Can the PS3 play PS2 games? by Chris November 5, 2008 

Yes, no, sort of. If you were lucky enough to pick up one of the original Playstation 3 system during its launch then you have a system blessed with robust hardware emulation with the inclusion of the PS2 Emotion Engine chip. A wicked system. The chip was included in the original 40GB and 60GB systems.

To try to increase profit margins, Sony removed the chip from all subsequent versions of the PS3. What a bummer. Not all is lost, however, the new systems can still play PS2 games (well almost) with the use of (*sigh*) software emulation.

PS2 hardware emulation was sketchy but not bad with upwards of 90% of the titles tested working just fine but the success rate is much lower for software emulation. It's amazing they can even do software emulation..the PS2 is still a formidable system.

Sony does care about its customers, however. A PS3/PS3 compatibility database has been created at Sony's website. So you can save yourself some time and frustration by having the internet tell you that your beloved PS2 games aren't going to full work on your spanky new PS3.

Click on the 'Knowledge Center' link at this page for the official word on PS3 backwards compatibility.

CS 2008