[Stuart Wright]

Following Sony's announcement that the European PS3 will be shipped minus the chips which allow backward compatability with all (or most?) PS2 titles (some PS2 titles will still play but not all), will you still be buying one?

[KevD]

I was unsure initially as to getting a UK one as I liked the idea of US BluRays, but I had a preorder for a UK one.

But it was this that tipped the balance, there are not many PS2 games I am going to want to play but I wanted the best unit I could get, not a higher price - lower spec machine.

Managed to get a Jap 60gb with a game for £250 on another forum

[Tejstar]

Well given that Sony are now saying that 1,000 PS2 titles will be supported, I'll most likely go for a Uk one - as long as the right titles are supported of course.

[Uruloke]

Shouldn't the poll have the option for "I don't want a PS3"?

[sbowler]

Once again Sony have let down the European market!!!!

[grey fox]

I will still be getting a PS3 on launch day (I hope)

I still have my PS2, so I don't really regard backwards compatibilty as an issue for me to consider at the moment.

I cancelled, I would probably never of used the backwards compatablity but I dont want a machine that is inferior to the rest of the world and pay more for it. I think I did it more out of principle I really dont like getting screwed over by sony. At least my PSP is now free of them, long live "Dark Alex" and his custom firmware!

[quidditys_shore]

Originally Posted by Stuart Wright

Following Sony's announcement that the European PS3 will be shipped minus the chips which allow backward compatability with all (or most?) PS2 titles (some PS2 titles will still play but not all), will you still be buying one?

The way you've written it you make it sound as if the PS3 has nothing that plays PS2 games. This is wrong, they have replaced the chip for backward compatability with a PS2 software emulator. I personally think this may work out better as they can just keep putting out updates for this to make it more compatable, as happens with regularly with other console emulators.

[Knarky]

I'm still getting mine.

I understand certain people may have prinicples about this, but I got a bit bored of the outdated capabilities of the PS2 and stopped using it. I'm buying the PS3 for the next gen games and of course for watching BD HD movies. I might also use it to store and stream music to a wireless music player I've got etc...

I'm expecting it to do what it's designed to do i.e. go forwards... (I hope!)

[Matty6776]

Will it play any ps1 games??

[Yanners]

Yes it will play ps1 games and if they have anywhere near the 1000 ps2 games supported its more than fine. in the end if you are buying a ps3 its because your interested in next gen games if people say they are not getting it now because its not as good a spec as overseas its bs. if you want ps2 games you will stick to the ps2 console. Future ps3 abroad will run without ps2 chip also. BC on the 360 is crap and nobody seems to care anymore they just want new games. The ps3 is a brilliant piece of kit and so far its not having the horror stories of people continually returning broken machines like the 360 is. My second 360 died 3 days ago and I love it but for now ps3 it is for me in a couple of weeks and when microsoft release a more reliable machine then will replace mine. Anyway back to the point if you cancel your ps3 now because it does not carry the ps2 chip you will never get because they will all be like that and you were never really serious about getting one in the first place.

[ahin4114]

Originally Posted by neoyourmessiah

I think I did it more out of principle I really dont like getting screwed over by sony.

I'm with you on this one. Though I'm not saying I shant get a PS3, but I certainly won't be buying one at launch any more. I won't use backwards compatibility (although Final Fantasy VII may still tempt me), but Sony's handling of the European market has inspired me to make them prove the consoles worth, rather than me simply taking it's merits on trust.

[mcav]

This poll is innacurate.

The PS3 side of things is 100% the same spec as the us model. The PS2 hardware has been removed and is being replaced with more flexible, upgradable software.

The hardware parts of the PS2 in the US model are about to become useless very soon and WILL not be used in the future.

[Seth Gecko]

Press release from Sony.

London, 23 February 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) to be launched in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia on 23rd March 2007 would utilise a new hardware specification.

The European PS3 will feature the Cell Broadband Engine™, 60 GB hard disc drive, Blu-ray Disc player, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, SIXAXIS™ wireless controller. It also embodies a new combination of hardware and software emulation which will enable PS3 to be compatible with a broad range of original PlayStation® (PS) titles and a limited range of PlayStation®2 (PS2) titles.

They have openly said the hardware in the PS3 (as well as software) has been changed/altered for the above mentioned markets.

If you want 100% PS2 emulation, until they release updates (and going on the Xbox side of things, that's a very long wait), you have to have a Japanese or US PS3.

[Gaz B - 123]

As far as I am aware the European model is no lower specced than the US or J versions of the console. The console comes in 2 flavours the premium 60gig (Wifi-memory card (SD – Compact Flash) version) and the 20gig (no Wifi no Memory card reader version).

I also I think I’m correct in assuming that the 20gig (lower spec) model will not be available on 23-03-07 (European launch date) as was the case in the US and Japan. Sony have yet to release details of when the 20gig (lower spec) model will be available to purchase.

So please correct, me if I'm wrong how exactly is this poll functioning?

The 60gig EU version is equal to the US and Japanese counterparts.

Edit - Did not see the abaove thread so now understand the subtle difference, however upgradable software emulation v's a static hardware version, i belive we (Eu) have the better version, as mentioned above the emulator can always be revised/upgraded via fiurmware updates.

Please be aware that the Euro model is NOT 'lower specced' than the JP or US models. Simply put the JP/US models contained the phsyical chipset from a PS2 that was used to play PS2 games. As far as I'm aware Sony never intended the PS3 to ship with these chips as a software solution was preferred due to production costs. Various problems with the software emulation forced them to ship with these chips however.
The Euro version simply removes these chips and relies on the Cell and SPUs to play PS2 games using software emulation. The list of compatible games may be reduced but like the 360 this list will expand as time goes on (and probably at a faster rate than the 360 list as Sony are committed to supporting backwards compatibility unlike MS).
One benefit of the software emulation is that it is possible (and there are already rumours/screenshots floating around) that PS2 games can be upscaled to HD

Hah, if the launch delay hadn't turned me off, this would have. Sony have made their priorities regarding the European market clear - which made my choice of a 360 even clearer.

[Stuart Wright]

Originally Posted by Heavily_Flawed

Please be aware that the Euro model is NOT 'lower specced' than the JP or US models.

Erm, if the European model does not include the processors that the US and Japanese PS3s have, and has a cheaper emulation solution instead, that, in my book, means the European model has effectively had something 'taken out' of it to cut costs.
How can this be anything other than 'lower specced'?

Not happy with reduced backward compatability or Sonys handling of the issue, but having spat my dummy I am now looking forward to playing Motorstorm (hoping rumble support is added at a later date)

[machinehead]

will boycott all sony material from now on.will buy an xbox 360.as a protest vote.sony get lost.cheating the GB public again.when will we ever learn in this country?.

[Anish_R]

i already have a ps2!! meanin that it will not make any difference to me!! buyin a ps3 to play next gen games. that should be the case for everyone. if u wana play ps2 games then you most likely already have one or u should go out and buy a ps2 not a ps3. ur not goion to buy a ps3 so u can play ps2 games onit.

[daddycool]

I've had a one pre-ordered since the first day they offered it. I'll still get it and hope I can make a few quid off ebay. There's no real reason to get one now except for Blu-Ray. There's five good games tops that aren't also on 360. Are the preorders even selling out? I still see them available at every Virgin I pass.

[hotlava]

forgive me if I'm wrong about this but isn't the UK PS3 the only one that will allow you to play UK PS2 games ?

I was under the impression that UK PS2 games won't work on either a US or JAP PS3, the only ones that would work are those from the same region.

I can understand why a lack of backwards compatibility might bother some but it's not the case for me, I'm buying a PS3 for PS3 games and bluray, not for playing PS2 games on. Any that play on it are a bonus but it's sure not a deal breaker, if I really feel the urge I can always plug the old beast back in.

Wot exactly is the issue here people have cancelled there pre-orders for fear of an inferior machine The truth is that sony is removing the chip for ps2 bc from all region machines. Fair enough there is machines out there with the chip inside but does it really matter. For me no because i know I am getting a quality machine and those who cancelled are missing out.

[Boopop]

Where's the " I was never gonna buy the PS3 until the price at least halved"

[Member 7321]

All PS3's (US, Jap and Europe) will be this hardware model by mid-April.

Software emultion is the best way to go because it can be tweaked to make the game look as good as possible. Witness the reports about PS2 games on PS3 looking very low res from the US and Japan around launch time.

Who cares anyway, backwards compatibility is pointless. Retro is cool, PS2 is not retro.

[dBrowne]

I disagree. Backwards compatibility is not pointless. I've had three PS2s that died within 2 years of being bought and held off on buying a fourth on the basis that the PS3 would cover my needs there and more. Nothing in the initial release of games tempts me to spend £425 + £50 a game to play them; my initial impetus to buy was the combo of a cheap(er) Blu-Ray deck with the ability to play my back catalogue of PS2 games. £5 to £10 punts on old games in the bargain basement bins is a lot to be asked to give up, and I suspect that that is the true motivation behind the abandonment of compatibility. I'll wait and see.

[hottstuff]

U.S. PS3 here

[interceptor0509]

Yeah I was gonna buy one. Even had one on pre-order.
However, I'm not going to bother now, for three reasons :

1. I can think of a lot of other things I can use £425 for
2. I am having great fun with my 360 still - and virtually all the big games coming out will now be on both consoles e.g. Assasins Creed, GTA4
3. The way Sony has treated the European market. I know theres the big argument on the thread about whether we're getting a "lower specced" machine or not, but I'm more interested in the complete and utter disdain that Sony have regarded the Uk and Europe. So I don't see why they should have my custom.

[akewt]

this poll is inaccurate and should really be rephrased.

the euro ps3 is in no way lower spec than the us/jap model. this is the kind of bvllshit press that gives sony a bad name.

people often forget that the ps2 still out sells ANY console and with games like god of war 2 it shows that sonys hardware has a very long life expectancy.

re: backwards compatibilty the software approach allows you to DEVELOP the functionality instead of it being static and outdated very quickly.

my 2 pennys