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Digital Foundry: Hands-on with PS4's PlayStation 2 emulation

The biggest difference between this and PS3 BC (for earlier models) is that PS4 emulator actually re-renders polygons while PS3 did upscaling the whole SD image (though it was very smooth).
IIRC PS3 also did have PSP re-rendering emulator too but they didn't bother to make it big feature. I think Monster Hunter 3P was the only adaptation of it. (Some hacked PS3's had those feature enabled).
 
I hope that's the reason. I always thought it had more to do with licensing and reworking titles that they probably don't have the assets to anymore such as KH or that the opportunity cost simply isn't worth it in comparison to more recent titles they could remaster and potentially make more than 10-20 a pop on.

Yeah, these are factors too for sure, but there's a big portion of the PS2 library that just wouldn't work on the PS3, regardless of what the licensing situation is.
 
well in a nutshell this is a PERFECT example why i set aside my PS4 in favor of a Xbone. As great a set of hardware it is, Sony as a company is still the same idiotic narrow minded choices the company its been doing for years. BC for PS3 games on PS4? spend $20 a month. Honestly i'd even give them a pass on that since emulating the CELL would be hard but here they prove they have a fully functional PS2 emulator up and running on PS4.... do they let people run games off their CDs like Microsoft? something you could do with their previous consoles (at least for a time)? nope. hope you feel like buying them again on PSN.....

honestly disgusts me

(and no BC isnt the end all be all of why i through the majoring of my console money behind MS but its just another example of Sony being their typical Arrogant selves.... and MS, if not exactly altruistic, at least hungry to say on Gamers good side and not exploit "revenue streams" at every turn"

1/10 on the embarrassing over-reaction scale. You should be ashamed.

They're on PS Now, I think.

Edit- God of War HD, God of War II HD, and God of War: Ascension are on PS Now. Weird that God of War: Chains of Olympus HD and God of War: Ghost of Sparta HD are not there. God of War III may or may not come to PS Now. The reason I think there's a chance, is the fact that TLOU is on PS Now, despite the remaster on PS4. That leaves only one God of War game to be forgotten as usual: God of War: Betrayal, a 2D side-scrolling beat-em-up cell phone game from 2007 (I think). IGN actually gave that a 9/10.

People really need to stop equating PS Now to backwards compatibility. PS Now isn't a PS4 exclusive service and it's hasn't even been officially released outside of North America yet.

Anyway, I'm a bit surprised by this news. I was hoping that the theory that these Stars Wars games were going to be running on a PS2 emulator were trophies implemented into it, but I wasn't getting my hopes up. The official announcement is sure to come at PSX then, hopefully they've got a good lineup ready because I'm sure with trophies now included, we won't just see 90% of the current games thrown up on it like we did with the Vita.
 
Share Play seems to work on Star Wars Racer. I say seems to work as the speed test told me that my connection was too slow to be able SharePlay, I did get to the screen where I could invite friends but I did't actually select a friend.

Star%20Warstrade_%20Racer%20Revengetrade_20151120013925.png~original

Interestingly. the game has a file size of 586.1 MB and game save file size of 19.21 MB which would need three of the PS2 8 MB memory cards. Looking at the cloud saves, this save is included in the standard 10.74 GB of cloud storage allocated to your PS4.

EDIT:
Probably worth adding that Jedi Starfighter accepts cheat codes that worked on for the original version.

EDIT 2:
Bounty Hunter has a selectable option to output a progressive or interlaced image, both work but it looks far better using the default interlaced option. Doesn't mean anything to me but I'm surprised that Digital Foundry didn't pick up on that. It does't mean anything to me but it may do to them.

EDIT 3:
Actually, all three games have a save file size of 19.21 MB.
 
So if I understand this correctly, the battlefront special games were discovered to be emulated suggesting that they now have the technology, and I'd guess that means it will be announced at psx?
 
So if I understand this correctly, the battlefront special games were discovered to be emulated suggesting that they now have the technology, and I'd guess that means it will be announced at psx?

Here's the timeline of events

- In 2013 Sony patents a new method of adding trophies to games that previously didn't have them.

- Early last year Digital Foundry posts an article about how they've learned that Sony has managed to emulate PSone and PS2 games on the PS4 which will allow for upgraded visuals rather than the "smoothing" effect that we've seen on previous BC PS platforms.

- In the middle of this year PEGI (European rating board) posts ratings for Dark Cloud 2, Twisted Metal Black, and Ape Escape 2 for the PS4.

- Tuesday Sony releases several PS2 generation Star Wars games that have been clearly emulated and connect to the first two points (trophies and improved visuals).

The PSX announcement is just speculation. There's no real indication that it will happen there, but people expect it because that's a big fan event and this is obviously a fan requested feature.
 
1/10 on the embarrassing over-reaction scale. You should be ashamed.



People really need to stop equating PS Now to backwards compatibility. PS Now isn't a PS4 exclusive service and it's hasn't even been officially released outside of North America yet.

Anyway, I'm a bit surprised by this news. I was hoping that the theory that these Stars Wars games were going to be running on a PS2 emulator were trophies implemented into it, but I wasn't getting my hopes up. The official announcement is sure to come at PSX then, hopefully they've got a good lineup ready because I'm sure with trophies now included, we won't just see 90% of the current games thrown up on it like we did with the Vita.

The thing is, I think Sony considers PS Now to be a BC solution. I'd love to see full PS3 BC, but I don't think it's happening sadly any time soon.
 
So if I understand this correctly, the battlefront special games were discovered to be emulated suggesting that they now have the technology, and I'd guess that means it will be announced at psx?

The fact they've developed the engine does not necessary mean they'll announce it (like I said they did have PSP emulator on PS3 but thing never got materialized at Western market). However PEGI rating for PS2 games at PS4 suggests that Sony is going to announce it.

Edit:
Here's the timeline of events

- In 2013 Sony patents a new method of adding trophies to games that previously didn't have them.

- Early last year Digital Foundry posts an article about how they've learned that Sony has managed to emulate PSone and PS2 games on the PS4 which will allow for upgraded visuals rather than the "smoothing" effect that we've seen on previous BC PS platforms.

- In the middle of this year PEGI (European rating board) posts ratings for Dark Cloud 2, Twisted Metal Black, and Ape Escape 2 for the PS4.

- Tuesday Sony releases several PS2 generation Star Wars games that have been clearly emulated and connect to the first two points (trophies and improved visuals).

The PSX announcement is just speculation. There's no real indication that it will happen there, but people expect it because that's a big fan event and this is obviously a fan requested feature.

Beaten and this is much better too.
 
If they don't carry over, that would be a huge disappointment.
Yeah, I have a few of these and would hope they carry over to PS4. Being able to play PS2 games natively would be insane. My copy of Sega Classics or whatever that has Virtua Racing on it beckons... but it's not likely we'd see disc support at all.
 
The thing is, I think Sony considers PS Now to be a BC solution. I'd love to see full PS3 BC, but I don't think it's happening sadly any time soon.

If it is seen as a PS3 BC solution by Sony, then why is it offered on the PS3 itself, not to mention TVs and eventually tablets? It's not BC, it's a separate service that is meant to offer game software to people who don't own traditional game hardware.
 
Here's the timeline of events

Good timeline.

Also worth noting that the three PS2 Star Wars games are currently only available in the PS4 Battlefront bundle, but Sony have confirmed that they will be available to buy separately at an unspecific later date.

Super Star Wars (originally on the SNES) was also included in the bundle, but that is already available to buy separately.
 
Its just a question to y'all. Let's say that it has disc support. But if I want earn trophies of those games, I'd need to buy a trophy add on. Wouldn't that help Sony in way? Sure it most likely see trophy add ons happen on all of their first party games. And surely thatll have trophy mongers look at their ps2 backlog and have em buy the add ons.
 
Its just a question to y'all. Let's say that it has disc support. But if I want earn trophies of those games, I'd need to buy a trophy add on. Wouldn't that help Sony in way? Sure it most likely see trophy add ons happen on all of their first party games. And surely thatll have trophy mongers look at their ps2 backlog and have em buy the add ons.
I think that would be ok if it was like $2.50 at the most per game. I would buy it for Timesplitters 2 or Champions of Norrath.
 
Here's the timeline of events

- In 2013 Sony patents a new method of adding trophies to games that previously didn't have them.

- Early last year Digital Foundry posts an article about how they've learned that Sony has managed to emulate PSone and PS2 games on the PS4 which will allow for upgraded visuals rather than the "smoothing" effect that we've seen on previous BC PS platforms.

- In the middle of this year PEGI (European rating board) posts ratings for Dark Cloud 2, Twisted Metal Black, and Ape Escape 2 for the PS4.

- Tuesday Sony releases several PS2 generation Star Wars games that have been clearly emulated and connect to the first two points (trophies and improved visuals).

The PSX announcement is just speculation. There's no real indication that it will happen there, but people expect it because that's a big fan event and this is obviously a fan requested feature.
There any link to the first two?
 
Here's the timeline of events

- In 2013 Sony patents a new method of adding trophies to games that previously didn't have them.

- Early last year Digital Foundry posts an article about how they've learned that Sony has managed to emulate PSone and PS2 games on the PS4 which will allow for upgraded visuals rather than the "smoothing" effect that we've seen on previous BC PS platforms.

- In the middle of this year PEGI (European rating board) posts ratings for Dark Cloud 2, Twisted Metal Black, and Ape Escape 2 for the PS4.

- Tuesday Sony releases several PS2 generation Star Wars games that have been clearly emulated and connect to the first two points (trophies and improved visuals).

The PSX announcement is just speculation. There's no real indication that it will happen there, but people expect it because that's a big fan event and this is obviously a fan requested feature.

Hype!

I like how the IQ is cleaned up through emulation, Persona 3:FES and 4 are gonna look awesome.
 
The games look nice and clean at 1080p, I like it! Solid framerates better than the originals is also a huge plus!

I bet at PSX they announce classics and say that they are "AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW!"

Can't wait to see some PS1 games, even with upscaled backgrounds FFVIII and FFIX will be great!
 
I have to say, if this is the case, I no longer regret trading in my fat PS3. It seems like all the "better" PS3 exclusives have got remastered for the 4.
 
The thing is, I think Sony considers PS Now to be a BC solution. I'd love to see full PS3 BC, but I don't think it's happening sadly any time soon.

Of course PS3 BC isn't going to happen any time soon, it's practically impossible on current hardware, but that doesn't mean PS Now is a BC solution. If it were, why is it offered on PS3, Vita, Sony/Samsung TVs, Sony BD players and I'm sure more devices down the line? It's because Sony are going after a different market with it.

People have been trying to use PS Now to argue against PS1/PS2 emulation and remasters for years now and they've been consistently wrong. We now know PS2 emulation is coming pretty soon (probably joined by PS1 emulation) and remasters are still coming on a pretty consistent basis.

How exactly are the trophies going to be implemented? :/

In a wrapper. We already see similar implementations in things like the FFVII PC re-release, just on a smaller scale.
 
In a wrapper. We already see similar implementations in things like the FFVII PC re-release, just on a smaller scale.
So each developer will have to implement these trophies into their past games? Seems like a LOT of work if there are going to be hundreds of games available
 
Will this work worth discs or do you have to rebuy them? Also does it work with classics bought on PS3?

You have to buy discs, grind them up into dust, blow the dust into your PS4's air intake, face your console South East, then also buy each game for $599 on PSN.
 
I have no problem buying old games again. I love the idea of having a digital games jukebox with all my favorite games. Yes I know you can do this with PC but would rather have it all contained in the same console.

My only gripe is that Sony doesn't let me backup or install individual games to an external.
 
I have no problem buying old games again. I love the idea of having a digital games jukebox with all my favorite games. Yes I know you can do this with PC but would rather have it all contained in the same console.

My only gripe is that Sony doesn't let me backup or install individual games to an external.
So do I. Imagine if we could play all sorts of past playstation games on one Sony console. :O
And yes, it's a shame we can't backup or install games to an external drive.
 
You guys know what would be awesome?

Star Ocean 3 PS2 Classic on PS4 just in time for Star Ocean 5.

Star Ocean 3 in enhanced in 1080P 60FPS would be so good.
 
I totally forgot about Shareplay!!

Holy shit!!

PS2 was the king of couch coop. This will open up so many co-op games that it is unbelievable. If it works, this will be a legit megaton for me.
 
The framerate increase is impressive. Could it be emulating an overclocked PS2? That's what you do in PCSX2 to make the game run at better FPS than the original console.
 
I totally forgot about Shareplay!!

Holy shit!!

PS2 was the king of couch coop. This will open up so many co-op games that it is unbelievable. If it works, this will be a legit megaton for me.

Okay, you just got me mad hyped.

Here's my question though? Should I play the PS2 version of Okami, or plug in my PS3 & play Okami HD? And if the Final Fantasy XII Remaster is real, is it actually a remaster that is native for the PS4, or is it an emulated PS2 game?
 
So each developer will have to implement these trophies into their past games? Seems like a LOT of work if there are going to be hundreds of games available

Yes, though Sony may provide tools that help make it easier or even set up a team to do it for publishers.

We also don't know if trophies will be required, they might just be an optional thing that publishers can choose whether they want to add to their classics releases or not.
 
Surely the PS4 could handle rendering the games in HD, I don't see why they don't do that, PC emulation is still the way to go.
 
Surely the PS4 could handle rendering the games in HD, I don't see why they don't do that, PC emulation is still the way to go.

It does. Not super high res, but still "HD."

Original PlayStation 2 titles ran at a range of pixel counts, but 512x448 and 640x448 were commonplace (God of War 2 even let you choose between the two). It's still early days in our analysis, but first impressions suggest that the emulator resolves a native resolution of 1292x896. Two black lines are added top and bottom to the image, before receiving a final upscale up to full 1080p. In effect, we're looking at around 4x the pixel count - possibly higher, depending on the title.
 
Wait, this is happening!?

PCSX2 will still be better right?

We're too far into this gen for this to even be a thing. We'll see a handful of titles here and there before the end of the console's life. I'm sure it will have a smaller support library than the original Xbox games that were playable on Xbox 360 via patches. It's simply not cost effective for them to work on this full scale when they have the core OS firmware to work on improving.

It's really a shame that we still don't have access to the PSX classics we bought on PS3. If they need a code re-write for the emulator or porting of the emulator on PS4, fine, charge me a one-time licensing fee to get the emulator if it means I get my digital purchases from last-gen back.
 
Surely the PS4 could handle rendering the games in HD, I don't see why they don't do that, PC emulation is still the way to go.

They are likely rendering them in integer multiples of the of the resolution and probably whatever is closest to HD to fit their performance targets.
 
Hang on what on earth is going on. Can the PS4 emulate PS2 games? Why are Sony waiting this late to implement it if so, is it because of the Xbox One capability?

Seriously, Sony, get the act together. The PS4 can either emulate PS2 games or it can't. If you was hoping on PS NOW filing the gap for extra £££ I'll be seriously pissed.

They need to release a PR statement ASAP.

Well okay then, same thing. Why have they not worked on it sooner?

No, of course not. It was most likely planned for ages, and has been worked on for quite some time. There was no reason to have BC at launch because it makes sense to keep everyone focused on 'new' games rather than them having a large selection of older games at launch [assuming classics are cross buy as they have been in the past]. This helps in other areas as well -- the store and library can focus on PS4 games, etc. Plus, obviously, it's one less potential point of failure during launch.

So if not at launch, then when? Well, I mean, there's a lot of options there. The first PSx event would have made sense. The second one we're about to have also makes sense. It's a nice little megaton for the hardcore they can drop whenever they want [assuming it's complete].
 
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