PS3 backwards compatibility gone for good

by Parm Mann on 21 August 2009, 16:53

Tags: PlayStation 3, Sony (NYSE:SNE), PS3

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James Sherwood of The Register reports:

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 comments 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.



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I really don't understand why people make a fuss over backwards compatibility, i mean surely if you buy the latest hardware, then you should be playing the latest games.
About time, Sony need to concentrate on bringing more exciting NEW games to the console rather than making old ones compatible. I haven't bought a game in months while my PS3 takes a back seat to my gaming pc whilst being used as a media centre, still a good console all in all, love the swappable hard drive feature.
Yosh
I really don't understand why people make a fuss over backwards compatibility, i mean surely if you buy the latest hardware, then you should be playing the latest games.

To a certain extent i agree, but its a joy to play your classic PS2 games upscaled nicely on your PS3. Not sure if to get another “release” PS3 or the new slim one. At the same time playing amazing next gen games on the PS3 like Demons Souls does make it hard going back to playing some old PS2 games :)
I know if I had a PS3 I would have wanted some of the PS2's Final Fantasy games.

I guess PC is good if you fancy playing classics.

I imagine people with PS2 would have a massive catalouge of games they love. Shame they can not trade in their PS2 for money off the PS3. Odd.

Any first time buyers of Play Station would have had access to a large number of titles.
At the moment it would probably be more appealing to buy a PS2.

Some old games are better than new games that comes out. :(
The technology is already there in the “release” consoles, so doubtfull theres some great financial saving to be made. We've already had the shaft in Europe with software emulation and now its vanishing alltogether?! You hurt us Sony and we'll hurt you with lost sales. Should be milking the PS2 back catalogue of games, not giving people another reason not to ditch the old workhorse. Kinda makes you wonder if they actual want this thing to be a success at all?