so it lokes like sony are following M$ using a software solution for backwards compatibility

With the launch of Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) console set for next month, it has been revealed that unlike the PS3s sold in North America and Japan, the units available for purchase during the launch do not have hardware that provides backwards compatibility (support to play PS1 and PS2 games). In a statement, Sony revealed the European systems feature "a new hardware specification," and Sony won't "concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility."

The company is instead, "increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3, truly taking advantage of this exciting technology." Therefore, like Microsoft's Xbox 360, these systems will get their support for old games from software that definitely wont be as reliable as the hardware solution.

"Certain PlayStation 2 format software titles may not perform properly on this system," a Sony statement reads. There is also currently no list of supported or unsupported games. The hardware was cut from the PS3 units to reduce production costs.

now from someone who played halo on the xbox 360 to see how it ran i can tell you i saw some glitching and slowdown.
not huge but emulation isnt perfect.
difference is M$ were forced to do this as they dropped nvidia for the 360 chipset so couildnt use the nvidia chipset technology of the xbox 1

If it's a new hardware spec, does this mean Japanese and US PS3's wont be able to play new games as well as their European counterparts??

not really revised hardware ben.all they have done is remove the emotion engine components.
allegedly they were going software from the start but couldnt get it working in time so shipped with a hardware solution.
the lack of supported games list is a concern

ive said it before that backwards compatibility is just a selling tool and most gamers will use it very little once they get used to next gen hardware but considering we pay more for the hardware for well less hardware it sucks

looks like nintendo has the fairest global prices

Prices for PS3

20 GB 60 GB
US$ US$
JP¥49,980 [15] ($414) JP¥59,980 ($497)

United Kingdom
[20] [60]
TBA GB£425 ( $830)

European Union
[20] [60]
€499 ($656) €599 ($787)
------------------------------------------------------
Prices for 360
Primium Core
Japan
JP¥39,795 ($328) JP¥29,000 ($239)
European Union
€399.99 ($524) €299.99 ($392)
United Kingdom
£279.99 ($546) £199.99 ($389)
United States
US$399.99 $299.99
----------------------------------------------------------
Prices for WII

Japan
JP¥25,000 ($206)
European Union
€ 120??? ($235)
United Kingdom
£179 ($350) (ACK! 250+17%=292 bastards!)
United States
$249

quick copy and paste from another site

sony seems to be hiking most previously stated PS3 RRP's

Ahead of the European launch of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in Europe, Greece has become the latest country to have a "higher than promised" retail price for the console. The 60GB version of the brand new Sony console will be sold for €659 (US$867) after the RRP was raised in the country. Even the Sony Center in Greece lists the 60GB version of the console for €659.

The console was expected to have a blanket price across the European countries of €499 for the 20GB model and €599 for the 60GB model. Both British and Irish gamers are also being charged more for the 60GB model; which goes for £425 (€633 / US$834) in the UK and €629 (US$827) in Ireland. The reason given for the higher price is that the territory is "traditionally more expensive than other territories."

No Sony spokesperson commented yet on the price hike in Greece.

Fantastic news - I can ship loads of Japanese models

lol well its again a who knows situation.
will jap machines recieve firmware updates in the UK?

I think probably yes.

We currently hook into the american updates site (you just put your location in the settings) - so we get everything in english (shop/downloads etc...)

Not sure if it's had an fw update yet, but i can't see why they would block it. It would then make people who moved country have useless machines ....

its had a few ben

Sorry, I meant I dunno if our one has. I'll check it tomorrow

Xbox Halo on Xbox 360 is terrible. Lag from the control pad to the sceen and the frame rate is unreasonably slow to say the least.

This was noticed while playing 4 player Halo on X360 coming from just playing the same game at my house on the standard Xboxl. I was not impressed.

i'll add here,i was thinking of the spaecs of the xbox 360 v ps3 and price difference.
theres not that much in it if you even the spec.
add an HD DVD drive @ £100+(vs built in blueray),an xbox live gold(vs free) and wifi adapter (£50-60) to a premium 360 then theres little in it.
but the ps3 will have a bigger HD and HDMI output.
however for someone like me i have no HD display so i would be paying for features i wouldnt use