The importance of backwards compatability

The PS3 and Xbox 360 both have something quite clear in common this generation: they both have dropped backwards compatibility support. The 360 originally had continued updates to support more and more games through software on the console, and this was eventually shelved when Microsoft seemed to lose interest in the idea. Even after promising its fanbase that they would do their best to get ALL original Xbox games on the list over time, it was announced last year that updates for the service would halt immediately. The PS3 on the other hand originally had superior support, as it contained hardware to actually allow tonnes of games to just work out of the box, without the need for software. This was then cut out of future models of the system however, with the console now only sporting PS1 compatibility. The Wii of course does allow for backwards compatibility perfectly through hardware support, but this is mainly due to the Wii's "similarities" in console architecture.

Let's consider the PS3 first, as this is what some would call a bigger outrage, due the later consoles no longer allowing any PS2 games to be played. It really seems a shame that Sony have not at least put some effort into giving gamers PS2 support once more, possibly through a firmware update. There's no denying the fact that Sony could shift more consoles if this was done as there are still lots of PS2 owners out there that have not yet upgraded to Sony's current generation format, and they are not willing to lose out on their collection of games. Yes, you can whip out your old PS2, but not many feel the desire to do so, especially when you have a HDTV, as the picture seems to look worse than it did on your old TV; hence why it's important to have a proper supported backwards compatibility programme for the console, so gamers can all play those beloved games from the PS2 past.

The 360 situation is also quite frustrating, as we all know that there are plenty of games out there that still did not make the list, despite the fact that they are high quality games and may have actually sold well. Games like Oddword: Stranger's Wrath, Beyond Good & Evil, Deus Ex: Invisible War and Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (also Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, but that has been remade and repackaged in the new Riddick pack for 360 and PS3). I at least think Microsoft should have added these games to the list as they were really important games for the original Xbox that haven't been put onto the backwards compatibility programme, and it surely wouldn't cost them much to have a couple of guys working on that for another few months.

Both platforms could definitely attempt to solve these issues by employing a few people to get the consoles supporting backwards compatibility properly, as it is an important factor in the decision making process of console purchasing for lots of people. If you look back at the PS2, Sony ensured that people felt comfortable with adopting Sony's second platform because gamers knew they could throw away their old console and still play their classics from the original PlayStation.