The disappointing PAL PS3's backward compatibility

From my previous post about PAL PS3 ("Pay more, wait longer, and get less (for PS3)"), one of the thing I mentioned is the disappearance of the hardware chip for PS2 backward compatibility playback, instead Sony opted to safe $27 in the production cost, and utilise the emulation. In the process of doing that, it cuts down the 100% backward compatibility to real low. I am no against of software emulation for PS2, as the Cell CPU is quite power and capable, however there's always risk and unwanted effect of using emulation, as they're not real to the softwares. Emulation has come of age in many application, and we have seen that emulation doesn't always perform well, efficient, or stable. And The Inquirer has got themselves a PAL PS3 and tested with 12 popular PS2 titles that you can get today, and the result is real disappointing. One in twelve managed to work well, and it's not a very attractive game - Eragon - (from what The Inquirer said). So that's less than 10% of the title based on this sample size. Surely as time goes by, the emulation technique will improved, but how long before Sony starts doing what Microsoft is doing with Xbox backward compatiblity on XBox360? How long before the emulation will work well with other vast titles from PS2? Will the backward compatibility experience be as good as able to play thoroughly, and through the entire game from the boot screen to the end credit? Or just manage to boot and play through somewhat, and failed in some part? How well is the software emulation for PS2 be? Can Sony guarantee the acceptable level of gaming experience for PS2 titles on PAL PS3, since they so claim that PAL PS3 support at least 1000 titles and growing.





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