It’s not going to work like that.
Like the Vita does with PSP games, the service will start slowly and evolve.
At E3, the emulator was clearly at an early stage: it didn’t have the ability to play games in full screen (PSone games just ran in a little window) and it didn’t use the analog sticks.
This, naturally, won’t be the case when the emulator is released to the public – as far as we know the service will support a full screen mode (with the option to change the size via the touch screen menu) and, of course, it’ll make full use of those twin analog sticks in games that used them originally.
The rear touch screen will take the place of the L2 and R2 buttons.
What we don’t know is whether there’ll be any special filters or upscaling applied to the visuals. Some PSone games still look great, but a lot look pretty ropey now – it’d be nice to see some options in terms of how they’re presented and hopefully the full screen option won’t look as blurry as it does on the 3DS when standard DS games are blown up.
We’ve been informed that any PSone games you’ve bought that run on the PS3 will be free to download again, which is decent, but there won’t suddenly be a massive pile of PSone games on the Store – we understand that there’ll be a handful at the start and then they’ll be released in batches.
The Vita will have its own compatibility list, like the PSP’s, which will double check titles before they go onto the Store. The initial batch of games is likely to include Jet Moto, Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII, Cool Boarders 2, Wild Arms, Arc the Lad, and Twisted Metal 2.
At least, they were the games playable at E3.
Of course, Sony haven’t said anything official on this yet beyond the initial press release, but once they do we’ll let you know.
Darksidesystems
This is just another step in the right direction for the under-loved wee beastie that is the Vita. Who knows what item they’ll tick off from the list of features that we were promised at launch?
Also, I bet the 25 PS1 games I’ve had through PS+ won’t work straight away just like the Minis didn’t. You heard it here first.
Youles
“We’ve been informed that any PSone games you’ve bought that run on the PS3 will be free to download again, which is decent”
To be honest, that’s the least I’d expect. If not, I’d simply not buy them again.
KeRaSh
Yeah, why wouldn’t it be that way? Those titles are in my download list and are marked as “bought” in the PSN store. Just like PSP games that are compatible with the Vita…
Youles
Indeed, there would be no point being loyal to Sony if I had to buy the same game several times to play if on varying Sony platforms. I might as well sample a new game elsewhere on Steam or something than repeatedly buying the same game just to have the convenience of playing it on various platforms. That’s the minimum I would expect for buying several of the consoles – bearing in mind the games in question are 2 generations old.
Youles
*their consoles
fs
In defence of the 3DS you can actually alter the scree settings and maintain the crisp visuals. I’m very tempted to buy a Vita, I just need to have atleast 5 games i’d enjoy for it out first. A football management game would be great and also a command and conquer syle RTS would work. Can’t really see the latter happening though.
Youles
I’ve been hoping for a turn-based strategy game since day one, perfect for touch screen. Anything like C&C or Advance Wars would be great.
Facelord
Ha, alter the screen settings so that it’s pretty much a two-inch screen in the middle of your screen. That’s no way to enjoy DS games, especially with the 3DS’ screens already being so small.
The Vita does PSP games RIGHT. It upscales the visuals for bilinear filtering and I think it actually runs the old PSP titles at the new resolution, through emulation. It’s pretty glorious. Seriously, if the 3DS has a genuine flaw don’t defend it, coddling is the last thing Nintendo needs.
tyrant161
I just hope they get the emulation right because the the ps1 emulation on ps3 is a bit pants on an hd tv……they need to bleem up the graphics (anyone remember bleemcast MGS and GT2 emulator discs for dreamcast) it worked well and made the games look loads better. MGS and Tomb raider on my ps3/42″ hdtv looks terrible, yet my pc can hook up to my tv and play the same ps1 games with loads better visuals than the ps3, by simply using epsxe emulator for pc. Sony need to sort it out. I hope the vita does a better job.
ron_mcphatty
Thats a pretty good starting selection, I thought that the first PS1 and PS2 classics released for PS3 and PSP were a bit meh.
Dom El
If I can finally play Final Fantasy 9 I’ll be a happy chap!
LTG Davey
“The rear touch screen will take the place of the L2 and R2 buttons.”
Cant see that working at all. That rear touch screen is far too sensitive and would make games like Tomb Raider unplayable for me.
Dom El
Hopefully there’ll be a way of tinkering with the set up so you can map extra stuff to the d-pad/ second analogue stick – or completely rework everything. Most games should be playable if so.
dave87fez
Yeah, I found that at first on FIFA, so I’ve had to change my way of holding it. Look like a right posh snob playing with my pinkies and third fingers sticking out!
LTG Davey
Lol, it was Fifa that got me too. Lost count how many times I took a shot on goal by misake.
Sympozium
Well if that’s the case Sony (by employing Nintendo) can build a new add-on that will add R2 and L2 to the VITA thus expanding gameplay options.
Meh but there’s no way the rear touch pad will work well but since loads of Psone games hardly used analog, R stick can be used as R1 and R2 considering its normally camera controls.
Sympozium
Hopefully…. like PSP.
Kennykazey
I can’t wait to play FF on my Vita! I’m sure we’ll be able to use the ps3 to vita trick with some.
dave87fez
Hopefully the Crash Bandicoot games will be early on the compatibility list…be nice to dfeat Cortex while waiting for my wife to finish shopping!
BalramRules
I think every PSOne game on PS3 should be for the PS Vita, I mean… how hard can it be to port it from PS3 to PS Vita? Just keep the same controls, the only problem that may occur is the R1/R2 or L1/L2 buttons that’ll require modding, but that’s practically it. ;)