PS3 isn't backwards compatible?

[Neon]

I read this on the play.com site the other day and was shocked. Igloo was telling me that it's software and you need a 60gb 4 usb port version or something?

So what's the deal? Do they play the old games, do they need something special, or can you "mod" a brand new console to play psx and ps2 games?

[Zeuseh]

60gb are backwards compatible but no other models are.

I think they are working on a download to allow the other console owners to play their ps2 and ps1 games aswell.

[Freelance]

i thought it was like this:
-the original US 80gb versions had the PS2 chips, so old games mostly worked
-european models didn't have the chips (to make it cheaper to manufacture) and they had software emulation instead, but it was less compatible (http://faq.eu.playstation.com/bc/ seems to be a list of this)
-did hear something about a 40gb version without backwards compatibility (wtf?) but no idea if/where it was sold

[Zeuseh]

all 60gb's are backwards compatible and yeh i believe that there will be a download of a emulator for ps2 and ps1 backwards compatibility for the 40gb and up an coming 80gb.

[Angelu5]

The main differences between the 60GB and the 40GB models are as shown below:

PLAYSTATION 3 60GB:

* Four USB ports
* Memory card reader ports
* Ethernet cable included
* Able to play certain PlayStation 2 titles
* Able to play Super Audio CDs

PLAYSTATION 3 40GB:

* Two USB ports
* No memory card reader ports
* Cable no longer provided
* Unable to play PlayStation 2 titles
* Unable to play Super Audio CDs


Taken from the UK playstation 3 FAQ website
http://uk.playstation.com/help-support/ps3/faqs/

[rick_2k]

Basically all 80, 60GB units are backwards compatable

40GB are not.

[Zenith]

ALL PS3s play PS1 games.
Only the 60/80GB versions can play PS2 games, but don't expect it to be perfect. PS2 games are run in a software emulator and seem to lack antialiaising. If you upscale the output (like I do) you notice a certain amount of jaggies and poor quality on textures. PS2 compatability was a nice extra for me, but not a showstopper. NFS:MW plays great and since you're paying attention to the cars and not the scenery, it's not so much of a problem.

Given the price of PS2s, you could get a new 40GB PS3 and a second hand PS2 for less money than some 60GB PS3s on eBay.

[Hg]

The 60/80GB versions use a built in hardware cpu called "Emotion Engine" to run PS2 games
This is not put onto the motherboards of the 40GB models.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion_Engine

It is for this sole reason i havent got a PS3, yet.
However if they were to utlise the power of the PS3 to software emulate a PS2 (like the 360 does for xbox games) then i would be intreasted.

[Omnituens]

The 60/80GB versions use a built in hardware cpu called "Emotion Engine" to run PS2 games
This is not put onto the motherboards of the 40GB models.

Only the US and Jap 60Gb consoles got the EE chip, EU 60Gb did not and rely on software emulation.

[Gunsmith]

who cares anyway, like zenith has already, the price of ps2's these days is next to nothing, ive had my ps3 for about 2 weeks now and i love it.

[UgParts]

The PS3 60GB (phased out in UK) plays PS2 and guess whos selling one ;)

[Mingtea]

I've got a Jap PS3, which has the hardware emulation.

However i've never played a PS2 game on it, i've moved on with the times and all that.

[[TRS]Scotteh]

I don't see the point in backwards compatibility really, unless your someone who plays all the old games often I don't see the point at all. My PS2 has been gathering dust for ages now so if I really wanted to play an old game I'd just get that out.

[Neon]

Guess I will buy an Xbox360 then, as if it's this complex and bad quality, to add the fugly console and heinous price tag, it's just not worth it.

[[TRS]Scotteh]

Guess I will buy an Xbox360 then, as if it's this complex and bad quality, to add the fugly console and heinous price tag, it's just not worth it.

Yes but the whole ring of death and the fact it's an xbox makes the 360 all the more appealing? :p


I want the PS3 for MGS4, GTA4 (yes I know it's on the 360 but only because MS knew they needed it), GT5 etc. I'm not a big fan of the likes of Halo because FPS's on consoles just don't come up to scratch compared to the PC and the Xbox 360 in my opinion is going to start to lose serious ground to the PS3 now....oh and the Blu-Ray drive :p


I couldn't care less which is better or worse and never see the point in "fanboi" ism. However deciding whether or not to buy a console on whether it will play games which are designed for older consoles just seems silly to me, whether it's a PS3 or 360.

[Hg]

ScottehGT4, im no fan of a single console but Sony don’t have a online network like Xbox live.
Sure it comes at a whopping £39.99 a year, but its so much more then attempts of online play by Sony or Nintendo.


Xbox Arcade which has some great games to download and try
Video market place offering Films to rent
Music videos
Built in MSN Messenger
Video and voice chat in and out of game
Backwards compatibility


I see the PS3 as a all round HD media centre which features online capabilities while I see the Xbox 360 as a online games console with media features.

PS its always nice to see backwards compatibility on nex gen machines sure u can keep your old console but how many consoles do you need?
If you had a Wii, Xbox 360 and a PS3 thats more then enough u dont want to then have a gamecube, PS2 and Xbox on top of that, just to play the odd game or classic gem.


Neon, i would get a Xbox 360 if you want a games console, if u want a media centre get a PS3

[[TRS]Scotteh]

Playstation online isn't inferior to Xbox live and that comes from people who swear by 360's that I know.

Films to rent....surely that's what a video shop is for? Music Video's....surely Sky tv or Virgin? MSN Messenger on your 360.....why are we all sat on PC's again? In game voice chat is coming the PS3.


I see your point in regards to media centre because the PS3 does have all the bells and whistles when it comes to HD Movie playback including Audio as well now they've finally added DTS-HD Master Audio. However I've always looked at consoles as that, consoles, I didn't buy the original Xbox because it had the same stuff in it as my pc at the time lol. The new one was great when it was released but even MS new at the time that they would have the head start on both Sony and Nintendo, however the technology in the Xbox is inferior to the PS3 and won't last as long. It's clear the Xbox currently has the better game catalogue which no one can argue with, it got out first and at the moment has the greatest support. Sony on the other hand are playing catch up but that's not a reason to dismiss it, this year is going to see it have some excellent game on, especially MGS4.


I won't buy a 360 because the hardware is faulty....a fact not even MS can argue and because a 360 tries too hard to be a PC as well as a console due to it being owned by MS. The PS3 is a console and doesnt try to be a PC, granted the Media Centre part is a bonus because the ability to play Blu-Ray movies and HD audio was a good foresight on Sony's part but at it's heart it's still a very good gaming console with a far longer shelf life than the 360. You've only got to look at the fact that MGS4 is the first game to use a full 50gb Blu-Ray disc for the game to see what's ahead.

[Zeuseh]

Playstation online isn't inferior to Xbox live and that comes from people who swear by 360's that I know.

Films to rent....surely that's what a video shop is for? Music Video's....surely Sky tv or Virgin? MSN Messenger on your 360.....why are we all sat on PC's again? In game voice chat is coming the PS3.




PLaystation TV is coming soon allowing you to record live TV to your playstation 3 as well as renting High Def films from the store.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6958233.stm

[Zenith]

I see the PS3 as a all round HD media centre which features online capabilities while I see the Xbox 360 as a online games console with media features.
EXACTLY! I see the PS3 as an upgradeable bluray player that also plays videos from my server. Full 1080p/24 output on bluray is fantastic. The fact that it upscales DVDs and (gasp!) plays games is a bonus. :)

A new firmware update TODAY (2.30) adds DTS-HD Master output and a better looking PSN Store. The store is now an application running on the console instead of a website.

http://uk.playstation.com/help-support/ps3/guides/detail/item100771/Update-features-%28ver-2-30%29/

[Neon]

I want to play games on it. I don't even own a TV. So I think I'd rather have an Xbox.

[[TRS]Scotteh]

I want to play games on it. I don't even own a TV. So I think I'd rather have an Xbox.

Going to be pretty useless without a tv to use it on? :awesome:

[Tsung]

LOL, nope^^ you can get vga cables for Xbox ;)

As the the PS online store, more content keeps getting added so I reckon it will catch up.. anyone here played PAIN yet?? thats great fun (if a bit money grabbing after buying the game).

I'm an xbox owner but see the strengths and weaknesses in both systems.

[[TRS]Scotteh]

I'm an xbox owner but see the strengths and weaknesses in both systems.

Well said :) I see them in both but the two things which swung me were MGS4 and Blu-Ray.

Until I move into my flat I'm going to be running my PS3 through my 24" monitor so I also don't need a tv :cooler: It just made me chuckle at the time reading it :keke:



Bottom line, choose the system which suits you, not what others say ;)

[Neon]

Where we're going amigo, we don't need roads, er, I mean TV's.

http://regmedia.co.uk/2006/06/07/dell_2407wfp_1.jpg

[[TRS]Scotteh]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/1161919309904.jpg

???? :awesome:


If your running it through your monitor and pc speakers don't forget the phono splitter for the speakers :)

[Cheez]

Going to be pretty useless without a tv to use it on? :awesome:

I use my 360 without owning a TV. :p

[Elkeeed]

Don't forget, only the PS3 has Super Rub-a-dub!

[rick_2k]

With every ps3 update i feel the 360 has less and less against the ps3. Nice new store today! (if a little slow atm)

Also this week we get metal gear 4 online beta :)

[Deman]

I own both and a wii, theres one console I don't play online.

Can you guess what it is? It's the pay to play xbox.