Backwards compatibility

[innovator]

Xbox 2 probably won't be backwards compatibile, the next Nintendo and PS consoles will be. Do you care for this feature?

Personally it means guarenteed N5 and PS3 purchases with Xbox 2 still up in the air. I have way too much gaming clutter so the oppurtunity to sell my PS2 and GC without sacrificing my games collection is a must. The PS2 was my first Sony console and so it enabled me to pursue the entire PSone library for the first time. I also enjoy playing old Game Boy games on my GBASP and i'm sure that backwards compatibility in the GB family contributed to its success. Personally i'm a fan of backwards compatibility and I hope that due to Sony's dominance, it becomes a standard feature in all systems.

[nips]

I think that backwards compatibility could work in Nintendo's favour this next generation (in the UK atleast). As the GC hasn't really sold well, people could think that they are getting a bargain as they are getting a N5, and a whole GC library as well. Because every man and his mum has a PS2 it won't be seen as much of a benefit!

Who knows, but it could be interesting.

I like backwards compatibility. It allows whole new avenues of games to be released at lower prices with lower development costs

[Shimmyhill]

Nope couldnt give a **** about it.

Surely if you have the games you have the console ???

And id rather play it on the original pad, Ocarina of time was wrong on the GC pad.

[innovator]

Nope couldnt give a **** about it.

Surely if you have the games you have the console ???

And id rather play it on the original pad, Ocarina of time was wrong on the GC pad.

You have the console but if a new one comes along that's BC, that's a sweet ~?100 towards the upgrade and you save space.

BC systems tend to use the same pads or controller ports so that point is moot. OOT is emulation.

[stroppa]

Backwards Compatability is a nice idea, but where do you draw the line?

The ps2 played ps1 games, will the ps3 play both ps2 and ps1 games? If this were to be the case would the PS4 play ps3,ps2 and ps1 games? I'm sure you can see my point now. I think in all honesty, I'd rather the console manufacturers put everything into the machine to make it as powerful and lasting as possible rather than worrying about gimmicks like backwards compatability and such like.

[yashiro]

No. PS3 will play PS2 and PS3 games. PS1 won't be supported.

Backwards compatibility with last gen serves to smooth the transition I guess.

[Brats]

Overall, it doesn't bother me.

I don't think you'll get ?100 towards your new console. Hell, if you sold any of your consoles today bare bones with no games thn what would you get for them? Possibly ?80 for an XBox or PS2 or ?50 for a GC? I'd expect that price to drop dramatically when the new systems are released.

The only real benefit is more space, which is nice but I've coped fine with eight systems plugged into my TV thus far.

BC systems tend to use the same pads or controller ports so that point is moot.

Thus far that is true, but only because the only console that has bothered with BC so far has been the PS2, who's pads are very similar to the PS1. I think it likely that the next Nintendo system will feature pads not like the GC.

[innovator]

BC systems tend to use the same pads or controller ports so that point is moot.

Thus far that is true, but only because the only console that has bothered with BC so far has been the PS2, who's pads are very similar to the PS1. I think it likely that the next Nintendo system will feature pads not like the GC.

Mega Drive has the same controller ports as the Master System and an officially released convertor for the carts.

The Atari 5200 had an adaptor for playing 2600 cartridges.

The Atari 7800 plays Atari 2600 games.

I could go on, but i'll leave it at that.

[tankplanker]

I've always thought of backwards compatiability as a big seller to the more casual end of the market - all of your old games will still play on the new console and you do not have to keep more than one console under the telly. At the "hardcore" end of the market owning more than one console isn't seen as a problem, its almost a badge of honor for some people.

Whether this is true or not I don't know, it just seems logical.

I personally like backwards compatibility as it enables me to have less consoles in the living room and still play games from the last generation on a regular basis - something I doubt I would do as often if I had to go into my office to play them.

However, I do not seem backwards compatibility as a major selling point for me personally as I would never sell my old consoles, its just a nice to have.

[C']

I think Backwards Compatibility is a great feature and I hope it is continued into the next gen.

For me space is somewhat of an issue. Only have room for the 3 current consoles on the current TV setup (I would have them all sprawled over the living room floor, but don't think the parents would be too happy about that ) and very little storage space in my room, meaning any old stuff goes into the attic (which isn't readily accessible. To be able to have the current generation able to play last generations games means I still have an outlet to play the 'golden oldies'.

Backwards Compatibility - long may it continue.

[JibberX]

Psychologically its a great thing for the consumer, I for one have never used the Backwards compat on my PS2.

[Sdub]

I also think that it is an important issue..

Space again as many people have already said - our living room is quite big but if I can put one console back in it's box in place of a new one that will still play the old games then I'm happy!

(Makes it easier to hoover round them too hahaha)

[bowser123]

Yes it's nice but TBH I'm not arsed if it is or isn't included.
It works well on the PS2 and GBA because the pads are identical, on other formats I'm not so sure it would work so well due to the pad differences.

Either way, it doesn't really bother me. I buy a new console to play new games. If I want to play the old stuff I'll drag out my old machine.
I'd much rather the next Nintendo console kept those propriatry discs to eliminate load times TBH.

[Sketcz]

Personally i'm a fan of backwards compatibility and I hope that due to Sony's dominance, it becomes a standard feature in all systems.

I personally am also a HUGE fan of backwards compatibility, it is the first step to a single, unified, stable, single format gaming platform.
I await the day when there is a single format, hopefully within the next generation it will become apparent.

Anyway, dont pin your hopes on it, just because its a nice idea, there have countless ideas of genius, that ended up dying forever:

PocketStation/VMU
Vector Displays
Heartbeat peripheral to detect heartbeat
4 controller ports (ok, GC and xbox has them, but why not the PS2?)
USB ports (only the PS2 has them, and theyre unlikely to make a return)
Controller ports inside the controller (best feature on the 3DO, PURE GENIUS! no need for adapters, just loadsa controllers)
Internal non-HDD memory (Sega CD, Saturn, Turbo duo, all had built in memory cards, sublime)
Turbo buttons as standard (Famicom and PC-engine had these, I miss them)

See? Just because its a good idea, doesnt mean it will stick, as much as you love a feature in system, like the PS2 backwards compatibility, that doesnt mean it will show up again. All 3 future gen systems might NOT have BC suddenly at the last moment.

Here hoping they do. (along with a whole load of other features I want)

[wicky]

I love backwards compatibility

less wires clogging up my living room and most units can only so many consoles