PS2 Compatibility on PS4 Not BC With PS2 Discs And Already Purchased PS2 Classics

Image comes courtesy of Sony's own internal leak for the upcoming PS2 on PS4 compatibility announcement.

What does this mean? This means that:

• If you already own a PS2 disc, your PS4 will not read it
• If you already bought a PS2 Classic on the PS3 before (such as Grand Theft Auto San Andreas or Persona 4, as an example), they will not carry over to the PS4 either

If this is true, this is a shockingly anti consumer move, that has no justification. Remember, the PS4 disc drive is already capable of reading CD-Rs, and DVDs. Why can they not enable disc compatibility with the older games? Microsoft did just this with the Xbox 360 BC on the Xbox One.

Or let's consider disc based compatibility not being present on the PS4. Let's say I can live with that, the PS2 is, after all, two generations and 15 years ago. Why are my digitally owned PS2 games not compatible on the PS4? Why do I have to rebuy them?

Even if it is a new emulator that Sony has designed for the PS4 (which it almost certainly is), there is no technical limitation preventing them from enabling players to play already purchased PS2 games on the PS4, as and when they get made available- all that is needed is a license check. Instead, we have to rebuy these games again.

This is blatantly a cash grab. I want to point out that:

• Microsoft's backwards compatibility not only upgrades older Xbox 360 games with partial Xbox One features, but it ensures you get access to your 360 games on the Xbox One for free, whether you own the disc, or a digital copy
• Nintendo's backwards compatibility grants you full access to all your Wii games, whether digital or disc based, and also all of your Virtual Console library. Again, this is done for free. It is, however, true that to play your Wii Virtual Console games on the Wii U with Wii U enhanced features, you need to pay an upgrade fee of $1-$1.50- but you know what? I'd have taken something like that on the PS4, if the argument Sony will make here is that the PS2 emulator on the PS4 will enhance the games with major new features! I'd have paid a small upgrade fee, then! It would have been better than having to buy another goddamn copy of a game I potentially already bought at least twice before a third time.

So, yeah. This is the clearest indication we have gotten so far that Sony's #4ThePlayers mantra is showing cracks.

Because greed. Proves once again cows deserve their name

Phony, the one and only. :P

Unless it means that PS2 games will now have trophies.

Par for the course at this point. I expected as much when I first heard of the PS2 BC. Sadly, this will be the most popular thing to happen in a while, because Sony.

Already addressed in the OP:

It is, however, true that to play your Wii Virtual Console games on the Wii U with Wii U enhanced features, you need to pay an upgrade fee of $1-$1.50- but you know what? I'd have taken something like that on the PS4, if the argument Sony will make here is that the PS2 emulator on the PS4 will enhance the games with major new features! I'd have paid a small upgrade fee, then! It would have been better than having to buy another goddamn copy of a game I potentially already bought at least twice before a third time.

Sorry, but no excuse will fly here.

There is no reason to excuse this, if Microsoft or Nintendo had tried this, they would have been flayed alive.

@charizard1605: Zero reasons. I suspect that's all this threads will turn into... We already have tormentos trying to spin the Xbone BC in the other thread... Though at least even he admits it's a shitty move.

Its truly sad to say that this will no doubt be an incredibly popular move within the general public, and will probably be successful.

Exactly. What incentive do Nintendo and Microsoft have to put effort into a consumer friendly feature like backwards compatibility, and then offer it for free, if it is possible to get away with less, while charging?

For the gamers

No thanks, Sony. Not a smart move, especially for those that have already purchase digital PS2 games for PSP, PSVita, and PS3.

This is what happens when the mobile business is dragging the entire company down. Great phones, but poor sales.

Not BC With PS2 Discs.....??This sucks.Shame on you SONY.

Yeah. It's really shitty. Now I get the privilege of buying San Andreas for the third time, in spite of already owning the damn thing twice (once on a PS2 disc, once as a PS2 Classic on the PS3).

Wow, that would truly be a dick move by Sony if true. What happened to "for the gamers"?

Sony may needed to be reminded that gamers do not need them. They need us.

You're just trying to make people think you're not anti xbox.

J/k

This is why I don't sell my old systems. Still have my ps2 and ps3.

Looks like they can't keep the charade up for too long if they are in first place.

WTF is this shit?

No you didn't

Dont you worry boys, Playstation Now has you all covered.

Im a happy xbox one owner....But i will wait to hear what sony has to say.....1st

Sony doing at least something backwards? Not surprising considering...

-PS2 still relied on multitaps for more than two players when the N64's popularity (I know a certain BD is lurking this) proved it wasn't necessary, despite it's loss to the PSONE.

-PS3's way too complex hardware

Bu-bu-bu-bu but it´z still backwardz compatible !

So, more greatness awaits ?

pretty much what i expected. wouldn't make sense for them to go through all this trouble and not charge for it.

It seemed pretty obvious when it was confirmed they would have trophies.

You're pulling a Nintendo, Sony.

Judging by what Char's pointing out, I'd say it's slightly worse than that.

Wow what a dick move.

Yes I did. Read again.

Worse than Nintendo.

I can understand not supporting disc BC, but saying no to digital continuity kills any consumer confidence in digital rights. Seriuously, how much money does Sony expecy to lose on honoring rights or how much do they expext to gain from redundant purchases? I'd say they're undermining any money to be made here. Honoring rights will be a great jump off point for people to make even more purchases. Having to buy something again might make people hesitate ir question why bother. They can always get redundant purchases from idiots who repeatedly abandon their accounts anyways.

Maybe they only want BC for no other reason than to say they have it. If it's simply a matter if previous PS3'S PS2 classics getting certification then so be it, but you say they're going to outright not honor rights is shitting on gamers. We did, essentially, purchase the ISOs last gen, legally it shouldn't matter. If they simply want to make a buck, do what Nintendo did on Wii U at very least, offer the purchase at significantly discounted prices.

Anyhow, this is what we get for giving Sony a free pass on PS2 BC last gen. They had a working emulator, decided to sell games digitally than give it to people.

if it's simply a licensing issue, then that is complex, but Sony never seemed to have an issue honoring rights between PSP, PS3 and Vita before; why start now?

The two or three PS2 games that I would want I can guarantee wont ever be on this, be remastered, or anything.

-DBZ Infinite World

-DBZ Tenkaichi 3

-Viewtiful Joe

-Naruto Ultimate Ninja 3 or Shippuden 5

So I never really pay attention to these BC news on the PS4 and or care if SONY ever does BC, because even if they did BC perfectly and covers everything people have asked for, you can still bet the games I listed wont ever be available.

Fucking Sony.

PSnow would be a great idea if it wasn't a dumbass rental service

greedy af

F U Sony.

They have the means to make PS1 and PS2 games work with your discs. The fact that they aren't doing that is absolutely an issue. Not to mention PS2 classics not being carried over. It's not 4theplayers at all.

This is an elaborate cover up on your Xbox smear campaign. We're not buying it, chaz.

Dont care about any BC. I wont buy any PS2 games for PS4.

@Heil68: @RTUUMM:It doesn't matter if you don't personally care for backwards compatibility, you must see that this is a customer unfriendly move regardless.

@Heil68: That's cool, but many people do care/look forward to this

Ouch. I was not expecting this if true... I wonder if Sony would have done this if they wasn't ahead in sells. People can say whatever they want about BC on Xbox one but, at least Microsoft doesn't pull this shit.

Oh Sony. You never stop the cash grabs do you? And the worse part of all this is that cows will most likely praise it like everything else Sony does regardless of how shitty it is

Lol you seem awfully bitter about sony's current status.

That's poisonous to your soul. :(

What a bunch of greedy bastards. First they put PS 2 classics on P:S 3 as HD remasters. Now they again putting same into PS 4 but we've to buy em all over again , thus PS 2 HD classics on PS 3 become obsolete.

Maybe its not as easy as you think it is to just put a disc in and have it play?

Why should a console be judged on whether it plays games or not from 2 gens before? I cant play Gamecube games on my WiiU can I?

True. This is definitely a cash grab from Sony. I'll never use that emulator on the PS4. I still have my 60GB PS3 that plays all PS2 and PS1 games, so I'm good. This sucks though for any PS4 gamers who got rid of their other PS game consoles and would like to someday go back and play some PS2 games. PSNow is a joke for PS3 games. If they had done a $20 a year subscription for PSNow to play ALL games, that would have been perfect. Nope, Sony is too greedy.

For the gamers. HA!!

No....but WiiU can play all the Wii games.That is one thing i like on WiiU.Can the PS4 play all the PS3 games...??NO.:-(

No, but I'm not complaining about disc based content. Again, in my OP, I specifically said I can live with the lack of disc based BC for a two generation old console. It's the lack of digital continuity and support here that is my main beef- I have a substantial collection of PS2 classics that I bought from the PSN Store on the PS3, and now you are telling me I would have to buy them again for the PS4? When even Nintendo can manage to provide digital continuity without even having an account system, then you know Sony fucked up. There is no defending it.

Thank **** for PCSX2.

Simple, you dont have to buy or play on older system.

I can see your point, but for me I kept last gen consoles so if you did you could do right on playing those games.

defended +1

SDC remains intact.