News On Backwards Compatibility For PS3 Owners

[Raiden]

So, as most of you know I'm a very proud Playstation 3 owner and I know that a few of you here are too. As you can recall, back when the PS3 first launched in America the 20G (now obsolete) and the 60G were both backwards compatible, but once those two models stopped being produced the 40G, 80G and 120G models no longer had the emotion chip that allowed for it...

However, some news has arisen that Sony is thinking about brining it back, but not on the next batch of released PS3s. They have requested a patent for the ability to have the Cell Processor chip decode the PS2 games so that they are once again playable on your already existing system. Whether this will be true for actual PS2 discs or just downloads from the PSN Store...we don't quite know yet.

Reference: http://kotaku.com/5304117/sony-patents-method-to-emulate-ps2-on-ps3

Enjoy and discuss!

Shane

[Klark]

Well, my 80GB is backwards compatible with PS2 games through emulation and it hasn't run into a game it can't play.

The history there is off a little. The 20GB and 60GB could both play PS2 games because they contained the Emotion Engine.

When the 40GB and 80GB game out, they were backwards compatible through emulation.

Then that was done away with and they haven't had it since.

If the story is true, I'd say Sony is making a sound decision. There are plenty of folks who can't afford a lot of games after purchasing the system, so they go back to play their PS2 ones (if the system is backwards compatible).

[Raiden]

Well, my 80GB is backwards compatible with PS2 games through emulation and it hasn't run into a game it can't play.

The history there is off a little. The 20GB and 60GB could both play PS2 games because they contained the Emotion Engine.

When the 40GB and 80GB game out, they were backwards compatible through emulation.

Then that was done away with and they haven't had it since.

If the story is true, I'd say Sony is making a sound decision. There are plenty of folks who can't afford a lot of games after purchasing the system, so they go back to play their PS2 ones (if the system is backwards compatible).

You're quite lucky to have gotten a system that still allows for backwards compatibility. I know that if I could play PS2 games on my PS3 I would bought the Essential Collection for MGS.

I'm pretty much like you here. IF this is indeed true, then Sony is making quite a sound decision.

Here's to hoping it's true... :beerchug:

Shane

[Raiden]

While I know that there was some wondering if this story was true, I happened to run into another article on this that delves just a hair deeper into how this would be done.

Give it a once over.

http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696990/Could-All-PlayStation-3s-Soon-Be-Backwards-Compatible.html

Discuss.

Shane

[Zombie]

I wont get one unless it is completely backwards compatable, no matter how many giggitybites it has.
-Z

[Raiden]

So, it's been officially trumped from an offical at Sony that they are not planning to bring back backwards compatibility on all PS3's in homes right now. However, nothing was said about the PS3 Slim possibly having it, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

As of either tomorrow or Thursday, I'll been purchasing my PS2 Slim so go along with my PS3 and Wii.

Shane

[Raiden]

I've got some rather interesting news regarding the backwards compatibility issue coming back to the PS3...

Check this link out...

http://dualshockers.com/2009/08/new-psn-is-most-likely-backwards-compatibilty-and-ps2-store/

Do you see what I see? MGS2 (not Substance and a PS2 game) being sold on PS3's PSN Store?! Well, I don't want to shoot my mouth off about this, so I'm going to wait until GamesCon releases real information about this.

I'll update this if there is any official work soon.

Shane

[Klark]

I notice they mention a Firmware update to 3.0. I'm wondering if they'll have some sort of compression software in that update to help buyers download PS2 games. The largest PS2 games topped 9 GBs, which is a pretty damn good size download. At the moment, I have the fastest internet connection you can get in Nebraska and it takes me roughly an hour to two hours to download a movie if it's more than 1500 MB, just slightly over a gig.

We'll have to see what they have in store.

[LucimOfTheMoon]

The only way I am getting a PS3 at the moment is full backwards compatibilty. I have always been more of a Microsoft fan anyway.

[Raiden]

The only way I am getting a PS3 at the moment is full backwards compatibilty. I have always been more of a Microsoft fan anyway.

Well, as much as I despise Microsoft, I can respect that. :D

But, anyway, yeah, backwards compatibility of any kind for the PS3 is completely off the table according to the higher ups at Sony. According to analytical surveys and whatnot from current PS3 owners, the numbers are showing that 80%-90% of owners don't even want backwards compatibility. So, as far as I can tell, it's not coming back anytime soon.

However, with the PS2 Slim in at a price point of $99 new and around the neighborhood of $50 used, I can see why this wouldn't really be a problem.

Oh well? =P

Shane

[LucimOfTheMoon]

^_^ You sound like my friend. The guy wokrs at Gamestop and said the same thing: "Why do they need to put backwards compatibility if the PS2 is so cheap?" In my opinion its just another tactic to grab a few extra bucks.

[Klark]

The only way I am getting a PS3 at the moment is full backwards compatibilty. I have always been more of a Microsoft fan anyway.

Why? Microsoft has no backwards compatibility and as soon as the new machine debuted, they completely dropped support for the old machine, forcing their customers to upgrade or wallow in their own despair.

[LucimOfTheMoon]

Uhmmm, every single 360 I have ever seen has had backwards compatibility man. If you are thinking arcade, it is the lack of a HDD that causes this lack of compatibility. Once you pop one in and download the software (which is free) you can enjoy your XBOX original games. And they stopped making XBOX games because they are moving on. It is a damn good marketing tactic you really can't hate that. Sony will start getting shit once they stop making PS2 games guarantee it.

[Raiden]

^_^ You sound like my friend. The guy wokrs at Gamestop and said the same thing: "Why do they need to put backwards compatibility if the PS2 is so cheap?" In my opinion its just another tactic to grab a few extra bucks.

Haha, I prefer the joke of backwards compatibility to be like this...

You want backwards compatibility on your PS3? Okay, purchase a PS2 Slim for $99, then tape it to the top of your PS3. There you have it, full backwards compatibility. $299+$99+(whatever it costs for essential accessories and Live subscriptions)= Still less than a 360...:D

Shane

PS...

"War...War never changes."

Hmm, I have to disagree. War has changed. ID tagged soldiers use ID tagged guns. I'm more apt to believe Snake than the narrator for Fallout 3. :p

[LucimOfTheMoon]

Haha, Im glad you picked up on that reference although I have to disagree. War never changes. The way we fight, the means by which the war is fought, but WAR in and of itself never changes.

[Vendetta]

Uhmmm, every single 360 I have ever seen has had backwards compatibility man. If you are thinking arcade, it is the lack of a HDD that causes this lack of compatibility. Once you pop one in and download the software (which is free) you can enjoy your XBOX original games. And they stopped making XBOX games because they are moving on. It is a damn good marketing tactic you really can't hate that. Sony will start getting shit once they stop making PS2 games guarantee it.
For the record, it is limited backwards compatibility. Not every game for the Xbox works on the 360.

There you have it, full backwards compatibility. $299+$99+(whatever it costs for essential accessories and Live subscriptions)= Still less than a 360...
You might want to recheck your math there sport.

[Raiden]

You might want to recheck your math there sport.

Vendetta,

That's the joke. It's not an accurate representation. I was purely just relaying a summarized version of a joke I've heard a few times from Sony fans to Microsoft fans and vice versa. While I know that this isn't exactly something a Microsoft fan might agree with, there are a few jokes about the PS3, so it balances out somehow. I just don't know the jokes tat Microsoft fans tell about Sony.

I'm excellent at math, thank you. :)

Shane

[LucimOfTheMoon]

While, yes, the compatibility is limited on a 360, the games that matter will play so I'm all good. (Yes that was 100% opinion before anyone picks it apart lol)

[Sinanju]

Why? Microsoft has no backwards compatibility and as soon as the new machine debuted, they completely dropped support for the old machine, forcing their customers to upgrade or wallow in their own despair.

The difference is that PS1 and 2 have some of the most amazing games of the last decade and are still worth firing up. Xbox doesnt even have one exclusive RPG I can think of that I would like to fire up and play, and all of the big hits like halo work on BC anyway. PS3 backwards compatibility would be a major decision in my purchasing one, whereas on 360 its a total nonissue for me.

[LucimOfTheMoon]

Thats true. I have noticed that Microsoft isnt very big on the whole RPG scene whereas Sony, being a company rooted in Japan, has a very large selection of RPGs. You kind of have to look at where they are from. Japan has a larger RPG favoring group of gamers whereas America (Microsofts birthplace) is more focused on Sports/Racing/Action/Shooters. Just my thoughts.

[Vendetta]

Thats true. I have noticed that Microsoft isnt very big on the whole RPG scene whereas Sony, being a company rooted in Japan, has a very large selection of RPGs. You kind of have to look at where they are from. Japan has a larger RPG favoring group of gamers whereas America (Microsofts birthplace) is more focused on Sports/Racing/Action/Shooters. Just my thoughts.
It's not that MS isn't big on RPGs, it mostly is that the big RPG companies have never really wanted to make games for their console. Although a lot of that changed with the deals MS made with the advent of the 360.

Also, I look at it as a quantity vs. quality issue. I don't give a crap if Sony has 50 RPGs, if like 80% of them pretty much the same game (or just plain BAD games.)

[Sinanju]

Its funny also because that trend reversed with the 360, where pretty much all the jrpgs rpgs are at now, and the ones that do come to ps3 end up delayed alot or released alongside 360.