the main purpose for buying a playstation 3 was simple, and actually kind of ridiculous - mlb '09 the show.

yes, i bought a $400 system and a $50 second controller for a single $60 game.

i do not regret this one bit.

mlb '09 plays a game of baseball spectacularly. the controls are the simple, intuitive ones you've been using since 'modern' baseball games came out (starting with the triple play series in the late '90s). the realism, as the ad states, is top-notch. turning a double play or getting a key strike out or even working a walk (for me, since i am swing-happy) is every bit as satisfying as ripping a single up the middle or crushing a pitch 400 feet.

and i'm saying this after 3 games against the CPU.

so the game is excellent. if you like baseball video games, i will just pass along the words that convinced me that this money would be well-spent: best game since high heat. with the obvious presentation improvements that will come after 7 years.

as to the device itself - now that i have all 3 of the current generation video game systems, i can see the clear lines they all draw. the wii is clearly for families and children. the 360 is in between - the game library begs for hardcore gamers, but the new xbox experience (nxe) is trying to be as accessible as the wii. and generally the interface is softer, with rounder corners and more pleasant colors. the ps3, though, is different. the interface could cut you, it is so sharp. the colors are muted. the device itself looks like a freaking beast. there isn't a huge emphasis on your buddies or chatting. there's just a lot of settings, a lot of being a media-viewing beast, and a lot of being a video game beast. it's a beast.

there is a part of me that each of these devices appeal to, and i am glad i have rounded out the collection, as absurd as it might be.

so i signed up for PSN, and my username is joeairbear, and feel free to add me to your buddy list. i'm also open to any video game suggestions you might have. right now i have two games on my radar:

1) littlebigplanet
2) valkyria chronicles

i am trying to avoid any FPSes on ps3, since i have plenty of life to get out of call of duty 4 and 5 on the 360. and i think if i get any new games, i have to beat a couple of ps2 games and one more 360 game before i open them up. but these are just rules.