Sony may be planning to reintegrate backward compatibility for their PS3 platform. However, this time it might be for all of their PS3 consoles–not a select few. Since the inception of the PS3, backward compatibility with the console for older Ps1 and PS2 titles has been spotty. First it was only available in the 60GB units. Then the 80GB units. Then only as a software emulated option in 80GB units. Quite frankly it has been a bit confusing.
Sony has been struggling to gain market share with the PS3 with their floundering console since it’s release a year after the Xbox in 2006. It goes without saying that the Nintendo Wii, although not considered a ‘hard core gaming system’ by many, has been figuratively slaughtering both the Xbox and Playstation markets for the past few years now. That said, the Xbox 360 has the largest inventory of online games available for any system with their Xbox Live system. Microsoft’s relationships with companies like Namco and Sega have left the PS3 wishing for the glory days of the PS1 and PS2 domination they once experienced.
The patent for the Emotion Engine Emulation system filed on the 25th of this month is a good indication that Sony is planning to either boost their online sales with PS2 back catalog or to allow backward compatibility in their unit with a firmware upgrade. Who knows? Maybe it’s both. Whatever their plans are for the new emulation software, we hope their beneficial in keeping their flagship console afloat. If they don’t start emulating some of the things Microsoft has done right with their less-than-adequate hardware, Sony has no chance to ever catch up to the speeding wreck that is the Xbox 360.
Have a look at the patent:
9 Comments
The lack of BC in the later PS3 models was a turn off, as well as rumble being taken away. let’s hope for the BC in the slim model.
In the what model? The monolith that is the PS3 will not change for 10 years according to Sony’s promise of a ten-year-support-plan.
Ha! You’re right! There are rumors that there WILL be a slim!
Interesting no? I still don’t think the backwards compatibility is being designed just for the slim though. But again, this is all speculation so I could be completely wrong on all accounts.
We (Edie and I) were joking earlier that Sony must’ve listened to GameHounds a few weeks back when I said that one sure way to boost sales would be to put a PS2 emulator on the PS Store for $20. 🙂
BC + shock controllers + lower price = what Sony should have done since the start. The slim doesn’t mean too much to me, it’s what’s on the inside that matters.
They’ve had Dual Shocks for a long time now. Granted, I don’t think they come with the system–but you can get them. The nice thing about non-dual shock is that the battery life in the 6-Axis last 4 e v a h.
The only thing holding me up is lower price. I have a PS2, so I don’t need BC. I like slim… less space taken up. The small PS2 slim is definitely the way to go.
Finally got an Xbox 360. That thing is big, ugly and loud. I now need to find a well ventilated hiding spot for it.
In front of the air conditioner might be good.
Probably not a coincidence that the 2600 hi-score club game this week is Ghostbusters. I’ll give it a couple of plays… http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=146556