start the Masters of Librarian Science program in the spring. More personally, I also have two serious disabilities. However, I make do with what I have and am pretty happy with where I am in my life. Furthermore I have a wonderfully supportive husband! Now if I could just find a job...
Enough about my personal life though! On to why I wanted to create this blog. First, as someone who spent the past 5 years researching and writing, one would think I would be sick of it. The truth is I kind of miss it now that I'm not doing it anymore, so I decided to create a blog about my favorite hobby. The only issue is that there are a TON of gaming blogs out there. So I want this blog to be a bit different. My goal is to not only review the occasional game or post the occasional opinion piece, but to provide tips for starting and maintaining a gaming collection. On various websites I have run into tons of people asking for tips pertaining to their collections. And waaaaa-lahhh! This blog was born. Now to have readers. (Please stick around! I promise it will be interesting!)
Since my future career choice is archives, I know a bit about keeping things in good condition and I have also learned from personal mistakes. Also, I'm always learning new things. I will be sharing those tips via blog posts here. I also hope to inspire people to clear out some of their backlog as I finish some of my games.
I will try to post every week, although I may post more often than that depending on what is going on. As a side note: the name and layout may change as I get more creative. Right now the name was inspired by the fact that my frickin' collection has started to take over my living space despite me wanting it to. It is even invading my book and medical collections! :S
Anyways, thanks for reading and stay tuned!
Enough about my personal life though! On to why I wanted to create this blog. First, as someone who spent the past 5 years researching and writing, one would think I would be sick of it. The truth is I kind of miss it now that I'm not doing it anymore, so I decided to create a blog about my favorite hobby. The only issue is that there are a TON of gaming blogs out there. So I want this blog to be a bit different. My goal is to not only review the occasional game or post the occasional opinion piece, but to provide tips for starting and maintaining a gaming collection. On various websites I have run into tons of people asking for tips pertaining to their collections. And waaaaa-lahhh! This blog was born. Now to have readers. (Please stick around! I promise it will be interesting!)
Since my future career choice is archives, I know a bit about keeping things in good condition and I have also learned from personal mistakes. Also, I'm always learning new things. I will be sharing those tips via blog posts here. I also hope to inspire people to clear out some of their backlog as I finish some of my games.
I will try to post every week, although I may post more often than that depending on what is going on. As a side note: the name and layout may change as I get more creative. Right now the name was inspired by the fact that my frickin' collection has started to take over my living space despite me wanting it to. It is even invading my book and medical collections! :S
Anyways, thanks for reading and stay tuned!
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