Feeling nostalgic for old Sony games but only have a PS2? I wonder; is the PS2 backwards compatible?
Let’s find out, shall we?
The PS2 is still the best selling console of all time with 155 million sales. We all went crazy for it, and rightly so.
It remains one of the most iconic consoles of our generation, and not just for the PS logo that moved on the front.
Still, with almost 8,000 PS1 games in existence, the question we all asked ourselves was ‘is the PS2 backwards compatible’?
Imagine not being able to play those games anymore. Or, in today’s world, imagine finding your PS1 is broken and you only have your trusty PS2 to turn to.
Is all lost? Can the PS2 save the day?
Keep reading to find out!
Is The PS2 Backwards Compatible With PS1 Games?
You will be pleased to know that the PS2 is backwards compatible with most PS1 games.
Note that I said ‘most’ there.
Many of the titles that you know and love will work fine on both the Original PS2 model and the PS2 Slim.
That being said, there are some exceptions, so it’s worth knowing which titles won’t work before you get stuck in
Which PS2 Consoles Play PS1 Games?
Both the PS2 Original and the sleek PS2 slim have the ability to play the best PS1 games.
That means you can play Crash Bandicoot, Spyro: Year of the Dragon, and many more titles on either with ease.
Still, as I said above, there are exceptions for both consoles.
The PS2 Original cannot play all three PS1 Destruction Derby titles, Final Fantasy Tactics, Krazy Ivan, Or Metal Gear Solid: Special Missions.
The list for the PS2 Slim is much larger. There are 27 series that have problematic games on the Slim; here are the ones to look out for.
- 102 Dalmatians: Puppies To The Rescue
- Akuji The Heartless
- Barbie Race And Ride
- Broken Helix
- Gundam Battle Assault
- The Hive
- Hooters Road Trip
- In Cold Blood
- Jampack Vol. 2
- Land Before Time: Great Valley Racing Adventure
- Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider
- NFL Xtreme, 2000, 2001, Blades of Steel 2000, & Rock the Rink
- Nuclear Strike
- One
- PO’ed
- Powerboat Racing (VR Sports)
- Poy Poy 2
- Rascal
- Rushdown
- Sentient
- Speed Punks
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (video game)
- Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
- Soviet Strike
- Tomorrow Never Dies
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Worms
Do PS1 Memory Cards Work On The PS2?
If you have save files on PS1 memory cards from an old machine, then they will still work on the PS2. The main thing to remember is that they will only work on PS1 titles.
You can’t, for instance, save a a file from one of the best Jak and Daxter games for PS2 on there.
Coincidentally, if you are looking for the best PS1 memory cards, then I think there’s a hyperlink in this sentence that might help you!
What Services Work On The PS2?
The PS2 boasted internet capabilities back in the day, but the servers all closed down in 2016. You can still run DVDs and play both PS1 and PS2 games, but apart from that, it has no other services.
How Much Does A Backwards Compatible PS2 Cost?
A used PS2 Original, sometimes called the PS2 Fat, cost around $35 – $120, with prices rising depending on the quality of the console and wither it comes with any of the best PS2 accessories.
A used PS2 Slim comes in at a similar price, costing anywhere between $20 – $130.
Looking at the list of compatible games for each model above, I would say its best to go with the PS2 Original model rather than the Slim, especially as the prices are so similar for both.
Coincidentally, a used PS2 Original can cost upwards of $1,100, which isn’t in the ‘spare change’ teritory!
Can I Play PS1 Games On Any Other PlayStation Consoles?
All PS1 games can be played on any PS3 console, no matter whether it’s the PS3 Original, Slim, or Super Slim.
Unfortunately, PS1 games don’t work on the PS4 or the PS5; they’ don’t want anything to do with the older generation!
You can, however play PS2 games on the PS4 and PS5 thanks to PS Plus and PS Now subscriptions (soon to merge, unless you’re reading this in the future and they already have!).
And that’s a wrap!
Remember, the PS2 is backwards compatible with PS1 games, but not all of them work. Check the list above before purchasing a PS1 game for your PS2 to see if you can play it or not.
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Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
