Interesting details about the
PlayStation 3 have leaked out in advance of this week's launch:
- Some 200 PS2 titles are reported to have backward compatibility problems - quite an improvement over the Xbox 360, where only about 200-300 original Xbox titles are even backward compatible. Though the problematic games may be a huge concern to some: Devil May Cry (freezing), Gran Turismo 4 (freezing), Hot Shots Golf 3 and 4 (control), Hyper Street Fighter II Anniversary Edition (glitching), Silent Hill 2 (freezing) and Tekken 5 (background music)
- A PS3 firmware update is expected at launch with another soon after to enable PlayStation Network support (including Friends, voice chat, text messages, block list and PlayStation Store) plus improved PSP features including PSP downloads and view/control of the PS3 system screen via PSP over a wireless LAN adapter
- Saved data from earlier consoles will be stored on the hard drive in a virtual memory card format; you'll need to buy or borrow a memory card adapter accessory to transfer the data (also an improvement over the 360 which doesn't officially support any save game transfers!)
- If you use an HDTV, you'll need to manually switch aspect ratio settings to play backward-compatible games in 4x3 mode
- Specific contents of the PlayStation Store are still unknown (presumably game downloads, game subscription fees, movies, TV shows and music) but you will have a digital wallet that can either be preloaded with money or set to automatically add money to cover your recurring subscription fees
- Rumble functionality won't be added later - Sony says the Sixaxis controller design is locked and won't be changed
If you're the kind of person who actually likes to read manuals, you're in luck - you can
review the PS3 manual online...
