Why isn't the 40GB PS3 backwards compatible??

Question

Any good reason? And can it be made backward compatible?

Answer 1

The reason why the 40GB PS3 dosen't have backwards compatibility was to keep the price low for the people that didn't really care about he backwards compatibility, and didn't want to pay the high costs of a 20GB, 60GB, or 80GB PS3



The hardware inside the 40GB PS3 is unable to support PS2 games, but it may be possible for a certain kind of modchip (hardware modification) with PS2 compatibility, I am not sure if anything exists for that though

Answer 2

I isn't backwards compatible because it doesn't have the "Graphics Synthesizer" its the GPU that was in the ps2. It lacks all hardware essential for backwards compatibility



No it is impossible, to be backwards compatible it needs the Graphics Synthesizer, and either the Emotion Engine(EE) (the processor used in th ps2) or software emulation.



The 60GB and 20GB had both the EE and the Graphics Synthesizer



The 80GB had the Graphics Synthesizer but used Software Emulation instead of the EE



Some people say that Sony will provide Software Emulation in a future update.



It would be possible to put Software emulation in the 40GB, but since it doesn't have the Graphics Synthesizer, it would be useless.



The 40GB will never be able to play ps2 games, unless Sony decides to put the Graphics Synthesizer in the 40GB. But since that is hardware and not software, it won't be as simple as a firmware update.



EDIT:



Like the guy said above me, if someone creates a modchip it may be possible, but it would have to be very similar to the Graphics Synthesizer, then they would have to create the Emulation for it, so that is not likely

Answer 3

The main reason was Sony wanted to keep the price down, so it removed the emotion engine, which saved quite a bit of money, and the GPU was also removed, which saved a little bit more money. The other reason that a Sony PR said was that people are going to be really busy playing PS3 games that they're not going to have time to play any PS2 games.



The current 40 gb PS3 can't be backward compatible with PS2 game disks because it doesn't have the PS2's CPU or GPU. But it's possible to play PS2 games that are downloaded from the PSN because those PS2 games will be rewritten to work on the PS3. Basically, PSN's PS2 games will be emulations.

Answer 4

Well, they were actually loosing money with the original ps3s. By loosing money, it could just mean they were not gaining the profits expected-it was just what was told to the employees at most game stores.

So with the 40 gb, they were able to drop the ps3 price, (making it seem more appealing). At the same time, they are slowly encouraging you to go towards the PS3 section rather than PS2.

you can get your ps3 chipped, i've met quite a few people who have had it done during my time working with EB and EA. It's illegal, obviously ^_^

Answer 5

They didn't put it in there so the people who would want it would pay more for it in the 80 gb model there for Sony would make more money.