MGS: The Essential Pack

[NiKeFiDO]

Before you "waste" your time reading the following, the point of me making this thread is to ask this question:

Do you need backwards compatability to play MGS: The Essential Pack ?


So there are really two options for PS3's that I'm looking at.
1) The (older) MGS bundle - $500
2) The (newer) Regular 80GB version - $400

The difference is summed up nicely here:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R..._viewpnt#RDQBQXOXTHLP7

Difference #1: Version A (MGS pack) is backward compatible with PS2 games while this one is NOT (they are both backward compatible with PS1 games however.)

Difference #2: Version A has 4 USB ports as well as memory card slots, while this version has only 2 USB ports and NO memory card slots.

Difference #3: AND THIS FOR ME IS BIG: Version A has the older and larger 90nm Cell processor, while this one has the smaller (and some say more reliable) 65nm Cell processor. Power consumption on this unit is lower as well, dropping from 200 Watts to 135 watts. The end result is a machine that runs cooler and, according to all reports as well as my personal experience, much quieter. An extremely relevant factor if you watch movies with it.

For those that have been looking for a while, this is basically the 40GB machine that was offered recently, with a larger hard drive and an upgraded controller - they replaced the basic sixaxis controller with the Dualshock 3 controller (which means it has rumble.)

Now Version A is packaged with Metal Gear Solid. It has an 80GB drive like this one, and the same controller. The big differences are listed above. Until this configuration was released, the larger hard drive and Dualshock controller were 2 of the 4 reasons many people felt the MGS pack was worth the additional $100. Those two factors are now eliminated. The remaining differences are the backward compatibility with PS2 games and the MGS game itself, which can of course be bought separately.

So to sum it up, if you NEED PS2 compatibility, you might want to grab the MGS pack if you can get one - that or keep your old PS2. For new buyers though, and for all of the people that are going to just play PS3 games, as well as avid movie watchers, this particular configuration is fantastic. You get the big drive, the good controller, PLUS the cooler running chip, a quieter machine and a system that uses about 33% less power.

I don't really care about backwards compatability, so I figure I'll save money and get a better machine and buy the newer 80GB version, and get MGS separately.

 

[hans030390]

Wait, what? The essential pack with MGS 1-3? If so, you need a BC PS3 to play 2 and 3 (PS2 games).

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Originally posted by: hans030390
Wait, what? The essential pack with MGS 1-3? If so, you need a BC PS3 to play 2 and 3 (PS2 games).

Yep, the Essential Pack with MGS 1-3

I thought they made the Essential Pack especially for PS3, so I was hoping you didn't need BC.

That's my question, at least.

FYI: (link to essential pack on amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Ge...tation-2/dp/B001383L36

 

[NiKeFiDO]

some reviews on amazon are leading me to believe I need the BC version if I want the Essential Pack.

Decisions, decisions....


This sucks - anyone have opinions on this?

I'm basically over-paying $40 to get the backwards compatability (and a louder more power hungry ps3), which would only be to play the Essential Pack, which is $30. (I sold my ps2 and all games years ago...)

So that's $70 to play old MGS games.

Not sure I care about them enough.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: NiKeFiDO
some reviews on amazon are leading me to believe I need the BC version if I want the Essential Pack.

Decisions, decisions....

MGS1 is a PS One game, MGS2 and MGS3 are PS2 games. The Essentials pack is not some special blu-ray bundle, it's the original games repackaged into one set. If you want to play MGS2 and MGS3 you will need a PS3 that is backwards compatible with PS2 games (or you could just get a PS2).

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Nilla - yeah I just got that conclusion after some further reading to confirm the BC issue - see (editd) post above yours.

 

[biggestmuff]

I bought one of the 80GB MGS bundles last summer and I'd do it again over the current PS3s that are offered. The PS2 BC and the card reader is a big deal for me, especially the card reader.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: NiKeFiDO
Nilla - yeah I just got that conclusion after some further reading to confirm the BC issue - see (editd) post above yours.

I didn't know there was any other possible conclusion to be drawn from it. Are people really saying otherwise?

 

[nakedfrog]

Spend that cash! Stimulate that economy! You're a young hot shot in the IT world now

 

[NiKeFiDO]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Spend that cash! Stimulate that economy! You're a young hot shot in the IT world now

hat