New PS3 Version no Backwards Compatibility

Gamespot recently picked up on a story from The Hollywood Reporter stating that a new version of the Playstation 3 will be available state-side despite claims that the new version of the console would be released only in Europe.

The story from The Hollywood Reporter says that the new 40 GB version would be shipped to the US with a $399 price tag around November 2nd.

This new PS3 would be severely stripped down from the now discontinued 60 GB version. It would only have two USB ports as well as no additional memory card readers.

However, what is more concerning is lack of backwards compatibility with Playstation 2 titles. Strangely enough, the new PS3 will still be backwards compatible with PS1 games.

CVG has also recently reported that the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that there are no longer any plans on continuing with any future backwards compatible Playstation products.

"'...we believe this [backwards compatibility] less important now than when we launched... Furthermore we believe we should now be devoting our resources to the future of PlayStation gaming and delivering next generation experiences', Sony's said in a statement on its plan to phase out the 60GB PS3 in the UK and leave the new cut-down 40GB model as the only one available at retail."

Note that within this statement the information is only in relation to the new Playstation 3 console in Europe, not the United States. A US launch of the 40 GB still has not been confirmed.

It would be a very stupid move for Sony to end backwards compatibly because that function alone is a system selling quality. There may not be the demand in Europe that there is within the US for that functionality.