PS2 Support Not Returning to PS3
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: PlayStation, Emulation, Games, Sony, Slim | Themes: Software, Digital Entertainment
Sony said that PlayStation 2 emulation on the PS3 is dead. Basically.
Recently Ars Technica spoke with Sony's director of hardware marketing John Koller regarding the just-revealed PlayStation 3 Slim. The questions ranged from changing out the hard drive in the sleeker model, to the possible existence of a "power brick" even though the new design uses a third less power. But the biggest news stemming from the interview centered on the previously-removed backwards compatibility. In short, will the feature be re-introduced in the near future?
No.
"It's not coming back, so let me put that on the table," Koller told Ars. "It's not as big as a purchase intent driver as you may be hearing. We've got such a substantial lineup of titles on the PS3; most people are buying the PS3 for PS3 games. They're buying it for PS3 games and Blu-ray movies." He reaffirmed his statement by saying that the feature would not be returning.
By now, PlayStation gamers have figured out what to do with those old PS2 games: purchase a PS2 Slim for roughly $100. Although the first generation of PlayStation 3 consoles featured hardware-based PS2 emulation, Sony eventually discontinued the support--after offering software-based emulation with the second generation released in 2007--in order to lower the console's overbloated pricetag.
Additionally, Ars asked Koller if Sony plans to punish K-Mart after prematurely exposing the PS3 slim. "I don't know what you're talking about!" he said. "We value all our retail partners. They just got a little excited."
Excited is a good word.
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yeah thats fine... but they better bring it back when they stop selling PS2s! ps2 was like the biggest console in a while, it would be a shame to see all those games retired to coaster duties...
WOW. Thats stupid. DS was backwards compatable with GBA, PS2 with PS1, Wii with GCN. GBA with EVERY gameboy iteration before it. Even a few xbox games played on 360.
WHY abandon its thousands of ps2 games? I personally would rather buy a blu-ray drive on my PC for 100, and just play my games on PC/360
Let it go already you've had 8 years to play and or buy ps2 games and a ps2. It's almost 2010 it's time to let the love of your life drift into history. I have a blu Ray on my pc and use my ps3 to play blu rays and play ps3 games not go backwards and play 2001 era blocky old school games. Enough with the madness already!
WHY abandon its thousands of ps2 games?
Why you ask? To cut PS3's cost of course. And to force those who still wanna play PS2 games to buy a PS2 console while netting Sony an extra $100 bucks for each one.
Remember, Sony like Microsoft or Nintendo are COMPANIES first and foremost. They don't make consoles and games just for fun or because they feel like it. They do it because the want to make money.
As simple as that.
Soldier37 thank you!! Why are people still clinging onto ps2 games? chances are if you like playing ps2 games and/or have a ton of them you also own a ps2. I didn't buy my ps3 to play ps2 games. Let the era of the ps2 go
I smell a commercial emulator.
Backward compatibility is a huge +. It was one of Sony biggest feature on the PS2... now the early adopter of the PS3 got something more than the rest.
One thing I didn't see mentioned is that the PS3 will still be compatible with PS1 games. This only affects PS2.
For me, the best thing about the backwards compatibility is the number of other hassles that it helps alleviate the number of devices I have hooked up. I use my HDTV as my computer monitor, which means that on the AV racks around it, I currently have my stereo components (speakers, tuner, receiver, etc), a tower computer, my cable box, a PS3, an xBox 360, a gamecube, an NES, a TurboGrafx-16, a printer, a flatbed scanner and various other small items (3 external HDD, a couple USB hubs, a fair number of notebooks used to keep track of whatever project I'm working on). I do have a Dreamcast and SNES sitting in boxes nearby and ready to plug in and play, but it's a pain finding a place to put them while they are in use.
I don't list this as any attempt to come across as bragging, since I find the collection pretty pathetic myself, but it is just to demonstrate why some people do care about backwards compatibility.
I understand what is said about the point of going backwards. There are valid points to both sides of this debate.
Personally I would think it be more convenient to have one unit to play all your favourite games and to also save room in your entertainment cabinet if space is an issue.
I've copped it on the nose and accepted. Pre-ordered my ps3 slim today.
Luckily for me I have an older ps2 so it might just look alright sitting the ps3 on top. Good luck trying to stack either slim versions - Ps3 slim with curved top, ps2 with a cd top tray -_-
Ok so there it is no Ps2 cap, so keep your ps2 then. I'm interested in whether the hdd is removable and power bricking, that's even bigger questions than PS2 cap. Their PS2 emulator isn't that good to begin with, they never focused on fixing those problems. Its just like the original xbox to the 360 cap, they dropped before the first year. There are already Pc emulators that are very close to run at the same frames as the PS2 anyways and with a bluetooth doggle you can use your PS3 controller for the PC, just remap the buttons.
if there was not a PS2 emulator for PC then a lot of people would be very outraged right now. hopefully Sony will not be stupid and shut that down.
Some games are just not disposable, like RPG's. For example, I have a 75-hour save of Xenosaga III that I will never ever ditch.
PS2 compatibility is not a huge factor for me, but if I were ever to buy a PS3 it would have a bit of an influence.
They could've designed the new PS3 slim with upgrade option to play PS2/PS1 games with upconversion or higher resolution... They could price the upgrade chip/card something like $100. This way whoever wants backwards compatibility, gets it.
I played PS2 games on the PS3 only the first year of the PS3 when there wasn't much out. I haven't played PS2 games since, they are old and I don't need to beat something 80x and get every little items. I did retire my PS2, which still work fine somewhere in the basement. Plus they don't look that good anymore compare to games in HD. But since I got the orginal 20gb PS3 I can go back, but I don't. Odd that most early adapter don't really care for PS2 BC but the people that don't have one always make an excuses to not to buy one.
Ok I herad story you don't have to worry about memory card, alot of JRPG and nice to have HDMI output for PS2 games.
Why you ask? To cut PS3's cost of course. And to force those who still wanna play PS2 games to buy a PS2 console while netting Sony an extra $100 bucks for each one.Remember, Sony like Microsoft or Nintendo are COMPANIES first and foremost. They don't make consoles and games just for fun or because they feel like it. They do it because the want to make money.As simple as that.
Do you think Sony makes money with PS2 hardware sales?
It's clear, that PS3 hardware and concept in general was "fail". Problems:
1) no backward compatibility
2) high power consumption
3) cost
4) game developers don't like its architecture (!)
And that coming from a company that had like, what, 70% of the market? Unbelievable.
Seeing how well the PS2 is still selling, backward compatibility could have helped Sony a lot to sell more PS3.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/video- [...] -4445.html
Falcard. They already have one and with each release it works better and better. Already many of the AAA titles run just fine on my laptop. Check out PS2X (I think that's what it is called. Ill double check when i get home)
Falcard. They already have a commercial emulator for the PS2 that works pretty well. Already many AAA titles work just fine on my laptop. Check out PS2X (I think that's what it is called. Ill double check when I get home)
Good thing we have have emulators.
If you want to play ps2 games, buy a ps2. Do not forget that early customers also paid much more for their system. Personally I bought mine because i had a choice between a blueray/dvd player for $600 and the ps3 for $600. Seemed like an easy choice to make for me. As for playing the old games.. why? If i had that desire I would fix my ps2.
the PS3 has been out for a long time now and anyone who plays games has moved on to the next generation of consoles by now so IMO backward compatibility is not needed anymore. if they didn't take it out they wouldn't have been able to have the 299.00 price tag they have right now. like they said the PS2 costs about $100.00 anyway so whats the problem? if that's still too much get it cheaper off ebay or at a flea market or something
the excuse of having to hook up a ps2 to a tv with the ps3 is a pretty sad excuse.
Sony should develop the PS3+ and raise the price that model $100.00 more. Then you whiners who rejoice over every negative peice of dirt you can cook up can bitch aobut the price again.
Do you think Sony makes money with PS2 hardware sales?
They definitely do make money on PS2 hardware sales... In fact, leftover PS2 sales helped prop up their losses on the PS3 sales in the beginning.
It's clear, that PS3 hardware and concept in general was "fail". Problems:2) high power consumption
You do realize that early model PS3's typical power consumption was very close to that of the 360? Or that the current PS3's with a 45nm CPU and 65nm GPU actually use less power than the current 360 models? Please do your homework before making baseless accusations.
"Although the first generation of PlayStation 3 consoles featured hardware-based PS2 emulation"
Yeah, that's what mine has. BOOOYA! I needed it too cause my PS2 broke. I can imagine that the software emulation probably wasn't that great (you may have gotten lower frame rates or something depending on how taxing the software emulation is). I can say first hand that the Hardware emulation runs perfectly smooth!
I disagree that BC has anything to do with the pricepoint at $299. They no longer have different chips - it's all software, software they ALREADY have. PS2 still sells, and PS2 games still sell. If they offered a firmware unlock of BC for $50-100 - I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Let it go already you've had 8 years to play and or buy ps2 games and a ps2. It's almost 2010 it's time to let the love of your life drift into history. I have a blu Ray on my pc and use my ps3 to play blu rays and play ps3 games not go backwards and play 2001 era blocky old school games. Enough with the madness already!
Madness? .....
THIS IS SONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A great game is a great game. I actually prefer most PS2 titles over any PS3 or 360 games. Graphics are overrated and I really do not care how the games look. Recent titles are getting prettier and prettier while sacrificing fun. It seems to me recent titles have a lot more bugs as well. I for one would really like to see backwards compatibility but the price drop is where it is really at. I may actually pick up a PS3 at this price point. Of course it is still a maybe because I already have a 360 and cannot see the advantage of getting a PS3 at this time. Hell, the blue ray is a non issue since I refuse to pay the ridiculous price for blue ray movies and that is the PS3's big selling point.
I'll say it diferently.....
I want to buy a ps3 BUT I also love PRO evolution soccer which by the way sucks in ps3 so i am still playing on ps2 (which I don't have) the old Pro Evo.
In my case I am NOT buying ps3. i am not into games a lot and the ones i like are not on ps3 (some of them are but I can play then on a PC too. i just want to play PRO with my friends on my 42" and don't want to buy the crap pro they have for ps3.
Also what about when ur friend comes with a ps2 game to play with u? yeah right he has to bring his ps2 and cable too LoL!!! Oh and if it's broken (something usual with ps1 & ps2) then no game :-/
You there in sony better find a way for those who want to play ps2 games rather than saying they buy ps3 for ps3 games. WE play not you so WE decide. make it possible to DL a software even if u have to pay somthng like 5-10!
Oh and last what short of "green" policy is to ask as buy a second console?? More waste for the planet! The most dificult to recycle 100% is the electonic devices and you want as to buy somehing that will be thrown away in 2 years max,
Well done you save the planet!!!! Are you also going to advertise this new ps3 as "green" because it's not green if i have to have a second console to cover all my needs.
"...most people are buying the PS3 for PS3 games. They're buying it for PS3 games and Blu-ray movies."
Um...DUH! That's because the console doesn't have backward compatibility for PS2 games!
I'd consider buying it at this cheaper price tag if it did.