Shel Silverstein Never Met The 40GB PS3.
There has been somewhat of an uproar (from me) about the release of the 40GB PS3 in Europe and it's inherently crippled nature. The lack of backwards compatibility is a personal turn off as, and I wasn't entirely sure why the system was lacking the capacity for software emulation that is supported in the newer systems without the emotion engine.
Nick Sharples of SCEE cleared up the confusion about the missing software compatibility.
The 60GB model launched in Europe was a new model (shared with the 80GB model launched subsequently in USA) which contains only a modified version of the Graphics Synthesiser chip from the PS2 and not the Emotion Engine chip. The European launch model therefore used a combination of software and the modified version of the PS2 Graphics Synthesiser chip to deliver backwards compatibility for PS2 titles. As a result the percentage of backwards compatible PS2 titles was slightly reduced.
The 40GB model, to be launched in Europe on 10th October, is a new model and is not equipped with any of the semi conductors from the PS2, and backwards compatibility would therefore have to be achieved by software emulation alone.
What does this mean? The older models will still have backwards compatibility, and they are not deemphasizing software emulation as I had previously thought. This does however mean that the new model will never support PS2 titles. If backwards compatibility is a big deal for you, my advice is to go out and snag a 60GB model while you still can. If they do follow the path of reprioritizing legacy support, it is probably best you get the model with all original built in. I will give them credit, the 40GB model is otherwise rather appealing.
40GB PS3 missing key components for PS2 emulation [PS3 Fan Boy]
Asterick
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 9 October 2007
· Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: 40gB, backwards compatibility, PS3, spider, the missing piece
Lucky for me i still have my ps2, so if i want backwards compatability, i'll just have to tape my ps2 to the ps3. Then I will let them assimilate into a ps5. That's right, I'll be playing Devil May Cry 10 when number 4 comes out and I combine it with the first three. Genius, I say!