Here's my two cents: Try to find a 60GB (if possible) or 80GB model from either Gamestop or EB Games. If money's a concern, you can always try a used one. Then, buy used copies of any PS2 game that you really, REALLY love (which by your indication, this would include the MGS Essential Collection).

Then, as much of a pain in the ass it may turn out to be, bring them back with you.

IMHO, unless you speak Japanese, a US console with backwards-compatibility is the ultimate way to go. If you don't prefer to have a single-machine that can do it all, then by all means, buy a PS3 here in M'sia (probably Asia regioned) and pickup a cheap PS2 as well. But if you've been in the States for any reasonable amount/length of time and own any PS2 games or DVDs, you will never regret bringing a US console back.

MGS4: Unless you're dying for the Ltd Edition, I'm sure MGS4 will be readily available here in M'sia. Plenty of reputable gameshops locally that you can pre-order from. If not, there's still always Play-Asia.

Single Machine: What I meant was, if you have authentic US/NTSC PS2 games and DVDs in your collection, buy a US  60/80GB PS3. One machine to play PS3 & PS2 games, upscale DVDs.

If you don't, then come back to Malaysia and buy an Asia reg. PS3. To satisfy your PS2/ NTSC DVD needs, you'll have to buy a PS2 as well (hence, more than 1 machine).

MGS4 & GTA4: Again, if you're just looking to get the game (and not the Special editions) then I believe there will be plenty of retailers here in Malaysia that will carry it once you get back. Or you can try Play-Asia.com (very reliable as most forumers here would agree).

ps3 blu-ray games are region-free, but it is still region-locked when it comes to dvds. so all your R1 dvds cannot be played in an asian ps3 set, and vice versa. i found this out the hard way im currently contemplating getting a US unit as well, but i think its pretty hard in kl.

Personally, I'd go with a US machine. Because I have a decent amount of DVDs & games I brought back with me, I too found out the hard way that even though my 60gb has backward-compatibility it was a JP machine and thus not able to play R1 DVDs and PS2 games.

So eventually, through some effort, I managed to bring in an 80gb one. I prefer to have a single machine that can play my PS3 games/ BluRays as well as upscale my PS2 ones and DVDs. For me a PS3 isn't as worth it if it's without BC (that's just my opinion).

Back to topic: So who else is all set for MGO Beta on Monday?! I hope our crappy ISP won't eff things up for others and skew/ruin the beta test data...