Comments on: Console Backwards Compatibility, Haw Haw

By: Matt Bailey

Matt Bailey — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:35:10 +0000

I bought a used PS3 60 gig. I refused to buy the 80 or the 160 gig because of the lack of functional backwards compatibility. But I’m one of those odd ducks that fires up the Nintendo from time to time. Or the Atari. I mean, we got a 3DO here, haha.

By: Greg Kennedy

Greg Kennedy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:42:33 +0000

That Sony marketing guy is probably right on… the PS3 (and other current-gen consoles) has driven the cost of a used PS2 into the ground and killed new PS2 game development off. So the price difference is so huge that the market is effectively split between (New PS3 Console + New Games) users and (Used PS2 Console + Old Games) users. They won’t come back together until the PS4.

Still, I am not certain how pulling a software feature saves Sony any money. It mostly just generates bad PR and would almost certainly drive away that last 10-20%.

By: Dean

Dean — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:57:24 +0000

Rob, I know your mum reads this but remind me to tell you of somthing we thought was 100% backward compatible.

By: Deidra

Deidra — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:01:51 +0000

My kids love that they can use the GameCube controllers to play games like MarioKart on the Wii. They say the controllers are easier than the wheel or other Wii controllers to use.

By: Zeno

Zeno — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:20:39 +0000

Nintendo has done a pretty good job supporting BC in their handheld line, but I think they only finally got wise on the home console front in supporting the transition from Gamecube to Wii.

In my opinion, in this current age where all game consoles use a universal media format (CD/DVD), lack of backward compatibility support shouldn’t be an issue, period. These consoles can and should be designed to support legacy libraries regardless of the effect on final manufacturing costs. Microsoft largely failed in this endeavor owing to shortsighted engineering. Sony, on the other hand, was deliberately trying to forcibly manipulate the market by first incorporating the BC with PS2, yanking it in Europe, and then spottily putting it back all over the world. Honestly, I’d have bought a PS3 instead of a 360 had none of Sony’s machinations over BC come to be known.

By: ladyjaye

ladyjaye — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:40:32 +0000

One thing I like with BC is that it’s one less console to have lying around. If you have a Wii, why have a GameCube as well? Also, I never had an Xbox, so after I got my 360, I got some Xbox games (there’s a few of them that I wanted to play, like Fable 1, Morrowind, KOTOR 2, Jet Set Radio Future…). The list isn’t long enough to warrant buying an old Xbox. And the lack of BC is part of the reason why I’m not at all interested by the DSi. I don’t need that gimmicky camera and I like being able to play my GBA games without needing to carry my SP around (not to mention the fact that my SP is first-gen, so the screen isn’t nearly as bright as the DS’).

By: Earl Green

Earl Green — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:50:46 +0000

The Odyssey3 would’ve been backward compatible with the Odyssey2 – it would’ve totally beaten the 7800 to the punch. If it had ever been released, that is. Minor technicality.

By: lethargic

lethargic — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:55:09 +0000

I always think I want backwards compatability. Then I play a last gen game and I’m like what is this garbage and how did I ever like it?

What games are only allowing DLC to only be downloaded once? I buy most of my games used and I haven’t seen anything like that once. I don’t even see how it’s possible. Wouldn’t the DLC be connected to your console and not the disc?