PS3 backwards compatability not-quite-so perfect

Gamers already finding problems when playing PS2 and PSone games

November 14, 2006

On numerous occasions, Sony has stated that backwards compatability will be a PlayStation 3 (PS3) feature. It's been stated several times that they expected to have near-perfect compatability at launch. Yet, gamers in Japan (where the system launched late last week) and reviewers worldwide are already finding that many games don't work on the console.

An estimated 200 games in the PSone and PS2 catalogues have been found to have errors on the PS3. These errors range from incomplete or distorted audio, to non-functioning controls, to being completely unable to be loaded on the PS3.

Sony themselves have highlighted the difficulties that arise when trying to emulate old software on a more advanced machine like the Sony PS3, but still insisted that everything would be OK at launch time.

Sony is promising updates to the PS3 software that will fix the bugs. These updates will be downloadable from the Internet using the PS3's online features, and will also be included on the discs with games for the system.

The PS3 launches this Friday, November 17 in North America.