The issue of backwards compatibility on the PS3 console is dead and buried, as far as John Koller is concerned. SCEA's director of hardware marketing nailed down the final coffin on the issue in a recent interview.

Following yesterday's report that a Sony patent was spotted, pointing to a purely software-based solution to the PS2 emulation issue, TheSixthAxis reports that the PS2 emulation issue isn't due to the Emotion Engine, which is already up and running. The problem lies with the Graphics Synthesizer, which now appears to be an obstacle to downloadable PS2 games on the PlayStation Store.

PS3Hax has released a tutorial (complete with video) on how to play PS2 ISOs on the PlayStation 3. Note: this process needs a launch PS3 (with the Emotion Engine) for this. Emulation's not gonna cut it. Details after the link.

Developer mopx0 recently released a video demonstrating Windows Vista being emulated on the PlayStation 3 console. Details on how the developer managed to load Microsoft's latest OS on the Sony console are available in the full article.

We know a lot of you Sony PlayStation 3 backwards compatibility fans are worried sick about what the future holds for this feature with the demise of the 80GB PS3 SKU. Is there hope? There has to be. PSN chief Eric Lempell was quoted in an interview that possibilities exist in bringing BC via their online service. Read on for the details.

 

While a good number of steering wheel controllers have already been made for various consoles, nothing quite says style like this controller. Fantec, a German company responsible for making advanced gameware products, has designed a sleek steering wheel controller patterned from the Porsche 911 Turbo S's steering wheel for the Sony PlayStation 3 and the PC.

This leather steering wheel comes with the standard wireless USB features found in other steering wheel controllers. In addition, it actually sports force feedback controls which was initially unavailable for many PS3 games in particular.

Considering both the company's and the design's German origins, it wasn't very hard taking care of any licensing issues for the product. In any case, even if you can't get the actual car, you can satisfy yourself with this simulated feel of riding your very own Porsche in your favorite racing game on either platform.

Here's a complete list of all the features the Porsche 911 Turbo S steering wheel will be sporting:

• Original Porsche 911 Turbo S steering wheel design
• Licensed by Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH
• Authentic metal Porsche logo on wheel
• Hand stitched leather wheel manufactured according to Porsche quality standards
• Compatible with PC and Playstation 3 (all games which support ForceFeedback wheels)
• 6+1 Speed H-pattern gear stick with realistic shifting feel
• Additional exchangeable sequential gear stick included
• Wireless pedals with + 100 hours battery life time (low battery warning on display and optional power supply cable for simulators)

You can check out the complete listing of features the Porsche 911 Turbo S wheel has right after the jump!

According to Blogcritics' writer Mark Buckingham, Sony Computer of America (SCEA) has indeed removed backward compatibility on U.S. 80GB systems, effectively throwing U.S. PS3 owners into the same boat as their European counterparts.

In his article posted in Blogcritics, the Emotion Engine used in launch consoles (and enabled PS1 and PS2 games to run on the PS3) was eschewed in favor of software emulation for the newer 80GB PS3 units that will eventually replace the 60GB SKUs available in the market today. Sony's official reason for dropping backward compatibility on the PS3 is to concentrate on new games, new content both on the PS3 as well as PlayStation Network.

Buckingham was disappointed in the fact that Sony chose to focus more on delivering better content on its current system, in the expense of taking out an existing feature to lower costs. With PS3 SKUs that have the Emotion Engine already phased out, or will be eventually phased out in favor of the Emotion-less 80GB SKUs - there is no escaping from the newer non-backwards compatible PS3s. There is still hope though, as PS2 compatibility can still be attained through software updates.

We'll bring you more updates on this as they come, so be sure to check back.

As some PlayStation 3 owners have already probably discovered by now, the existing PS One software currently available for download on the PlayStation Network doesn't work. The speculation regarding this is that there is supposedly a need to remove the certification key required to play games on Sony's portable platform. Sony Computer Entertainment America has confirmed with IGN that this speculation is indeed true.

The explanation is that under the current setup, two different files (the ROM itself, and the certification key) are needed to activate PS1 software on the PSP, but such a system isn't needed for the PS3, hence the conflict. Don't worry though, as SEA manager Al de Leon notes that they'll be replacing the Older PS1 games for download with fixed versions come May.

The SCEA manager notes, "Once the new games are uploaded, you'll be able to download the games straight to your hard drive and play them from there."

Users who have already downloaded the old unfixed versions of the PS One titles on the PlayStation Network, do not have to pay for the new PS3 compatible versions a second time. There is still no clarification as to whether or not the "five downloads per license" rule still applies.

Sony could not comment if the new version of the games that had multiplayer options disabled for PSP emulation would have those modes reimplemented for the PS3.

10. Metal Gear and Metal Gear: Solid Snake (NES)- We can't deny that these two were unpopular back then because the graphics weren't good even at that day and age, and the gameplay was so tricky that it scared everyone away. However, things have changed a lot in Konami and there's undeniably a gargantuan MGS fan base now. We'll be seeing MGS4 soon, but don't we all want to see how it all began in HD glory? It would take a real hater to not want to see Solid Snake and Gray Fox fighting in a minefield in Zanzibar.

9. Circus Charlie (NES)- This was THE party game almost two decades ago! The premise is simple: Your name is apparently Charlie and you work in a circus. For some reason, your boss found a way to get around the labor code and has decided to have you perform all the acts.

That's just two of the list, eight more tear-inducing, goosebump-producing, and memory-triggering old-school games await after the jump!

Following SCEE's recent announcement regarding lessened backwards compatibility for the European PS3, SCEE's Japanese parent SCEI has at last issued a statement on the matter. According to IGN, Impress Watch reports that SCEI has finally provided some clarification into exactly what components will be going under the European PS3's hood.

PS3 models available in Asia and North America include the "Emotion Engine + Graphics Synthesizer" combination CPU and graphics chip that powers the slim model PS2. This chip allows these units to achieve backwards compatibility.

Apparently, the European version of the PS3 will not have this chip, and will instead rely on a combination of hardware and software. The Emotion Engine CPU functionality will be replicated entirely through software emulation, and Sony will put in hardware of some form that will take the place of the Graphics Synthesizer graphics chip.

That's pretty much all SCEI was willing to divulge regarding this issue. SCEI also didn't make any announcements on when the new version of the PS3 hardware will appear in other territories.