PlayStation 3

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PS3s and controllers at E3 2006

== PlayStation 3 ==

The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the successor to the PlayStation 2 and is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. The PlayStation 3 was first released on November 11, 2006, in Japan, followed by North America on November 17, 2006, and Europe and Australia on March 23, 2007.

History

The development of the PlayStation 3 began in 2001, with the console being officially announced at E3 2005. The PS3 was notable for its use of the Blu-ray Disc format, which provided high-definition graphics and large storage capacity. The console also featured the Cell microprocessor, developed in collaboration with IBM and Toshiba, which was designed to handle complex computations and graphics rendering.

Hardware

The PlayStation 3 was available in several models, each with varying storage capacities and features. The original models, known as the "fat" models, were available with 20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, and 80 GB hard drives. Later, the "slim" models were introduced, which were lighter, more energy-efficient, and featured hard drives ranging from 120 GB to 320 GB. The final iteration, the "super slim" model, was released in 2012 with 250 GB and 500 GB hard drives.

Key hardware features of the PlayStation 3 include:

• Blu-ray Disc drive
• Cell microprocessor
• RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' graphics processing unit
• HDMI output
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• USB ports

Software

The PlayStation 3's operating system, known as the XrossMediaBar (XMB), provided a user-friendly interface for navigating the console's features. The PS3 supported a wide range of multimedia capabilities, including playing Blu-ray movies, streaming video services, and browsing the internet.

The PlayStation 3 also introduced the PlayStation Network (PSN), an online service that allowed users to download games, movies, and other content, as well as play games online with friends. The PSN also included the PlayStation Store, where users could purchase and download digital content.

Games

The PlayStation 3 had a vast library of games, including many exclusive titles that were highly acclaimed by critics and players alike. Some of the most notable exclusive games for the PS3 include:

• Uncharted series
• The Last of Us
• God of War III
• Gran Turismo 5
• LittleBigPlanet

The console also supported backward compatibility with many PlayStation 2 and PlayStation games, although this feature was limited in later models.

Legacy

The PlayStation 3 was succeeded by the PlayStation 4 in 2013. Despite initial challenges, including a high launch price and competition from the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, the PS3 went on to become a successful console, selling over 87 million units worldwide by the end of its production in 2017.

The PlayStation 3 is remembered for its powerful hardware, extensive game library, and contributions to the evolution of home entertainment and online gaming.

Related Pages

• PlayStation
• PlayStation 2
• PlayStation 4
• PlayStation Network
• Blu-ray Disc
• Cell microprocessor
• Uncharted series
• The Last of Us
• God of War III
• Gran Turismo 5
• LittleBigPlanet