One year ago: a look at PS3's violent launch

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 19th 2007 at 9:00AM }

What better way to look at our one year retrospective than to go all the way back to launch? The PS3 launch was a nightmare. With supplies in incredibly short stock, people went a bit crazy trying to secure one. People were shot, and as seen in this video, people were probably trampled too. Of course, once people actually secured a system, they immediately sent it to eBay, trying to mark it up to ridiculous $1000+ levels (one auction went for over $10,000!). To think, a year afterwards, the system is still in third place in the next-gen console wars and is now available for $399. A lot has changed over the past twelve months, and we're certain that the next twelve will feature even more drama and turmoil.

Tags: anniversary, ps3, retrospective

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Todd Staples @ Nov 19th 2007 9:06AM

There's not an electronics item in the world that I would go through that for. Any item for that matter (well, maybe food if my family was starving). What store was this at, anybody know?

Still loving my PS3. Here's to a great 2008!

mendj27 @ Nov 19th 2007 10:22AM

classic!!!!!!!!!!!!

gamingeek @ Nov 19th 2007 9:47AM

As an owner of both next gen systems (I don't count the Wii as next gen), I can honestly say that I enjoy my PS3 so much more! The PS3 exclusives are far more innovative and fun to play than the FPS box exclusives. For those of you who are on the fence about Uncharted-- RUN OUT AND BUY THIS GAME IT IS AWESOME!! Between Uncharted, Heavenly Sword, Lair (yes I dig it), Resistance, Motorstorm, Folklore, and Rachet & Clank it's been a great first year to be a PS fanboy!

Byron517 @ Nov 19th 2007 9:52AM

I think the PS3 has had a rough start but I believe the system is just barely breaking the ice and picking up some steam expecially with Games like Uncharted! I agree @2 it's by far the best looking and fun game on ANY system PERIOD it's FUN AS HELL!! I think that this holiday will be a surprise holiday for the ps3 and coming into the new year I feel that the ps3 is going to make up some serious ground!

Byron517 @ Nov 19th 2007 10:27AM

Ok this goes out for the people that OWN UNCHARTED!!

The back of the box *the U.S. box* says that the games resolution is set at HDTV 720p I was a bit pissed because the demo was at 1080p and I remembered reading that it would run at 1080p.

THIS IS A MISPRINT! THE GAME DOES RUN AT 1080p!!

If you pop the game in with your display settings set at automatic the game will run at 720p BUT if you set your display settings to only play at 1080p THE GAME WILL PLAY AT AN AWESOME LOOKING DROP DEAD GORGEOUS 1080P!!

Can someone at PS3 Fanboy confirm as to why this is so?? The PS3 has no upscaling so what's going on? I tried this with Rachet and Clank which also has written on the box to run at 720p and it didn't work, there was a funky looking bar thing on the screen but with Uncharted its obvious to see the difference from 720p to 1080p! So is this a mis-print? ANSWERS PLEASE! Thanks!

vegi-saurus @ Nov 19th 2007 10:32AM

Ahhh...good times!

Galley @ Nov 19th 2007 10:37AM

That's definitely a Best Buy. You can tell by the "present" logo in the window.

TheSh0wstopper @ Nov 19th 2007 10:54AM

I got 3 systems on launch, one in my bedroom, one in the living room, and sold one to a "friend" for $2200. Who needs e-bay when you have friends.

TheSh0wstopper

SirBlazeAlot @ Nov 19th 2007 12:56PM

haha, the ps3 has already shown it is a serious contender, and who cares if it did so towards the end of its first year. People are starting to take the box more seriously because it has performed well...I look back on those videos and for one, I laugh. Another thing that comes to mind is look at the demand for them...geeze, low stock and everything....tho if I was at that one store where people started rushing, I would probably have tried to knock a cop over...cops really do suck, more than the xbox...no getting around that one.

James @ Nov 19th 2007 1:45PM

"To think, a year afterwards, the system is still in third place in the next-gen console wars and is now available for $399."

Um, I think you mean CURRENT GEN console wars.

B1gC72 @ Nov 19th 2007 2:11PM

well i waited on mine since i was a little low on cash at the time. i knew i wanted a Wii and a PS3 so i bought the Wii first at launch. then i got the 60GB PS3 when they dropped the price the first time...just in time for the beautiful Heavenly Sword. the PS3 certainly started slow but damn did it snowball to the end of the year with all of these great games and stuff coming out for it. so proud to be a PS3 owner.

Endscrypt @ Nov 20th 2007 2:29PM

10. "To think, a year afterwards, the system is still in third place in the next-gen console wars and is now available for $399."

Um, I think you mean CURRENT GEN console wars.

Posted at 1:45PM on Nov 19th 2007 by James

And also m8 as Consoles go! Its number 1 in sales for November.

Its Nintendo DS
Sony PSP --ID CALL THESE HANDHELDS,Thats why im
Sony PS3 saying PS3 is the No. 1 Console
Nintendo WII
MS X-Box 360

And thats a fact thats going by Nov sales,And from what ive read theres not much in it between the DS & the PSP which is now selling strongly in Japan if you check this stuff out you will know it outsold the DS last month.And with the games that are out or comming out for PSP,PS3 i dont see why it wont stay that way or get better ;)