The PlayStation 3's on-again-off-again compatibility story has been a bugbear for a number of gamers out there. As someone who owns a PS3 without the backwards compatibility and who has the PS2 in his stepson's bedroom, this is a very annoying problem that has resulted in my not purchasing a number of PS2 games in recent years. Still, a new rumor has popped up that may provide an answer.
As you may know, certain PS3's had either a PS2-compatible chip (US and Japan) or emulation software (Europe) that allowed them to play PS2 games. Of course, because Sony is Sony, the stupid decision was made to remove this feature from the system, resulting in most PS3s being unable to access one of the best game libraries of all time. According to a new patent, however, some new emulation software is being worked on.
The patent offers a method of emulation using the PS3's Cell chip. The chip will be able to intepret code coming from the PS2's Emotion Engine, leading to complete and thorough emulation of all PS2 games. Whether or not this means that PS3s will eventually all be able to play PS2 games is unclear. It's possible that the company is gearing up for a "Games On Demand" style PS2 download store on the PSN.
Either way, please make this happen, Sony. My PS3 is already the best PSOne ever, let's make it a ruddy good PS2 as well. I know you hate logic and good ideas, but make an exception this time.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:20 AM on 06.30.2009
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Did they ever say why exactly they took BC out of the PS3?
"They could increase sales by at least 10% if they would just listen to the community for five minutes"
Most people agree that Sony DID listen to the community and gave them what they were complaining about the most. A price cut. A price cut by removing a feature that everybody wants apparently.
As Trev kinda said, the emulation-based BC so far has some shortcomings, but if this patent can fix them, then I'd be full-on wanting a PS3 (hopefully "PS3 Flat" (maybe with less ALL-CAPS)). Our old, fat PS2 is beginning to get clicky when reading the discs, so getting all three PS gens in one machine would rule. However, if it's only Games On Demand, then I'd be peeved.
As for why they'd get rid of it: So people would continue buying PS2s, off course!
They should have continued software emulation though, and I hope they re-introduce it soon. But then I have a PS2 next to the PS3, so I'm not missing out.
BTW, to you jerks with PS2 compatible PS3s (I kid, I kid...bastards lol), does it provide any upscaling or smoothing on PS2 games for HDTV's? My slim PS2 looks absolutely disgusting on my 1080p set, even running a component signal. And it's an Aquos, so I know it's not a subpar scaling chip in my set, so don't even go there sucka :
I remain suspicious that this patent has anything to do with Sony coming to their senses about BC.
When you play your old titles (for which you have fond memories) on a shiny new PS3, you begin to associate those memories with the new machine. It's the basic psychology of transition. Do you think gamers would be lining up at Fry's to buy up copies of "Choro-Q" and "Trigger Man" instead of GTA IV or Resistance? Even Microsoft gets it (albeit not perfectly).
To be fair, 360's, Wii's, PSP's, and DS's are ALSO unable to access one of the greatest software libraries of all time.
;-)
And wasn't this story already on D-Toid somewhere? I could have sworn I read it yesterday.
I don't think anyone who has a PS3 would purchase another PS3 just for the BC...If they can do the BX via a system update, great, but this seems like just another excuse for Sony to put yet ANOTHER sku on the shelves...There's been more 'new systems' this gen between $ony and M$ than there had been in the last 20 years. It's fucking ridiculous.
I don't want to wait patiently for the games I do want to play while they trickle out two or three per month.
If you ask me they should focus it all on the PS2 and PS3 games eliminating all the PS1 games, anybody with a PS1 game is on the highest level of weird from where I'm standing umm I mean sitting.
PS1 GAMES ARE ABSOLUTE PEOPLE GET YOUR FREAKING MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER AND REALIZE THAT!!!!