Wait, Wait, Wait... I realize I'm 3 years late but

[CatalystiCam]

I'm at the point where I don't really care or favour any one company because it's stupid, but I do still hate it when a company does something stupid.

This time, I'm not even sure what sense it makes and I'll jump right to the point. Why in god's name did Sony stop backwards compatibility? I heard this from someone surprisingly now and it seems to be true. As of 2008... The non-functional ps3 we had didn't read discs after 10 hours of having it but I still recall being able to play ps1 and ps2 games on it.

I don't want to make this a lengthy post, but it makes no sense to me. That is one of the biggest things I've always given Sony credit for, is their consistency to continue production on their older consoles far past the point where other companies would already call them "obsolete". I also liked the backwards compatibility on every console.

I realize with my recent comment that the ps2 is still going on now and producing games, but I'm wondering if this is why they stopped compatibility? To rake more money in off ps2 sales still or something.

Either way I'm just curious to have light shed on this. Or correct me if they somehow do make consoles that support it. If they don't, then that is downright stupid imo. Any chanc eof me ever buying a ps3 is out the window, and the only reason I heard is because my brother wanted to get a ps3 again when he moves out so he can play our ps1 games too (Ps1 is my other brothers and the ps2 is mine).

anyway, I don't really want to put up a fuss since this doesn't affect me much but I want to know just what happened here and if anyone knows why? I'm very curious.

[Seahawk]

It's cost reduction to make it cheaper. The original set of PS3's had the actual PS2 components inside it. The next round got rid of those and replaced it with software emulation. With PS3 they got rid of that too.

Keep in mind this is only for PS2, you can still play PS1 games on it.

Anyways it's not that stupid, it doesn't make any business sense to produce parts for a console that's been obsolete for ten years. The Gameboy/Color/Advance lines were equally popular but you can't play GB/C titles on a DS and there is no GBA slot on DSi or 3DS.

[bearhawk72]

They still make the PS2 and it still sells well. They're not killing the cash cow by letting the PS3 play PS2 games.

[CatalystiCam]

It's cost reduction to make it cheaper. The original set of PS3's had the actual PS2 components inside it. The next round got rid of those and replaced it with software emulation. With PS3 they got rid of that too.

So, are you saying they made the console cheaper to buy when they removed the feature? If so, then that isn't as bad...

Keep in mind this is only for PS2, you can still play PS1 games on it.

Really? Well my bro wants to play his FF VII, IX & anthology on it so that's good.

there is no GBA slot on DSi or 3DS.

That one I forgot, I don't see why nintendo did that either, all they were doing was making a new model to replace the crummy old unreliable ds.

[Kong]

it doesn't make any business sense to produce parts for a console that's been obsolete for ten years.I don't buy new consoles so my opinion doesn't matter but I would prefer buying a system that had full backwards compatibility versus one that did not. I would pay extra for it too. Emulation for the win! :dance:

[elrod21]

all they were doing was making a new model to replace the crummy old unreliable ds.

I hope you weren't talking about the DS Lite because mine has never been unreliable and still has GBA compatibility. :D (Used it this morning to play Golden Axe 3 for the Genesis on the way to work.)

[CatalystiCam]

no, I mean the 3 ds originals we had in the family that got about 5 scratches or more with every hour of use and now mine is breaking off its hinges. All with very good care this happened... :-/

[Seahawk]

I don't buy new consoles so my opinion doesn't matter but I would prefer buying a system that had full backwards compatibility versus one that did not. I would pay extra for it too. Emulation for the win!

Of course, I think everyone would.

I would pay extra for it too.

Not everyone would, especially if they have the previous console.

In any case, there's more to it than just cost. There is also practicality and functionality, putting together electronic components is difficult, there's also considerations like size of the motherboard, power draw, appearance, etc etc.

Usually the way backwards compatibility is implemented is that a component from the old system is used for something on the new one.
Here's how BC has been done for real systems:

Sega Genesis BC with Master System (with cartridge adapter): The Z80 cpu from the SMS was used as a sound controller on the Genesis, this includes the SN76489 sound chip, so it can run SMS software. The SN76489 can also be used on Genesis games (Sonic's jump sound, a lot of sound effects on Monster World IV are produced by it).

Gameboy Color with GameBoy: It is the same CPU, just with double speed features, more RAM and VRAM, and color video hardware.

Gameboy Advance with GB/C: There is a Z80 core embedded in the ARM7 cpu identical to the one used in the GBC. A small switch in the cartridge slot controls whether the ARM7 or Z80 is turned on at powerup, also this is necessary because GB/C and GBA cartridges run at different voltages, and this switch switches between 3.3V and 5V. The sound generator in the Z80 can be used for sound in GBA games (Game & Watch Gallery 4, Gradius Galaxies, etc)

Playstation 2 with Playstation: The PS cpu is on the PS2 board, it is used as an I/O controller. If a PS disc is in the tray the PS bios is loaded up and it runs as an original Playstation cpu.

DS with Gameboy Advance: The ARM7 in the DS is the same as the one in the GBA, except without the GB Z80 core. DS/lite have the GBA cartridge slot as well, it can be accessed in DS mode.

Wii with Gamecube: They are the same cpu architecture, the Wii one just has some extra instructions. Ever hear the phrase that the Wii is just two Gamecubes duct-taped together? Yeah.

Emulation for the win! :dance:

Hey, I heard about this cool site called retrouprising.com :p.....

[Kugyince]

Sony eliminated PS2 compatability to increase PS3 software sales.

[RU Joe]

It seems like somebody saw what Nintendo had done {zero backward compatibility} and thought they would follow suit to force customers into buying consoles.
Like so many things, it was done for GR$$D.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the newer PS2's play PS1 games?

[bearhawk72]

It seems like somebody saw what Nintendo had done {zero backward compatibility} and thought they would follow suit to force customers into buying consoles.
Like so many things, it was done for GR$$D.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the newer PS2's play PS1 games?
Pretty sure they still do.

[Dudebro]

Last I heard PS2s played PS1 games but I think some of the slim models have limited compatibility or none at all. I didn't really follow that though so I could be off.

[CatalystiCam]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the newer PS2's play PS1 games?

Yay, I get to be the one to confirm this. I got a late ps2 slim (Silver) practically new recently from another customer at game stop (long story, won't get into), anyways it plays every ps1 game I have which is Team buddies, FF7, FF Chronicles. I know it's not a lot but team buddies is uber-rare so I'd say it is still fully backwards compatible.

Wii with Gamecube: They are the same cpu architecture, the Wii one just has some extra instructions. Ever hear the phrase that the Wii is just two Gamecubes duct-taped together? Yeah.

Lol, I've heard similar. I've heard it be called the "Gamecube+"

[ZedIsDead]

Yes, Cam is right on this one. My slim PS2 plays all my PS1 games no problem.

[Demon-Mask]

Last I heard PS2s played PS1 games but I think some of the slim models have limited compatibility or none at all. I didn't really follow that though so I could be off.
Well, my slim PS2 actually plays some games which no longer worked in my PS1, but there have been compatibility issues reported by some in the past. So long as my Metal Gear Solid works, I'm good. For some reason I am proud of that game, and don't stow it away in the drawer with the rest of my PS1 games, I set it atop my dresser.

[CatalystiCam]

like I said, if something as uncommon as team buddies works, then I'm sure just about every ps1 game does.

[Demon-Mask]

like I said, if something as uncommon as team buddies works, then I'm sure just about every ps1 game does.
Tomba! doesn't work when you go to options or load a game it crashes.
Wing Commander III, and Wing Commander IV crash all the time.
Some games run too fast or too slow, some graphics problems.

Not many games have problems, but there are a few.

[RU Joe]

Good to hear that at least there's a bit of backward compatibility left.
Thanks, guys.
I may have to invest in a slim one day {knock on plastic} since nothing lasts forever.

[CatalystiCam]

Not many games have problems, but there are a few.

I wouldn't doubt it.