So there's been a lot of talk about how the PS4 and Xbone aren't going to be backward comptable with 360 and PS4 games, not just the discs but not even the stuff you downloaded which sucks. Ok guys, you're trying to save a few dollars in production by nixing some of the crap gamers don't care about like Xbone's cable TV B.S. unless you were hair gel guy on GT's Bonus Round (seriously go watch that, I swear he had to be paid by M$ to make the TV feature sound awesome).
But this isn't going to be about why consoles should or shouldn't have it. I am thinking more of what if the console makers are purposely leaving it out to make more money off us? Think about it.
Now when this gen started, all three consoles could play games from the previous gen though the 360 was limited and emulators had to be downloaded to play the entire Xbox (1?) library. Now originally the first wave of PS3's did play PS2 games but later models nixed it. Then not long after the PS3's dropped it's ability to play PS2 games, we started seeing these.
These are the ones I have played and I am considering getting the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 game later this year. On one hand, it's nice having these collections in HD on one disc and if you're like me and didn't own a PS2, it's a nice way to catch up on stuff you missed. But what if you had the PS2 versions of these games and your PS2 dies? My friend loves the R&C series and played the PS2 games over and over again. They had a first gen PS3 that could play them but eventually it wore out and had to be replaced and their PS2 died shortly after. Lucky Sony got money out of her to purchase games she already owned.
Now all the game companies have been making money rehashing classics for a while now. The good part is, most of these are a good deal. They're usually cheaper than new AAA titles. All 3 compilations I showed were $39.99 at launch as I recall though I would argue that both Jak and Ratchet's could've thrown in the PSP outings as well as Deadlocked and Jak X respectively but I'm going to guess that disc space was an issue.
Most of us are not like the Angry Video game nerd with a basement full of working versions of every console and game ever made so "stacking them" isn't an option for everyone. PC gamers probably have the most backwards compatability but even that depends on the hardware and what emulators you've installed. And being able to download old games is particularly good for cart based games that can't be put into modern disc based consoles.
But when I thought more about the lack of backward compatability on the new consoles and more so the inability to transfer over downloaded titles, it really makes sense. The new consoles will launch and mark my word, we'll start seeing compilations of PS3 and 360 games though they won't simply be able to slap an HD coat of paint on it this time. I'll hedge my bets right now that an early XBO title will be "The Halo Collection" and don't forget all your 360 peripherals are useless on the XBO so you'll need all new controllers and headsets to go with it. $$$$$$
And yes just in case someone wants to point out my Nintendo bias, it wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo does HD remakes of more Gamecube games. We already have several 3DS remakes and Wind Waker HD coming but at least some of these added new things. Way back when Link's Awakening was released for the Gameboy color, they added a new dungeon and if you are going to basically make gamers buy the same game again, then add something to it. New levels, fix issues the original had like the XBLA version of Banjo Kazooie that fixed it so you didn't lose all your notes and Jinjos when you died or left the level. I was annoyed that the original Ratchet and Clank rerelease didn't work in the strafe or make a bigger health bar or Jak II couldn't have tossed in a few more health packs to not make it so brutally hard.
And that's what bothers me about a lot of rereleases of old games. Yes some of us will argue that it "dumbs it down" but you gotta admit having autosave put into an old NES game beats the hell out of entering a password. But I am getting off topic, I worry more of seeing compilations that are just the exact same game from before that we end up buying again so it can play on our next gen console, thus the game publishers making easy money. "What's that you want to play the Mass Effect Trilogy on your PS4? Sorry we didn't make it backward compatable but here's our Mass Effect Collection you can buy for $50 even though you already own all 3.
Maybe you think that sounds crazy. But doesn't it kind of make sense. Don't make the PS4 or XBO backward compatable and don't let downloads transfer over so they can make you buy a game you already own again. $$$$$
