The Complete Lowdown on PS3 Backwards Compatibility

As an avid PlayStation gamer since the PS1 era, backwards compatibility is a feature I‘ve always appreciated. There‘s just something special about inserting an older game disc and reliving those memories on a new system. So when shopping for a PS3, one of the top questions fans ask is: which models can play their existing libraries of PS2 and PS1 games?

Let‘s dig into the details so you know exactly what PS3 models support your older titles!

The Gold Standard – Original 60GB & 20GB PS3s

When the PlayStation 3 launched in 2006, the 60GB and 20GB models aimed to immediately convince PlayStation 2 owners to upgrade by including full hardware-based backwards compatibility.

These original models actually integrated the Emotion Engine CPU chip from the PS2 right onto the PS3‘s motherboard. This gave virtually 100% compatibility with all but 9 of the PS2‘s whopping 2400+ game library from the get go!

Gamers lucky enough to snag one of these units can just pop in any of their existing PS2 (or PS1) discs and enjoy their favorite last-gen classics in all their upscaled, HD glory. These heavy duty launch units with complete backwards compatibility are the dream systems for playstation collectors like myself!

Identifying Fully Backwards Compatible PS3 Models

But how do you spot one of these unicorns in the wild? It‘s simple! Just look for the number of USB ports on the front. Fully compatible PS3s will have four USB ports. Later models cut this down to two.

You can also hunt for specific model numbers:

• CECH-Axx (60GB)
• CECH-Bxx (20GB)

These units might cost you a bit more today thanks to their built-in compatibility, but for diehard playstation fans, it‘s often worth paying the "BC tax".

Support Drops in 2007…But Gamers Get Creative

Unfortunately in 2007, Sony decided to cut costs by removing the Emotion Engine chips beginning with the 80GB model (CECH-Exx). This killed hardware backwards compatibility going forward.

However, Sony compensated with software emulation support for about 90% of PS2 titles on these newer 80GB models. Gamers took it upon themselves to compile comprehensive compatibility lists detailing which titles worked and which had issues.

Of course, the modding community couldn‘t leave well enough alone. Clever hackers discovered that with modified firmware, you could enable near perfect software emulation to play a broader range of PS2 titles on these later 80GB PS3s!

Fast forward to the PS3 Slim and Super Slim – and Sony removed PS2 support entirely from 2009 models onward…but here comes the mod squad again! Hardware solutions like the PS2 Classics placeholder dongle enable users to load PS2 game backups on non-compatible systems. Fancy!

So while Sony steadily removed out-of-the-box compatibility, ingenuitive gamers found creative workarounds. Gotta respect the effort!

PlayStation Classics on PS3

Now you might be thinking – well dang, no PS2 support stinks! But at least I can play my old PlayStation discs, right Sony?

Thankfully…yes!! All PS3 models, including every Slim and Super Slim, retain built-in software emulation to run your original PlayStation classics!

This is a crucial win in my opinion. The PlayStation‘s game library sits at over 7,900 titles – chock full of pioneers like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Tomb Raider that kicked off franchises still going strong to this day. And you can revisit these essential experiences on any PS3 by simply inserting the disc!

Putting PS2 & PS1 Game Libraries in Perspective

To appreciate the significance of PlayStation backwards compatibility, let‘s quantify Sony‘s legacy libraries:

That‘s over ten thousand iconic PlayStation games from past generations – all playable on those early compatible PS3 systems!

Even with only PS1 support, the entire playstation retro library easily provides years worth of classics to revisit on any PS3.

Now you can really see why native backwards compatibility is such a coveted feature playstation fans still clamor for today!

Emulation and Preservation Challenges

So why did Sony step back from their initial fully backwards compatible approach?

Cost cutting was definitely a factor as we touched on earlier. But former PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai also cited the complexity of emulation given the PS3‘s radically different internal architecture:

"The PlayStation 3 is an extremely complex piece of hardware, and trying to replicate the software from the PS2 onto the PS3 was an extremely difficult task…"

This remains an ongoing challenge. Even as the RPCS3 emulator enables PC gaming and preservation of PS3 titles, performance issues dog many top PS3 exclusives. And Sony‘s PS4 and PS5 frustratingly ignore native PS3 support.

Without renewed investment in compatibility R&D from console makers themselves, we risk losing access to fading physical media entirely someday. That‘s why native backwards compatibility should remain a mandatory next-gen feature in my view!

And we‘re not alone – when polled, 45% of gamers identify backwards compatibility as an important factor when purchasing new consoles. So there‘s sizable consumer demand evident as well!

Will PS5 Ever Support PS3 Games?

PS5 lead system architect Mark Cerny once said "Backwards compatibility is good for gamers". So why hasn‘t Sony brought it back full force?

Some industry experts speculate that security concerns could be a factor – the PS3 CPU in particular was notoriously complex. Perhaps Sony worries opening the floodgates to older titles could lead to vulnerabilities.

But with Microsoft providing extensive Xbox backwards compatibility, the ball is in Sony‘s court to respond. My hope is we‘ll eventually gain access to downloads or streaming for key PS3 exclusives like the Uncharted series and Metal Gear Solid 4. Time will tell!

In the meantime, breaking out those original launch PS3s may be the only way to enjoy true comprehensive backwards compatibility on PlayStation. Just be prepared to pay the "BC Tax" premium if buying one in 2024!

The Bottom Line

Only PS3 systems produced within the first year of PlayStation 3 production included the gloriously complete backwards compatibility:

✅ 60GB – CECH-Axx

✅ 20GB – CECH-Bxx

These are identified by 4 USB ports up front and natively play over 10,000 PS2 & PS1 games just by inserting the disc!

Later PS3 models phased out hardware support in a cost cutting move by Sony:

❌ 80GB – CECH-Exx (Partial Software Emulation Only)

❌ All Slim & Super Slim models (No PS2 Support – PS1 Discs Only)

So for the true retro gaming purist, you literally cannot beat those hard-to-find original 20GB and 60GB PlayStation 3 consoles!