I have to say, I think will move will bite Sony in the ass. In a statement to CVG, Sony stated they plan to stop supporting Backwards Compatibility in future PlayStation products.
I’m a big user of BC on my PS3. I put PS2 games in there all the time. With the Xbox 360 and Wii, it’s not so much. But with a large number of good PS2 games still coming out, it’s hard to completely get away from the system.
With the introduction of the 40GB PS3 in Europe, which does not support even software BC of PS2 titles, users will be forced to pull the PS2 out of the closet (or even possibly buy a new one) if they wish to play any titles from the last-gen console. Sony will be phasing out the current 60GB model in Europe and only leaving the 40GB PS3 (which includes everything from the 60GB model except no backwards compatiblity, no memory card readers, and only 2 USB ports).
I think the market may demand that Sony change their mind. Since the BC is software based anyway, it’s not like it would be hard to add this feature back into the system. If Sony tries to implement this in the US, I hope they have a plan to deal with the enormous back-lash they’ll face. If they’re trying to save their image and the system, this isn’t the way.
Not cool, but i have 60Gb… And i love playing ps2 titles …
Actually, It looks doubtful that they could go back and add software compatibility for a couple of reasons.
1) The “software” based BC was evidently not 100% software. It still had the graphics chip from the PS2 (no I am not referring to the Emotion Engine).
2) The “software” BC wasn’t very good anyway. Many if not most games have issues, even though they may be playable. So, people haven’t really been happy with it.
I believe the move makes sense from a business standpoint. If they had left in the BC (which only partially worked). Then there would be little reason for people to buy the 80GB at $200 more. I mean 40GB, Motorstorm, memory card slots, and 2 USB ports are hardly worth $200. So you need to give people a reason to buy the other models least they be sitting on the shelves (which I still think will happen).
So, really if BC is so very important to those who do not have a PS3, then buy one so you get it. Otherwise you’ll have to keep your PS2.
Personally, I bought a 60GB US model because of the EE engine and near 100% BC, because I wanted that. And I would recommend anyone to do the same who wants BC and doesn’t want to keep around the PS2.
Heck on Ebay a few months ago I sold my PS2 (which worked perfectly) and the controllers for $100. I put that towards the newly priced 60GB and am very happy.
@Dave – I think the biggest problem is that Sony already made it clear they’re dumping the 60GB version in Europe and will only sell the 40GB version. That means that anyone wanting to get a PS3 in the comings months may not have any opportunity for BC. If they were keeping a higher SKU on the market, I would say okay. But being the only option, it’s a bad move.
I just hate how Sony handles everything these days. And I really, really hate them for causing GTAIV to be pushed back. I hope now that its pushed back, that Rock* will add more to the 360 version. That would be amazing! =]
COME ON SONY! common sense, you don’t get rid of the BC for the system before the one you are currently working on. Maybe they like ruining their system and then just lowering its HD size and price and see if people will buy it…