Sony patents PS2 emulation on PS3

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Full, total replication of the Emotion Engine.

slim ps2 playstation 2 -

Early PS3s boasted backwards compatibility with PS2 games, meaning PlayStation gamers could make the transition from old to new without having to keep two consoles under their TV.

This feature didn't last long though, with later generation PS3 consoles missing all signs of backwards compatibility. This could, however, be making a return if a Sony patent comes to fruition.

Spotted by Siliconera, a patent filed in December 2008 details a method that would allow the PS3's Cell to directly translate code from the PS2's Emotion Engine, thus giving full, total replication of how the game would play on a PS2 console.

This would in theory open the door for both on-disc and downloadable PS2 games to be played on all PS3 consoles.

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Wido's Avatar

Wido

I would love to have BC for my PS3. I could play my LMA 2007 basically all day long, God Of War, Ico, Most Wanted, MGS2 and Snake Eater.
Posted 19:36 on 30 June 2009
FantasyMeister's Avatar

FantasyMeister

There's a nice bit of speculation at the end of the Siliconera.com article that takes Ars Technica's prediction that the PS3 slim is coming and guessing that we might see PS2 backwards compatibility in the PS3 slim via emulation (firmware download rather than requiring a PS2 emotion chip present) towards the end of this year.

My only concern is that given how long the Cell has been kicking around it's a bit surprising that this patent was only filed 6 months ago.
Posted 18:58 on 30 June 2009
DarthKratos7's Avatar

DarthKratos7

This is a good move. I had to buy a ps2 from a friend so I can play God of war 1 , and 2. Ps3 seriously needs this. I guess I can trade my ps2 in now lol..
Posted 18:06 on 30 June 2009
CheekyLee's Avatar

CheekyLee@ El-Dev

Speak for yourself. Personally, I would love the chance to play Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, God Hand, Global Defense Force, Amplitude, Devil May Cry 3, R Type Final, Gradius V, God of War, and Final Fantasy XII without having to bring my PS2 downstairs.
Posted 16:31 on 30 June 2009
CrustyJockStrap's Avatar

CrustyJockStrap@ El-Dev

Why the ps2 has more great games than any other console on the market today.
Posted 16:21 on 30 June 2009
Ghost_Dog's Avatar

Ghost_Dog

Can I start dusting off my PS2 collection?
Posted 13:48 on 30 June 2009
renegade's Avatar

renegade

I wish i had it so i could try ICo and Shadow of the Collosus God Of War I and II etc. Instead i must emulate them :(
Posted 13:32 on 30 June 2009
Bloodstorm's Avatar

Bloodstorm

Wrong, it's great to play the old classics every so often, i really miss devil may cry 1.
Posted 12:55 on 30 June 2009
El-Dev's Avatar

El-Dev

If you own a PS3 and are playing PS2 games on it then something is cleary wrong.
Posted 12:11 on 30 June 2009
GeNeCyDe1993's Avatar

GeNeCyDe1993

Yeah i think youve got it spot on there pb, i must admit now i may be able to play all my ps2 games, i may consider a ps3
Posted 12:02 on 30 June 2009
pblive's Avatar

pblive

Pretty sure part of the reason (other than cost) they took the PS2 BC away from the PS3 was that the PS2 was still selling really well and making money for Sony. They now need to sell more PS3s so now they've got people hooked on PS2 they can provide all machines with BC and give them another reason to buy a PS3.
Posted 11:46 on 30 June 2009
GeNeCyDe1993's Avatar

GeNeCyDe1993

So the ps3 will be able to have backwards compatability in all forms of the ps3?
Posted 11:41 on 30 June 2009