Console Backwards Compatibility

[NightWolve]

I very much liked how my PS2 could play all of my PS1 games and because it could output YPbPr and digital sound via fiber optics, the games looked and sounded better on a CRT with YPbPr inputs along with an audio receiver/amplifier. It's always a good thing if backwards compatibility is there, and I rather have it than not, but I understand if it couldn't be done because the next upgraded version of the console advanced too far to implement it.

[seieienbu]

I didn't care either way about PS2's backward compatibility at the time.  Now I wish all consoles had it; old systems don't work well on modern TVs and I'm at least a tad worried about about finding a "new" old CRT once my current one eventually dies.

[ClodBuster]

I'm with Nightwolve about the PS2 backwards compatibility. To me, it rocks. Why? Because I can not only play old games, but also use the majority of old peripherals. I got my PS2 modded for playing US and Japanese NTSC imports, which is helpful since a good chunk of PAL PS2 games are missing 60Hz support and nearly all PAL PS1 games run so slow. Having only one console modded to do the job for all of these games works good for me.

[GohanX]

Backwards compatibility isn't as deal breaker, but I love when a system has it. I'm kind of annoyed that the ps4 I got isn't backwards compatible, as I still need to keep the ps3 hooked up since it is still relevant (and will probably get more play.)

[roflmao]

I wish all consoles supported at least 1 generation of backwards compatibility. I use my Xbox 360 to play Xbox games (though I wish I could play the entire library as I've been itching to play Mechassault again), PS2 to play PS1 games, GBA to play GB/GBC games (same thing goes for Gamecube), and I have one of the power base adapters that db-elec made to play SMS games on the Genesis. It saves so much space that way!

[Bernie]

I just hooked a small PC to my tv, and play em all through that... 

[SuperGrafx]

While convenient and nice to have, backwards compatibility really doesn't matter to me.
If I buy a new console, I expect to use it mainly to play that generation's series of games.

[bob]

The Turbo express is exclusively backward compatible.

[ctophil]

Yeah, despite what I said in my original post, I don't have any problems with backwards compatibility.  I simply just don't use the feature, that's all.  Similar to the feature of modern consoles being able to play movies, I don't use that feature either.  Game consoles were made to play games, and I keep it that way.  As with backwards compatibility, my perception is that each console was made to play its own games. 

Modern consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One have the ability for people to watch TV, surf the web, post on facebook, watch youtube, wash dishes, and paint the house.  Well, minus the last two points.  But anyways, I just ignore all those things and play games.  I find those additional things seem annoying and make those consoles cost more than they should be when I don't even use those features.   They should make cheaper models that only play games.  Something like $150 - $200 I would jump right in. 

[technozombie]

I like backwards compatibility, when the ps2 launched I played final fantasy 9. I wished the ps4 had it because my backwards compatible ps3 crapped out. That being said, it is important to understand that the Xbox one and ps4 don't have backwards compatibility because of there architecture changes. Now that they are x86 based computer ports will be better/faster and more plentiful and going forward backwards compatibility will be easier to maintain.

[slinkyturd]

I think that beyond backwards compatibility, I'd like controller and cordage backwards compatibility also. Similar to the way one could use the same console to TV cords with the SNES/GCube/N64 and PS2/PS3. I absolutely hate that the f*cking XBox 360 had 3 separate power cords for the same goddamn console. What a load of horseshit Microsoft is.

[glazball]

Just a fun fact.  Compare playing a PS1 game on an early PS3 and playing it on a Dreamcast using BLEEM.  It's amazing how much better it looks on a Dreamcast than on Sony's own hardware.

I havent compared the two to know exactly who you mean, but did you turn off the blurring effect (toggled on by default) in the PS3 options?  I can't remember the exact term but it smudges the image a bit to make it less pixellated.  I leave it off and PS1 games looks absolutely perfect on my O.G. phat PS3. (I like the pixellation btw). I don't see how the DC could output anything better than the PS3 via HDMI.

As far as backwards compatibility, I have mixed feelings but generally like it.  Like Necro said, it's bad when it's shoehorned in like PS2 compatibility was on early PS3s, but I do like playing PS1 games on it because they look so nice, not to mention games load so much faster.  I also play Wii games on Wii U but other than those 2 examples, I play a game on the console it was intended for.

One other thing - with the recent release of the Gamecube controller adaptor for Wii U, it confirmed what I had thought: Nintendo could have kept in GC compatibility if they had wanted to.  They just didn't want to have to include the 4 controller ports on the Wii U!  And of course they want to reboot and remaster GC games like Wind Waker so everyone can rebuy them.

[MrBroadway]

do you care about console backwards compatibility at all?

I wanted to say no, but truth by told, I'm very happy that my 7800 plays 2600 games, although if it didn't, I'd less enthusiastic about Colecovision's 2600 module. I'd probably have both at that time. I have both a PS2 and a PS1, a Master System and a Genesis (sold my Power Base Converter after I bought a Genesis, actually), a GameCube and a Wii, a Game Boy, a Game Boy Color, a Game Boy Advance, and a Game Boy Advance SP. The 2600 library on the 7800 is the only backwards compatibility I utilize, and I wouldn't be that upset if I had to buy a nice heavy-sixer as well.

[glazball]

@o.pw - I agree it is pretty handy, but what about all the third-party 2600 carts with unusual shells that won't fit into the 7800?

[MrBroadway]

@o.pw - I agree it is pretty handy, but what about all the third-party 2600 carts with unusual shells that won't fit into the 7800?

They actually fit the older 7800s just fine. I tried to get a super early module (protip: make sure it has an expansion slot), and so far every oddly-shaped game I plugged in there works just fine.