Playing PSX - PS1 vs PS2 vs PS3 vs PSP

[NayusDante]

This is something that's really bothering me. I started playing FF8 again, this time on PS3. Load times aren't bad, audio is nice, but something about the video is off, looks more like emulation. I'm also too cheap to buy a DualShock 3, so rumble is absent. I've also seen some corrupted entering-battle effects.

I remember I spent more time playing PSX stuff on PS2 (and it happened again with PS2 on PS3...), but I'm interested in getting the most accurate experience possible. After dusting off my PSX from about 7 years of non-use, I find that my PS2 component cables don't work with it, leaving me with composite which definitely has a flicker to it.

So what's the general consensus on this issue? Do you go for the original, stick with PS2, or compromise for the benefits of the PS3? Has anyone given up sitting on the couch entirely and gone PSP all the way? Or, is there really any difference between PS123, with me just imagining that it looks different?

[Atari 5200]

I've played FF8 on all of those except the PS3. If I had to choose one, I'd go with the PS2, but if has a "flicker" just go with the original. And if you have a tv that's not a HDTV, hook the PS1 up to that.

The PSP...don't even ask. Emulation through it is a little buggy as it will freeze at times during battles at Dollet. And not to mention cramped fingers later on.

[Kid Ice]

If you ask me emulation on the PS3 sucks. I just tried another psone game in my 80 gig ps3 that doesn't work (Ballblazer Champions). The game doesn't even show up in Sony's compatibility list. I used to have a 60 gig and I had issues running PS1/PS2 games on that as well.

I never had a problem running a psone game on a PS2. I've never noticed any game being radically different on that system from running on a real psone. Since I have better controllers for that system I usually play psone games on my PS2.

[Dangerboy]

PS2 with component out is the truly best for psx stuff - though I play them via HDMI on a 60gig. What can I say, i love my legos . :)

[darkslime]

It seems like PS1/2/3 are all the same, that is if the PS3 is 60 gig. 60 gig models is fully backwards compatable whereas 80 gig is running them off of an emulator and has problems.
PSP is obviously not perfect because it's an emulator not the real hardware.

[Sudo]

It seems like PS1/2/3 are all the same, that is if the PS3 is 60 gig. 60 gig models is fully backwards compatable whereas 80 gig is running them off of an emulator and has problems.
PSP is obviously not perfect because it's an emulator not the real hardware.

All PS3s play PSX games the same, even the ones without PS2 compatibility.

[roushimsx]

PS1 backwards compatibility has been fully emulated since the slimline PS2. The PS3 improves on it and all models of the PS3 have identical PS1 support.

Echoing fat PS2 + component cables on a non-HD TV for maximum PS1 enjoyment.

edit - oh, and for the love of god, turn off texture smoothing on the PS2/PS3. It helps sometimes and most of the time it just looks like shit. Like someone rubbed an eraser over the textures and then darkened 'em up a bit.

[BzzN]

I just stick with the original system. I did play a bit of MGS on the Ps2 though and that was fine. If anything just use a PS2 for your ps1 games, and use your PS3 for ps3 games. From what ive tried the ps3 is not that great of a emulator and does have some slow down.

[PresidentLeever]

How is the PC version, or emulation on PC?

[skaar]

PS1 emulation was horrible for rhythm games - Bust a Move (aka Bust a Groove), Umjammer Lammy and Space Channel 5 (that was PS2 I think...) all suffered in my 60GB PS3.

I stick to the PS2 or a PSOne.

[Cinder6]

The only differences I notice in playing on the PS3 are those you get with playing an SD game in HD. I recently (as in, last year) had to hook up my PS1 to play Chrono Cross, as it doesn't work on the PS3. The video was actually almost identical, even comparing to the upscaling setting on the PS3. Guess my TV has a decent scaler.

I use the PS3 every chance I get, save for situations where the game is incompatible (Chrono Cross and FF9 come to mind). Unlimited memory cards easily beat out any perceived visual discrepancies, in my book (whether they be real or imagined).

(As an aside, it seems my PS1 was generating random numbers differently than it was on the PS2. I was stuck on the Isle of the Damned boss for the longest time, then beat it no sweat as soon as I put the game in the PS1. Odd, or maybe just lucky.)

[sebastiankirchoff]

I usually play PS1 games on my PS2 just for convience, but I have a "Virtual Memory Card" (has the same amount of storage as 60 memory cards) that is only compatible on an original PS model, and that is the only time I use it. Also, if I move into a new house and my PS2 is packed away, I may pull out my PsOne and play that.

[bangtango]

I say this in every thread related to PS1 games.....

Is it really that much trouble to keep around a couple of $5-10 original PS1 systems to play PS1 games on?

It takes all of three or four minutes to both hook up and unhook "the original hardware."

[Kid Ice]

I say this in every thread related to PS1 games.....

Is it really that much trouble to keep around a couple of $5-10 original PS1 systems to play PS1 games on?

It takes all of three or four minutes to both hook up and unhook "the original hardware."

I mainly use my PS2 because I have nice wireless controllers, which I prefer to my haggard PS1 controllers.

I do have two original psx systems but I have not hooked them up in years. Maybe at some point I'll do the link cable thing, like if I ever make a friend or something.

[Aussie2B]

I'm a purist on this, so to me the original hardware is always the best. No matter how good any other hardware's compatibility is, there are still some things that aren't going to display/load/whatever quite right. And PlayStation games have to be on an SDTV too because they're all designed around the idea of a display with scan lines. My ideal set-up is an original PlayStation hooked up with S-video.

[NayusDante]

I say this in every thread related to PS1 games.....

Is it really that much trouble to keep around a couple of $5-10 original PS1 systems to play PS1 games on?

It takes all of three or four minutes to both hook up and unhook "the original hardware."

I have no problems hooking up another system, my question is which one is best to hook up.

I played FF8 for an hour or so last night on the PS1, and I'm going to do the same with the PS2 tonight, this time using the component cable. Call me crazy, but all the animation and texturing looked more lifelike on PS1. Granted, PS3 is definitely emulation, but it loses that character that the original hardware has. Dare I say that my PS1 has slower load times... Also, hearing that laser working back and forth gives it a more physical feeling, that the system is actually doing something, in sharp contrast to the PS3's cold and lifeless fans ever whirring.

As for the memory card situation, I have the PS3 memory card reader, so I can use that like a Dex Drive and keep my PSX card clean aside from whatever I'm currently playing.

[jdc]

I'll either choose my PSX9001 with S-vid on my Aquos (I played Chrono Cross in this way and it was simply gorgeous).....or PREFERABLY my same PSX9001 with stock cables on a 13" regular tv that we have in the bedroom. I kid you not. I also prefer to play the early games using a Sony digital PSX controller instead of a dualshock. There's just something "right" about it.

[bangtango]

I mainly use my PS2 because I have nice wireless controllers, which I prefer to my haggard PS1 controllers.

That makes sense.

My reason for preferring PS1 games on the PS1 is largely due to a concern about the lifespan of my PS2.

Meaning if I am going to play PS1 games, I'd rather put the regular wear and tear that comes with it onto a console from my collection that is less expensive and less important.

I tend to feel the same way about dvd's. I'd rather use them in a regular dvd player than put the extra work onto the PS2.

I suppose I worry about this sort of thing too much but my viewpoint is that a new or used PS2 is still more expensive than your basic dvd player or a PS1.



I have no problems hooking up another system, my question is which one is best to hook up.

If that is what you want to know then Aussie's response in this thread is the best answer, in my opinion.

See below:


I'm a purist on this, so to me the original hardware is always the best. No matter how good any other hardware's compatibility is, there are still some things that aren't going to display/load/whatever quite right. And PlayStation games have to be on an SDTV too because they're all designed around the idea of a display with scan lines. My ideal set-up is an original PlayStation hooked up with S-video.

[Poofta!]

How is the PC version, or emulation on PC?

i remember running some like 9 years ago, it worked well. but im honestly curious if anyone has any recent experience with this, especially compared to ps2 & ps3 performance.
i have a ps3 and a nice HTPC under my tv (37" LCD) so i would like to know which is best for ps1 games. both are connected via HDMI....

[Greg2600]

Emulation on a PC, especially anything with a Pentium 4 and 64MB Video, is excellent. You have to play around a bit in getting the right plug-ins for video, audio, cd-rom, and controllers, and then the settings. But the OpenGL drivers do a fantastic job in enhancing the graphics. It's like night and day. PS2 and PS3 do not do anything but a little texture filtering. PC emulation produces the best results.

[Haoie]

PS1 emulation for computers is still far behind the 16B era consoles.

So many plugins and settings, so little time.