So, finally, the PlayStation 3 has landed in Europe, and we here in the UK are ready for it. Unfortunately, there still isn't a massive selection of games available for the console at launch, and without the PlayStation 2's Emotion Engine chipset, compatibility with your existing PS2 games isn't guaranteed.
On the plus side, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe recently released a list of the games that it's been working hard to support in the PS3's firmware, and we've picked out the 50 key games that PS3 owners may want to know about.
SCEE split the list into three categories: those that work perfectly, those that have minor issues, and those that have major issues. We've split them up into the Good News, which includes the first two categories, and the Bad News, which includes the last one, plus a handful of the games that don't work at all.
Please note: This story is not an exhaustive list and is not intended to include every single PS2 game. It's a reference for the most popular PS2 games in the UK territory. For a full list of PS2 backward compatibility in European territories, visit SCEE's backward compatibility site.
Works fine (18):
EA's multiplayer sequel should keep shooter fans happy for a while, combining the fast pace of modern-day battle, the ability to jump in various types of vehicles, take on a number of different battleground roles, and rant at your fellow soldiers while doing so.
There's no forgetting the family-friendly quiz show addition to the PlayStation family that has gone on to spawn a number of sequels, all of which seem to work fine on the PS3 as well. Buzzers at the ready, you'll be able to renew those family feuds in no time at all.
Actually, this game wasn't the series' finest hour, but it was a competent shooter all the same. The main problem is that of all the Call of Duty games available for the PlayStation 2, Finest Hour is the oldest and least compelling. Sadly, the other two games, Big Red One and Call of Duty 3, are on the other lists.
Few can argue against the pedigree of this role-playing game that made it to European shores only last year. Even so, it achieved one of the highest scores on the platform in 2006, and PS3 owners can look forward to continuing the long journey on their new kit.
This dusty squad-based game, which started life as a military simulator, is all systems go, as is the Ten Hammers sequel. It's not the best example of the genre that can be found, but it's a reasonable attempt, if a little short.
The name may be the same as last year's Xbox 360 BAFTA award-winning next-generation game, but little else is. It's a scaled-down shadow of what it should be, and you're much better off waiting for the PS3 sequel slated for release in a couple of months.
One of the best action games on the PS2, bar none. This highly acclaimed game lets you take on the role of the mighty Spartan warrior Kratos, who is ready to take on all comers. It's well worth digging it out and playing through it all again...
...unless you're all set to buy the sequel in a few weeks' time, which is more of the same, and great fun. There are various rumours of PS3 God of War games in the works. Should the rumours be true, such games will no doubt prove extremely popular.
Roll up your sleeves and step into a supercar. Then run some pedestrians down before hitting up your crew for some drive-by action. The sun-drenched, three-island setting for this GTA game loses its appeal only if you've played San Andreas, which, unfortunately, most people have, and which, more unfortunately, isn't on the "Works Fine" list either.
Taking the franchise back to the setting for the first 3D version of the game worked well on the PlayStation Portable, but a little less so on the PS2 despite the budget price. Once again, it's impossible to forget that this isn't the most advanced version of the game.
One of the storytelling foundations of the PS2 platform, Ico may be one of the oldest games mentioned here, but it's a classic. It's worth revisiting the tale of a boy, set to be sacrificed, who rescues the mysterious Yorda and then sets about to escape the castle with his new companion.
Released in Europe only toward the end of last year, this Square Enix role-playing game is certainly one of the better examples of its genre. Given that the Final Fantasy titles don't all seem to be fully compatible, this one could be important for role-playing fans looking to keep playing PS2 games on their new hardware.
The plastic men (and droids) are back in their classic setting, giving you the chance to romp through brick-based environments fighting bad guys. It's not the most significant game to transfer smoothly to the PS3, but it adds a nice touch of variety.
This, of course, is the special edition of original MGS3 release, Snake Eater. Fans should be pleased that at least this one made it in one piece, as other games in the series most certainly did not. It'll be nice to take advantage of the multiplayer functionality and relive Solid Snake's adventures one more time.
The atmospheric, emotive action game that set the critics talking last year and resulted in two BAFTA awards is going to work perfectly on the PS3. There are only so many times you can play through the game, but this'll be a good opportunity to give it one more bash.
Not the world-beating (into submission) games that the PC editions were, but The Sims series is popular nonetheless. If you are a fan of the console ports, you'll be pleased to know that the entire PS2 series is A-OK.
For UK gamers, the Tomb Raider series has been one of the key pillars in PlayStation game lineups over the years. Quite right that the latest version, in a return to form, makes it through unscathed.
Works mostly fine (7):
No word at this time on the status of Burnout Dominator, but at least Burnout 3 should be mostly fine. Confusingly, Burnout 2 doesn't work at all well, while the original game plays properly. Go figure.
The latest in Activision's WWII shooters, this one's only so-so in terms of compatibility--which is a shame, since it's a high-profile game that's only a few months old. Fortunately, you have the option of picking up the PS3 version instead.
This is something of a blow, given that the game has only just been released in Europe. There's no indication of what glitches there may be in this one, but this is surely a flagship Sony platform game, and it's surprising to see it on what is essentially the PS3 backward compatibility B-list.
This is the game that, for many, has propelled the PS2 from a would-like into a must-have. We were impressed by the visuals back then, and they still bear up now--just not quite as well on the PS3.
Another game not to make it across without incurring some damage is the Prologue edition of the current flagship Gran Turismo game. We're not sure quite how it's not firing on all cylinders, but there are a lot of copies out there, and none of them will work flawlessly on Sony's new kit. That said, according to Sony, Gran Turismo 4-proper doesn't work at all. The message is clear: Go to Japan and download the HD edition.
Undoubtedly one of the best games to be released in 2005 and one of the best horror action games ever, Resident Evil 4's presence on this list means that at least it will be playable for the most part.
For sports fans, the backwards compatibility document isn't particularly happy reading, but at least you'll be able to stroll down the latest virtual fairways without too much disruption. Then again, a PS3 version is scheduled to ship in March.
Next: Major issues, doesn't work at all
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