Rumor: PS2 emulation wont support your old discs on PS4

The official PlayStation Youtube page may have inadvertently given away some guarded details on the PlayStation 4’s impending ability to play classic video games. A leaked video, which has since been removed from public view, suggests PlayStation 2 games will be enhanced on PS4 with 1080p resolution, Trophies, Shareplay and Remote Play - but that the PlayStation 2 retail discs you own won’t work.

Sony has confirmed plans are underway to get PlayStation 2 games functional on its latest platform, while the more complex PlayStation 3 games are corralled in the PlayStation Now streaming service. Players who cherish the good ol’ days have been curious as to how PS2 games might be altered, if at all, and which would be supported first.

The unverified video (since removed, but captured by Twitter users @bradazking and @Wario64), claims to show PS2 game Dark Cloud running on PS4. The striking thing, beyond, um, this not being cult classic Dark Cloud 2, is the description near the bottom: “Gameplay footage from Dark Cloud PS2 game on the PS4 system. Experience Dark Cloud with 1080p up-rendering and Trophies.” And further down: “PS2 Classics and PS2-formatted discs are incompatible with the PS4 system.”

While this description is subject to change, given that it’s from a leak and unlikely to be verified by Sony until it’s ready to make an announcement, the language clearly suggests that PS2 games on PS4 will be separate, modified versions that don’t constitute complete, system-wide emulation of existing discs.

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