(Parody) No BC: Why I Refused to Buy SNES, N64, the Gamecube, and Now PS4

I am absolutely outraged. Appalled! Another system has chosen to not have Backwards Compatibility. That is completely unacceptable and practically unheard of!

The PlayStation 4 will not be playing copies of previous Playstation games. They make excuse after excuse, but we know better than the developers of the system, am I right!? A Ps3 chip would probably only cost them 3 cents to include, but they have the gall to pretend as if it would be some sort of expense that might raise the price of the system! And software BC....don't get me started! How could they not include software BC? They claim that it's because the hardware architecture is different, but how could that get in the way? We already have emulators running Ps3 on PC at an entire 3 frames per second! How could Sony not get a conflicting design to work on a system AN ENTIRE SINGLE GENERATION after it? And why not Ps1 and Ps2 games? Software emulation would take absolutely no effort! I mean, look at the Xbox 360...all of the original Xbox games could be played on day 1!

Needless to say, this makes Ps4 completely worthless in my eyes. When the Sony Gestapo breaks down my door and takes away my Ps3, what will I even do? It's not like new ps1s were around until 2006, or ps2s through 2012, or anything like that; Once the generation is done, Sony drops console support like a ton of bricks! If my Ps3 dies, ever other ps3 in the world will also be dead and my ps3 games will be paperweights for eternity!

This is really going to get in the way of Sony selling systems. I didn't buy SNES, N64, or Gamecube for this exact reason. Nintendo trying to con us into buying new games with "Super" at the beginning of the title was a sickening tactic. Playing Super Mario 64 at the local electronics retailer left a disgusting taste in my mouth as the realization that I could only play Super Mario World on the system it was intended for boiled in my mind. Luigi's Mansion made me wonder if Luigi was searching for the lost spirits of N64 games and Pikmin was a cruel collection of the drooling, lemming fools that would buy a system without BC.

I can't believe we even have to discuss this subject. Sony is simply wrong. I never have and never will buy a games console that doesn't play old games! SHAME! Shame on you, Sony!

[SilentNegotiator]

Don't get me wrong; I'm not happy that Ps4 won't have BC. I'm disappointed. But the backlash has been completely disproportionate when the explanation is so simple (and it isn't something new for systems to not have BC):

1) A Ps3 chip would cost considerable money and the price barrier was an issue for Ps3.
2) Software BC would be very difficult to impossible with the architectures being so different.

We could go back to the cell and have unhappy developers. Or have a more expensive system. Either way having less developer support. Do either of those sound appealing to you just for BC? Or can we move on?

[GalacticEmpire]

Brilliant! Laughed all the way through.

"When the Sony Gestapo breaks down my door and takes away my Ps3, what will I even do?"

HAHAHA! Didn't you know, all PS3s have a proximity sensor built in so when you take home a PS4 they will self destruct.

I'm with you that BC would have been nice but, since it's being used a weapon in the MS fanboy arsenal, it is being greatly exaggerated.

[SilentNegotiator]

Fanboys looking for a weak spot is definitely a part of it, but there are a lot of people that just don't seem to get it; the barriers preventing Ps4 from BC (unfortunately) make complete sense. You can't have BC forever with changing hardware. And that didn't make SNES, N64, or Gamecube bad systems and won't make Ps4 a bad system. Yes, N64 and Gamecube had subpar sales, but I guarantee that had nothing to do with not having BC (ps1 didn't have BC, either, since PS was a new brand - didn't stop it from outselling the N64 by a mile).

[Ducky]

^ Are you still making a parody or were you actually serious with those last few points?

PS1 didn't have BC, but it outsold the N64, another console without BC.
In that case, BC wouldn't have made a difference because none of the competitors have it either.
The same holds true for the systems before it.

GameCube used discs, the N64 didn't. BC wouldn't really work there either.

[GalacticEmpire]

@Ducky

"PS1 didn't have BC"

Actually PS1 could play every single previous Playstation game :P

[GalacticEmpire]

@DK

Guess you decided to miss the bit of my comment that said "BC would have been nice". Nobody is denying that it wouldn't be a good feature, quite frankly I don't know why you jumped to that conclusion. Almost sounds like you're afraid to lose that point as an argument in favor of your own agenda.

I agree with the "one model with it and another without it" solution, but then it may take development/research time and money away from making the console as good as it can possibly be, which I'd rather see happen.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

@GalacticEmpire

"It might take development time away from making the console good"

Do you honestly believe this? Do you honestly believe there's just one person working on these consoles, and for him to focus on another feature would stop it from being good? And to focus on another thing, you honestly think that not adding BC would keep it good?

I understand that you said it would be a nice feature to have, but your apathy towards it makes me think otherwise. Backwards Compatibility is a feature that should be becoming a standard, not an exception. And many gamers lately have been f***ing over the rest of us because they're so damn complacent with accepting everything their favorite companies do. Instead of demanding that they get the best for their moneys worth, they're allowing companies to enact DRM, remove features, and treat them like crap.

[lex-1020]

@DK

While you make some good points let me point out some more.

PS2 VS. Gamecube. Everyone know the PS2 was going to be a better console, and was priced at roughly the same price. It had the best game to. How many people actually bought a PS2 and played PS1 games on it? Probably not many.

GBA/GBC- First, and at the time, only Handheld gaming market. Plus Nintendo had an outstanding reputation at the time.

DS- Same as above, the PSP came out but cost to much money for a handheld.

PS1- Why is this even in here? We are comparing consoles with backwards comparability.

Xbox360- I will admit BC probably helped this, but I think the fact that the jump in graphics was so intense no one cared.

PS3- The PS3 sold more consoles immediately after they dropped BC in favor of a more reasonable price.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. Idk, it might be it might not be. But when ever you post statistics you need to post all the information about them.

[shadow2797]

"GameCube used discs, the N64 didn't. BC wouldn't really work there either. "

PS3 used Cell, PS4 doesn't. BC wouldn't really work there either.

Less obvious to the consumer, maybe, but still a legitimate reason to not include it.

Although I would like at least PS1 games to be supported. PSP and Vita both do software emulation of those just fine. There's also plenty of PS1 games on the PS Store. Seems strange.

PS2 games would also be nice, but more understandable than the exclusion of PS1 games.

And before anyone asks, I played a lot of PS1 and PS2 games the first year I had a PS3. I still have a few I'd like to play. No BC isn't a deal breaker for me though.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

The argument for the other systems can be seen that their formats are completely different (Save for the SNES and Nes). What's the defense for the other ones?

[StoneyYoshi]

UHHH the architecture? DUH!

And regarding your comment about BC becoming a standard?? Really? LMAO!!!

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

^^^

This is why we can't have nice things. Because you're complacent with having features removed. The architecture for the Wii is different than the Gamecube, yet it plays Gamecube games. The architecture for the DS is different compared to GBA and Gameboy yet guess what, it plays those. The architecture for the PS2 is different compared to Ps1 and PS3. Yet The ps3 (old ones before sony became cheapasses) played Ps2 and ps1 games.

I don't understand why people like you want these features removed. I have been able to play a ton of my PS2 games that are scratched up on my PS3. Thanks to people like you, I may have never been able to do that on the Ps3 because you're perfectly fine with them removing these features.

[StoneyYoshi]

I never said at all that i ever wanted it removed, or said I'm perfectly fine with it....

I would love it if it had backwards compatibility. but guess what....its not happening.(at least not until Gaikai figures out how to do it)

So quit crying over spilled milk! If you really want to play your old games so bad, then what's the harm in playing your old games on the system they were made for?? I understand your laziness on having to power on a different system, but seriously? I don't see how blaming somebody being optimistic about the whole situation as the one who caused BC to not be on the PS4 I still have my PS1, PS2, PSP, PSV, and my PS3 and I always will have them. if one breaks, then I'll buy another one for dirt cheap!

Quit being so pessimistic about everything and grow up....

[wishingW3L]

it's not new for a car to not have A/C but who will buy a car without A/C these days? The only way would be if there is no other options like it's happening here. There is no BC and that's the end of it, there is no other choice.

And how do you know that putting the Cell would cost considerable money? Right now the PS3 costs $300 and Sony are making a profit off it. The system has really expensive Rambus ram memory, blue-tooth, blu-ray drive (which are still pretty pricey), GPU, HDD and the rest of the components of the motherboard like the IOH. BUT in reality the Cell in its state and based on the fact that the PS3 is profitable means that the Cell can't cost more than $40 to make.

And beside, Sony could just always either use the parts necessary for the emulation or just make the transistors smaller! Or even better... Just make a SKU with BC and one without it. What is the excuse here? Is not like they aren't going to sell a premium sku that will be like $100 more expensive just because it comes with bigger HDD or something. Well instead of bigger HDD I bet many people would pay more for a SKU with BC.

If there is no BC on the PS4 is because Sony learned that people are dumb enough to buy the same old games over and over again.

[SilentNegotiator]

You really just compared A/C to BC? Talk about trying too hard.

You don't design cars to work with any and all old parts.

[Alos88]

An amusing read, I like it!

[specialagent4532]

What about the psn account if I create a new account for PS4. Will I be able to keep my trophies, psn friends ids, psn games like the last guy, the movies and shows a gamer bought on psn video store (I lost all my PSN movies and shows due to I saved them on an external hard drive). If I can keep all of that for the PS4 that's cool if not well it proves how stone age and greedy console makers are.

[GalacticEmpire]

You won't need to create a new account, you use your existing one.

I'm fairly sure movies/music and other media will be compatible with the PS4, only games will be affected.

Also the PSN will still remember which games you bought so, if in the future, a solution to BC (like Gaikai) is put in place, you may get your games again for free.

http://www.polygon.com/2013...

[zerocrossing]

I'm in a rather unique situation here, I have a dead PS3 and a whole bunch of games I haven't played or finished yet, I can either buy a PS4 and forget about my old games I paid hard cash for or I can by a PS3 and play them.

Since I don't have the luxury of buying both a PS4 and PS3, BC would have been a very nice inclusion. I still think they could have included it using an emulating method like the 360 had, that way the differing architecture wouldn't have been as big of an issue.

[shadow2797]

You could also pay $150 to have your PS3 fixed if it's out of warranty. That's probably less than the premium you would pay to get a PS4 with BC.

Or just wait on the PS4 until it comes down in price, since you have a whole bunch of games to play.

Is it more inconvenient? Sure. But it's hardly a problem that's impossible to solve.

[Deadpool616]

zerocrossing, I suggest you buy another PS3 (something I had to do) and just wait out PS4.

Look at this way, remember when this gen started, and companies were still making ports for PS2? Well that's likely to happen with PS3 games as well. The PS3 games will only lack specific PS4 features and visuals, but who knows how much of a difference PS4 games are going to be? You might be purchasing additional stuff you don't even need to enjoy the game.

Not to say the PS4 won't be worth it, because I haven't a clue. I suggest you don't make the jump until the PS4 has proven it's worth in value, and in quality. There could be reliability issues with next gen consoles, from cutting corners or just rushing to get it on shelves. Hopefully that will not be repeated.

[Amplitude]

You can give a million legitimate reasons explaining the logic of why the PS4 doesn't have backwards compatibility (kind of comedically while we dont even know how the Gaikai BC will work) and why its a good thing on so many other levels.

But, like a one-track-minded old person everybody's just gonna keep saying THIS IS BS Y CANT IT PLAY LAST GEN STUFF ITS NEXT GEN. ...and they'll never learn. Till Uncharted 4 comes out and they stop caring.

[kayoss]

Did you forget that ps3 architecture is much different then the ps4? They clearly explain why the couldn't do BC. Ps3 uses a cell architecture where as the ps4 uses the x86 so just putting in a " ps3 chip" is not as easy as you think. Maybe read up on the facts and reasons why before ranting.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Hahaha! Very funny. I've never understood why people REQUIRE backwards compatibility since it has never been a common feature in game consoles. And I laugh every time someone acts as though adding one more console to their entertainment center is going to be a huge hassle. Is a PS4 really going to crowd up your cardboard-box apartment if you sit it next to the PS3? Really?

[MonkeyNinja]

+ Well Said Bubble for having common sense! Totally agree.

[maniacmayhem]

Yes Dedicated, yes it will. Cable Box, Surround sound center speaker, Sensor bar, 360, Ps3, Wii and now a PS4??

Way too crowded.

I guess I could move into a fabulous huge mansion with acres of theater space and line up all my consoles, plus my NES, Dreamcast and SNES in a neat row under my personal Imax screen. No problem at all.

BC may not be very important to some but it is to others and I feel a lot of these comments have the whole "Deal with It" attitude that everyone bashed Orth about.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Simple solution: don't have all your systems hooked up. I have a dozen consoles and hundreds of games. 80% are stored away safely. Reduces clutter, reduces dust getting in them, reduces the behind-the-TV wire tangle. The only downside is - oh the horror! - sometimes I have to spend 90 seconds taking a system from the closet and plugging it in.

[specialagent4532]

Why must I create a new account for the PS4 and if this new account will replace my old account. If it replaces it bye bye PSN digital data.

[maniacmayhem]

That's you, but it isn't everyone. 90 seconds or 90 minutes it would be much easier if the system did it all. I like to call this concept "convenience".

I don't have the storage space to just take out an old system and hook all to a router or back of the TV. And usually once I put something in an external storage, that is it, it is forgotten.

With a lot of the better games still to come for the PS3/360 it would be nice to see the next systems have BC. I personally still haven't played or finished a lot of back catalog games that I want too.

My point is BC should be a welcome addition. It's obvious that there is a fanbase for it with the back catalog of games that each system resells digitally on their stores.

[dedicatedtogamers]

"My point is BC should be a welcome addition."

100% agreement. I'm not AGAINST BC. I just take it if it's offered, and let it go if it's not. Some people (not yourself, necessarily) act as if a lack of BC is some kind of system-killing dealbreaker.

"It's obvious that there is a fanbase for it with the back catalog of games that each system resells digitally on their stores."

True, but untrue. If I could get...let's say...a copy of Xenogears around the same price PSN sells it for ($9.99), which I can't, but let's just say I could. I still would buy the digital copy. More convenient, more scratch-resistant, able to be played on either console (PS3) or handheld (PSP,PSVita). But that's an old game. If we're talking about BC for games just one generation back, then it's a bit more understandable. In my opinion, the older a game gets, the more convenient it is to offer a digital version and/or an HD remix on the current hardware.

[lex-1020]

People require BC because they grew up in this generation. They never played the SNES, or the NES. They don't understand that BC is a really new concept. Just like HD graphics. People think that if something doesn't have amazing graphics it can't be good. They grew up in this generation and don't know anything else.

[TechnicianTed]

BC isn't a new concept, Atari used it in the 80's.

[MonkeyNinja]

Awesome article. I think backwards compatibility is something that many fanboys want, but very few actually use. I had PS2, and played a few PSone games on it, had original BC PS3, played a few PS2 games on it. I don't think it's worth implementing, but that's just my opinion.

[Bladesfist]

I have limited desk space because of my multi monitor setup. I play a lot of old games on my PC. It would be very convenient to have backwards compatibility. I can't imagine having to gather my previous PCs and set them up everytime I wanted to play an older game.

[SilentNegotiator]

Old PC games sometimes need emulators (and/or unofficial patches) to work on modern PCs, however. I don't have my SNES or N64 on the shelf anymore; it's packaged up and I have an emulator with all of my games DL'd.

I have 6th gen and beyond systems hooked up, but the gamecube and ps2 have pretty decent emulators now.

There's no need to have all that many consoles hooked up either, unless you're the AVGN.

[JohnDread]

Good thing you marked the post as a parody in the title man. Best way to avoid shitstorms nowadays.

[Nicaragua]

Not only is it not backwards compatible but the PS4 dosn't even exist !

You know, since sony havent shown a plastic shell then the whole thing must be bollocks.

[Bladesfist]

I would put a /s in there before you get attacked by people who can't pick up on sarcasm.

[Nicaragua]

Nicaragua doesn't do "/s", I let morons be morons.

[hesido]

Yes, the /s takes the fun out of sarcasm. But most people don't get it, even you go to extremes with exaggeration. Don't even bother with being subtle.

[Lacarious]

fo real? dude... c'mon now... is this supposed to be funny or some kind of ingenious thought? seriously dude, wake the F up.

Let me break it down super simple for you. BC is to current consoles as wireless controllers are to current consoles.

Not make sense? Well, lets just say that the world has evolved just a tiny bit since the SNES days. If the NES came out today, just imagine how simple it is (Wii U) for a SNES to BC a X KB NES game. It would be super simple.

Trying to compare something in today's 2013 gaming world to a gaming world of 1990 is not funny, bright or anything at all. Its a bit dumb, I say.

Now, I hope you have learned your lesson and keep up with your username and stay silent on this matter going forward.

In fact, try to keep from this type of thought process the rest of your life.

[SilentNegotiator]

Going from the cell processor architecture from last gen to the new processor this gen is not the same thing at all.

If it were going from the same architecture to a more power version of the same architecture (or multiple generations later with different architecture), THEN it would be a no brainer.

If you don't understand something that basic with hardware, you're the one that should stay silent.

[Lacarious]

Ahhhh mr silent... you completely miss the point or don't understand it. Today's gaming is not last decades gaming. Things have evolved quite a bit as of late. You're trying to compare current gen to ancient old gen. Like I said, things have evolved a bit so trying to make a "parody" based on old gen vrs new gen is very dumb and highly pointless. Its a pathetic attempt at trying to find something to write about when you have nothing to write about.

[zerocrossing]

What a lot of people who are defending Sony's decision to not include BC are forgetting is that there are very easy and cost efficient methods to include it.

MS's 360 had an emulating ability that could read the hard disc copy of certain games and play them from a downloaded source, it wasn't perfect and only worked with selected titles from an expanding list but it was still BC, so why not incorporate such a method or at least a similar one for the PS4? It completely bypasses the "different architecture" argument and it's well within Sony's ability.

[shadow2797]

That only works if the new hardware is similar enough, or powerful enough, to emulate the old hardware.

The Cell is not a conventional chip by any means. There's a reason people strung several PS3's together to perform calculations.

PCs more powerful than the PS4 can't emulate PS3 games at playable framerates. Why do you think it would be so easy for Sony to do so on the PS4? The games would have to be recoded and rereleased like the PS2 collections this gen.

However, Sony has said they may be able to use Gaikai to let you play PS3 games through your PS4 via streaming. Unfortunately, that's the best you're going to get.

[kayoss]

Yes it is within their ability, but at what cost to the consumers? When ps3 with emotion chip for bc, the system was at $ 500 and people were already bitching about. Sony decided to remove the emotion chip to cut cost. If you want something you need to pay for it. If you think it's too expensive then don't bitch about it and live with it. Regardless of what Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo does there will be people who will continue to complain.

[zerocrossing]

How is this any different to my satire article I wrote last month that you reported? ( http://n4g.com/user/blogpos... ) is it somehow OK as long as you're defending Sony?

[lex-1020]

It's not. You're just being the bigger person by not reporting his article. You both had equally valid opinions, whether misinformed (his words) or not. This will always be something that is being debated. BC would be cool, but ultimately Sony realized something. It's not needed. When they cut BC from the PS3 to lower the price the sales increased. People were still buying PS2s, and PS3s. Sony is figuring the same thing is going to happen here. People are still going to buy the PS4, BC or not, and Sony knows this. And the people who want to play their PS3 games will keep or buy a PS3. Either way not including BC is a win win for Sony. Cost's less money, and gains more money. Simple.

[coolbeans]

That's a good point, actually.

[zerocrossing]

I guess you don't get any respect on this site if you go against the grain...

[coolbeans]

Silent actually PM'd me in order to clarify (since he's out of bubbles):

"I reported ZeroCrossing's blog because it compared the logical understanding of much different hardware being a difficulty/impossibility to achieve in a single generation later with religious zeal, as if logical understanding made the person a fanboy.

Furthermore, my report didn't get his blog taken down, so I was wrong; such a blog must be perfectly acceptable."

Just call me the PM Postman! :D

[zerocrossing]

Yeah, a logical understanding pulled straight from pure speculation, Silent's method of reasoning is no different from that of those who are dismissed for daring to accuse Sony of potentially having hidden agenda for not including BC.

That is why I chose to liken Religious fanaticism and heretics to that of fanboys and haters, at their core there's very little to differentiate the two.

Also, Silent could explain all of that to me personally if he hadn't blocked me from messaging him due to a petty disagreement that he apparently ended up being incorrect about anyway.

But whatever, thanks for the post coolbeans ;)

[coolbeans]

No problem. Whenever you need a middleman to settle disputes, just call me: the PM Postman. XD

[e-p-ayeaH]

Sony always included BC and PS4 is shifting that into something else.

fans have the right to dislike that decision.

[thebudgetgamer]

Well it seems everyone was screaming to get rid of the cell, now this is the result.

I think having it would be nice but not a dealbreaker.

[Bathyj]

Some Playstation fans are upset about this, but I think they understand why its necessary. After they dropped BC for PS3 there were some complains, and that quickly died down. Most PS3 owners dont have BC now and they probably dont even think about it.

As I've said before, most of the people vocally complaining about not being able to play PS3 games on PS4, are the same people who dont bother playing PS3 games now.

[coolbeans]

"...most of the people vocally complaining about not being able to play PS3 games on PS4, are the same people who dont bother playing PS3 games now."

I can see that being the case for some, but most people? That's an unfair generalization.

[rezzah]

When you stand back it funny to see how people fight over this one thing.

People want convenience on both sides.

Not wanting to pay extra money (for BC) + Have a harder system to develop games on, which leads to the creation of less games overall.

Then you have:

Not enough room on my shelf for an extra console + My PS3 died and I have a ton of games yet to be played (not enough money for 2 consoles).

The latter thinks of the here and now. I can supply information that would be helpful to those who lack patience, but then again they don't have patience.

[bobtheimpaler]

Hilarious. Well written and explains the legitimate reasons for the lack of BC.

I personally don't think BC is important. I bought a PS2 a few years back as my launch PS3 died. I probably played the PS2 for about a week and it just collects dust. Having a PS3 and PS4 hooked up isn't a problem for me if I do decide to revisit some titles.

Perhaps there will be some kind of addon for the PS4. Sony has a patent for such a device. If they do release something like this it would be great so this way it would be user pays.

[Skate-AK]

They aren't making or are in short supply of hardware pieces for the PS3. If there is a shortage of pieces a year or two into having BC how would they explain the loss to the consumer? "Sorry the company's we get the parts from no longer manufacture them. So no more BC." It would be PS3 all over again but with the PS4 losing BC. Also if parts are limited then there would have to be a balance between still making and selling PS3s or scrapping un-sold and future PS3s for the parts to run BC. Everyone knows that Sony supports their previous console for years. Even after the successor has launched.

[SnakeCQC]

whats wrong with loyal playstation fans wanting an option to play their ps3 games on the ps4. I mean id pay extra for this feature just like i did with my ps3 60gb version

[kayoss]

You and I are the minority. Some people just find anything to bitch about. Sony gave fans bc with the ps3, they complained its too expensive. Sony remove bc from ps3, people complain about. Lose lose situation in my opinion.

[SnakeCQC]

exactly whats wrong with having options

[fsfsxii]

Question: Did the GC have BC for the N64?? Might be a dumb question but ok.

[Skate-AK]

Nope. It did have an add-on that made it to where you could play GBC and GBA games on your TV though.

[_FantasmA_]

Well how come you don't talk poop about cars, appliances, and movies? I mean shouldn't all your new Ferrari engine parts work with your old station wagon, and shouldn't your BluRay or DVD be able to play your VHS?? Why would you spend $400-$500 to play older games that you can play on a cheaper $200-$300 dollar PS3. Besides games run better on their native systems anyways. Not to mention the added cost to the system.

[PirateThom]

The system could have had backwards compatibility.... but it would basically require the PS4 to have the guts of a PS3 and that just isn't cost effective and it would probably generate a fair amount of extra, unnecessary heat in the system.

The original PS3 basically had a PS2 inside it and people complained it was too expensive, so they've decided against this and, hopefully, the end result is an affordable system.

[wishingW3L]

first time ever I've seen a blog with these many comments! But people say that BC is not important....

[brich233]

WAHHHHHHH

[frogonalog]

1. Why play old games on a new console?
2. Why buy a new console to play old games?