(More) PS3 Hands On

As we reported last week, computer retailer CeX has managed to get PS3s in its stores up and down the country. We've already brought you some feedback on the hardware itself. Now we have some thoughts from the lucky guys on the ground who were first to get their hands on the consoles. Here's what some of the good folk at CeX think^†:

[b]Phil, Assistant Manger at CeX Liverpool
Age: 25
Experience: Plenty[/b]

My first thought when we opened the box was the size of the beast, it's huge! But after playing Resistance for two minutes I was completely sold on it. The PlayStation 3, is a fabulous machine in my eyes, the graphics on Resistance are brilliant, and the game play on Ridge Racer 7, with the tilt control sensor steering, brings a whole new level to the game play. And as these are only 1st generation titles, this clearly shows there are better things to come.

Pack up your 360s and put them in the attic. The big boy has arrived, and he means business.

[b]Dan Brannigan, Assistant Manger CeX Northampton Store
Age: 22
Experience: Plenty[/b]

The Launch games are poor, the pad feels too light and they've trashed the R2 and L2 buttons, and no vibration!

I love console wars, so let's hope Sony release a killer app soon to give Microsoft and Nintendo a fight for first place.

In my opinion, the PS3 didn't explode on the scene, it just arrived.

[b]Mark Ashford, CeX Solihull Store Manger
Age: 31
Experience: gaming for 23 years on a multitude of consoles[/b]

I would have to say my first impressions were that of being let down by so many promises and so little delivered. But this could be said for the PS2 which was a very slow starter but eventually produced some of the best and most original games on the last generation of consoles.

[b]Stuart Smith, Rathbone Place CeX Manager
Age: 30
Experience: Been gaming for 23 years, owned pretty much every console you could mention from said period[/b]

Big, shiny, not that impressive so far, especially as it has been released one year into the Xbox 360's life span, release games nothing special.

[b]Colin Moore, Newcastle CeX Store Manager
Age: 28
Experience: Passionate gamer since a child[/b]

I was somewhat disappointed. After playing Ridge Racer 6 extensively on the XBOX 360 I was looking forward to Ridge Racer 7 on PS3. I was totally gob-smacked to find RR7 lacking in nearly every department in comparison to RR6 on 360. The graphics are nowhere near as crisp as the previous 360 version. The game play is interrupted by "judder" and screen tear. Can anyone justify the extra £200 for a PS3 when the 360 seems the better console?

So… a mixed response so far.

Have you got your mitts on a PS3 yet? If you've made it down to one of CeX's stores (or the Science Museum) let us know what you though on the forum.

^{†We hasten to point out that these are the opinions of CeX staffers who happened to be amongst the first people in the UK to get their hands on the PS3. As such they're personal opinions, not representative of CeX as a company (or SPOnG).}