The PlayStation 3 rumors are rampant! First there's the discovery of a Sony patent for a software solution that emulates the PS2 processor on any PS3 hardware. (Remember, Sony cut backward compatibility from later PS3 models and the hardware solution that some of us have is imperfect at best.) Next there is word leaking out that a thinner PlayStation 3 Slim is in production and could launch as soon as August. This rumor actually syncs with another: That the PS3 could get a long overdue price cut later this year (buzz also suggests August). One thing's for sure, if you're on the fence about buying a PS3, you should probably wait and see what comes of all of this chatter...
Wasn't the hardware emulation solution (literally) perfect? In that it was an actual PS2 chipset shipped in the PS3?
I had heard that subsequent software emulations were flawed. But always thought the hardware emulation that shipping with the original 40GB PS3 was flawless, given that it was just a PS2 in a PS3 box.
You probably don't remember this, but hardware compatibility was never perfect. I believe most issues have been resolved with firmware updates. This post addresses the difference between hardware and software emulation and links to a database where you can check to see if your game(s) have issues:
http://www.busygamernews.com/2007/09/playstation_3_roundup_new_down.html
According to the big rumor, Sony had patented a solution that perfects software emulation. Now, we all live in the real world where nothing is perfect (particularly backward compatibility) but I'll admit it's possible they've come up with a new approach that is, on the whole, better than what came before. There's also a high likelihood that they won't support disc games and will use this as an extension of their game download store (a la Xbox Originals and the PSP Go download only model). If that's the case, they'll surely certify each game before releasing it.
Ah, yes - I discovered that database through this site, and even bookmarked it. thanks for the reminder.
Sad that the not-entirely-ugly PS3 Slim has no backward compatibility. Means I'll have to hold on to my almost-entirely-ugly PS3 60GB to play the large number of PS2 games I have yet to try.