Sony To Find PS2 Emulation For PS3?

Some of you with large PS2 libraries are very disappointed that Sony opted to remove backwards compatibility for PS2 software from the new PlayStation 3. The original 60GB model had it, but Sony immediately began to cut back; the ensuing model only had partial b/c (and it was emulation; they got rid of the graphics synthesizer chip), and now, the PS3 doesn't support PS2 software at all. It does, however, support most PS1 software.

Sony got rid of PS2 b/c in the PS3 mostly to help cut the cost of the console, but once they've dropped the manufacturing costs enough, might they reconsider? According to a rumor started at NeoGAF, one Sony representative claims that the company may be looking into a PS2 emulator for the PS3 in the near future. He first said that with only about a year left in the PS2's lifespan, you can't expect Sony to put PS2 b/c high on its priority list for the PS3, but at the same time, an emulator isn't out of the realm of possibility. This rep apparently said that "Sony may be willing to potentially buy a PS2 emulator to put in future consoles." And furthermore, this could include anyone who wants to try making one, as Sony may be looking around for options from both companies and independent coders. Of course, none of this is anything but speculation and rumor - hence, Sony will never issue an official comment on it - but they have cut the production costs of the PS3 significantly over the past couple of years. With those costs down, and with enough consumer demand, it would seem logical to pursue PS2 emulation...if they can get it cheap, that is.

The question is, as we leave the previous generation further and further behind, does PS2 emulation become less important or more important? Are people tossing their PS2s when they buy a PS3? They didn't do that earlier, when there were still plenty of PS2 games coming out and not a whole lot on shelves for the PS3. But these days, there's very little to entice a new consumer to keep the PS2 hooked up. Then again, even with no new games, someone may have a very large PS2 library, and may only realize at a later date that the PS3 doesn't support any one of those games. It's an interesting conundrum, to be sure.

1/9/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (52 posts)

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eLLeJuss
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:03:47 AM
Reply

awww.. i hope they do. :D i wanna play FFX again, and i dont have a ps2 anymore.. i hope they wont have alot of problems with graphics and stuff..

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ps92117
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:05:25 AM
Reply

i have the original 60gb but the only none ps3 game that i play in my ps3 is ff7

Last edited by ps92117 on 1/9/2009 11:06:00 AM

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pavlovic
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:11:16 AM
Reply

I got my 60GB PS3 back in march '07, and got rid of my PS2. Because I knew that I would be able to play GOW2 on it.

As soon as I finished GOW2, my PS3 only plays PS3 games. I really don't care about b/c. The PS3 is to play PS3 games. I'm not going back. I tried to play some PS1 and PS2 games once, but I preferred to play Uncharted, RFOM, HS or something fresh and new

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Ves
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:11:56 AM
Reply

When they finally get into the black numbers and (if they) do this, it will have to cause a massive boosts in sale for them.

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SuMtOnE
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:12:12 AM
Reply

Hope it'll happen, so people can stop complainin bout lack of B/C =)

1 up, 0 down

coverton341
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:14:44 AM
Reply

I had the 60gb till it caught yellow fever and died and I love to play PS2 games on it so I hope that I either can fix the 60gb with a new PSU or get another 60gb refurbed from Sony for $150 because BC is one of the most important things to me in the system. I know that is not the case for all people but I want everything possible in my system from PS1 all the way up and I am irritated that they opted to take it out but I understand the business reasoning behind it.

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Troy Powers
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:18:49 AM
Reply

I rarely play my PS2 games, but I like having the option. On the other hand, a friend of mine who just got his PS3 promptly gave away his PS2 and sold all the games. No looking back.

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Aftab
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:31:29 AM
Reply

With the b/c, I was able to play a few greats that I missed from last gen: Shadow of Collosus, Metal Gear Solid's, and hoping on a few more.

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Strifewind
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:41:53 AM
Reply

Most consoles don't last forever. Even though I still have my PS1 and PS2, they haven't been hooked up to a television in years. When I bought my PS2, my PS1 went in the garage... same with my PS2 when I bought my PS3. But I still have my games in my shelf and it's awesome to know I can play any one of them on my PS3 if I want to.

Over the summer, I whipped out Legend of Mana and beat it again with my friend. If I did hook up my PS1 again, there is no guarantee that it would work. If it didn't, I couldn't play the game if my PS3 didn't support backwards compatibility.

PLUS, who wants to deal with all of the wires and plugs of one or two additional consoles? I don't.

Look at it this way... backwards compatibility would be there for people who would use it. And they would greatly appreciate it. For those who wouldn't use it... oh well... no harm done, no feelings hurt. It's a win-win situation. They should definitely bring it back.

Do you guys think it would be downloadable or exclusive to only new consoles?

Last edited by Strifewind on 1/9/2009 11:47:03 AM

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QuasarSquirrel
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 11:56:40 AM
Reply

I wish sony had never removed backwards compatibility, I thought it was a great feature, but at this point I'm resigned to having to buy another PS2. I mean I really should play the God of War games before the third one hits this year.

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Zorigo
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:07:43 PM
Reply

i wan't software emulation for the 40, seeing as that's what i got, coz my sis's complain there are no games for the ps3 for them, so if i got software emulation i could get games from the ps2 until games for kids comeout.

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Naga
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:15:51 PM
Reply

PS2 one year left? It will fall till sales are poor

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Zorigo
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:18:18 PM
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also, the best idea business wise would be release it for a little longer but fade it out so as to bring full attention to ps3.

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PS3addict
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:21:56 PM
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I got the 40GB PS3, so I still fire up my PS2 everyonce in a while. I just hope if they do come out with an emulator that it can play games off of a hard drive. Most of my PS2 games are on a HDD inside my PS2 (Fatty). I use a .ELF from a memory card to launch the HDLoader app, select a game stored on the hard drive, and game away.
Anyone with a 60gb BC PS3 try HDLoader? Does it launch?

If some one wants to try, I can get you the files to add to the memory card. The onlty other thing you will need is a PS1 game, I use syphon Filter and it loads HDLoader using the exploit.

I would hate to have to go and locate the actual disks as they have been stored for many years.

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Scarecrow
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:26:35 PM
Reply

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMO!!!!
Do it do it!

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:34:05 PM
Reply

I got the 80Gb with the software emulation and yeah I think b/c is muy importante. Can anyone see the difference with the ps1/ps2 screen filter on?

Anyway yeah bring it back cuz some of us never stop playing old games now and then. I'm proud of that bigass library of games.

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ec0li
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 3:02:03 PM

So some models of the PS3 at one point had some type of software emulation then it was taken out? That's a head scratcher.

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Fane1024
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:24:09 PM

@ ecOli

Not exactly. People always state the facts incorrectly.

The NA/JP 20Gb + 60 Gb had a full set of PS2 chips (CPU+GPU) and thus had nearly full PS2 compatibility.

The EU 60Gb and original 80Gb had only the GPU, so they used PARTIAL emulation and thus had less than full compatibility.

The 40 Gb, new 80 Gb, and 160 Gb have neither chip and thus have no PS2 compatibility, but could support emulation software which would allow the Cell and RSX to mimic the PS2 hardware.

But since the two GPUs are built by different companies, this might be difficult; you'd think the Cell could handle it, though.

All PS3s use such emulation for PS1 games.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 1/9/2009 5:26:33 PM

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tlpn99
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 10:42:39 AM

It was one of the reasons why I got my PS3 when I did. I got one of the last few ones in the shop before they were getting no more in the UK with the B/C.

I am running out of space but will just delete stuff that sits in the hard drive. From now it will be a case of if im not playing he game can be removed, some of them I have forgotten where I am up to anyway so would need to start afresh.

B/C is important to a lot of people who have back loads of huge libraries like im sure most of us have on here.

On a plus side I still have the original PS1 (big grey chunky one) and the original PS2 (big black chunky one) incase anything ever happens to my PS3 I can still use the PS1 or PS2 or even the Xbox360 or my Nintendo64 which I got for £20 with 15 or so games from my mate. The only one I play on that though is Goldeneye. for some reason I know I could have sold the older PS consoles but I felt reluctant to let them go. Hell I still have my trusty commodore 64 in the spare room with all the games lol

So this is good new that they are looking into backwards compatibility again. What will happen in 10-15 years time will people still be wanting to play a PS1 game on the PS6 or 7 so at some point it will have a cut off point.

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Robochic
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:54:49 PM
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I have the launched 20GIG i love that i have the chip for the backwards comp i have a good library of ps2 and ps1 games that i can play. I know i've been offered twice the amount for my console by people just cause i have the b/c chip but i won't let go of my 20 gig. now i just need to upgrade the memory:) I think it would be a good idea on sony's part especially for people who either didn't get the launched consoles or the 40 gigs.

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jlch777
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 1:00:03 PM
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my 60gb died with the blinking red light problem. i was out of warranty so i brought the new 80gb.
if they make a ps2 emulator i hope they optimize it for lcd display.

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zerostar39
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 1:02:28 PM
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I had a gamecube last generation, not a ps2, so I don't have any need for backwards compatability. ps3 was my system that wasn't Nintendo. so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that's not really missing out.

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Fane1024
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:28:21 PM

Actually, you're missing out on a TON of great games which never made their way to the Cube.

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city96
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 1:31:47 PM
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Thats cool but i have a 60gb anyway and does it upscale the ps2 games to HD 720 or 540P
and for DVDs too?

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ralph89
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 9:30:32 PM

It does upscale DVD's and games, but while I was playing GT4 there's a small blinking square thing at the top left corner of my HDTV probably a bug on the emulator, but the graphics seems better compare to ps2, i manage to use the 1080i option on tourist trophy and GT4 and it feels like i was playing GT HD classic :D.

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BigBoss4ever
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 2:35:31 PM
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there is nothing comparing to the PS2 RPG list, so to me, there are always needs to play PS2 games, especially PS2 RPGs. with the trend of RPGs on PS3, I do not think the PS3 RPG list will ever surpass that of the PS2, therefore, to me, maybe PS2 is phasing out, but the need of PS2 RPGs will always be around, so the b/c feature on PS3 is always welcomed.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 2:41:09 PM
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Why would they have to buy an emulator, can't they just use the one they subtracted earlier?

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Cuetes
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 2:41:40 PM
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I got the 60gb at launch, and I mean no disrespect when I say this but I was rewarded with bc for being loyal and spending close to 800 dollars on day one. If you wanted bc you should of forked over the extra cheese, no offence you get what you paid for.

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Geobaldi
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 3:31:25 PM
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I'd like to see them bring it back. It just doesn't seem right having a Playstation game and your Playstation won't play it. In either case I have a 60gb PS3 and 2 PS2's. Plus a PS2 emulator on the PC. But still would love all future PS3's to be backwards compatible.

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Dingodial
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:31:44 PM

Why do you have the emulator on your PC? Is it because you play PS2 games on your PC (lol) or is it so you can download and burn PS2 games onto a DVD from the internet?

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Dingodial
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:31:44 PM

Why do you have the emulator on your PC? Is it because you play PS2 games on your PC (lol) or is it so you can download and burn PS2 games onto a DVD from the internet?

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Blaiyan
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 3:34:39 PM
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If people wanted BC they would've bought a PS3 sometime during it's first full year. They didn't and therefore said price is my concern not BC. So I really don't care if later owners get it or not. You think you're going to play alot of the un-opnened ps2 games you have sitting around but it doesn't work out that way. I've played about two (kz1 and gow1) in 15 Months.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 3:48:58 PM

But people who had to hold back probably didn't think that feature would disappear.

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Fane1024
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:33:04 PM

Sony actually made it quite clear that the chips would be removed from future versions of the PS3 even before launch; they didn't, however, make it clear that they would fail to replace them via software emulation.

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Advent Child
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 4:33:37 PM
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All I can say is that I get upscaled PS2 and PS1 games on my hdtv with my PS3, show me a PS2 that can do that?

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Aftab
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 3:06:28 PM

Didn't your ps3 go bust? Did you get a new 60gigger, or did you get yours repaired?

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dveisalive
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:14:30 PM
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Who even plays PS2 titles anymore when you have all these crazier games coming out ?

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Dingodial
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 5:27:09 PM
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Sony would save a BUNDLE OF MONEY if they just posted the emulation software onto the Playstation Store for anyone to download if they want b/c. That way they don't have to install the emulation on every PS3 that comes down through the assembly line. Some people want the emulation and others don't care so if sony just had it available to download on the PS store then the choice would be up to the consumer.

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s360s
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 7:04:36 PM
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The ps3 has to have b/c that's the reason I bought the 80gb. So I can play my ps2 games like max payne 1/2 , the punisher , time splitters future perfect and many more. Hope my ps3 never breaks cause I won't be buying another ps3 unless it has b/c.

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Xbox_Killer
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 7:10:22 PM

Yeah I agree ps3 should have b/c. Max Payne 1/2 best games ever.

Last edited by Xbox_Killer on 1/9/2009 7:11:12 PM

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BikerSaint
Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 9:39:38 PM
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Damn, damn, damn, first I waited for the price to come down!!!!!!!

Then they screwed me by taking away b/c!!!!!!!

So now, they've still got me playing the "wait ans see" game!!!!!!

I'm stuck cause I'm not sure whether to buy an used 60GB or just keep waiting to see if they bring back b/c to the 160(it's all about the Benjamin's, or I should say....lack of)
Either way, once gotten, I'll try to figure out how to do the HD upgrade to 500GB though.

I've got 532 PS-1 games & 95 PS-2 games, & 9 gaming consoles all hooked up together(5 of them through a switch box)to my home theater system. But I've completely used up every one of the 10 sets on my A/V unit's input/output/etc/etc jacks, so now I can't plug another damned thing into my Home theater.

So yeah, I "NEED, NEED, NEED"" the b/c function, then I can pack my PS1 & PS2 away to free up 2 hook-ups.

In the meantime maybe some of you guys in the know can explain some things for me.

I can program my VCR, but other than that, I'm far from being considered anything that comes even remotely close to tech savy, so I have a couple of questions for you who are....

1. OK, I understand the non-b/c machines can play PS1 games so what makes those machines able to play PS1 games, but not any PS2 games ?????

2. I have no idea what or how an emulator works, or how good it would be, so what are all the differences between the actual b/c chip, and an emulator????

3. Will an emulator make the game play the same way, or have the same look as the b/c chip would?

4. Is an emulator capable of playing "every" PS2 game out, or just some of them?

"Thanks in advance" for any 411....

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The CEO
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 12:03:15 AM
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I had the 60 gig original then the drive went out.When I sent it in I made it clear to the rep at Sony I wanted it fixed or refurbished and they said no problem.

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orangpelupa
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 7:11:54 AM
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if it an FULL SOFTWARE emulation, it can be applied to all PS3. only with firmware update :)

btw BWC is not too important. its a good feature to play some games but not really important.

but ofcourse it can be used as marketing campaign :)

like stating on ps3 box -> PS3, now with thousands of games library*

with smal note saying :
*PS3 game + ps2 game + ps1 game library

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Ultimadream
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 12:31:12 PM
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most ps2 games work on my ps3, i made sure i got one of the ones that can support it, the week after i got mine, they sold out, my only dissapointment is i cant play, Tekken Tag, Shadow of Memories and Farenheit(Project Indigo)+ FF8.

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somethingrandom
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 9:35:27 PM
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I bought the PS3 on my birthday after the first price drop in '07. The PS3 started out $100 higher in Canada than the US, so Future Shop dropped the price $150 from $700 to $550, so I ended up paying $583 including taxes. Could've got it for more than $50 less in the states. I'm glad I got the 60GB, but for some reason the controllers disconnect temporarily when starting and quitting PS2 games. Must have something to do with switching to PS2 chip.

A friend of mine really wants to get a PS3 with b/c because he has a library even larger than mine, but his mom won't let him get one until he gets a job lol. And his family bought a Wii for Christmas.

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xnonsuchx
Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 11:05:32 PM
Reply

You can always get a used/refurb '1st edition' PS3 off eBay or elsewhere online w/ the hardware backwards-compatibility. That's what I did for my 60GB model for $340 including shipping + a 3yr warranty for $35. Unfortunately, I fear if I ever needed to use the warranty, I may get swapped another used/refurb that may not have the compatibility anymore.

Personally, I think Sony shoulda made a slot (like the easily-upgradeable HD) for a hardware PS2-compatibility card for $40-60 from the start, if cost of building it into the console was an issue.

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faraga
Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 3:52:15 AM
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i hope they put some software in a firmware upgrade, i wantto play some of my ps2 games again badly, but my ps3 died of oldage (something with de disc drive which goes like krr krr and then the game freezes), and my pc probably cant handle them ( u know if i use piratebay to get them)

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cadpig
Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 4:41:38 PM
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I hope they reconsider and add BC again.

Last edited by cadpig on 1/11/2009 4:42:44 PM

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monkeypunch2
Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 10:00:01 PM
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BC matters to me because I don't have a PS2 and I really want to play games like ICO and REZ (and any other game with 3 letters)!!!

I got a 80gb PS3 a few months ago bc I couldn't afford one before that. But now there aren't any more PS3's with BC.

They need to put the PS3 PS2 emulator online so that the community can patch up games. I mean the puny Wii is doing full backwards capability and the mighty PS3 can't? I just bought Metal Slug 2 on Wii and they are just as important to me as the new games coming out.

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Nerull
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:35:58 AM
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I got the original 80g for the compatibility, and to avoid being gouged so much on the dualshock, but the few ps2 games I'd actually want to play don't emulate very well; FF12, GoW's, and shaolin monks. So I'm thankful I've been able to ressurect my old fatty of a ps2 every time it's gotten the disc read error, up to like 5 separate times now, cause even though I'm stoked for the future but a true gamer wants to hold on to their heritage, been replaying tactics to get me in the mood for WKC. So I'd like to see Sony put the effort into fixing this as it and the lack of custom soundtracks are the only real faults I have with the system.

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PaiNT_kinG
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 12:54:37 AM
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i'm undecided!

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cj_pray95
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 5:07:54 PM
Reply

whats "b/c"

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