Playstation 3 Backward Compatibility?

Question

Ok i dont understand this. The new 40GB PS3 is NOT Backward compatible but the 60GB is... but neither have the PS2 chip to play all PS2 games surely its an emulation like the Xbox 360 and the original xbox where you get software updates enabling BC. The question i have is if its a free download anyway that will be available to all 60GB PS3 users than why not just let the 40GB people use it too???

what im saying though is that surely if its an emulation than you could download it somehow its only like software.

and also the PS3 40GB has came out in the UK today

Answer 1

Sony's made this quite complicated, and they haven't been very forthcoming with information, but here's the story:

The 20GB (no longer available in the US), and US's 60GB PS3s include both the Emotion Engine and the PS2 graphics chip for backwards compatibility. This model provides the best compatibility for PS1 and PS2 games. However, Sony is no longer making these, so once US stores run out of 60GB PS3's, that's it.

The 60GB PS3 in Europe, and the 80GB PS3 in the US don't have the Emotion Engine, but STILL include the PS2 graphics chip. These PS3s use software emulation for the Emotion Engine, but rely on the PS2 graphics chip for that part of the PS2. So this isn't a complete software emulator - which is what Microsoft did for the 360. This emulator only provides a small portion of compatible games compared to the true hardware solution listed above.

The 40GB PS3 in Europe contains NEITHER chip - therefore the current emulator will not work. Now then, it might be possible for Sony to write a proper software emulator that would recreate the PS2 entirely in software, which would, in theory, run on this new model of PS3 (as well as the previous models.) However, based on Sony's statements, it sounds like they're just dropping backwards compatibility altogether. There will be no further development on the emulator, so whatever works now, is all that there'll ever be.

Meanwhile, Europe will be getting a new bundle package for their 60GB PS3, which does include the limited backwards compatibility feature, so at least you'll have a choice...assuming you want to spend the extra pounds/euros over what the 40GB PS3 will be selling for... Looking at the prices, you'd almost be better off just buying a brand new PS2 and the 40GB PS3 - this would give you the ultimate in compatibility, while costing about the same as the 60GB PS3 with its gimped PS2 compatibility.

Answer 2

The 40gb ps3 IS backwards compatible with PS1 games because it can be fully emulated by software, PS2 games however cannot be emulated fully by software efficiently enough. The 60gb ps3 had some required ps2 parts to emulate the ps2 games, they were taken out to make the 40gb ps3 cheaper.

Answer 3

The 60gb does have the emotion chip to play ps2 games, and the 80gb uses software emulation. The 40gb has no backword compatibility what so ever.

Answer 4

NTSC 60GB and 20GB have Emotion Engine and Reality Synth chips - it's PS2's CPU and GPU. 80GB uses software emulation. 40GB doesn't have it due to cost reduction - even software emulation needs a little hardware. Emotion Engine and Reality Synth production cost is about 27$. Also Sony removed card reader - 5$,2 USBs - another cost reduction, removal of software emulation also reduces cost production. 60GB production cost was 840.35$ - Sony sold it for 600$ in the beginning - now for 500$ (almost 350$ loss). They suffered huge losses, that's why 40GB comes in - lightweight and cheap. Also 60GB was produced on 90nm technology, now they use cheaper 65nm. But apart from size of HDD, loss of memory card slots and backwards compatibility - it's all the same. Why do you get PS3 - to play good, but outdated games or for true next-gen best games? I don't play PS2 games on mine (except some Max Payne, GTA is a frequent guest, but on my PC :-).

Answer 5

The 20 and 60 gb version have the emotion engine, so it can play most PSX and PS2.

The 80 gb version uses software emulation to play PSX and PS2 games.

I'm guessing that the 40 gb can't play PS2 games because it can't understand PS2 software.

The 40 gb is only available in the UK, ,Middle East, Japan, Oceania, and Africa.

Answer 6

If its the 80gb version with in basic terms 2 usb ports then it in basic terms helps ps1 video games backwards compatibility. The previous 80gb with 4 usb ports helps the two ps2 and ps1. edit- yet there are rumors of an entire ps2 emulation application replace that could come out quickly. Sony at the instant filed a patent for one and its up interior the air whether or not it's going to be carried out.

Answer 7

20 and 60gb has the emotion engine which plays about 95% of ps/ps2 games
but the 80gb has the software emulator which only plays 80% of ps/ps2 games
40gb supposely has no backward compalities. its supposed to come out in US in november.

80gb has updates to improve the backward compalities for free

Answer 8

it was gonna cost to much to have that chip in it, so they didnt put it in, if this is such a big issue, just get the 60GB one if you can still find it, otherwise just shell out the 100 dollars more and get the 80 like i did, im not regretting it!