Rumours have persisted for ages that Sony was bringing backwards compatibility of a sort to the PlayStation 4. While you wouldn’t be able to pop in a PS3 disc, do a download, and start playing a game as you might on the Xbox One with its newly introduces backwards compatibility , you would be able to play older PlayStation games.
PlayStation 2 ones. Rumours have suggested the feature would be coming to the system soon, along with the ability to play PS1 games too. Sony’s been coy about the whole thing – but they’ve now confirmed that PS2 emulation is on its way the PlayStation 4.
“We are working on utilizing PS2 emulation technology to bring PS2 games forward to the current generation,” Sony told Wired. “We have nothing further to comment at this point in time.”
While that gives us very little information about when and how we’ll be able to play our PlayStation 2 games, we do now know that it’s coming.
In fact, it may already be here. According to Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry, some of the games in the special edition Star Wars collection are running through emulation. They’ve taken a look at PlayStation 2 games Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, Star Wars: Racer Revenge and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter running on the PS4, and it certainly seems to be emulation, rather than any sort of porting. There appears to be a bump in resolution, better frame-rates and support for trophies, but little else – so don’t go in expecting your old PS2 games to look significantly better.
You can read their full analysis here.
Last Updated: November 20, 2015
Umar
November 20, 2015 at 07:37
Oh…..YEAH
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs/1052384_o.gif
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 07:38
But will the games have trophy support?!? If it does I’ll be so HAPPY!
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 07:41
“There appears to be a bump in resolution, better frame-rates and support for trophies”
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:43
I read that as well
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 07:51
Then I’m glad. They might shed more light on this at E3 or who knows PSX Experience 2015?
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 07:40
Did you hear that ProfSilverButt?
Goony goo goo
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:43
XD
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
November 20, 2015 at 07:42
Nice.. maybe I can finally play Shadow of the Colossus.
Ir0nseraph
November 20, 2015 at 08:16
I must say it the PS BC didn’t excite me much, up until you made that comment.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:22
I have the HD version, only played the first 2 bosses remembering how dated the controls feel.. 10/10 wont bang.
konfab
November 20, 2015 at 08:31
I bought the remaster for PS3, along with ICO.
Best.
Decision.
Ever.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 07:43
This is terrible, PS4 owners are going to be so unhappy. They’ve always hated backwards compatibility & said it’s a waste of time because they prefer new games. Oh wait, that was back when they didn’t have the option of it.
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:47
DMC3, Bully, Resident Evil 4,MGS 3 and (LOL) Battlefront 2 are the only games I can remember worth playing again from the PS4. I still prefer new games though. Still busy with MGS5. Even though I’m a 100 hours in I’m only half way with the game O_o
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 07:48
lol… um… don’t you mean PS2? 😀
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 07:49
He has number troubles, among others…
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:54
Yeah what were you looking for again? PS4 or was PS3… Maybe it was the PS2. Yes that’s it all this talk of PS2 has me convinced
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 07:56
So if you slap 2x PS2’s together with duct tape….you will still have more P’s than the Eierdoos?
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:59
The math is sound
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 08:01
Now, where can I find two of these to test the theory?…
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 08:02
http://www.geek.com/games/researchers-create-a-playstation-2-based-supercomputer-553365/
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 08:08
…2003
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 08:09
Yes, and?
It was a fantastic achievement, on many levels
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 08:02
It actually is, because a quick Google search told me the standard resolution for a PS2 was 480p. So 960p. And the bone struggles to handle more than 900p regularly. 😉
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:53
2 + 2 =4 so hush
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 09:17
O_O
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:18
Actually it was 480I (Unless you used component cables).. 480P is actually considered “HD” very very very low HD… But still impressive for its time.
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 07:50
nah, he swtiched tense right at the end of the sentence, back to future / present, to indicate willingness to play PS2 games FROM the PS4, but only those
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 20, 2015 at 07:51
SO DEEP!!!!!
Goony goo goo
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:51
Those are games from PS2
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 07:53
do not let him confuse you. Your usage was correct. Dammit. It was. Right?
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:25
Damn Halfway through doing the same missions over and over again? Just curious how many capture the general missions have you done so far?
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:53
Need to level up, Still capturing sergeants
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:15
Trust me, it’s not necessary to level up… But if you wanna pad the game out for as long as what you possibly can, then DO IT!!
Jonah Cash
November 20, 2015 at 08:26
Dude so many PS1 games I would like to play again…. And a few PS2 games!
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 08:30
Do you remember Heart of Darkness.
The first PS1 game i played that had 2 discs. I was shocked.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:31
Try Final Fantasy 8. 4 discs… Had me like “Its gonna take me years to complete this!”
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 08:37
wtf o_O
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:57
X-Files on PC had seven Cd-Roms
Ottokie
November 20, 2015 at 08:58
*suddenly intro song plays in your head
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:59
It never stops O_o
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 08:59
To be fair, the first 6 CDs were for letters A to W.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:14
Yeah, didnt Blade Runner also have like a bagillion discs too?
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 10:36
4.
Myst and Riven as well.
Ottokie
November 20, 2015 at 08:50
But then after the first fight with Edea the FMV starts and Squall gets hit with the ice and you go “O shhhhh” and it says to enter disk 2, you jump forward to change disks like a mad man xD
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:13
LOL good times good times… Life was simple back then.
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:52
I do, short game but it had beautiful graphics
iusedtobe(a)regular
November 20, 2015 at 10:52
Most Wanted, Underground 2, no DRM?
Splinter Cell, Original Tomb Raider, FF7, Max Payne1&2, Tekken 5.
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 11:18
Right! Thanks bud!
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
November 20, 2015 at 07:47
The difference is that PS4 owners aren’t doing back-flips and making out like this is the second coming of games.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 07:49
Well it’s not the second coming for me because, well, they never left. 😉
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 07:54
Are Xbox one owners doing that? I am playing Mass Effect again, yah. And I am enjoying it, not have two consoles.
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
November 20, 2015 at 08:02
Not all Xbox dudes but I’ve seen some guys losing their shit over it. Honestly it’s a cool feature which is appreciated but I’m all about the new games.
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 08:05
I must say, it is nice and adds a feather or two to lean towards buying it, BUT yeah, new games are also needed.
This whole debate, for me, is settled by asking why you need it at your home? We use it for EVERYTHING on the TV, DVD’s, music, Netflix, Youtube, gaming. That suits us fine.
I must admit it has a pretty good games line-up, but so does the PS4.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:27
I’m gonna be honest I lost my “shit”. BUT!! The day Witcher 2 and Lost Odyssey come to the 360 BC library I’ll streak down the street man.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:26
Yea saw you since BC released jamming that old beauty.
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 08:37
totally. It is awesome!
When I move the camera quickly, the graphics blurs slightly, but not much
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:21
Did you notice that most 360 games have like a slight blur or downscale to them too??? Like with Dirt 3’s loading screen it looks how can I put it fuzzy.. Like this..
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww179/toysdk/uploads/imagefuzzy.jpg
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 10:38
Yes. but the actual game play is good, smooth and solid. AND it loads faster in the lifts than it did before, for example.
It is not much of a blur, very slight and only when you turn the camera fast enough that it makes you dizzy
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 07:54
You took the words right out of my mouth. When Xbox One got BC every “PS4 fanboyw as like..”WE DONT NEEDZ BC… ITZ SoOoOo oLdLulz! Who plaqys those old EeEeWWWiE gasms Eneways!?”
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 08:13
Yeah, but that is just the human fan boy thing:
I must make mine great, while belittling yours, in order to increase the perceived value of mine and decrease the perceived value of yours. In this way, I will feel better about myself and may carry on with my life.
I hope I was talking about console wars……
Nikola
November 20, 2015 at 08:27
AND I am still saying I don’t want this to be honest and couldn’t care less about it why the heck would I want to play old PS2 games on my new console!
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 08:31
Or you know, you could man up and buy a PC and do it yourself… if you feel like it
:^)
Jonah Cash
November 20, 2015 at 08:25
I hear you but lets be honest. PS2 and PS1 games would really be cool to reply with better visuals. For the last gens games I will just switch my PS3 on again.
If they have Syphon Filter I am all in!
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:32
MGS 1 here baby, add some trophy support to it and I’ll beat it… AGAIN!
Jonah Cash
November 20, 2015 at 11:08
I will definitely own MGS1 and Resident Evil 2, even with Resident Evil getting an HD remaster… I would love to reply both with slightly better visuals.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 11:29
Will probably just be a OpenGL filter like this.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NdzGofj6n6M/maxresdefault.jpg
I wouldnt expect too much from this TBH.
Jonah Cash
November 20, 2015 at 11:37
That is fine. I also really want to play Syphon Filter again, I can’t remember how the story went in it. I just know that I liked it a lot.
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 11:59
I’m not hating, but I warning you now. PS fanboys are gonna bitch like… OMGZ lookz at thoze PIXELZ… It just gave me I cancer!!!
Jonah Cash
November 20, 2015 at 12:10
Hahaha!! I don’t care what other people are saying. As long as I am enjoying it they can go screw themselves…
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 12:01
I own MGS 1, Res 1-3 and FF 7-9 digitally to name a few on my PS3.. But heck, what I wouldn’t give to own those games physically again!
iusedtobe(a)regular
November 20, 2015 at 10:46
I dont think it was hate for BC more than just pointing out the fact that BC isnt the system seller that Xbox fanboys hopes it is. The same can be said about this, its a nice to have, but not a system seller. Also with the announcement of BC for Xbox 1 to play 360 games, MS basically said that they will not be supporting the 360 anymore.
Melasco
November 20, 2015 at 07:53
I see zero value in this…. Maybe it’s because I barely have time to play all the new games, but to me this is useless. Not a big fan of backwards compatibility… I prefer if things move forward… like putting more effort into new games. 🙂 That said, I don’t expect other people to feel the same hehe
Pieter Kruger
November 20, 2015 at 07:55
The 3 guys that kept their PS2 games must be very happy now…..
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 07:55
LOL I have one or two in the ole desk drawer
Pieter Kruger
November 20, 2015 at 08:02
Sadly they cannot do this for PS3 because Yoshi said “no” and………..Playstation Now!????
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 08:03
More like Playstation NO #amirite!
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:34
More like Playstation “Remaster” double dip releases, #amirite!?
“FOR THE PLAYERS” my ASS!!
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
November 20, 2015 at 08:04
Come talk to me when your backwards compatibility covers more than just Gears of War and XBLA titles 😉
miaau
November 20, 2015 at 08:06
MASS EFFECT.
But, more importantly,, every single Xbox 360 free Gold Game must now be backwards compatible. That will, I think add up. Or not. Gold Games can be a bit hit or miss with quality
Pieter Kruger
November 20, 2015 at 08:07
ROFL! ????
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:20
If it wasnt for remote play feature I would’ve used my xbox One as my primary console AGES ago.
schitsophrenic-toothbrush
November 20, 2015 at 08:15
Wonder if baldurs gate dark alliance will work…always wanted to play that game.
Jonah Cash
November 20, 2015 at 08:22
Oooooo!! I would love to play some of the PS2 and PS1 games again!!
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 08:22
MGS3….
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:23
HD collection…
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 08:23
Tell me more bbygrill
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 08:24
MGS V isn’t a Hideo Kojima game…
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 08:26
It should be. Anything that man touches turns to gold. Ive got PSX2 or whatever it is installed on my PC. MGS3 works. I need Snake Eater back in my life
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:11
I used to be like you… Till I played MGS V, I dont even count it as cannon. Thats how shallow the narrative is.
BakedBagel
November 20, 2015 at 12:44
I havent played MGSV yet. Dont break my heart 🙁
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 20, 2015 at 08:29
Is it a Hideous Kojima game? 😉
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:10
Rightfully so!
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:56
Except that his name is in every credit screen when you finish a mission
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 09:10
Nah dude, that is just an ego thing… Gameplay is top notch, the rest is not so much…
Nikola
November 20, 2015 at 08:29
NO thanks I still don’t get why people want backwards compatibility and stand by it. Play super OLD games on my brand new console hmmmm yeah no….
Guild
November 20, 2015 at 08:49
Agree with you. Great for the people who want it and want to play old games but I’m not interested
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2015 at 08:58
Way too many new games anyways, but there’s one or two that I’d like to revisit, not EA games, Activision games 😛
Mabenito
November 20, 2015 at 08:57
PS2 Games were hard. Not ready to grind again, especially in my late 30s. But Gran Tourismo games are welcomed though.
Marcus
November 20, 2015 at 09:26
I honestly don’t care for this.
Marcus
November 20, 2015 at 09:28
Wait, unless I can play Hart of Darkness!!!
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 11:31
Too late, you already said your part.. AWAY WITH YOU!
Mike
November 20, 2015 at 10:45
Why would you spend +- R6000 for a PS4 and then want to play PS2 games? Why try “emulate” Microsoft, rather put all that effort into better features for the PS4
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 11:31
Because the more features the PS4 gets the more it justified the R6000 price tag you paid for it. Thought that would be obvious… Apparently not.
Mike
November 20, 2015 at 13:54
I don’t think you grasped the first part of my statement. I thought that would be obvious…Apparently not…try reading it again
WitWolfy
November 22, 2015 at 09:25
You’re right.. I dont… Why buy a console with awesome features to begin with? Especially features that give you more games! Blows my mind, nobody is forcing you to use the feature.
Gerhard
November 20, 2015 at 12:14
Told my wife she can play NFS Undeground again if we get the the PS4. Her reply: We can get one this weekend. I love you Sony!
WitWolfy
November 20, 2015 at 12:16
LATE APRIL FOOLS! Just joking…