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Sony hammers the final nail on the coffin of backwards compatibility rumors

Posted Jan 26, 2009 at 10:42AM EST by Glenn M.

Listed in: PS3 Tags: PS1, PS2, Sony

There have been a lot of rumors and hopefuls talking about PS3s with backwards compatibility for some time now. There was this one rumor that there would be some kind of emulation in an update that would enable PS3s to run PS2 games. The Koalition got a chance to get a few words from Sony, and they got the final nail on that rumor's coffin.

Here's the email sent in by Sony to The Koalition:

Thanks for your email,

When we removed backwards compatibility from PS3, we said that it would not be coming back as our priority was to make great next generation games. I am not sure where you are getting your information from, but at no point did we say that there would be some sort of emulation being brought to PS3. At no point has this strategy changed and therefore I can tell you that there are no plans to bring back backwards compatibility to PS3. I think you will agree that the list of 1st party exclusive games for PS3 is growing quickly and the quality of them is great. Games such as LittleBigPlanet, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, Resistance 2, GT5: Prologue and the up-coming Killzone 2 show that we are very serious about bring exciting, innovative and fun games to PS3.

Many thanks

Well now, they were certainly direct to the point about that. Ouch though. One of the things I love about the PS2 is its backwards compatibility, which means I still get to play my old PS1 games. Re-played my old Suikoden I and II, in fact. Oh well. So if I still want to play PS2 games, I guess I'll take goooood care of my PS2 then.

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Is it just me or does the Sony guy writing this seem to have zero sense. Why would they not put in backwards compatibility? It's not gonna hurt PS3 game sales cause the good PS3 games don't have a PS2 counterpart. The only thing a backwards compatible PS3 would give us is the ability to play the great PS2 games like GTA 3, NFS Underground, FF 10, etc. without us having to dust off our PS2's.

I just hope they don't set up a PS2 emulation thing on PSN where we gotta pay like $50 to play our old games.

# i kinda disagree — D4rklord 2009-01-26 12:52

i do think Sony has no sense in doing this but it's all about money. Sony will definetly lose money if people decide to start buying more PS2 games at a large discounted price instead of PS3 games at 60 bucks a pop. It may be a very small loss considering the fact that PS3 games are great but to any corporations money is money. I would love to see a ps2 emulator come out someday for the PS3 so i could play the same great games that u mentioned above.

# wats the need? — kon_e3 2009-01-26 12:53

who still plays ps2 games? maybe i would finish my ffx on ps3, but w/o taht save transport i won't play it

# i love my DAY 1 60gig PS3 — Darthsappy23 2009-01-26 13:00

and it hasnt given me any problems yet!! so this is the day of next gen games and ppl want a ps3 price cut, if u want to play ps2 games that bad, like someone said dust off the old one or GET A NEW ONE and deal with it. besides from what i hear and know for the most part, those of u that REALLY want that backward compatability shoulda got the original ones. they are FAR better and always will be. i am by far NOT rich and had to save my hard earned cash for it and i am glad i bought it. but on the other hand i suppose the BC should be in there. i would assume its not something that hard to do, but i guess since ppl want a cheaper ps3 there just gunna have to deal with it not being there. sorry for the wall-o-text

# odd.... — HakatoX 2009-01-26 13:08

I swear when they announced the PSone playability on the PSP they had also mentioned an official sony emulator.....

like E3 06 or 07

# huh? — *****bandit 2009-01-26 13:16

umm lots of ppl still play ps2 games, me for one. if you haven't noticed, new ps2 games are still getting released. Ar tonelico 2, Persona 4 to name a couple. now those games may not be much to a lot of folk here, but I would love to play them in HD on my HDTV. anyways, i dont think this is the "nail in the coffin" for ps2 emulation on ps3, it's just a nail in the coffin for the rumor. besides, as long as ps2's are still selling sony isn't going to make it one of their priorities to get ps2 emulation implemented. i can bet we'll see it sometime next year or even late this year maybe. id love to see downloadable ps2 games on PSN, the games would no doubt be cheaper as well.

# makes no sense. — NarooN 2009-01-26 13:26

I have a Motorstorm 80gb bundle PS3 from Feb. 08, but I don't get how allowing the system to play PS2 games gets in the way of OTHER developers making PS3 games. I think they just did it to lower the manufacturing costs.

There still might be some sort of PS2 emulation patch made available later but meh.

# . — Stario001 2009-01-26 13:28

I hope my PS2 still works it has been collecting dust for a while now and with the first Naruto Shippuuden coming out soon i will really need it.

Of course i could always try to play my old games as backups on my PS3 only if i can find a work around for the swap magic because i couldn't find one that would work on my Japanese PS3. :'(

# Doesn't everyone already have a PS2? — papajag 2009-01-26 13:34

I have backwards on my PS3 but I still use my PS2 for PS2 games. Maybe it's just me that still uses it even though I have a PS3.

# Another reason.... — HunterXyron1134 2009-01-26 13:36

Why im not buying one. Ill just play my neighbors and if i want to go back through ffx for the 1000000 time ill dig out my good ol PS2.

Alot easier than it sound.

However if ps2 emulation gets back in line ill probably camp outside best buy for a month.

WHY SONY WHY???!!?!?!!???!

# . — FreePlay 2009-01-26 13:47

"That's what happens when you want to go cheap and wait for price drops."

That's partly true. It's also true that Sony did this to punish non-early-adopters.

# Don't forget... — xploren 2009-01-26 13:50

Sony still supports the PS2. It could just be that they want to sell more PS2s.

# @D4rklord — avatar76 2009-01-26 14:01

You're absolutely right;

First there's the cost savings of not putting emotion chip in the PS3 which were released to everywhere after the US release.

Second they scrapped the Emulation which they told everyone they would have (which the guy's letter is BS about btw). Which means they can fire the dev team working on the software emulation to make PS2 games work on the PS3.

Because they had to reduce the price on the console so much because of the expense of the bluray drive they're hemoraging money badly on each sale of the PS3. This means they absolutely need people to buy PS3 games and lots of them (which included in the cost of each PS3 game is money to pay back the loss they made on the PS3 console sale). If someone bought a PS3 and only played PS2 games on it that would be an absolute disaster for them.

Still at the end of the day it's nasty to the consumer, and they will loose business because of it. I know a couple of exPS fans who went 360 because they couldn't play their PS2 RPGs on the the PS3, so they were like well I might as well buy a 360, with square getting more and more on board the 360.

I wouldn't be suprised if they did what you say in the last sentence there, MS do that with their xbox1 games (the difference being if you already own the xbox1 game for sale on XBlive you can play it for free of course).

# and thats why i dont get sony — Rickey123 2009-01-26 14:05

"it has it all." the 60gb is clearly the best option. why discontinue it?

# Damn right I've been searching for an article — avatar76 2009-01-26 14:07

Can't find one yet though, that guy is full of Sugar Honey Ice and Tea.

# Hang on? — avatar76 2009-01-26 14:10

Weren't there two 60gig models that supported B/C?

I thought the original 60 gig one actually had a chip on board that was the first batch released in the USA. Then there was a second batch still 60 gig that was released to the rest of the world that did it by emulation. Then we've got these new POS that are 40 gig but no BC at all?

# that sounds about right — Rickey123 2009-01-26 14:17

the 60gb had b/c either way, that model has it no matter what, the 40gbs are just shocking, no b/c at all. and that is the ONLY model that has no b/c for ps2 games at all. each one has some form of it.

# I think they're wrong — hush404 2009-01-26 14:18

in taking out BC! BC is a big thing for me. I'm glad as hell that I got my 60gb console that can play ps2 games just fine as I still play PS2 games. Theres loads of PS3 games that I can't put down... but with stuff like Persona4 out and others I'm still playing or catching up on - I would be very sad if my PS3 didnt have BC.

Recently I got a DS for some games and THEN learned that it's only BC with GBA games (and not GB/GBC) and that made me very sad.... it's to the point now that... you pretty much NEED to do BC to keep people happy.

# @D4rklord — Spino 2009-01-26 14:25

Well if they can make it a software thing, then they can stop production on PS2s and save a bit. And if this were the same globally economic situation as the PS2's release, i dont think they would have a problem about paying the devs (maybe).

Hmm... I don't really think they would lose money if people bought a PS3 just for PS2 games cause wouldn't they need to buy the PS2 games too? But i guess it would extremely devastating if they did make the emulator for the PS3 and someone cracked it so PS2 games can be ripped and then played directly without the need for a legit CD.

And remember, the good games like FF13 (soon to be), Resistance 2, white knight (maybe), etc. are not PS2 titles so they would have to buy the PS3 disc anyways. If they make games only for the PS3, then everyone will need to switch to the PS3, so kinda no loss there right?

And god let some gifted hacker out there create an emulator for us... software please? Dont wanna pay for a chip again.

# avatar76 — Nikki_Niel 2009-01-26 14:26

The first batch had the PS2 CPU and GPU built in. The 60gb consoles that were launched in PAL regions only had the GPU, and the Emotion Engine was emulated.

The 40 gb models don't have neither of the chips.

So, in order for all models to include PS2 BC in the future the PS2 GPU has to be emulated aswell.

# This is — Relys 2009-01-26 14:59

bull*****.

# Bulk email. — kensuaga 2009-01-26 17:28

I worked for Nintendo support and i was good friends with the email team and 99% of the emails responses where canned. Sony is probably the same way so this really means nothing until it is an official announcement.

# ? — Khjar 2009-01-26 17:37

I don't understand, if people wanted Ps2 Compatibility they should have bought a Ps3 with it.

A stupid consumer is what runs the economy though.

No one would start a business if you actually thought about what you were buying...

Personally I bought the 60GB when it first came out,

and installed a 320GB HDD in it.

I also enjoy the card reader ^^

# BINGO!! — Alcantara617 2009-01-26 19:02

you're the only one other than me that realized this.

due to the production costs, they had to remove features, to be able to drop the price, so sony goes hmm.. *yanks out b/c, card readers, etc.*, BUT they are still making ps2 games, so they keep selling ps2's to make up for the little to no profit made on the ps3's, sony is quite brilliant, despite the fact that everyone whines about it

# nothing is final... — Walo 2009-01-26 19:19

If you want PS2 backwards compatibility write Sony or make a sign collect, well probably both. The thing is that companies won't listen unless they're applied pressure by the costumers "that means you". Instead of crying out loud like a baby, do it the costumer way.

# dear whoever — xche78x 2009-01-26 21:00

please have the one responsible for removing such feature be struck by lightning or be fired.

removing ps2 backwards compatiblity is the most stupid thing sony did with their ps3. and lots more stupid decisions put them in last place.

# @Freeplay... we were rewarded not punished. — Daistaar 2009-01-26 21:01

It's about time early-adopters were rewarded for once. Sony tends to treat early adopters as beta testers. It was this way with the PSP, Minidisc, Blurays discs, and even a lot of the software. In fact, The PSP has gotten slimmer, lighter, Video output, crisper and more vibrant screens without dead pixels, revamped d-pads and things like Skype and go chat while the Phat got ignored and became obsolete (aside from the benefits of CFW).

I don't think Sony punished us early adopters with the PS3. While I'm not fond of being a beta tester (for example, my retail purchase of the Socom Beta which brings more game through download than on the BD, or Home) I think the early adopters goit the better end of the deal. The only bad part was that we had to wait a year for a good game. LOL

# 1st generation releases — PimpFriedRice 2009-01-26 21:15

The first generation release is usually the best one to get (unless you are/were a 360 owner). More often than not they are easily hacked or exploited and they are made the way they were intended. In the PS3's case it is soooo true. You might get lucky and find a used one at a mom and pops store or perhaps someone doesn't know what they have and ends up pawning it somewhere.

I remember Summer 2007 when the first 80gb model was released. The 60gb model was reduced to $499. I bet everyone who didn't get one because they were waiting for another price drop is kicking themselves in the @ss. Sure I paid full launch price for my 60gb, but at least I have the one most PS3 owners are salivating over.

# tricked again — yoshi314 2009-01-26 22:15

backwards compatibilty in early ps3 models was put there because of the same reason it was put into ps2 - to make sure you have something to run on your console, at its initial stages on the market, when there are no good titles, or no titles at all.

i wonder whether the same thing would happen to ps2 if its bios was re-flashable.

i guess it brings one more reason for people who try to make homebrew for ps3 - to make sure they can run their ps2 games. i wonder if it could work properly (at satisfactory framerate) on ps3 linux.

btw, ps2 users are not quite satisfied with level of ps1 emulation offered on ps2, so there is a alternate homebrew ps1 emulator for ps2 in development.

# $tupid $ony — NakedFaerie 2009-01-26 22:33

This would have to be the most stupidest thing I've ever heard.

$ony are loosing the console war and they remove backwards compatibility.... They really have no intrest in winning it dont they.

The big mistakes from $ony are;

No backwards compatibility,

High Price and not interested in dropping it,

removing features (Memory card slots),

removing USB slots,

releasing Home in its way uncompleted state,

Stupidly high price for repairs. ($315AUD) (A new arcade Xbox360 costs $250AUD)

I now really regret getting the PS3 as its a total rippoff.

I have 2 360's already so when this PS3 dies for a 2nd time its the bin for it and ebay for all the games and accessories.

# Yeah that makes no sense — GUNBEHINDTHESUN 2009-01-27 00:55

It makes no sense that Sony removed backwards compatibility for PS2 and leave it for PS1. I guess they want to use the sales of PS2s to help cover the cost of the PS3. That makes the most sense to me.

# ROFL SERVES U RIGHT! — melty3219 2009-01-27 02:35

LOL SERVES U ALL RIGHT PS3 FANBOYS WE STILL HAVE XBOX COMPATIBLE GAMES HAHA SUCKERS!!!!!!!

# Sony no longer cares! — SomeGuy 2009-01-27 03:16

I've been a Sony fan since 1996 and I've hated MS with a passion as they have no soul and only care for the money. I live in Australia so when PS3 came out I could of gotten one sent from the US for about 0AUD or less, but being worried about compatibility, region codes, etc. I waited for the aussie version.

When it arrived I was shocked, 00AUD and missing ps1 chip. I decided to wait, later it lost the ps2 ability as well.

Forgive me if some of this information is incorrect as I never owned one.

I always told my friends how crap I thought the 360's were and how I'd get a PS3 when it can play everything again and dual shock came out.

I still think the 360 is crap but hearing this information I don't think I want a PS3 anymore, I think I might just buy another Blu-ray player and get me a Wii or something.

I would of gladly spent my money with Sony had they only done the right thing by a long standing ex-customer.

# Well — Cydonos 2009-01-27 03:58

It just goes to show you that sony no longer has the foggiest idea of what they are doing.

Not that I care that much about ps2 compatibility, especially since I have an older unit that still has it, but I nevertheless completely regret buying a ps3 over an xbox 360. But even I can recognize, from a business point of view, how seriously they are shooting themselves in the foot with this.

Frankly there are no must-have sony exclusives. They don't care about making the customer happy. They don't care about making the big developers happy. They don't care about making the indie developers happy. It's a system that appeals to no one.

# Oh come on Sony — PimpFriedRice 2009-01-27 04:21

You could sell the emulator as a PSN download. I'm sure there are thousand upon thousands of users who would be willing to put up the money for it. Not everybody may be interested in backward compatibility and I can understand that, but at least making it available for those who DO want it and making money while you're at it would be a smart move. Maybe they just figure that if you want to play PS2 games, then you should buy a PS2.

# i dont think... — StingBlah 2009-01-27 05:21

one person in the huge empire that is the playstation sector of sony decided to make the console moving move of removing backward compatibility.

Also, it would be stupid for sony to have ps2 compatibility. Its library is so immense and good that many will never buy $60 ps3 games when they can buy cheap $10 ps2 games which sony barely makes any profit from. They want to promote the ps3, so might as well not be its own competitor.

# . — qwerty54321 2009-01-27 06:26

no, they are saying that their priority is making great next generation games, not making an emulator for the last generation.

# Troll — Khjar 2009-01-27 07:56

Obvious troll is Obvious.

# opposites? — Khjar 2009-01-27 08:02

I think sony always know what they're doing...

sold the ps3 for blu-ray to win.

I cared about Ps2 compatability, because I didn't have my own Ps2, so I bought the 60gb when it came out. I regret buying an Xbox360 because I have to pay for online... and I don't, so my Xbox360 sits around a lot.

In reality, I don't think there are any exclusives that I need. the only games I've enjoyed lately are MGS4, Resistance 2 and Soul Calibur IV.

UT3 was the biggest letdown on the PS3 for me.

I like the system because I can put all my movies on it, music, photos... and play games (online for free) when I'm bored ---- not for 14 hours a day on xbox live.

# PS1 emulation — PimpFriedRice 2009-01-27 09:40

PS1 emulation was left in because of the PS1 downloads available on the PS Store. Without it, you wouldn' be able to play them except on the PSP.

# @melty — PimpFriedRice 2009-01-27 09:43

You mean you have games from a platform that was dropped like a bad transmission that you can now play on a system that can die at a moments notice?

# Man this sucks — BRAV04 2009-01-27 19:18

i wish i could play my PS3 games on my PS4. Like motorstorm would be great to dust off and play again. or put pain in my USB Flash Drive. wish sony could do more then just give there fans what they wanted.......Yes you guys asked for PS3 ohhh wait a min nobody bought it. SOny Fans my @$$ i hate you all you cheap *****s who bought the 360, thanks for nothing. i spent 6000 on my ps3 and i have to hear this *****. well tooo *****ing Bad. have fun with ur half set of USBs and ur half @$$ installment of ps3 hahaha thank god i was a real fan and actuly bought 35 games. and 320GB HDD for my ps3. i love it it loves me, middle finger in the air lmao

# JUST GREED... — ajtwmd1 2009-01-28 10:20

sony is just so greedy. this has nothing to do with making great games for the ps3. what they probably want to do is remake some ps2 games and sell them on the playstation store. if u dont believe me, u dont hav to. but its gonna be the same like they did with the psp, they remade ps1 games so they can sell them again on the PSS. man, it really pisses me off when sony does things like this! >:{

# id bet — reeferandsumbud 2009-01-28 11:39

even if they did develop a ps2 emulator, they'd make it so you have to pay for it in the playstation store.

# PS2 DVD-ROM — JonnyTanna 2009-01-29 06:57

I think they should at least offer people the choice of Ps3 they would like to buy. So that way people with less money, and sense, can buy the cheaper alternative without the Ps2 compatibility etc.. whilst others can opt for the premium (ie. The original ps3).

# Lies! — BloodMachine 2009-01-31 20:49

It's a nice letter. He sounds honest, and most of what he's saying is true. But I don't believe him. Companies will say anything to keep their future plans secret - like they'd announce PS2 compatibility while they're still keen on selling PS2s!

Remember the GTA games on PSP? They said LCS wouldn't hit the PS2, it did. Then, unbelievably they said the same thing about VCS. It also went to the PS2.

We have no good reason to believe this, and every reason not to

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Sony hammers the final nail on the coffin of backwards compatibility rumors

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