PS3 less backwards-compatible in Europe?

Sony admits that the support for PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games in Europe will not be "as good as the US and Japan."

The European model of the PlayStation 3, due to launch on March 23, will use different hardware specifications from the models already released in Japan on November 11, 2006, and in the US on November 17, Sony announced in a statement today.

The European PS3s will be designed differently, meaning that a "new combination of hardware and software emulation" will enable the new PS3s to be compatible with only a "limited range" of PS2 titles and a "broad range" of original PlayStation games.

A Sony spokesperson told Reuters that "the backwards compatibility is not going to be as good as the US and Japan models."

SCEE president David Reeves added, "PS3 is first and foremost a system that excels in playing games specifically designed to exploit the power and potential of the PS3 system. Games designed for PS3 offer incredible graphics quality, stunning gameplay, and massively improved audio and video fidelity that is simply not achievable with PS and PS2 games. Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3, truly taking advantage of this exciting technology."

In a statement, the company added that some additional titles would be made compatible through regular firmware updates--a similar setup as in the US, where initially some previous Sony format games experienced problems, but many were fixed through online updates for the console. The Japanese and American PS3s play an estimated 98 percent of the old games. The first update is planned for the European and Australian launch on March 23, and gamers can check out compatibility on Sony's Web site, which will go live on the launch date.

822 Comments

  • Kiss-Bite

    Posted Mar 24, 2007 2:52 am PT

    I've always owned a Sony Playstation, I love the PS games & PS consoles, but I have to say this whole issue with the emotion chip being removed has really annoyed me!!

    I'm so not happy with Sony because here in the UK we will have to pay the highest price tag in the whole world for a PS3 that is technically inferior!! I think Sony has messed Up! I may for the first time consider not buying a Playstation upgrade (PS3).

    I've never played on any other console but the Sony Playstation & I have a huge PS library. It's a shame, maybe my long term relationship with the Playstation is coming to an end!

  • ufm

    Posted Mar 20, 2007 11:16 pm PT

    I've checked out the website and all say "FEW!" most of my games how no know issues except fifa 07 and pro Evolution 6.

  • m0thr4

    Posted Mar 14, 2007 6:35 am PT

    Only 10 days until the European launch and Game UK are still taking pre-orders and guaranteeing them. I guess take-up for this console is not too great.

  • MAD_VIRUS

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 9:28 am PT

    Well, that's a shame but who gives a damn? I never play my PS2 games anyway and most likely never will.

    Gogo Sony! xD

  • Shundhit

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 6:45 pm PT

    To Siz2005: I dont care about BC anyway and I still think sony is the best. Just becase the BC in PS3 is not as good as it is in Japan and us it not nesscary make PS3 crap. By the way Iam still getting PS3 on the day it cames out in europe in 23 March 2007.

    Two word: PS3 Rulz

    other to two word: Wii OK ----------------------------------------------------------- 3 words: Gears of War Another 3 words: PS3 will die And I don't agree with Fil0403 that Wii sucks.

  • Fil0403

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 5:29 pm PT

    To Siz2005:

    No, just becase the BC in PS3 is not as good as it is in Japan and us it not nesscary make PS3 crap. The fact its games are years behind those of Xbox 360 does.

    2 words: Halo 3.

    Other 4 words: PS3 and Wii suck.

  • Siz2005

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 9:47 am PT

    I dont care about BC anyway and I still think sony is the best. Just becase the BC in PS3 is not as good as it is in Japan and us it not nesscary make PS3 crap. By the way Iam still getting PS3 on the day it cames out in europe in 23 March 2007.

    Two word: PS3 Rulz

    other to two word: Wii OK

  • Pewbert

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 8:54 am PT

    Well that makes my mind up. No PS3 for me! I'll stick to PC gaming.

  • kingdomarbiter

    Posted Feb 28, 2007 1:15 am PT

    strikemaster *below* pretty much summed up what I was gonna say, except for me having the fairly huge thing ^_^

  • strikemaster

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    As a New Zealand gamer with a fairly huge (100+) library of PS2 games, this is about the final straw. I'm already on my second PS2 (my launch-day PS2 went bust) and backward compatibility was an important issue for me (I don't fancy buying yet another PS2 if (when) my current one goes kaboom). The fact we will be getting an inferior version (for $1200 NZ - the highest price in $US equivalent anywhere in the world) with limited compatibility means I will NOt be launch-day adopting the PS3 - especially since the list of compatible titles is being kept under wraps (for some unspecified reason - probably because it'll be so disappointing). I've gone from being a guaranteed day-one adopter to being a customer who will need to be convinced of a reason to buy a PS3 sometime in the future (maybe when the price drops)... and even then only if they offer some decent support for their previous software. Gee thanks Sony, nice to know that the loyalty of gamers like me is being so richly rewarded.

  • jACkaTacK1107

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 10:43 am PT

    Two Words: PS3 SUCKS

    Two More Words: Wii RULES

  • trininuyawka

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 10:15 am PT

    For the record, the EU PS3 is actually more advanced then the US PS3. To meet launch, the US and Japan PS3's had the several years old EE/GS combo chipset. The new EU models have the more advanced software emulator that they wanted to use from the beginning. This should allow graphic upscaling of PS2 games (like the 360 does to XBOX games) and eventual 100% BC through firmware updates. If it was me I wouldn't NOT get a PS3 because of this. Matter of fact I'd be looking forward to the upscaling feature alone.

    http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/711/711242p1.html

    "The PS3 hardware, in its current form, includes the core PlayStation 2 chipset. This presumably means that initial PS3 units will include the single Emotion Engine (the PS2 CPU) and Graphic Synthesizer (the PS2 graphics chip) combo chip that powers the slim model PS2.

    Of course, including the extra hardware drives up costs.... Sony plans on removing the PS2 chipset from future revisions of the PS3 hardware once it has finished development of a proper software-based PS2 emulator. Such a removal would help bring down costs for the system.

    Sony has repeatedly stated that PS2 software would run on the PS3 through software emulation, leaving many to believe that the company had developed a powerful emulator for the older hardware. This would have been a particularly impressive feat, considering that even the PlayStation 2 originally used a combination of hardware and software to maintain backwards compatibility with original generation PlayStation games."

  • tonis125

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 5:16 am PT

    every time sony launchs a new console they decide 2 screw it up for as europeans ... now i'm thinking of buying an xbox 360 even though i was really against xbox. i believe every european gamer should buy an xbox as a response to sony's bad decisions. (re malakes mas gamise pale i sony)\
    CYPRUS RULZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • samad5

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 2:16 am PT

    rarson, good points below. But I've actually found that the PS2 produced as good a DVD picture as my more expensive stand alone DVD player. Secondly, as Sony is set to lose a lot of money per PS3 console sold, mainly due to the Blue Ray technology and the machine also supports 1080p, how can the picture quality be less than other Blue Ray players out there? I take your point about HD tv's but most people I know who have bought new TVs are actually investing in HD because of the marked difference in quality.

  • overcode

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 10:49 pm PT

    Hmm... well I still like Sony a lot, but I gotta admit that they really seem to be screwing up this generation for themselves. Oh well, just lemme get DMC4 first then I don't care if they collapse, lol.

  • CaptainCrazy

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 7:23 pm PT

    I feel like I'm missing part of the story. If N.A and Japan PS3 hardware can do the emulation 98% of the time why not sell the same PS3's in Europe? They already got the shaft enough as it is. I'm guessing Sony is trying to cut costs some how again just like when they decided not to include a scaler for 1080i HDTV's.

  • MartenKL

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 7:07 pm PT

    Everyone saying it is not a big deal and other fanboy comments regarding Sony as the saviour of the earth: What exactly is good about this news and the PS3 in europe? Why should I as a europeean pay well over 800 USD for a PS3? Just tell me that. And it is not an argument that PS3 will have better BC than the 360, you simply don't know that. For the same money I will get a Wii and a 360. So please tell me. I want a PS3 I just don't know why anymore.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 6:57 pm PT

    this is more for those collectors who still play old school games. the everyday gamer wont' care. i bet the more popular games will have no problems

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 3:22 pm PT

    --Do not buy the BS3 in Europe, and don't believe the phoney hype. Its like supporting international terrorism.

  • rarson

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 3:14 pm PT

    I don't get it... more space for what?

    I mentioned that the formats provide better picture quality. Which is great except standard-definition DVDs look absolutely fine to me. So what is left to convince me to switch?

    My point is, with DVD, there WAS more to it. No more tape jams, no rewinding, no degradation of the quality, instant chapter selection. That was great stuff and great reasons to move onto DVD. That's why it was adopted so fast.

    We aren't getting that drastic improvement with the HD formats. It's almost like the technology was ready so they decided to force it on us.

  • pheonix8465

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 3:06 pm PT

    rarson
    wow do u know anything bout the HD formats...for one they not only have better picture quality but a lot more space, its a great thing to have

  • rarson

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    "So I am assuming that your History Lesson is that no matter what Sony does they will still end up on top?"

    Um, yeah, I think that's exactly the point he was making.

    I own a Dreamcast too, but I can't see why you wouldn't want to keep it. I also own a PS2, which unfortunately no longer reads DVDs, and I recently sold my Gamecube since the Wii can play the games anyway. It seems like the "lesser" consoles had better quality games, but fewer of them. Whereas, the PS2 seemed like it had a lot of decent titles. That's pretty much why the PS2 still sells today, because it's got more stuff out there for it.

  • Kruegmeister

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    pscruton

    The 360's Backwards Compatibility is Even Worse than the PS3. 5% of Titles are Compatible with the 360. I know because I own one.
    Thank God I got my PS3 Early, all of my PS2 Games will work without fear of lack of emulation.

    cduran
    That Article Proved that that Author was an Idiot. He Told people to get a Dreamcast or a GameCube instead. Both Systems were totally abandoned by Most Developers. I know cause I owned both. I Sold my Gamecube and Nobody wants the Dreamcast. The PS2 Meanwhile still sells to this Day.
    So I am assuming that your History Lesson is that no matter what Sony does they will still end up on top?

  • rarson

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 1:02 pm PT

    cduran, that's a good reference point and in a way, it both helps and hurts the case for the PS3. I mean, obviously, we're at similar points that the PS2 already went through, and obviously both machines at this point weren't really worth it. And yet the PS2 managed to break free from the negative stigma and do well.

    BUT... this is not the same ball game. The PS3 is twice as expensive as the PS2 was at launch. MOST people out there taking a critical look at the HD format wars AREN'T going to buy a PS3 because of Blu Ray. For one, the new formats have practically no advantage over the old format, especially for those who still do not have HDTV's, despite the large increase in cost.

    Secondly, when DVD came out, it was THE format. There was no competing formats and EVERYONE was sick of VHS tapes by then. DVD not only offered a crystal clear picture, but also 5.1 sound and instant searching via chapters. DVD was a HUGE step above VHS. You cannot say the same about the HD formats, all they offer (aside from increased load times) is better picture quality. Which you can't even take advantage of with your existing TV.

    So Blu-Ray will probably drive almost NO system sales. And it shouldn't, because if all you care about is high-def movies, then you can get a better picture quality HD-DVD player for the same price as the PS3. Game systems have never really been better movie players than dedicated machines anyway.

    The way I see it, the PS3 won't completely fail. It'll pull up in third, with Sony losing a bunch of money on it due to it just not selling. There'll be a few good titles here and there, exclusives no doubt, and it'll end up basically being a really expensive Gamecube. But Sony's not going to go bankrupt because of it, no chance.

    Even if the PS3 fails, Blu-Ray could still be the successful HD format, and that's obviously more important to Sony than the PS3's success (otherwise they wouldn't have ruined the machine by sticking the Blu-Ray drive in it). Even if the PS3 fails, I'm sure Sony would still find a way to bring out the PS4. Oddly enough, I'd actually rather just skip the PS3 and see Sony design a new system from scratch THE RIGHT WAY.

  • cduran

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 10:57 am PT

    Here's a little history lesson for everyone: http://archive.salon.com/tech/log/2000/10/27/playstation_rant/index.html

  • pscruton

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 10:53 am PT

    Well thats another reason not to get a PS3. I bought an X-box 360 when Sony delayed the launch in Euope and Wii a few weeks ago. Definately will not be buying a PS3 now.

  • mattsmith20

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 8:52 am PT

    big suprise, Europe pays more, gets less . . . . thanks Sony. Personally I don't care so much about BC, but the attitude of Sony, especially given the fuss they made about BC as a selling point.

    Rubbish. Another reason to stick to the PS2 for a while yet.

  • Masoud03

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 7:04 am PT

    the only bad thing i see about not having a ps3 is that i cant play gears of war (but still who knows?? maybe it will become multi-console later) . nearly all the other good games are coming to the ps3 as well , besides there are games that i think 360 cant match like tekken 6 ,mgs 4 , dmc 4 ..... . oblivion is also coming to ps3 . so dont think theres any room for nagging about ps3 games . and anyone buying a ps3 to play ps2 games is an ........ !!!!! !!! !! ! ! oh and the price , well you tell me how much is it to buy all this equipment separately , more than $1000 . huh ?????

  • Dreski83

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 6:52 am PT

    So games are gonna be limited on the BC setup over in Europe... what a shame, how bout puttin that massive amount of system memory to work and allow some network downloads. Being able to download a fresh and working copy of Battle Arena Toshinden sure beats busting out my beat down copy of the game.

  • spelledarn

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 6:27 am PT

    Nintendo had the NES and SNES, then hubris got them when they ignored what the fans wanted and stuck with the cartridge format for the N64. The N64 lost Nintendo's dominance, and the Gamecube was a failure. Sony had an incredibly strong position in the market with the PSX and PS2. Looks like they're doing their best to be this generation's N64.

  • V_Zarnold_N

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 5:57 am PT

    man sony is sucking hard.... too bad for them though i hope that they dont go under as far as their gaming division goes

  • Agelu

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 5:03 am PT

    As one of the poll choices in GameFAQs says today: "Is there anything Sony can do right anymore?"

    ...Oh wait, it is also the most picked!!

  • shizwill03

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 4:22 am PT

    That really sucks, no matter how much sugar coating you put on top.

  • easpley

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 3:43 am PT

    Here in the UK is it be worth importing a ps3 what about watching films DVD Region Codes REGION 1 -- USA, Canada REGION 2 -- Japan, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, Greenland BluRay Region Codes Region 1: North America, South America, East Asia except for China (India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia etc.) Region 2: Europe and Africa

  • samad5

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 3:23 am PT

    Re: SCEE president David Reeves, you've got to love his speech. Typical company executive speech, where basics of the PS3 are explained despite everyone knowing them already. Not too concerned about backwards compatability as my PS2 is still going strong but its still an added bonus.

    As for Sony being in deep financial problems if the PS3 does not take off, I'd agree but I just dont see that happening. PS2 is selling well, PS3 outdoing the 360 in Japan and doing reasonably well in other regions despite being 2-3 times more expensive than its competitors. It would be interesting to know how many units they need to sell before they break even.

  • TimoTheThug

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 1:53 am PT

    Well i don't care as long as they keep updating the games thru network updates it's all fine with me

  • abddc

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 1:38 am PT

    I have read some of the previous comments, but i havent seen anyone mention the precise wording. "Limited range" of ps2 games vs "Broad range" of ps1 games.

    Does anybody else not find this alarming. Why differentiate between the size of each range? one could conclude that the ps2 range is extremely low.

  • nomadski69

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 1:09 am PT

    Sony Fails. Again.

  • nev70

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 12:50 am PT

    rarson - every PS3 sitting on the shelves is a disaster. Sony have thrown 10 years of RnD into the cell processor and the only thing it has been used for is the PS3. the PS3 it certainly looks like that isn't going to take off anytime soon. Hence if things keep going downward for sony over the next 18 months they'll be in serious financial trouble I accept bankruptcy was an exaggeration but surely you can see that if in 18 months things haven't picked up Sony are in huge trouble. ..................................................................................................................Ive heard financial & tech experts saying that Sony have bet SO MUCH on the ps3 that if it is a totall FAILURE it will sink Sony and i'm not talking about just SCE i'm talking the Whole lot every branch it will take the lot down , theier other arms are not doing that well. Personally i dont think it will happen but it is possible , what a mad gamble, business is about talking risks but this is somthing else what other corp would base thier whole future on 1 product ?

  • coxmartin

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 11:34 pm PT

    If BC is not that important to Sony as the machine is far superior to the earlier machines does that mean that they will not be producing games as part of their DL content after all this would be an even older format and even less likely to use the PS3's potential?

  • snukadaman

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 11:18 pm PT

    never mind the people saying its no big deal or just buy a ps2 bull....those are just americans who bought the ps3 allready and are hoping europeans are foolish enough too pay the high price lesser machine so they themselves dont look stupid for their own purchase ......if emulation was better then the chip then why wasnt it done in the first place......did sony just rush out their machine or are they truly looking at their bottom line??? ask yourselves that question...

  • Ansem_Rev

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 7:59 pm PT

    having to toss my collection ur clearly not a gamer...

    Anyways this was inevitable to sony's downfall.

    P.S do not click my user name

  • glitch2424

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 6:56 pm PT

    "Id be VERY surprised if it was any better than 360 BC. "

    Well, after a firmware update or two, it will be. No doubt.

    "So far though Sony has proven FAR more pathetic at writing software than Microsoft so I wont hold my breath."

    I say they're both good, but I don't know wat's more pathetic: the 300 games playable thru BC on the 360, or a whole catalogue on the PS3, with probably only a 100 minor games left out of it? HMMMmmmm lol. I still don't see what's the problem. Firmware updates would fix this...lol. Again, yeah, IT'S NOT from day 1, but who cares? Ur gonna play all ur old games eventually lol. It's certain, but it'll take time.

  • SpyderA

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 6:42 pm PT

    cduran said:
    "AGAIN......Sony said back in June '06 that they were going to drop the hardware emulation in favor for the software emulation I've stated this and gave a link to it go read it. http://ps3.ign.com/articles/711/711242p1.html

    And NO they never said they were going to do it during the European launch, I dont believe they even knew at the time when it would happen because they were still coding the emulator. But Im sure someone will find something to complain about no matter what I say or do.

    Stop the effing whinning, either buy a PS3 or dont buy one, its that simple. I have one, and I would recomend it to anyone to get one, But I would never go out and tell someone NOT to get a 360, and I dont go around searching for any bit of 360 news just to bash it. Please everyone stop all this craziness, its happening all over again. This is EXACTLY how it was when the PS2 was released, and everything was fine after everyone settled down."

    mole hill ---> Mountain

    Doesn't matter, most people don't read the boards...just post what they want to say. I posted some long logical posts several pages back. I think two people read them, rebuttled, and received a rebuttle in turn. They didn't respond. I assume they gave up. Point is no one will listen. Can't reason with mob mentality.

  • Kruegmeister

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 6:28 pm PT

    Don't do it Sony, Please!!!

    I No Longer buy games for my 360 (besides Halo3) because Microsoft Does not Care about me Having to Toss out my Old Game Library every 5-6 Years. I don't have the Room to Hold onto my Old Console so I expect my Console to be Backwards Compatible.
    If Sony Does not get better than 95% Backwards Compatibility then It is a HUGE Mistake. I have been MUCH Happier with my PS3 because it is VERY VERY Backwards Compatible when compared to my 5% Backwards Compatible 360.

    Yes Some People Play their Old Games.
    Why do you think they make Classic Compilations. When someone gets a New Console they want to Build their Next Gen Library while Playing their Current Favorites, Especially those with Children. My Son plays the Old games as Much as the New Games.

    Before I got my 360 and my PS3 I sold off my Old system before the Market got flooded with Old Systems thus dropping how much I can get for my System.
    So when I got my 360 I was not to happy with my Backwards Compatible Situation. Transferring my Game Saves was a $100 marginally successful Fiasco that Required a Computer and the Mentality of someone familiar with the Window Registry. Luckily I fit that Bill, but I feel sorry for others who went through this with limited Computer Knowledge. There are Still several Games that I am Hoping/Wishing to become compatible even a Year Later.

    Sony better get 95% BC via Software.
    Software Emulation is Nice to Pretty up the Old Games, but a message saying my Game won't play is NOT "Pretty".
    I'm glad I got my PS3 at Launch mine is Backwards Compatible.
    Don't do it Sony, Don't do it.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 6:08 pm PT

    junk56:

    Price cut does not equal more profit for sony, theyre losing so much money on the console anyway that this alone would be very much doubtful to put the console into profit (Actually, in fairness their probably profiting from the UK regardless due to exchange rates) and as such, will NOT result in a price drop.

    So no, this is not what everybody wants.

  • junk56

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 5:07 pm PT

    price cut = more profit

    more profit = price drop

    Isn't that what everybody wants?

  • chico129

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 4:28 pm PT

    So............ How much did they pay DOOM_SONYMAN to day that....... And spell like that? But seriously, why would anybody try to post something like that when there name is doom_SONYman? Its was just too predictable that he was going to say something like that, how old is he anyway? I was confused by what he meant by EAUORP untill I noticed he said "AND AMERICA!"

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