Sony gives more details on PS1 (and PS2) games available for download, including Syphon Filter and Twisted Metal at launch

20 October 2006

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Posted by:Josh

1up.com recently spoke with Phil Harrison regarding Sony’s Playstation Store, which will allow users to purchase classic PS1 games (and eventually PS2 titles, although don’t expect that for a while, probably not until late 2007 at the earliest).

Harrison unveiled that the PS3 will not enhance PS1 games that have been downloaded for play on the console, unlike the PS2, which would allow you to smooth over textures and increase load times for certain games. They will appear exactly as they did on the original Playstation when playing them on the PS3.

Sony intends to eventually have their entire back catalogue of PS1 games available for download through their online Playstation Store service. The only exception will apparently be titles in which the license that Sony had has expired (such as games that feature music tracks). “Unfortunately, when these games were originally developed, licenses weren’t negotiated with this sort of future distribution in mind,” said Harrison.

What is most definitely very cool is the fact that Harrison specifically mentioned the titles Vib Ribbon and Motor Toon Grand Prix as titles Sony could offer for the service. What makes that so cool is that the latter was only released in Japan and very limited in Europe, and the former is beloved by a cult following and is an extremely original title that many gamers missed out on. So this could be a great opportunity for Sony to take advantage of beloved titles that many gamers never got to play.

At the PS3 launch both Syphon Filter and Twisted Metal will be available for download via the online Playstation Store.

Harrison also explained how the PS1 downloads will initially be for play only on the PSP, but will later work on the PS3 when the emulation software is available. The beauty is that one download will be playable on both PlayStation machines, console and portable. According to Harrison, we can expect the games to be playable on PS3 by year’s end. Of course, actual PS1 and PS2 games (not downloaded) will play on the PS3 right from the start.

As mentioned in the press conference, a piece of content such as a PS1 game can be downloaded on up to five PS3s, meaning that when you log into your profile on someone else’s PS3 you have the rights to download it there as well.