What is the backwards compatibility of the PS3?

Answer 1

First Generation models ie. those that were released first were fully backwards compatible and played PS2 and PS1 games as well as PS3 games. The second generation of the PS3 also which also had 4 USB ports were also Backwards compatible with many of the PS2 games. All other PS3 models lack the backwards compatible feature and are not considered to be Backwards compatible. see related link.

Answer 2

PS3 sell just find and little of what is written below is very current and nothing addresses the fact that the Backward compatible PS3 do not work perfect on every game and they were a technological nightmare for Sony with no control over the actual games that were designed by someone else. People who think that Sony is ever going try to make a console work on older games rather than spending the time and money on newly developed technology just do not understand the video game industry. Call of Duty Black Ops sold almost a million more copies on the first day of sales than Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 did only the year before. None of those people who purchased the newest games care about playing some has been PS2 game from 5 or 10 years ago.

The long explanation is not necessary PS3 no longer needs to have the PS3 able to play the games because they have plenty of PS3 games. They also do not make money off someone selling the used surplus PS2 games and they are a business. I would not pay the extra money for a the PS3 console which is now only 249.99 USA for the 160 GB slim and $50 more for the 320 GB Model with a Uncharted 3 game . The market is flooded with used PS2 games that sell for only a few dollars. To make a PS3 play all PS2 games would be over the cost of a new PS2. The added expense is not justified to allow a PS3 to play PS2 games. Just buy and learn new games they really are much better.

The individual below does not understand that Sony found they could not do it perfect because they would have to change games they did not own the design rights to and the companies making the games want to sell the new PS3 games. It became more of a problem for Sony with the European PS3 release and the many different PS2 games for all the countries. Emulator Programs to play the PS2 titles did not work and many more games could not be played in the PS3.

The author of this explantation has very valid points and I agree with him completely on his resolution at the bottom of the page. I hope he is not offended by my posting this and if he is, will accept my sincerest apologies.

I have started a facebook group entitled, "All PS3 systems should be BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE!" and would greatly appreciate everyone's support. I just started it so we will see where it goes from here. The link is:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=555436001&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=152180619343

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Answer 3

No it is not. Backwards compatible PS3 were last made with the August 2007 80 GB PS3 with 4 USB ports and a flash card reader and were not available for any PS3 when new 80 GB models started production in August 2008

Answer 4

The original PS3's are - I have one of the original 80gb PS3's that is backwards compatible with PS2 games. You can still find refurbished ones, though they're slowly being bought up. Try online at GameStop - they don't often have them in stock online, but they usually have the location of local stores that do.

Answer 5

Most models are not and not that have been produced and released after August 2008. Only the older models with 4 USB ports will play most PS2 games.

Answer 6

Not the models they sell new in stores