Just yesterday we criticized Sony's new 80GB Playstation 3 for being overpriced while offering nothing new. Turns out, we were wrong.
New reports have indicated that the new 80GB model actually lacks the emotion engine chip which is responsible for PS2 backward compatibility. " The current 60 GB model utilizes a hardware solution for backwards compatibility, namely the Emotion Engine chip", said Sony's Kimberly Otzman. "The new 80 GB PS3 will use a software solution for backwards compatibility, similar to that currently found in the PAL model".
Playstation 3's incredible processing power ensures that the software solution won't affect performance. However, it would mean that 80Gb Playstation 3 owners will have to rely on software updates to add more games to their backward compatibility list, just like Xbox 360 owners. Meanwhile, Wii is 100% compatible with all GameCube software.
We stand our ground: "any gamer with simple hardware knowledge would be able to buy and install a 120 GB Western Digital hard disk for $104.99" (from previous MegaGames article).
On the other hand, if you look closely at the 80GB PS3 box (picture available in the Screens tab), you might notice that its Sixaxis controller features a red lit PS button (the one in the middle). This might mean a new/redesigned Sixaxis controller shipping with the new PS3 model. Rumors have it that the new Sixaxis is the rumored rumbling PS3 controller. But don't get too excited, this controller looks exactly like the controller that ship with debug Playstation 3 (the ones sent to developers and reviewers). Neither we nor Sony UK have any clue why the light was removed from retail controllers and we still have no clue whether the 80GB PS3 controller will rumble or not.
