With the PAL version of the PlayStation 3 about to go on sale in Europe and Australia, Sony has launched a web site listing the degree of compatibility with PS2 games. The list is necessary because the company chose to omit the Emotion Engine from the PAL hardware, instead implementing its functions in software.
The list assigns three levels of compatibility: "No known issues to date," "Should play on PlayStation3 with some minor issues" or "Should play on PlayStation3 with noticeable issues". Games that don't work with the PS3 are omitted from the list.
So while EA Sports Cricket 2004 and 2005 get the top 'three squares' ranking, the 2007 version is nowhere to be seen. Other notable omissions include Guitar Hero 1 and 2, the Ratchet and Clank games and some of the Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid series.
While nearly 1800 games are listed, multiple minor variations are shown for some. The number of unique titles appears to be closer to 1200.
Sony's list is based on version 1.60 of the PS3 firmware, which will be available for download this week. The implication is that at least the first batch of PAL PS3s will need to be updated immediately.
According to Sony, additional games will be made compatible through future firmware updates, but no promises are being made about particular titles or timing.
The 1.60 firmware also features the recently-announced Folding@Home client, a download manager, a full on-screen QWERTY keyboard, support for Bluetooth peripherals including mice and keyboards, enhancements to the web browser, and support for rewritable Blu-ray discs (BD-RE).{moscomment}
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