Emotionless PS3 on its way to the USA and Japan

[Jimmy 2004]

Sony's most recent cost-cutting move was to remove the Playstation 2's Emotion Engine from the European version of the PS3, sparking fierce criticism due to the loss backwards compatibility - of all the PS2 games released in Europe, just 1,000 of them will work using emulation when the new console is released (admittedly a more impressive figure than first feared, but still well below the total number released). However, Europe may not be the only one receiving this special treatment from Sony. According to a report in Japanese newspaper Nikkei, Sony's money saving plans could be seeing the modified PS3 being sold in North America and Japan, where current consoles ship with the Emotion Engine. How much this will alienate consumers is unclear, as half of PS3 owners would be able to play nearly all PS2 games, whilst the rest have a much smaller choice until Sony improves the emulation software. Either way, Sony must value the lower production costs higher than the sales it could lose for aggravating potential customers.

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[L|NK|N]

If i wanted to play PS2 games Id just buy a PS2...

 

[DMSMac_Consult]

In Sony does this, I don't think there's any chance I'd ever buy the PS3. My PS2 is dying, I don't have $600 right now to replace it with a PS3 but I can't see buying another PS2 so I'm hoping for a price drop. If the price drop costs us PS2 compatibility, though, it's not worth it.

 

[jocksteeluk]

so this has gone from adding more to the ps3 hardware to basically being just a cost saving measure to compete with the falling prices of the Wii and the xbox. i very much doubt Sony has done research into which games for the ps2 emulation will be most Important but lets face it due to the amount of sequels for PS2 games there hardly are any Ps2 classic games so my guess it will possibly be the most recent releases. The xbox to me personally continues to look like the best option.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Im getting me a PS3 with Scarface and two controllers with the 60GB HDD for 300 bucks.

 

[jocksteeluk]

Im getting me a PS3 with Scarface and two controllers with the 60GB HDD for 300 bucks.

that is certainly a deal to be proud of, well done.

 

[Benpi]

If i wanted to play PS2 games Id just buy a PS2...

I agree. I own 2 PS3s, and after trying FF12, I vowed never to play a PS2 game on my PS3 EVER again.

 

[v-zero]

Typical Sony. Promise the second coming and then underwhelm until there's nothing you don't expect from them...

 

[newbielives]

Anyone else feel like maybe they should pick up a PS3 soon before North America gets the shaft aswell.