Backward Compatability

[Dale Cooper]

Is there a way to tell if a PS3 is backward compatable from looks alone?

I've been told to get one from somewhere like Game or the likes but I refuse to get rid of my PS2 and I can't have 4 consoles in the house! So... I'd like to know, can you tell?

 

[wrecker77]

Not that I know of. Other than the obvious "If its fat" way of telling.

 

[Radeonx]

Ask the person at the store that you're going to buy it from?

 

[twistedshadows]

I don't think there's an obvious difference, but the 60GB and the 20GB are the only ones that are fully backwards compatible, and then there's also a 60GB and an 80GB that are partially BC. The new ones aren't at all.

 

[Dale Cooper]

Looks like I need to find a 'fat and dusty 60!'

 

[A Weary Exile]

I don't think there's an obvious difference, but the 60GB and the 20GB are the only ones that are fully backwards compatible, and then there's also a 60GB and an 80GB that are partially BC. The new ones aren't at all.

That's completley stupid! All consoles should have 100% backwards compatibility so they can still sell their old titles, it's just a stupid business move on Sony's part.

 

[Russian_Assassin]

You know how can you be sure that it is? Buy a PS3, some duct tape and a PS2. Then stitch them together and TaDa! Full backwards compatibility! No need to thank me.

 

[Mookie_Magnus]

From what I've heard, when playing a PS2 game on a backwards compatible PS3 isn't as good as playing a PS2 game on a PS2. If I may ask, why can you not have 4 consoles in your home? Is there simply a lack of room, or what? If it will help, I would recommend keeping your PS2, and getting a PS3 Slim, but only if you really want a PS3.

 

[Chuplayer]

The 20gig systems are recognizable from others because they're the only PS3 consoles that don't have chrome.

As for being able to tell the difference between a 60gig and early 80gig with partial backwards compatibility, I don't know. I am fairly certain that with the no backwards compatible systems came the removal of two USB ports, so that's something to go by.

 

[Dale Cooper]

From what I've heard, when playing a PS2 game on a backwards compatible PS3 isn't as good as playing a PS2 game on a PS2. If I may ask, why can you not have 4 consoles in your home? Is there simply a lack of room, or what? If it will help, I would recommend keeping your PS2, and getting a PS3 Slim, but only if you really want a PS3.

I have my 360 and PS2 and the girlfriend's Wii... we live in quite a small apartment, and the TV stand also has a cable box, VCR and two DVD players (multi-region and recorder) so there isn't much room around that area!

Unfortunatly I have a chunky original release PS2 otherwise a slim PS3 would have been more of an option.

If I can't be sure it's backward compatable I might buy the slim instead and a new massive TV stand!

 

[Solytus]

Aha, but there is. If the silver part of the system that you load discs in to is chrome, then it has backwards compatibility, and vice-versa. Sony retired the backwards compatibility along with the chrome.

 

[Chuplayer]

Aha, but there is. If the silver part of the system that you load discs in to is chrome, then it has backwards compatibility, and vice-versa. Sony retired the backwards compatibility along with the chrome.

I'm pretty sure current PS3 systems still had chrome after they dropped BC.

And the Slim doesn't have chrome, I don't think, but that's a totally different shape, so chrome is mostly irrelevant in determining whether or not it's BC.

 

[twistedshadows]

That's completley stupid! All consoles should have 100% backwards compatibility so they can still sell their old titles, it's just a stupid business move on Sony's part.

I agree, they probably would have gotten more PS3 sales if they had kept the backwards compatibility, but I think they're still trying to sell PS2s as well. It's all kind of wishy washy and doesn't seem entirely smart.

From what I've heard, when playing a PS2 game on a backwards compatible PS3 isn't as good as playing a PS2 game on a PS2.

Not from what I've experienced.

 

[Chuplayer]

That's completley stupid! All consoles should have 100% backwards compatibility so they can still sell their old titles, it's just a stupid business move on Sony's part.

I agree, they probably would have gotten more PS3 sales if they had kept the backwards compatibility, but I think they're still trying to sell PS2s as well. It's all kind of wishy washy and doesn't seem entirely smart.

From what I've heard, when playing a PS2 game on a backwards compatible PS3 isn't as good as playing a PS2 game on a PS2.

Not from what I've experienced.

They were trying to cut the console's costs by removing the PS2 hardware from the PS3 because they were literally putting the PS2 hardware inside the PS3. That added considerable cost. What I don't understand is why they removed the Graphics Synthesizer in the second round of BC revision. That shot themselves in the foot in terms of BC as well as the ability to sell PS2 games on the PSN Store. Also, the removal of the Emotion Engine was supposed to be THE cost cutting measure.

As for my 60gig PS3, playing PS2 games on it is nearly 100% perfect. Games that require oddball peripherals sometimes don't work, but I haven't thrown a game at the system that just used the regular controller that the PS3 couldn't play.

 

[Erana]

From what I've heard, when playing a PS2 game on a backwards compatible PS3 isn't as good as playing a PS2 game on a PS2. If I may ask, why can you not have 4 consoles in your home? Is there simply a lack of room, or what? If it will help, I would recommend keeping your PS2, and getting a PS3 Slim, but only if you really want a PS3.

I have my 360 and PS2 and the girlfriend's Wii... we live in quite a small apartment, and the TV stand also has a cable box, VCR and two DVD players (multi-region and recorder) so there isn't much room around that area!

Unfortunatly I have a chunky original release PS2 otherwise a slim PS3 would have been more of an option.

If I can't be sure it's backward compatable I might buy the slim instead and a new massive TV stand!

...There is such thing as a closet.
Seriously, I don't think its worth tossing/selling a good PS2 just for the sake of a PS3. Just store them properly until' you use them. I mean, even just put your PS2 in the PS3's box and slip it under the sofa, even. There has to be some place for it to go.

Also, you get so many points for the blatant Twin Peaks refrence.
I actually had the cherry pie and saw the waterfall in the intro by accident. XD

 

[Dale Cooper]

...There is such thing as a closet.
Seriously, I don't think its worth tossing/selling a good PS2 just for the sake of a PS3. Just store them properly until' you use them. I mean, even just put your PS2 in the PS3's box and slip it under the sofa, even. There has to be some place for it to go.

Also, you get so many points for the blatant Twin Peaks refrence.
I actually had the cherry pie and saw the waterfall in the intro by accident. XD

If anything is going in the closet it's the 360 at the moment!

Cherry pie by the waterfall? That's damn cool!

 

[Simalacrum]

well, any PS3 with only 2 USB ports is safe to say has no backwards compatability.

 

[Stoic raptor]

Just keep your PS2 and buy used games for it. Its cheaper and more fun.

 

[RRilef]

Yeah, if you're looking for BC, the 60 gig is your safest bet. However, it does run a little more than the average PS3

 

[fix-the-spade]

Is there a way to tell if a PS3 is backward compatable from looks alone?

I've been told to get one from somewhere like Game or the likes but I refuse to get rid of my PS2 and I can't have 4 consoles in the house! So... I'd like to know, can you tell?

If you buy a new one, no backwards compatability, simple as.

If you go on Wikipedia there's a list of all the model numbers of PS3 and what they do. If you want one with BC you'll have to hunt the specific models, which is on the sticker on the bottom of the consoles. You'll be buying second hand, I recommend the early ones with hardware rather than software compatability, they work a ton better.