Backward Compatibility - 1,200 compatible PSone and PS2 titles at UK launch

[QueenB]

Originally Posted by ign

Sony's head of Worldwide Studios, Phil Harrison, has confirmed that European PS3s will be able to play up to 1,200 PSone and PS2 games from day one, despite changes to the way the console handles backward-compatibility - as long as you download a firmware update from the PlayStation Network.

Speaking at a European demonstration of Home and LittleBigPlanet yesterday, Harrison revealed that retail units will come pre-installed with firmware version 1.5. However, the backward-compatibility enabled firmware update (1.6) is being released on launch day, March 23. Harrison also promised that Sony would keep working to ensure the number of compatible titles increases with future firmware updates.

Other features scheduled for firmware 1.6 include the activation of PS3's Remote Play functions. This enables you to download media from the PS3 and watch it on a PSP or view the PS3's web browser on the handheld.

Concerns regarding PS3's backward-compatibility have been raised since Sony announced European consoles would use software, rather than a dedicated internal chip, to emulate PSone and PS2 titles. This reduces the number of backward-compatible games for EU PS3s significantly, compared to the approximately 98% playable on American and Japanese machines.

Better, clearer news than I've seen previously. Firmware updates on release are and could well spoil the 'homebrew' possibility for the PS3 (sneaky Sony?). Seems positive though.

[Bex]

Originally Posted by QueenB

Better, clearer news than I've seen previously. Firmware updates on release are and could well spoil the 'homebrew' possibility for the PS3 (sneaky Sony?). Seems positive though.

Firmware update for it, before we even have it

Yeah, I'm thinking about the homebrew side of it too.


Ah well, backwards compatibility, definitely great to have more info regarding it

[QueenB]

Originally Posted by qjnet

With the PS3 finally landing in European soil by March 23, 2007, things are still not quite all and well for this console, even at this late a stage. As the story goes, there have been many issues regarding the European PS3's lack of an Emotion Engine which basically allows PS2 games to be played on Sony's new console. However, we have all been assured that despite this deficiency in hardware, the missing feature will be made up for via software emulation, and will instead rely on a combination of hardware and software.

Still on the topic of the PAL PS3's missing Emotion Engine, the latest statement that Sony has made about the matter was that the PAL version of the console will instead "be equipped with a different chip that processes graphics for PS2 games, but the backward compatibility of the machine will be lessened."

[Only registered users can see links. ]

Well, to put that to the test, the German site Cynamite managed to acquire a PAL PS3, so they decided to test its backwards-compatibility with 12 popular PS2 games (that is, 12 PS2 games you'd want to be stuck on an island with - according to Cynamite anyway). The titles that they decided to use were:

• God of War
• MGS 2: Sons of Liberty
• MGS 3: Snake Eater
• Shadow of the Colossus
• Guitar Hero 2
• Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
• Okami
• GTA: Liberty City Stories
• Eragon
• Final Fantasy X-2
• Ratchet & Clank 3
• Lumines Plus

The end result? Out of the 12 titles, only Eragon worked. All other titles refused to start up and instead referred them to "future software updates and the Sony Website to read the downward compatibility list."

Oh well. So much for that. Well, here's to hoping that the guys at Sony hurry up with those firmware updates that they promised, so that European PS3 owners can play ye good olde Viewtiful Joe, already. And Castlevania Lament of Innocence. And the Prince of Persia trilogy. And Final Fantasy XII. And Space Channel 5.

Ahh, this is disappointing, thought Id add it though - this stuff needs clearing up by SONY and quickly!

[Bex]

"Things are still not quite all and well for this console, even at this late a stage."


1 out of 12 games




Where's this compatibility list to look at? I want to seeeeeeeeee
*goes to look*

[QueenB]

This is the link to the list of games compatible...apparently:

[Only registered users can see links. ]



BUT - system is down.....should be available at launch.....jeez...:eek:

[Bex]

Originally Posted by QueenB

This is the link to the list of games compatible...apparently:

[Only registered users can see links. ]



BUT - system is down.....should be available at launch.....jeez...:eek:

for finding the site/list


with the system being down though

[Bex]

Following on from that, I've just come across this. I know it mentions bout the 20GB PS3 too (which, us Europeans aren't getting ) but it does confirm that, there is no way for us to know which games are compatible, until it's released, which sucks big monkey balls imo

Originally Posted by qj.net

[Only registered users can see links. ] Entering the final stretch to the European launch of [Only registered users can see links. ]'s PlayStation 3, Dave Karraker took the time to clear up some persistent rumors. Talking to Joystiq, Karraker confronted the issues regarding the lack of 20GB PS3 models in the U.S. and that incessant bit on the Euro PS3 backwards compatibility.

First on the issue of the 20GB model. Says the [Only registered users can see links. ] senior director of communications, "the 20GB model of PS3 is available in [Only registered users can see links. ], along with the 60GB model. While we make it available to retailers, they are the ones who ultimately place the order for what they want to sell, based on consumer demand."

This was in response to the allegations that major retailers have been removing the 20GB model from their computer systems. To further clarify, Karraker said that about 80 of the orders placed by the stores are for the bigger models, while the remaining 20 are for the 20GB model units. As such, it would then logically follow that since there's more distribution for the 60GB model, there are then less 20GB PS3s seen around. But this does not, in any way, affirm the buzz that the shops are [Only registered users can see links. ] from their stocks list.

On the other issue regarding the [Only registered users can see links. ] backward compatibility, he says the real compatibility list will be out on March 23, along with the firmware update. So, until Sony reveals and confirms this for real, then there is no way for us to find out what is the [Only registered users can see links. ] for [Only registered users can see links. ].