PS3 backwards compatibility

[wraggster]

PS3 backwards compatibility to be handled via software emulation. Good luck with that
Here's something we can all speculate wildly about: it looks like the PS3 will be using software to emulate the PS2 on the PS3, instead of the hardware solution used to emulate PS1 games on the PS2. Confused yet?

The PS2 actually included PS1 hardware: the input processor for the PS2 was luckily the same chip as the main processor for the PS1. This was somewhat of a lucky break, and it meant that all the PS1 games would play perfectly on the PS2 with very little effort on Sony's part. This was a large selling point at launch when gamers could play all of their PS1 games. Without that hardware, it would have been much more difficult to get every game running so quickly. This is what Sony faces with the PS3. The PS2 is an infamously complicated system, having to emulate it in software for the PS3 will be a challenging task. If the early reports are to be believed progress is coming steadily, with many titles already up and running. Let's hope so.

Backwards compatibility plus an inexpensive DVD player was a one-two punch that helped the PS2 rocket to the top last generation. With backwards compatibility and a Blu-Ray drive in the PS3, Sony is obviously hoping for the same thing this round. Gamers will expect every game to work at launch, and to work perfectly. This is something that MS hasn't been able to achieve with the 360, giving Sony the chance give gamers yet another reason to wait for the PS3.

If Sony is able to pull off the emulation, it will be quite the achievement, and a huge selling point for the system.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...2006/4/26/3759

[stotheamuel]

ahh what you got there.... is it a ps3?

no.... ITS MY PLAYSTATION TRILOGY!!!!!! muhaha

[John Vattic]

I agree, if it is compatable all the way back to the ps1 then i would happily pay their price(600+usd). Also, if there's any compatabillity with the psp, that would be a selling point as well. but ps3-1 is a must have.
if they announce this i will get my preorder goin'.(savin pennies)(literally)

P.S. has anyone seen the pics of the rumoured psx emu for psp. looks promising but at 15$ a game download,;/ having to rebuy all of my games again is absurd. but nonetheless would be nice to play my psx games on the go.

Perhaps something similar is going into marketing/creative departments at Sony for the ps3, considering nintendo revolution is all-the-way backwards compatable. Nintendo always comes correct! after all it was nintendo i fell in love with.

*you ever have a dream that seems too great to wake up from?

[geise69]

I think that Sony is not going to have any real problems with how they are doing backwards compatability. With how fast the processing power and gpu power is on the ps3 it will have no problem with software emulation. I don't really care that much mainly cause I play ps1 stuff mainly on my computer now since it looks so much better, and I don't think I'll ever sell my ps2 since it's moded to play imports. For people selling their playstation systems to help pay for this release I hope the compatability will be way better than the 360's is. It should be ok though.