backwards compatibility

[Allnatural]

Knowing that the PS3 will be backwards compatible means I'll likely be an early adopter, since I'll probably have a few unplayed PS2 titles left over.



Now there's word that the Revolution will be backwards compatible. Source (in French), and translated source.

With emulation available I rarely play PSX games on my PS2, but I like knowing that I can, and I'm stoked that (some) of the future consoles will allow me to do the same. Anyone else give a damn about backwards compatibility, or is it just me?

[smegforbrain]

I am huge on backwards compatibility, myself.

I love that I can use my mem cards, my controller, and my games all on my PS2 without worry. It's why I'm sticking with Sony rather than get any other system.

[smcd]

I think backwards compatibilty is a large reason for Windows' success. But regarding consoles, yes it's great. GameBoy for example. I love playing GB, GBC, GBA games all on the same device.

[rcgamer]

yep, backwards compatibility is great. i remember in the old days when no system was backwards compatible. at least not without having to buy an extra attachment. when the snes came out i remember there being a lot of angry people because it couldnt play nes games.

[Stezo2k]

to be honest it doesn't really bother me, but i am a bit biased because i play a lot of emulators on my xbox

very rarely used backwards compatability on the Ps2

[pj64er]

Nope, not a good thing.

For one, if you have psx games, chances are, you have a psx. So its a redundant feature. The second thing is that to keep backward compatibility, companies would either a) keep using old designs on relevant parts (no innovation or even worse, keep old bugs) or b) stick in extra hardware/software specifically for this feature (raising costs).

I'd much rather they put the resources used to keep backward compatibility into making the best possible platform for console gaming. I'd much rather have a cheaper and better dedicated Blu-Ray reader on my PS3 than some exotic CD-DVD-Blu-Ray hybrid that Sony has to waste money designing JUST so that three random joes can play their PS1 games on PS3. If you wanna play old games, thats what places like this is for (or dust off your ps1).

[ScottJC]

However pj64er.. if you don't own a PSX and really wanted to play a game from it, you couldn't do it without backwards compatibility, and people will pay more if they know that they can play old games on their new consoles, do you really think the GBA would be as popular without the ability to play GB games? I really doubt it.

PS2 support in PS3 sounds good to me, means if my PS2 breaks I can still play the games.

[Clements]

I used my GBA to play loads of GBC games. The GBC still had lots of games coming out for it when the GBA arrived.

[Doomulation]

Silly you. I can't play tetris on my gba if it weren't backwards compitable! Do I want a gb? No way... I like the gba ^_^ Backwards compitable is a good thing! I would also argue that some consoles are hard to get ahold of... and some can't afford to upgrade the computer to play emulation plus the feeling on the tv is better (imo).

[pj64er]

ScottJC & Clements & Doom: Ill grant you that handhelds are an exception. You dont have the luxury of having all of them available. Carrying around all your GBx's arent as easy as having all your systems laying in front of your TV.

ScottJC: http://www.epsxe.com/

Clements: yea, but how many are worth playing? ;p

Doom: Isnt it an industry rule that you MUST port tetris to every and any system? (http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...cfkmdffhdffk.0)
Also, consoles that are hard to get a hold of rarely have successors that have compatibility with its games.


The main point is, if game company X had used Y amount of resource to make their console backward compatible with a system I already have, I'd MUCH rather them spend that Y amount of resources on making their console better. Im also pretty sure that the original design of the new console has to be gimped a bit to allow backward compatibility.

Also, if you have a PS2 and PS2 games laying around, why would you go "omg, I MUST buy PS3 so I can play my PS2 games!"?