There’s been quite a bit of grumbling about the PlayStation 4’s implementation of PlayStation 2 “backwards compatibility.” Mostly, there’s a lot of moaning about how those who’ve purchased the available games before, will have to pay form the again to play their up-scaled emulated versions.
The thing is, I can understand why. There’s a proper reason to moan about the implementation though, particularly those who live in PAL territories.
Here’s the thing. If you played PAL console games in the 8, 16 and even 32-bit days (and for a while, beyond!) you’ll know that because our TV system runs at 50hz, so did our games. That means that games were hardcoded to run slightly slower than the ones our American chums played, as their NTSC system ran at 60Hz (sacrificing a bit of resolution and colour reproduction, but I digress). It’s especially noticeable in games like Contra (released in Europe as Probotector), where the European versions are slightly easier to play through, because enemy bullets travel slower.
But it’s something that carried on through, right up to the PlayStation 2. Games released in PAL territories ran at 50hz, while the American ones ran at 60hz. With the PlayStation 4’s emulation allowing things to run at 1080p and at 60 fps, you’d imagine that Sony would opt for American versions of the games; with the 60 frame per second fitting so neatly in the 60hz refresh rate.
They haven’t.
Instead, the PlayStation 4 version of PlayStation 2 games are based on the European versions, implemented a nasty bit of frame blending to make the games run at 60fps.
Say Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry:
We’ve been looking at more PlayStation 2 titles running under emulation on PlayStation 4, and it now seems clear that all the UK code we’ve tested is running at 50Hz with a crude frame-blending ‘upscale’ to the 60Hz output. We made an error in the original analysis below – GTA San Andreas under emulation does have some frame-pacing issues, but much of the judder we encountered is actually a result of the frame-blending, registering to our eyes (and our analysis tools) as unique frames when in fact they are simply the interpolated results of two images – we did think that it may be an artefact of the emulator working with PS2’s original motion blur effect, but this is definitely not the case.
Credit goes to commenter Malek86 for noting that his copy of Twisted Metal Black is definitely European code, albeit outputting at 60Hz – a situation we have also confirmed with Dark Cloud. This was originally a 60fps game in NTSC territories, running at 50fps on the PS4 emulator, then frame-blended back up to 60fps. As you may imagine, this is not ideal.
The issue of course isn’t that they’re 50hz version, but rather that the implementation of frame blending leads to frame pacing issues It means that US emulation is smoother than the stuff we’d get here.
Last Updated: December 9, 2015
HairyEwok
December 9, 2015 at 12:35
It’s aboot respect eh! Respect for the gaming community, not for your wallet… Sorry!
Hammersteyn
December 9, 2015 at 12:43
Sony tries BC while XBOX is standing there.
http://i.memeful.com/media/post/4RZB4pR_700wa_0.gif
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 13:01
jeez but that slide just before the jump o.O…It’s that “oh…FUDGE!” moment. Classy finish though. 6/10
WitWolfy
December 9, 2015 at 13:23
I knew I should’ve patent the word Fudge as a kid. Every second dude is using it now!!!
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 13:31
been using it for yonks o.o…could have dropped the f bomb but fudge works better 😛
DiFiasco
December 9, 2015 at 16:50
Yes – but did you notice that XBox is overweight and has man boobs?
Hammersteyn
December 9, 2015 at 17:11
XD
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 12:49
As much as I am loving BC with my Bone, 2 things are peeving me off: Microsoft is taking their bloody time to release the next BC list and still waiting on my gears of war codes and I got the ultimate edition day 1. I mean what is the hold up here exactly? its not like there are as many Bones as there are PS4’s?
Pieter Kruger
December 9, 2015 at 12:54
Next wave of BC titles coming in the next few days, Gears Of War codes started going out at the beginning of the month and I think all will be sent by moth end.
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 12:56
thanks dude. that is positive news! never played the Gears games and desperately want to play 2 and 3. Glad to hear BC news is coming. holding thumbs for Reach, Alan Wake and Witcher 2. Specifically Witcher 2…that game I bought in the beginning of the year and borrowed a friends 360 just to play it for a bit.
WitWolfy
December 9, 2015 at 13:24
Ditto here on Witcher 2.
WitWolfy
December 9, 2015 at 13:24
Still waiting for my Gears codes.. I need my GeOW 2 maps, man… I need my fix!!!
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 12:52
Oh and the prices on the old PS2 games: R200 plus?? what crack is Sony smoking?? Its bad enough that I can’t play my old games as is…(moans and bitches the man who moaned and bitched about people moaning and bitching)
Hammersteyn
December 9, 2015 at 12:56
I’m confused, the one article says these games are HD remakes yet here there’s talk of emulation. Which is it? Also I agree price wise. They could get away with it if it was PS3 games… maybe. But not PS2.
Geoffrey Tim
December 9, 2015 at 12:56
They’re an emulation wrapper, 100%.
Hammersteyn
December 9, 2015 at 12:58
O_o no wonder there’s a rubbish tag.
Pieter Kruger
December 9, 2015 at 13:00
…..right next to the price tag nogals! ????
WitWolfy
December 9, 2015 at 13:26
Wait till the PS4 gets its first CFW in the future.. Its gonna be the PS3 BC all over again.. An ISO in a encrypted “emulator” exe. of sorts…
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 12:58
Yeah. I am flat out confused myself. the pricing for a PS3 game is about right. Not for something that is older.
Hammersteyn
December 9, 2015 at 13:01
San Andreas is more than a decade old and they want more than R200 for it???
GITSAF
(Get in the san andreas fault)
Francois Knoetze
December 9, 2015 at 13:03
People in the office nearly looked at me funny when a loud: ” HAAAA…HAHA…HAHAHAHA” came from my office today when I saw those prices.
WitWolfy
December 9, 2015 at 13:29
You know whats funny??? When San Andreas comes to Xbox One via BC it will be cheaper (R150).
Sony I’m really starting to hate what you’re doing to your fanbase.
Richard Scott
December 9, 2015 at 13:08
I’m neutral on this topic, as I’m not interested in rehashing old games. However I will say a big thank you for letting me leave here with the Contra song stuck in my head.
Geoffrey Tim
December 9, 2015 at 14:37
🙂
WitWolfy
December 9, 2015 at 13:23
“For the gamers”, Am I right?!?!
Hammersteyn
December 9, 2015 at 13:25
All types apparently
Pieter Kruger
December 9, 2015 at 15:42
“Sony, for the mainstream, casual & gullible players”
DiFiasco
December 9, 2015 at 16:49
Just use the NTSC version in Europe. Pretty much every TV in Europe can playback in NTSC now so what’s the big deal?