Can PS3 play PS2/PS1 games?

Ponyo

I read somewhere it was backwards compatible. Is there a patch or something you can get, I have a PS2 and some great games I want to still play, my PS2 plays PS1 games as well and be great to be able to play them on PS3.

GeoffX

Some early PS3s had limited support for some PS2 games, but this was removed from later models such as the PS3 "Slim" versions.

Esqui

They can all play PS1 games though

Ponyo

Desnt make sense ps2 is less powerful than ps3, why only ps1 games can play?

Darksun

Ponyo wrote: »

Desnt make sense ps2 is less powerful than ps3, why only ps1 games can play?

The hardware in a PS3 is significantly different to the hardware in a PS2. To be able to play a PS2 game on PS3 hardware you would need to emulate a PS2 in software, which requires significant resources (not to mention the time/effort/cost that would be involved in having Sony write the emulator). By comparison, the PS1 was much, much simpler so emulating that isn't such an effort.

Early PS3s were able to play PS2 games because they effectivly included a PS2 as well as a PS3. However in later models the hardware was stripped out to save on costs and space.

If you want to play PS2 games then you can pick up a PS2 for peanuts these days, or you could invest in one of the early PS3 models.

Ponyo

Do PS1 games look better and run faster like they do on PS2?

gaming_guy

..............

bengalknights

The big ps3 with 40gb harddrives and usb ports were able to play ps2/1 games, you will find they are the ones on ebay that are going for a premium when they come up for sale.

gaming_guy

...........

Ponyo

Best advice is get a new slim one, and a ps2 for pennies off ebay.

Will there be another price cut for PS3 anytime soon?