Verified answer

If price is no object get both!

The newer PS3 consoles do not have the necessary hardware to play PS2 games.

PS3 with 4 USB Ports = PS2 Compatible

PS3 with 2 USB Ports = Not Compatible with the PS2

Keep in mind that if your PS3 is the 4 USB Ports version, NOT ALL games can be played through the PS3.

Yes, all of the PS2 games, and a high % of PS1 games will work fine. The PS3 is backward compatible, meaning that it can play older games for older PS systems as well as games designed specifically for it.

Edit:

But the Sony PS3 - 40 Gig Model does not!

I ain't 100% sure about the new Slim PS3. Sorry

I'm pretty sure Ps2 games work on some of the older versions of the ps3, but not the newer ones like the slim one they have now.

http://answers.yahoo.com/search/search_advance;_yl...

search is your friend. learn to use it! seriously! this is the MOST asked question on Answers!!!

backward compatibility for the PS3 with PS2 games is as follows on NTSC systems:

20GB (4 USB slots, no longer in production) - yes

60GB (4 USB slots, no longer in production) - yes

80GB with 4 USB slots (no longer in production, bundled with MGS4 or Motor Storm) - yes

40GB (2 USB slots, no longer in production) - NO

80GB with 2 USB slots (no longer in production) - NO

160GB (2 USB slots, no longer in production) - NO

120GB/slim (2 USB slots) - NO

250GB/slim (2 USB slots) - NO

any other up coming PS3's - NO

PAL systems only have one backwards compatible system, and that's the 60GB.

in short: if it has 4 USB slots, yes. if it has 2 USB slots, no.

all PS3s play PS1 games.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Model_c...

the download that others are referring to is for the PS3s that already are backwards compatible. downloading it to a non-backwards compatible PS3 will do NOTHING but take up space on your hard drive! it will NOT make your PS3 play PS2 games!!!

"If a PLAYSTATION 3 is not backward compatible, you will not be able to add this function through any hardware (i.e., changing the hard disk drive) or software (i.e., updates, homebrew) upgrades or modifications. "

that came DIRECTLY from Sony's own website: http://playstation.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/playstatio...

and no, not all PS2 games or PS1 games will work. the 20GB and 60GB come the closest to being fully backwards compatible with PS2 games, but they still do not play 100% of those games or PS1 games. if you buy a backwards compatible PS3 and want to know which of your PS2 games work, check this link: http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleSt...

yea i know there are some problems with the compatibility with the newer ps3, but i believe both the new ps3 slims and the other ps3s (minus the very first batch) arent backwards compatible.. but i may not be completely right