Reading Digg this week, or any of dozens of blogs (the same thing really), one could be forgiven for thinking that Nintendo was mere moments from shoving a sharpened Wii controller through the back of Sony's head.

Doom!  Gloom!  Death!  It's a good thing the newest Playstation is already a glossy black, because the  news from the blogging crowd this past week is enough to turn an owner of the system emo.

While there is no question that Sony is taking the beating of a lifetime from a lot of people, far too often I see some of the best little bits--or flat-out contradictions to poor information--ignored.  One example was the news earlier this week that the system couldn't even support any form of force feedback or vibration, despite the fact that Gran Turismo HD does rumble and FF just fine (though obviously not on a sixaxis controller).

So what's being ignored about the PS3 that could turn it around?  Hit the jump to find out...
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The Lineup:  With exclusives and head-start projects in development for the year, the PS3 has no shortage of great looking games due in 2007.  Motorstorm, Virtua Fighter 5, Assassins Creed, and Metal Gear Solid 4 look poised to kick some serious ass between now and the end of the year.  And with more titles tking advantage of the downright breathtaking 1080p output, games shouldn't just play well but look stunning--a definite plus in moving systems off of store shelves, especially when retailers are reluctant to let people try out its newest competitor for fear of users making off with the controller.

The Store:  Never given enough credit, Sony's online Playstation Store is offering some killer  content.  Demos, trailers,  even a few full games like Tekken 5 in high def.  While some items, similar to Microsoft's XBL, are region specific it is very easy to get around these preventive measures and check out the full range of Sony's online experience.  A few minor annoyances do affect the store (such as no background downloading) but on the whole, it's a great setup.

The Graphics:  Videogames are based around gameplay, but that doesn't change the reality that killer graphics are the first thing that most people see at home or in stores.  While many have been rightly peeved at the fact that some games don't meet the wildly overdeone footage shown at E3 '05, that doesn't change the fact that many of the released or mostly-finished gmes look downright phenomenal.  Gran Turismo HD is possibly the most realistic looking game ever made, and games like Resistance, MGS4 and Genji suggest that the Killzone 2 footage may not necessarily be as unachievable as once thought.

Blue-Ray:  Arguably one of the most controversial decisions  made in the console's design, Blu-Ray is either a boon or a bust depending on who you ask.  But there is plenty of use for the format other than just the impressive display of films like Kindom of Heaven or Monster House.  Resistance: Fall of Man was able to two launches in two weeks without having to code two games by combining both master copies of the game (Japanese and North American) onto a single disc, with only the language and some edited violance being the diferences between them.  If used regualrly in the future, this could result in lowered production costs (BRDs are more expensive than most DVD and CD media to produce) and shorter release gaps between regions (such as SEGA's decision to release Virtua Fighter 5 in both Japan and America only days apart instead of months).  This is without even taking into account that fact that many games on PC are quickly expanding beyond five gigs in size, with other systems sure to follow.

Bluetooth:  Rarely cited but very intruiging is the system's Bluetooth capability.  While most often associated with the controllers, the system is fully capable with synching up to any supported Bluetooth standard, which mens that gamers can use bluetooth headsets and other bluetooth devices with their system.  With Sony relying on an open-source standard for their wireless technology, it's not likely to be long before companies like Red Octane and Happ begin finding cool uses for new controllers and other devices on the system.

The Price:  Sucks hard.  I know.  No defending it, really.  But when you compare the PS3 basic package with the 360 premium package, the price is a lot more competetive than people think.  Adding in wifi support alone to the 360 makes the price nearly equal, and is a big deal for getting online if you can't put your system in the same place as your router or computer like me.  Then add in memory cards (playing at a friends house?  Me not think so!) and battery chargers for those big chunky controllers to give it that added sticker shock feel.   The PS3 uses common standards so that there's less specialized, overpriced extras to buy.  Like a larger hard drive, for instance.  And of course, not one extra cent for online gaming.

The PS3 isn't God's gift to gaming, sure.  But I'm tired of reading piece after piece of poorly worded hysterical Sony bashing just for the sake of looking hip.