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Comment by jolmg | Hacker News Reader

Isn't that a normal expectation by now? PS3 could play PS2 game discs but not PS1's. It seems to be established since then that a generation would be backwards compatible only with its immediate predecessor (not counting being able to play older games by re-purchasing them as downloadables).

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The PS3 can absolutely play PS1 games, but only a few models can play PS2 games.

https://support.playstation.com/s/article/Play-PSone-and-Pla...

But, the PS3 doesn’t play PS1 discs. Only digital repurchased PS1 games from the PS store. Seems misleading to call it backwards compatible, no?

From the support page I linked:

* All PlayStation®3 systems can play most PS One games.

* Certain PS3™ systems have the ability to play disc-based PlayStation®2 software titles (backwards compatible).

* All PS3™ systems have the ability to play downloadable PS One and PlayStation®2 Classics available from the PlayStation™Store.

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It distinguishes between "play[ing] most PS One games" and "play[ing] downloadable PS One ... Classics"

Here's some video proof: https://youtu.be/yg1zHAEdxXA?t=20

That's precisely what samchriswhite and I said... that you can repurchase downloadables but not play discs directly. You can't take your bunch of PS1 discs and use them on the PS3, therefore it's not backwards compatible in that sense.

Nevermind. I misunderstood what you said. I stand corrected. PS3 can play PS1 game discs.

This is wrong, I’ve got clear memories of booting up Legend of Dragoon on my PS3 from the disc. I dont think this was even axed from the later versions of PS3 like PS2 compatibility was

Although it's sad to see backward compatibility getting axed in newer consoles, it does come at a heavy cost [1]. It may make sense for OS like Windows/OSX, but personally I think I would rather have an all-new console without all the baggage, which may or may not add value during the lifetime of the console.

In fact, with most consoles having a lifespan of about 6 years on average [2], I would even say that there is a diminishing return in keeping that baggage around.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backward_compatibility#Costs

[2] https://za.ign.com/ps4/64636/feature/the-5-longest-console-l...

I know backwards compatibility has been used to introduce DRM-defeating vulnerabilities in the past, so for that reason alone I suspect console makers would be hesitant to introduce more backwards compatibility than absolutely necessary.

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