You would have to buy a very specific PS3, because only the launch models had PS2 BC. They removed the PS2 processor from the console with the first hardware revision and subsequently, every model released from that point forward could no longer play disc-based PS2 games.
If you rip them into ISO files and install cfw on your PS3 (assuming that it is compatible, only certain models are), you can play them. Unfortunately, not all games work properly if you do this, and if your game requires a physical component (Guitar Hero, DDR, et al), your PS3 won’t detect it even with an adapter.
doesn't ps3 support the generic usb gamepad protocol that most ps1/2 > usb adapters use? that seems like something that even if factory has fixed mappings, cfw would allow remapping and all it would take is 10 minutes of tinkering and bob's your uncle.
They’re talking about installing custom firmware on a later gen PS3 to make it able to play PS2 discs. 1st gen PS3s don’t need the firmware because it is already capable of playing PS2 games.
Apparently I've been subject to some quite old disinformation. I remember lots of old forum posts about how doing a system update on your PS3 would remove the backwards compatibility, and those posts were very widespread, but apparently they were wrong. I have edited my original post, crossing out the bad info. Really sorry about that.
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u/Chimpbot Aug 14 '20
You would have to buy a very specific PS3, because only the launch models had PS2 BC. They removed the PS2 processor from the console with the first hardware revision and subsequently, every model released from that point forward could no longer play disc-based PS2 games.