This, apparently.

New for 1.51: Support for PLAYSTATION 3 format software titles has been expanded.

Err. What? We've heard reports of some PlayStation 2 software backward compatability issues being resolved, but those aren't listed in the official changelog. We'll see if we can get to the bottom of what "expanded" support we can now enjoy. Michael McWhertor

PLAYSTATION 3 System Software Update

According to one Cheapassgamer, Microsoft updated their Xbox 360 backward compatability list on the official site, only to retract these games moments later. Did someone hit publish a little too soon? Included in the list of newly supported titles were fan favorites like Shenmue II, Dead or Alive Ultimate, and the Double Fine Studios cult bomb Psychonauts.

Xbox community team member and Gamerscoreblogger Chris Paladino posted to excited forum members "We haven't made any announcements on this subject yet. Please hold off on freaking at this point in time. ;)". Not exactly a denial.

Sadly, those of us still holding on to their original Xboxes for games like Jet Set Radio Future, Otogi and Panzer Dragoon Orta will have to hold on a little longer.

Hit the jump for the list of alleged games due to hit for the next BC udpated. Michael McWhertor

December 2006 Backwards Compatiblity Update (Coming Soon/Not Active Yet) [CAG forums]

* Buffy the Vampire Slayer
* Burnout 3: Takedown (Updated)
* Dead Or Alive Ultimate
* Destroy All Humans!
* Dynasty Warriors 4
* Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
* Indigo Prophecy
* Family Guy
* Far Cry: Instincts
* Incredibles
* I-Ninja
* Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
* Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
* MotoGP
* MX Unleashed
* Open Season
* Pariah
* Psychonauts
* Rainbow Six: Lockdown
* Rapala Pro Fishing
* Scarface
* Shark Tale
* Shenmue II
* Splinter Cell: Double Agent
* The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
* Ultimate Spider-Man
* Wakeboarding Unleashed: Featuring Sean Murray
* Whacked!
* Winback 2: Project Poseidon
* Xiaolin Showdown

Searching through some of the titles in my personal library, I noticed some comforting things. For instance, Rez? "No major problems for this title." Cool. How about something like, say, Okami?

The following conditions have been confirmed on PS3 System Software Version 1.00.: At random points throughout the title, when an FMA plays, the audio stutters at a random point during playback, and continues to stutter throughout the duration of the FMA. All conditions have been resolved on PS3 System Software Version 1.10.

Okay, we're cool there, too. Nice to know the updates will take care of some issues.

Unfortunately, a few things are wonky. The entries for both Guitar Hero games also indicate there are "No major problems for this title." Personally, the lack of guitar controller support is a major problem for me. And where's Gitaroo Man? No entry?

Go on, Kotakuites! Check out your library. And let us know if you see anything strange in the comments. Michael McWhertor

PlayStation and PlayStation 2 Format Software Compatibility Status for PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware

Such as:

Do you have a response for people experiencing backwards compatibility issues and/or television upscaling problems?

I would like my car to fly and make me breakfast, but that's an unrealistic expectation. We've reported problems on only 200 of the 8000 PlayStation 1 and 2 games. I would challenge the average consumer to say that there are significant problems with any of the games in their library.

Okay, Jack. We get it. It's a small number, but you don't have to be a jerk about it. Omelette making hovercars are long overdue, true, but come on. I know that your spokespeople said well over a year ago that we shouldn't expect 100% compatability, but be nice. We're risking life and limb, dropping up to 600 bones on this thing! Michael McWhertor

SCEA VP on Backwards Compatibility: "I Would Like My Car To Fly and Make Me Breakfast" [Wired]

After learning of the inevitable issues with some PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles acting up on the PS3, Kaz Hirai, President/CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, says they're working on it.

We are aiming for perfect compatibility. Our goal is 100 percent compatibility. We are trying to get there as quickly as possible.

Sony expects to issue what Reuters refers to as "firmware" updates (presumably some elixir made of dried pixie wings and ground unicorn horns) to address problems with some 200-odd titles.

As long as my copy of Gitaroo Man works, I'll be a satisfied customer. Michael McWhertor

Sony software upgrades to fix PlayStation glitches [ABC News]
PS3 Backwards Compatability Has Some Kinks [Kotaku]

God. Damnit. IGN has attempted, and failed, to get the newly released PlayStation 2 title Guitar Hero II to work on their shiny new Sony monolith, only to be foiled by a forehead-smackingly bad design decision.

We assumed that Guitar Hero and its sequel would work perfectly well on the PlayStation 3. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. When you pop in a PS2 or PSone game, you're prompted to tap the PlayStation button on the controller. For what reason, we're not sure, but as Guitar Hero's SG controller doesn't have this button, you can't actually activate it. You also can't quick-swap from one controller to another as the second part of the problem lies in that you need to turn on analog control, but again, the SG guitar doesn't have an on/off button for analog play.

Surely their must be a way around this! This is, like, apocalyptically bad news.

I guess I'll keep my old North American PS2 around for a little while longer. But while we cry out to the heavens for mercy, let us pray that the folks at Sony are working diligently this weekend on a fix. Michael McWhertor

Guitar Hero II Compatible with PS3? [IGN]

Gamespot had the Sony folks bring by a real, working, shiny PlayStation 3 for this week's On The Spot segment. The PR folk showed up early, so they took advantage of that time by testing out the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 backward compatability.

Sadly, only two games were chosen and those two games were Gran Turismo 4 (don't own!) and Battle Arena Toshinden 3 (do not want!). Happily, both worked.

In addition to moderately sexy shots of GT4, the Cross Media Bar, and a double-bagger shot of Toshinden 3, they also have a pair of HOT HOT HOT informational menus showing the "internal memory card" creation and what it'll look like when you try to insert a region locked disc.

Can you taste the anticipation?! Michael McWhertor

PlayStation 3 Backward Compatibility Testing [Gamespot]