How to Play My PS2 Discs on My PS3 System

PlayStation 2 game discs can be played on older PlayStation 3 consoles.

It is only possible to play PlayStation 2 (PS2) game discs on a PlayStation 3 (PS3) if the PS3 is backward-compatible. This means that it must have PS2 emulators that read the PS2 game discs and play them. Unfortunately, only three PS3 models have backward compatibility. These are the earliest machines made. None of the newer PS3 models can play PS2 discs. Determine what model PS3 you have to find out if it will play PS2 game discs.

Instructions

1. Look at the bottom of the PS3 console. Make note of the serial code. It will begin with "CECH".

2. Determine if your PS3 model is backward compatible. The three serial codes that have backward compatibility are "CECHA01," "CECHB01" and "CECHE01." They are the 60 GB, 20 GB and 80 GB consoles.

3. Place the PS2 game disc in the PS3 game slot, just as you would with a PS3 game disc. The console will read the disc and start the game.

Tips & Warnings

• The 60 GB and 20 GB PS3 consoles have PS2 hardware emulation, which reads PS2 game discs easily. The 80 GB console has PS2 software emulation, and may not read every PS2 game.

• Just putting a PS2 game into the PS3 will tell you if the machine is backward compatible. You will get an error message if the game cannot be played.

• Any PS3 released after October 2007 does not have backward compatibility. If you bought the newer PS3 after the price reduction, it will not play PS2 game discs.

• Do not try to mod the PS3 console. Do not tear apart the console to try and get it to play PS2 games. This voids your warranty. If you break it, it stays broken. Sony will not fix it for you.

References

• eDepot: PlayStation 3 Secrets

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish