Thursday, March 22, 2007

Sony's PS3 backwards compatibility

Well I've mentioned that Sony have pulled out the PS2 hardware chip for the European PS3 and weren't releasing the new software backwards compatibility database until the launch tomorrow. Well either someone goofed or they've had a change of heart because here it is.

Better format then the American version where you have to type in the name of the game you want to check, you can at least browse this lot. It would have been nice though to have the option to search too, but hey if it has to be one or the other I'll stick with the browser.

So to start with two PS1 games to check, Soul Reaver and Silent Hill. Soul Reaver - one block, noticeable issues, US version lists slow down and some pauses; hmm okay liveable. Silent Hill - two blocks, minor issues, US version states a tone is emitted when you shoot something; again liveable.

On to the PS2 games then while I'm on the S's I'll look at Silent Hill 2, 3, and 4. SH2 - one block, or two if you've the Director's Cut (I've both). US has "No major problems for this title.". SH4 - one block; Oh dear. US again has "No major problems for this title." Wait a second - SH2, SH4; what happened to SH3? It's not there, it's on the US site with the familiar blah, but not for Europe. That's not on.

How about the Ratchet and Clank series, the US again has the familiar blah, Europe on the other hand has none of them listed. Sorry run that by me again. None of the series is listed suggesting none will play on your shiny new PS3.

How about the Jak series? US no problems except for Jak X. Europe... well you might be able to play Jak3, but it's a one block game.

Okay forget it, R&C and Jak were the best platforming/racing/whatever series on the PS2 and they might not work on the PS3; Silent Hill 3 is arguably the finest the series produced and that's not listed either.

Of course Sony are "looking to the future" why would you want to play your dull old PS1 and 2 games on the PS3? I don't know how about taking a look at the PS3's launch line-up. Okay "Resistance: Fall of Man" check, Enchanted Arms might have been a possibility except for this. 24 out of 100 no thanks. Oh but I'd definitely get um er no actually that'd be it. Okay that's just me, a driving nut would love what's on offer (that's my cousin sorted then). Where's the R&C equivalent, the Silent Hill, the RPG's (Enchanted Arms being ignored)? For me it's a limp line-up and people like me are soon going to popping in PS2 discs and finding they don't work.

Despite the forthcoming Oblivion and R&C I'm still not going to buy, still going to wait.

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