Hey folks-

I'm mulling over purchasing a PS3.  A big part of my decision will be its backwards compatability.  Does the PS3 offer it in any specific versions?  Is it limited to a few games, or is the entire catalogue backwards compatible?  Please, no system flaming here - I'm just looking for very specific answers.  Thanks in advance!

BC is only available on the new MGS4 80 gig bundle. Unless you find a 60 gig somewhere.

It has worked with every game I have tried. See the full list here.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

American 60 GB sku = about 99% BC
80 GB SKU = 80% BC

40 GB SKU= NO BC

The NTSC 20 and 60 GB models include the Emotion Engine RISC CPU and the Graphics Synthesizer GPU from the PS2.  This allows for nearly 100% PS2 BC.

The PAL 60 GB and NTSC 80 GB (original) model include the Graphics Synthesizer GPU from the PS2, but they emulate the Emotion Engine in software.  This software/hardware based BC allows for reasonable PS2 BC.  If you check the PlayStation website for your area you can find a list of games that work for these systems.  The link for North America is http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

The PAL/NTSC 40 GB model and the new 80 GB model don't include either pieces of hardware from the PS2.  So the current software/hardware based BC doesn't work on these machines.

All PS3s offer pretty much 100% BC with the original PlayStation.

HTH

It deppends on the model. the 20GB and 60GB have full BC in the US, but not in the PAL regions (the 20GB doesn't even exist in PAL). The 60GB PAL version has software emulation, which is like the xbox 360's BC, only some games will work, and some won't work properly. The old 80GB in the US is the same. The 40GB and new 80GB doesn't have any BC at all.

"The NTSC 20 and 60 GB models include the Emotion Engine RISC CPU and the Graphics Synthesizer GPU from the PS2.  This allows for nearly 100% PS2 BC.

The PAL 60 GB and NTSC 80 GB (original) model include the Graphics Synthesizer GPU from the PS2, but they emulate the Emotion Engine in software.  This software/hardware based BC allows for reasonable PS2 BC.  If you check the PlayStation website for your area you can find a list of games that work for these systems.  The link for North America is http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

The PAL/NTSC 40 GB model and the new 80 GB model don't include either pieces of hardware from the PS2.  So the current software/hardware based BC doesn't work on these machines.

All PS3s offer pretty much 100% BC with the original PlayStation.

HTH"

60GB is the only way to go...the current 80GB does have about 80% (but that doesn't mean all those games are actually emulated well) ...for me it's 60GB or nothing.

Get the MGS 4 bundle, it plays a lot of ps2 games.

The only one you'll find in retail stores now is the MGS4 80gb bundle, unless you're thinking about ebaying a 60gb or something, you'd better hurry because they're supposedly getting rid of BC for all SKUs.

Thanks for the input and the advice.  Not sure if I can pick up a MGS4 bundle fast enough.  I'm hoping they keep BC on some future versions.  I don't mind keeping my PS2, but man, there's getting to be a lot of cords and a lot of mess switching between consoles.

"Thanks for the input and the advice.  Not sure if I can pick up a MGS4 bundle fast enough.  I'm hoping they keep BC on some future versions.  I don't mind keeping my PS2, but man, there's getting to be a lot of cords and a lot of mess switching between consoles."

"Hey folks-

I'm mulling over purchasing a PS3.  A big part of my decision will be its backwards compatability.  Does the PS3 offer it in any specific versions?  Is it limited to a few games, or is the entire catalogue backwards compatible?  Please, no system flaming here - I'm just looking for very specific answers.  Thanks in advance!"

They are limited, but they have some.

get the mgs 4 bundle, it has an 80gb hdd and its mostly backwards compatible. I'm still waiting for sony to release the software emulation patch to us 40gb owners. If that doesnt happen I might just go out and buy a ps2.

"get the mgs 4 bundle, it has an 80gb hdd and its mostly backwards compatible. I'm still waiting for sony to release the software emulation patch to us 40gb owners. If that doesnt happen I might just go out and buy a ps2."

"DrPepper1990 said:

"get the mgs 4 bundle, it has an 80gb hdd and its mostly backwards compatible. I'm still waiting for sony to release the software emulation patch to us 40gb owners. If that doesnt happen I might just go out and buy a ps2."

I don't see how anyone who bought a 40GB was expecting backwards compatibility. It says clearly on the box that it does not support PS2 games, the old 80GB SKU doesn't say that. 40GBs will never have backwards compatibility, I guarantee it, and neither will the new 80GB SKU."