PS3 backwards compatibility gone for good
Definitely not coming back, says Sony
It’s official: Sony has confirmed that backwards compatibility definitely isn’t returning to the PlayStation 3.
During a recent interview, John Koller, Sony’s Director of hardware marketing, said: “It’s not coming back.”
The PS3 did feature support for PS2 games when it launched back in 2006. North American and Japanese models achieved this using embedded hardware, while European machines got the same result through software emulation.
But – for reasons which still aren’t 100 per cent clear – Sony subsequently removed backwards compatibility from later PS3 models.
Koller’s statement backtracks slightly on commens made by Eric Lempell, Sony’s PlayStation network director, back in 2008. Lempell hinted that backwards compatibility may return.
Why the change of heart? The option just isn’t as big a “purchase intent driver” as you would think, he told Ars Technica.
The Sony exec is confident that because the console has a “substantial” line-up of gaming titles and Blu-ray support, no one wants to play old PS2 games. ®
COMMENTS
Sony out of touch with its consumers
I know gamers with different consoles - PS3, Wii and XBox 360 - I personally have a PC and PS3, and we all play last-gen games, some dating back from the mid-90s on the PS1. Those that claim that "nobody" plays last-gen games are generally wannabe "hardcore" gamers that want to look "cool" because they have the "latest" tech. They probably buy PCs with atrociously fast processors and weak onboard GPUs and sound for gaming too, believing that they've found a "bargain".
I think I would have refused to buy a PS3 had I not already had my PS2. Likewise, I'm not sure what's going to happen should my PS2 ever kick the bucket. To be honest, I bought the PS3 because I was sold on the Blu-Ray capabilities and a couple of games (MGS4, Ridge 7) but now the PS3 only ever gets used for PS1 and Blu-Rays these days. Such a waste.
In any case, Sony has just lost the plot over the past few years, deluding themselves with what they think gamers want and never actually asking them. PSP Go? Destined to fail from the outset.
Singstar backwards compatibility
Hold the phone. The only reason I was holding back from getting a PS3 was because it couldn't play my 9 PS2 Singstar games (that's £270 worth of tracks from the Singstore). But I've just found out that the newer PS3 Singstar games can read the tracks off the PS2 disks too now. Hooray!
@ Jim_aka_Jim
there are other games worth having a ps3 for, ps2 games are last gen, something the majority of us dont care about anymore.
heavenly sword
gran turismo 5
resistance 1 & 2
mod nation racers
uncharted 1 & 2
killzone 2
ridge racer 7
god of war 3
metal gear solid 4
the agent
all these games are exclusive to the ps3, there are more but these are all really cool games either out now or within the next 6 months.
Utter RUBBISH
Check earlier REGhardware posts to do with console sales: PS2 is still selling well, some quarters better then the PS3.
So 'no one' is interested in PS2 games? From other responses on this board, it's obvious that Sony has performed a lobotomy on itself and is content on IGNORING IT'S CUSTOMERS.
Lack of backward compatibility is the ONLY reason why I didn't buy a PS3 on the day of release. Very much a personal point but the ONLY reason I bought a PS3 over and XBox was for Final Fantasy 13, and now that's no longer an exclusive, do I regret buying a PS3?
No: the PS3 is an amazing machine. But backwards compatibility would make it perfect for me. Till that day comes I will have both machines hooked up the TV, if only for FFXII, Wipeout Fusion and God of War.
Hell, bring out a PS3 slim V2 with the extra chips in. Made it a modular add-on or something like that.
Of course I want to!
I never understand this "why would you want to" mentality. I have a hankering every few years to dust down Ico, Shadow of the Collosus, God Hand or Gradius V on a regular basis, and have to unpack the PS2 every time. I'd love it if I could just pop it into the PS3 and be ready to rock ...
