News
PS3 backwards compatibility to be resurrected?
Ben Parfitt Feb 13 2008, 12:01pm
Comments (14)
PlayStation exec hints at the chance of PS2 playback appearing in the future
PS3 owners who feel a little hard done by due to Sony’s decision to remove PS2 backwards compatibility from their machine might have some good news on the way, with the suggestion that the feature might wait a long-awaited return.
Launch PS3’s all boasted PS2 backwards compatibility – with the US and Japanese machines doing so via embedded hardware and the European machines through software emulation.
However, Sony removed the feature in later revisions of its machine, such as in the 40GB model currently available in the UK.
Now, PlayStation network director Eric Lempell has told US games mag EGM that the functionality could possibly yet return for those machines currently lacking it, Kotaku reports.
“There are possibilities through technology and software emulation to make that possible,” though he did add that the firm has no “specific plans at this point”.
Comments
“why ?”
Posted by: Dom - Feb 13, 1:41pm
Why was it even taken out in the first place. Seemed silly to me at the time. However it doesn't seem to be hurting sales.
“Re: why ?”
Posted: Feb 13, 1:56pm
@1 - because everyone was moaning the price of the PS3 was too high, so they released a cheaper one, but that came at a cost to backwards compatibility. That lead to a huge increase in PS3 sales - people didn't mind too much hanging onto their PS2. And now as manufacturing costs are set to come down even more for the PS3, they can think about implementing again without additional sales cost. Personally I'd like it back but I'd prefer it through software. My real wish would be for Sony to offer downloaded PS2 games on the PSN store which included the patches built in. So you could store the PS2 games you wanted on your hard drive. I'd also like to see this offered with discounts on the PS2 games you've already bought on disc (perhaps by sending in your original disc you get sent a voucher code which you c****e when you download off the store) but I can't really see it happening...
“Re: why ?”
Posted: Feb 13, 1:57pm
Pawn Word filter blocked out words "can" and "use" in post 2 above...
“pathetic”
Posted by: booboo - Feb 13, 3:04pm
Enjoy paying for your PS2 games again.
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Bob - Feb 13, 4:08pm
The c **** e filter is ridiculous on here!
I presume he's hinting at the possibility of getting GS (I think this was the problem) emulation working in software, at which point it can all be downloaded in a friendly Sony Update!
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Reythor - Feb 13, 4:53pm
It's a really expensive time to be a die-hard console collector right now. Anyone wishing to own every single incarnation of the PS3 or XBox360 past, present and future is going to need a word with their bank manager.
I do wonder when all this faffing about will end. The only company that has so far stuck by their original decisions on their console is Nintendo - and, oh! Look! They're having a runaway success with it! Quelle surprise.
If I were looking to buy a PS3 I'd now be thinking that perhaps I should wait a while - see if there's something better I could get for my money in 6 months. Six month later, more hints at a better console… well, guess I should wait for that. A dynamic which could end with me never purchasing one.
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Reythor - Feb 13, 4:58pm
And yes, I did read the article regarding this being to do with software emulation for current machines. But I still think I have a point.
I don't know any more. It was all so much simpler with the Megadrive VS the SNES. Actually it wasn't was it, what with multiple versions of the Mega CD, then the 32X and so on.
It all worked out okay for Sega in the end though right??
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Alias - Feb 13, 5:04pm
Sega died man, sega died...
Leave it, it's over. Turn off the TV and go outside, there's a whole world out there
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Reythor - Feb 13, 5:09pm
A whole what?
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Pantythief - Feb 14, 9:59am
You're not alone Reythor.......
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: brightonboy - Feb 14, 5:04pm
How much can it cost to have software emulation on the reduce priced ps3?It would cost next to nothing, they would have saved money on removing the hardware emulation but software? They just want everyone to buy ps3 games instead... from what Ive heard ps3 versions of games are quite poor compared to 360... I miss the old days
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Joxel - Feb 16, 5:55pm
I think the damage is done. They started assuring "backwards compatibility", so now all this game of back and forth, ditching it and bringing it back, probably, maybe... is exasperating. Now, I read the rumors of them ditching the 80GB version, which is the one with B.C. Those things mess up your trust level in the company.
My PS2 is broken, and I want to have the B.C. option or else all my PS2 games are as good as gone. I do not know if to buy or wait.
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: me - May 1, 7:40am
lots of other consoles are like backward compatible E.G:
the wii plays gamecube games
the 360 plays old xbox games but trust sony to take it out
“Re: pathetic”
Posted by: Robsta - May 31, 3:31pm
They might blame production costs for its ommision, but I think its more about greed. Sony are still selling masses of PS2 consoles. If they re-introduce backward compatibilty, all the PS2 owners who are hanging on to their consoles to play their PS2 games will have no need to do so, thus the market will get flooded with second-hand PS2 consoles and kill off Sony's still-flourishing sales. Thats my opinion anyway.......