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Home PlayStation 2 updates

Rumortoid: new firmware to bring backwards compatibility to 40GB PS3
9:29 AM on 06.04.2008, Dale North 54 comments

Rumortoid: new firmware to bring backwards compatibility to 40GB PS3 photo
     PlayStation 2

Those that were late to the PlayStation 3 bandwagon know that their shiny black console doesn't play well with PlayStation 2 games. The word on the street is that a new firmware update will change this. Every upcoming firmware update has its fair share of rumored features attached to it, so take this newss of the addition of PS2 backwards compatibility with a grain of salt.

According to German game site InPlayStation, an October firmware update for the PS3 will bring full backwards compatiblity for PS2 games for that poor 40GB model that got left out in the cold. PSXextreme reminds us that Sony has said that they plan to make PS2 games downloadable on PSN some day, so they say that this could be a plausible rumor.

Granted, none of this is confirmed. It never is. And hearing another firmware feature is like hearing "wolf" again. But, seeing as how there are still plenty of great PS2 games hitting the market, I would really like to see this happen. What do you think?


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Netrat33's Avatar
Netrat33 at 06/04/2008 09:35
I have the 60 gig model so I personally don't have to worry about this. But this is great news to standardize all the systems on at least what they can do at the base level: Play games.
shipero's Avatar
shipero at 06/04/2008 09:35
I hear there's a new firmware coming down the pipe that turns your PS3 into a magical genie that'll grant your heart's every desire.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 06/04/2008 09:36
Software emulation, eh? Wonder if pirates can learn from Sony's breakthrough. PCSX2 could use some improvements.
Merry Ho's Avatar
Merry Ho at 06/04/2008 09:38
hmm dont care, I have the 60 GB version
PikkonX's Avatar
PikkonX at 06/04/2008 09:47
I have a 60GB and this is the feature I've wanted most, but only if the emulator has the ability to render the games in HD like PCSX2 does. I doubt Sony will take it that far, but it would be tons better than the stretch-o-vision upscaling that the PS3 currently does.
Alfie Haggis's Avatar
Alfie Haggis at 06/04/2008 09:50
Woot! Would be awesome if true! Trouble is my 40Gig PS3 is back home on Earth!

Im stuck in space battling with Rage Monsters and Cock Dragons!

Alfie
Trev's Avatar
Trev at 06/04/2008 09:52
It's my understanding that there isn't PS2 compatibility in the 40GB PS3 because emulating the PS2 graphics processor was exceptionally difficult. It would be great if they figured it out though.

To be perfectly honest though, I've barely played PS2 games on mine, and I've got a 60GB so I'm looking at the best compatibility I could have. It was never much of a contest deciding if I would play an old game I had already finished a few times, or my brand new Ratchet & Clank (or whatever it happened to be at the time)

7d 14h 1m!
Gemsi's Avatar
Gemsi at 06/04/2008 09:55
This is a great move if true, i've been wondered for a while about why sony didn't just stick the PS2 emulator on PSN, but having it in a firmware update would be awesome.
FuriousGeorge's Avatar
FuriousGeorge at 06/04/2008 09:57
thats what she said!
Qraze's Avatar
Qraze at 06/04/2008 10:01
good for them 40 gigs. my 60gig is flawless though.
Lucca's Avatar
Lucca at 06/04/2008 10:07
That would be great. If true.
DrNutt's Avatar
DrNutt at 06/04/2008 10:07
This would make me happy. I didn't have the patience to wait for the 80gig MGS4 bundle, and now I'm wishing BC was there.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 06/04/2008 10:22
Get Inside Me

BAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
nademagnet's Avatar
nademagnet at 06/04/2008 10:31
If they finally add the backwards compatibility to the PS3 40 Gig, then I'll buy it.
Schmo0zle's Avatar
Schmo0zle at 06/04/2008 10:34
This would be nice, as I just bought a PS3 and was bummed that it didn't have backwards capability; as I STILL have yet to play God of War 1 or 2.

/cry. /wrist. /emo.
MATTFOO's Avatar
MATTFOO at 06/04/2008 10:38
40gb neeeds this sooooo bad. I wanted to play BLACK on the ps3 and I failed. I hope this is true.
Tash's Avatar
Tash at 06/04/2008 10:38
And here I am waiting for the MGS 80gig bundle for 5 months...
linuxguy's Avatar
linuxguy at 06/04/2008 10:47
guess if anyone knows sony hardware it's sony.
PaperBowser0's Avatar
PaperBowser0 at 06/04/2008 10:50
meh, gotta see it happen first.
necrozen's Avatar
necrozen at 06/04/2008 10:54
Well, I hope it's true cause I was one of those folks late to the party, but im not getting my hopes up.
loki d20's Avatar
loki d20 at 06/04/2008 10:54
I'd be happy if they just fixed a lot of the issues with BS on the 60/80 GB PS3s with a firmware update.

The PS3 is going to need a lot more then 40Gb if Sony plans on releasing PS2 games as downloadable content.

Which is why you can install any standard SATA HDD in your PS3. You can pick up 500 GB for not even a third of what you payed for your 40GB PS3 now and that should hold a crap load of content for many years.
freker's Avatar
freker at 06/04/2008 10:58
Not all games work on 60gb in EU, I hate the fact I can't play the past Ratchet and Clank games (I love a quick blast of Gladiator/Deadlocked) or the original Jak and Daxter properly on it.
This update could even be somewhat useful to EU 60gbs.
Besides, remember you can replace the harddrive to any size you want? downloading PS2 games? Not a problem!
SantanaClaus89's Avatar
SantanaClaus89 at 06/04/2008 11:00
If this is true I will shit my pants and post pics on my blog. I've already upgraged my HDD to 250GB so I'd be all set with full backwards compatibility.

I could also get rid of my ps2 finally.
freker's Avatar
freker at 06/04/2008 11:05
Yeah SantanaClaus89, I only keep mine for the fact the only PS2 games in my collection that don't work on the PS3 are the R+C series and original J+D everything else works fine, I've put my old mem cards as virtual memory cards.

Also, pointless captain obvious fact; The PS3 is the only CONSOLE capable of playing every GTA in the main series.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 06/04/2008 11:17
I've got a 60Gb and a PS2, and I never touch ps2 games. This is good for those who didn't have a ps2, but bought a 40Gb ps3.
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar
DinnertimeNinja at 06/04/2008 11:44
This would certainly be good news.

My little brother has been bugging me to find him a good deal on a PS3 (or sell him mine, HA!) and the 40gb is the only one anywhere near his price range. He has a ton of PS2 games currently and I KNOW he'd be bummed if he got a PS3 without backwards compatibility.

Frankly, if ANY of these recent firmware update rumors come true, I will be a happy panda.
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 06/04/2008 12:38
If this is true (and it sounds unlikely to me. October???), expect BC to be even dodgier than it is on the 60GB PAL and 80GB models.

Those models use software to emulate the emotion engine, but still include the original graphics synthesizer GPU hardware. The 20GB and 60GB NTSC has both pieces of hardware, and the 40GB has neither. So it sounds far-fetched.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 06/04/2008 12:46
As cool as this would be, I'm gonna have to call bullshit on this one. But if true, its great news for those 40 gig PS3 owners.
MrFrunkus's Avatar
MrFrunkus at 06/04/2008 12:48
Why would it be so tuff for PS3 to emulate PS2? The PS3 is more powerful then the Xbox 360, and the 360 can emulate Xbox 1 games, but the Xbox is more powerful then the PS2 so theoretically the PS3 should easily emulate PS2 games. Unless the 360 really is more powerful.
tueac's Avatar
tueac at 06/04/2008 13:01
MrFrunkus >> Because PS2 is an work of art but the XBOX is just a overhyped computer... The same with X360 which explains why it can run the Xbox games... easily... The poor thing is that those who bought the X360 actually thinks that they are getting a Next gen machine... when it can't even run a firefox or something like that... (hint: IE =D)
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 06/04/2008 13:02
Har de har, all those people inflating the price of 60GB models to £400+ will be kicking themselves now!

Also, DinnertimeNinja's avatar is awesome.
CypherVR's Avatar
CypherVR at 06/04/2008 13:19
I'm one of those folks who STILL WANT PROPER BC. I'm a convenience whore, wanting a slice of pie while a hooker is bobbing my knob. XD
Projectexodus's Avatar
Projectexodus at 06/04/2008 13:24
Ever since I ordered a PS3, good news keep appearing :D
Make it happen! That was my only setback for not buying a PS3 sooner!
MrFrunkus's Avatar
MrFrunkus at 06/04/2008 13:33
Ok, an answer from someone who doesn't hate the 360 would be appreciated. I have a PS3(20GB model) and hope for some better looking BC from it. Granted the 360 BC doesn't run ALL Xbox games, the one's it does run look nice. I hope that if this rumor is true that the PS2 game get upgraded a bit. I'd love to play Shadow of the Colosas and ICO at 720P, or the older Ratchet games, also Sly Cooper would look SWEET scaled up. I hope this rumor is true, and Sony provides 100% BC and show's up MS. But, like I asked, is the PS3 more powerfull? Or am I wrong?
pedrovay2003's Avatar
pedrovay2003 at 06/04/2008 13:40
This is awesome news. Other than the Silent Hill games, everything plays fine on my 80gb, so if they use the same method to emulate the games on the 40gb, that'll be a huge jump in the right direction.
Guagloves's Avatar
Guagloves at 06/04/2008 14:14
if this is true I would be more likely to get a PS3.
Kaikara's Avatar
Kaikara at 06/04/2008 14:19
Well if this happens I'll probably get a PS3. Just make sure they can play all regions of PS2 games. I want to be able to play all my imports as well!
Dan CiTi's Avatar
Dan CiTi at 06/04/2008 15:54
Sweet.
Bacchus's Avatar
Bacchus at 06/04/2008 16:10
wants it
Sam Spectre's Avatar
Sam Spectre at 06/04/2008 16:10
If this happens I'm definitely getting a PS3
ApocSin's Avatar
ApocSin at 06/04/2008 16:58
Im sad i only have the 40gb PS3...alas though...Im poor lol.
i would like to get a hold of an 80gb Metal gear soild 4 ps3!...would make a nice gift for oooo say my b-day comming up on the 9th lol!
OH ABOUT F***ING TIME!
Gate's Avatar
Gate at 06/04/2008 17:01
Damn, I got rid of all my PS2 games when I got my 40GB PS3 figuring I'd never play them again. Oh well, you can get them cheap, anyway. But that's awesome, FULL backwards compatibility, not just selected titles? Sweet.
mister1337's Avatar
mister1337 at 06/04/2008 17:56
From a programing aspect this is not some out of the mind feat. It actually seems very believable. This would be like some epic dream coming true (I regret not getting the 80 GB when I could have) and October would be in time for Persona 4. I'm calling truth on this one.
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 06/04/2008 18:51
Some PS3s have both video and processor hardware from the PS2. - All PS2 games are BC.

Some PS3s have just the video hardware from the PS2 and use emulation for the processor.
- This BC works for about 75% of games, many of those with noticeable technical issues.

The 40GB has no hardware from the PS2.
- Emulating both graphics and hardware will probably be the worst kind of BC.
Too Much Coffee Man's Avatar
Too Much Coffee Man at 06/04/2008 19:21
@MrFrunkas

BC does not mean BC + upscaling

the old 20/60GB has PS2's EE chip & used the cell to upscale.

a firmware update would most likely mean cell PS2 emulation, which means less overhead to upscale. I doubt it will have upscaling. I know the RSX can't because it's busted (the scaling, that's why PS3 games are limited to horizontal stretching unless the cell does the scaling)
Taicho's Avatar
Taicho at 06/04/2008 21:58
This would be awesome since the PS2 has one of the best libraries in the history of uh.... history. Also, this would make the 40Gb PS3 a complete PlayStation at a $400 price point. I've heard of people who didn't buy it because it felt gimped compared to other PlayStations.

I own a 60Gb NTSC unit and I am hoping this is true.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 06/04/2008 22:22
So this is why Gamestop employees are saying that 40GB will be BC. When did Dale North become an anus, regurgitating crap off the internet?
hpv's Avatar
hpv at 06/04/2008 22:31
How can this possibly end well? They took out some of the PS2 hardware from the 80GB and can't even get backwards compatibility up to an acceptable level (judging from my own game collection, which might not mean anything)? I'd love to think it was true, but I just don't see it happening.

They really need to re-introduce a version of the 60GB. It's possibly my favorite game console ever (not counting SNES, but you don't compare fantasy novels to Tolkien either) primarily because it's such a fantastic PS2 player on top of delivering the media capabilities and current games. With the huge catalog of PS2 games that are both excellent and cheap they're missing a real opportunity to convert those who recently purchased a PS2 or are considering it now.
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