Speaking to GameDaily last week, SCEE spokesman, Nick Sharples, talked up the new 40GB PS3 and went into a little more detail about the state of backwards compatibility on the new model. This was one feature that was heavily rumoured to be axed for the cheaper model, however it seemed strange given that currently the PS3 models available in the UK offered software emulated backwards compatibility only and not the full PS2 chipset version available originally in the US.

Far from clarifying the issue, Sharples’ statement only serves to muddy the water: “We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility. The 40GB model no longer contains any elements of the PS2 chip set which powered backwards compatibility in previous models, and is therefore only compatible with PS one titles.”

Hang on – so does that mean it is just software emulated, or that even the software hasn’t been included? Then why do PS1 games work? I’m totally lost, and given that now that the whistle has well and truly been blown on the 60GB PS3 price drop and the new 40GB version, we probably can’t expect any further clarification next Friday, when Sony was rumoured to be making a big announcement. It looks the only way to find out will be to buy one, stick in a PS2 disc and see.

If PS2 backwards compatibility has been dropped completely, I’d be pretty surprised. The cheaper 40GB model is a compelling strategy to encourage current PS2 owners to upgrade their consoles and though these probably aren’t the hardest core of gamers, that doesn't mean they want to hear that their old games are now just junk. Even though I have a decent library of PS2 games that I almost never play on the PS3, I just like having the option there to ignore and it was one of the more important features of the console for me.

Source
MaxConsole

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