Some of your old PlayStation (PS) and PS2 games titles may be usable on the soon-to-be-released PS3, it has been revealed. Sony’s eagerly anticipated games console is due for European release on 23 March.
The PS3 will utilise a new hardware specification: a new combination of hardware and software emulation will enable PS3 to be compatible with a broad range of original PS titles and a limited range of PS2 titles.
The European PS3 will feature the Cell Broadband Engine, 60 GB hard disk drive, Blu-ray Disc player, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS wireless controller.
“PS3 is first and foremost a system that excels in playing games specifically designed to exploit the power and potential of the PS3 system,” said David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
“Games designed for PS3 offer incredible graphics quality, stunning game-play 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.”
Some additional PS2 titles will become compatible on the PS3 system through regular downloadable firmware updates, which will be made available from www.playstation.com or via PS3 game discs, with the first update planned for the launch date of the 23rd March 2007.
Users will be able to check whether their titles are compatible with PS3 at http://faq.eu.playstation.com/bc, a dedicated website which will be available on launch day.
By Niall Byrne
Pictured – PlayStation 3
