Sony Working on Software-Emulated PS2 Backwards Compatibility for PS3

After taking out backwards compatibility with the Playstation 2, Sony is working to bring back the much demanded feature to the Playstation 3. Backwards compatibility has always been an important feature for Sony. The electronic giant debuted in the game industry in 1995 with the Playstation computer entertainment system. Their first console became an immediate hit and was easily the most popular system of its generation. As a result, most of the best games came to the Playstation.

Due to the high software sales of the original Playstation, Sony decided to give their next console, the Playstation 2, the ability to play Playstation games. This move also ensures that the 100+ million user base of the original Playstation would upgrade to the Playstation 2 when the system launched in 2000. Backwards compatibility for Playstation games were originally emulated via hardware on the Playstation 2. Eventually, Sony created a software solution and removed the hardware in order to save costs.

More so than the original Playstation, the Playstation 2 became a worldwide phenomenon. In fact, it is by far and away the best-selling video game system in history. As such, all of the best video games came to the system.

With two highly successful systems under their belt, Sony decided to add Playstation and Playstation 2 backwards compatibility to their next system. The Playstation 3 launched in 2006 with software-emulated Playstation backwards compatibility and hardware-emulated Playstation 2 backwards compatibility.

Unlike its predecessors, the Playstation 3 struggled to capture the mass market. This is because the system launched at the luxurious price point of $599.99. In order to quickly reduce costs, Sony decided to gradually remove Playstation 2 backwards compatibility from the Playstation 3.

Even with the reduced price tag, many prospective buyers resented the fact that the new Playstation 3 units can't play Playstation 2 games. Having the ability to upscale Playstation 2 games to high-definition resolutions in addition to clearing shelf space added a lot of perceived value to the Playstation 3. Even with the price drop, prospective buyers wouldn't jump in until Playstation 2 backwards compatibility returns.

After numerous complaints, Sony is finally working on a solution to backwards compatibility of Playstation 2 games on the Playstation 3. As expected, they are planning to use full software emulation. The Emotion Engine chip of the Playstation 2 has already been emulated via software on the Playstation 3. Sony is now working on the second-half of the equation: the Graphics Synthesizer chip.

While it is unknown when Playstation 2 backwards compatibility would return to the Playstation 3 via software emulation, the news is good enough to make new and prospective Playstation 3 gamers excited.