Possible PS3 purchase, game recommendation required

[FatherJack]

I don't think you can get the backward-compatible ones anymore, at least not new from a major chain.

The early ones in Japan/US had inbuilt PS2 hardware, which made them capable of running pretty much any PS2 title - we never got those here though.

Their later ones, and our early ones had software emulation of the PS2 hardware, so compatibility with all games wasn't guaranteed, but could theoretically be fixed with patches. Also, its upscaling of the old games was arguably better than a PS2 - although similar results could perhaps be achieved with a Component PS2 cable and the upscaling in your TV.

Now either these software emulations weren't working very well, or they just couldn't be arsed to keep updating the library, or - as we're supposed to believe - it made the consoles more expensive to produce. In any case they then removed all backwards-compatibility, made the hard disk smaller and starting selling them at a price comparable to the 360.

IIRC, the 60GB version is the one with PS2 emulation, the 40GB the current, non-emulating version.

[spoodie]

IIRC, the 60GB version is the one with PS2 emulation, the 40GB the current, non-emulating version.

I believe you're right. You can still get hold of the 60GB ones, at a premium.

[buzzmong]

Told you all Sony were a gaggle of cunts.

[amblin]

.

[TezzRexx]

I've got the 60 gig with emulated backwards compatibility and I never have any problems playing my older games. There was a few games at first which wouldn't run at all but after an update not long after release, it played all the games in my collection fine.

The PS1 emulation is particularly good, as I tried some of the demo discs I had lying around, some all the way back from 1998 at they still work :D

Yay for winter releases 1998! Yay for still having the demo which persuaded me to buy GTA 1. Although, my mother wasn't too happy when she saw the 18 label on it when I had to get her to buy it for me. Bastard shopkeeps sticking to the rules!!

oh lulz, good times, great memories.

[FatherJack]

I wonder what they would do if yours ever broke though? Likely replace it with a 40GB version, although at least that's something - there's no equivalent guarantee when buying from eBay or Amazon market place.

I now have a Bluray writer and media, so I'm moving in its direction, but a proper guarantee is worth more to me than backwards compatibility or disk size, even if the price was the same.

40GB is not very big though, indeed even 60GB is hardly worth it. I outgrew my 360's 20GB drive in about a month - and (some) PS3 games need installation. If there's an equivalent number of things to download (c. 100 arcade games, 20 or so demos and a few videos) it's going to be a bit cramped.

[TezzRexx]

I wonder what they would do if yours ever broke though? Likely replace it with a 40GB version, although at least that's something - there's no equivalent guarantee when buying from eBay or Amazon market place.

I was always under the impression that there would be a PS3 with backwards compatibility out and I think Sony might still be releasing the 80 gig PS3 with the same emulated comparability. To be fair though, the 40gig his a higher failure rate, at least according to the PS forums and most 60gig problems tend to be disc drive related or fan related, which can be replaced.

I think there would be a big backlash if they never bought out the backwards compatibility one though, even if it does costs loads-a-money.

40GB is not very big though, indeed even 60GB is hardly worth it. I outgrew my 360's 20GB drive in about a month - and (some) PS3 games need installation. If there's an equivalent number of things to download (c. 100 arcade games, 20 or so demos and a few videos) it's going to be a bit cramped.

Talking of which, I ran out of room today and I'm having to delete demos to download further demos. I should of got rid of most of the trailers really as I never watch them more then once usually.

[FatherJack]

Not sure on the backwards-compatibility - they've drawn a line in the sand by not doing it in the only box they are still manufacturing - I'd be surprised if they do it again. While nice to have, it's plain that not many would be prepared to pay £100 just for that feature, when a brand-new PS2 can be had for less.

The value-add might be a model with increased hard disk size, but I'm frankly astounded that (Sony and MS) are still pushing out boxes with such tiny drives. Where do you even buy disks smaller than 150G these days? They probably cost as much, if not more to manufacture as larger ones.

The PS2's not dead, like the XBox and Gamecube are - I've bought eight new titles for it within the last year, two this month, despite having a 360 - so it would be nice to have the feature.

My history shows mixed results:
The 360's XBox compatibility was let down by the fact your save-games weren't transferrable - does the PS3 accept the old MemoryGate cards?
Even though the PS1's memory cards were usable in the PS2, I was quite late getting a PS2 and had lost interest in all but my finest PS1 games
The Gamecube is a wholly different story, probably mostly because there are so few decent Wii titles, I've actually bought more Gamecube titles than Wii ones since having it

[TezzRexx]

I'm not sure about the magic gate cards, as I know I had to get my saves off of my PS2 using my Action Reply thingamabob and then upload them for someone to convert them. Worth looking into though.

Sidenote: the Metal Gear Solid online beta is out :D

[The Incredible...]

I was looking at this as well, and after what I'd heard about the backward compatibility not being as 'complete' as say the PS2's backward compatibility, I've decided that when I do upgrade, I'll be keeping my PS2, and buying the larger HD PS3. If my PS2 dies, I'll get a replacement to cover my older library, (which is WAY cheaper to buy used games for than a new system, making gaming more affordable). With the price jump for backward compatibility, it's cheaper to buy a PS2 and a PS3 than to buy the backward compatible one.

*****May contain outdated pricing info. It's been a few months since I wuz shoppping for 'em.*****

But my old library is something that I'll not be parting with, so the ability to keep playing them is key.

according to game a new ps2 is £94 pPS3 is £299, i think i've seen 60gb back compatible PS3s on ebay for about £400 so its not that much of a difference.

after having played a mates PS3 at the weekend its put me off buying one for a while. insert demo disc, pick game to play, wait five minutes while it installs, repeat for each demo. played drake's fortune demo, which i thought was supposed to be one of the PS3s great exclusives, but it just looked and played like a cheap tomb raider knock off.

downloaded a metal gear online demo, which took about an hour and a half, and then had to download an update, which we couldn't get to download

[spoodie]

downloaded a metal gear online demo, which took about an hour and a half, and then had to download an update, which we couldn't get to download

They certain didn't make it easy. You really need to use the p2p download (rather than direct download) if you want the update this month. And then you need to register an account online. The registration website is overloaded and the process is stupid.

[The Incredible...]

They certain didn't make it easy. You really need to use the p2p download (rather than direct download) if you want the update this month. And then you need to register an account online. The registration website is overloaded and the process is stupid.

we tried the p2p, which involved quitting the game back to the xrossbar then starting it up again, which was stupid, then we only got 2 or 3 peers and max connection speed of 3kbps

sony really have a lot of work to do before the PS3 is any good

[TezzRexx]

Yeah, Konami definitely botched the whole Metal Gear Online beta. It's been pushed back due to registering and downloading problems.

Although I guess that's why it's a beta.

Also, I spotted this good deal for a PS3 on play with GTA4 for anyone who was interested in getting one.

http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/ ... dpr=132836

A very good deal considering the console on it's own is 289.99 on play and in most shops £300

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah, Konami definitely botched the whole Metal Gear Online beta. It's been pushed back due to registering and downloading problems.

Although I guess that's why it's a beta.

Also, I spotted this good deal for a PS3 on play with GTA4 for anyone who was interested in getting one.

http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/ ... dpr=132836

A very good deal considering the console on it's own is 289.99 on play and in most shops £300

if only i had money...

and a UK adress...

[TezzRexx]

Well, can't do much about the money situation but I'm sure one of us would lend a 5punky hand with getting it to you if ever need be

[Mr. Johnson]

not worth the trouble, i can get one here for an equal price.

[TezzRexx]

Ah well, it's the thought that <s>sounds</s> counts

This is the problem with getting next to no sleep ^