Skip to main content. Serial Number Lookup. Old Reznor North America Website (RezSpec.com). Use this form to search PSE bow serial numbers. Enter your serial number in the space provided and click the Search button. Thank you for purchasing PSE!
Which PS3 Is Backwards Compatible With PS2? It’s a fair question to ask for sure, not least because shortly after the release of the PS3 console in 2006-2007, Sony didn’t really make a big deal over the fact that the earliest iterations of the console could play PS2 games.
Which PS3 Is Backwards Compatible With PS2?
Unfortunately, PS2 games simply aren’t guaranteed to work on every PS3 console. This is because shortly after the launch of the PS3, Sony began to phase out the functionality across the numerous variants of the console that would follow.
So with that in mind, here’s how PS2 backwards compatibility shapes up across the various iterations of Sony’s PS3 console.
Which PS3 Is Backwards Compatible With PS2 – PS3 Slim
So straight off the bat, the newer slim-line and super-slim range of PS3 consoles is not compatible with PS2 games – regardless of the model number.
This is how to tell if your PS3 is a slim-line and PS2 non-compatible variant:
–The PS3 slim console is a skinner, smaller console (trust us there is a massive difference in size between this version of the console and the original PS3 console)
–The PS3 slim console has a matte black finish which isn’t as shiny as the original PS3
–Instead of the full console title of ‘PlayStation 3′ written on the top of the chassis, the slim PS3 console has the PS3 logo
Which PS3 Is Backwards Compatible With PS2 – PS3 Original 60GB
Only available at launch, these George Foreman grill-looking beasts are only compatible with PS2 games that are downloaded from the PlayStation Store. They will not recognise any physical PS2 discs.
This is how to tell if your PS3 is a 60GB original and PS2 non-compatible variant:
–The PS3 original 60GB variant is a massive console that looks like a George Foreman grill, with a curved uppermost section of the chassis. It’s also super heavy
–The PS3 original 60GB variant should have no less than four USB ports
–A flash card reader should be present
–Full Wi-Fi support should be present
–The word ‘PlayStation 3′ should be emblazoned on the top of the chassis
–The chassis of the PS3 original 60GB variant should be shiny (and not matte like the slim version)
Which PS3 Is Backwards Compatible With PS2 – PS3 Original 80GB
Playstation 3 Serial Number Lookup
Often included with special edition variants such as the Metal Gear Solid 4 bundled PS3, these hulking PS3s will be able to run physical PS2 games on the condition that you haven’t taken it online and downloaded the latest system update. The latest software update for the PS3 will ensure that the console will not recognise any physical PS2 discs.
This is how to tell if your PS3 is an 80GB original:
–The PS3 original 80GB variant is a massive console that looks like a George Foreman grill, with a curved uppermost section of the chassis. It’s also super heavy
Ps3 Serial Number Lookup
–The PS3 original 80GB variant should have no less than four USB ports
–A flash card reader should be present
–Full Wi-Fi support should be present
–The word ‘PlayStation 3′ should be emblazoned on the top of the chassis
–The chassis of the PS3 original 80GB variant should be shiny (and not matte like the slim version)
Which PS3 Is Backwards Compatible With PS2 – PS3 Original 20GB
Now this is the one you want. Only available at launch, the original 20GB PS3 console is able to play physical PS2 games right out of the box.
Sony Ps3 Serial Number Lookup
This is how to tell if your PS3 is an original 20 GB PS2 compatible variant:
–The PS3 original 20GB variant is a massive console that looks like a George Foreman grill, with a curved uppermost section of the chassis. It’s also super heavy.
–The PS3 original 20GB variant should have no less than four USB ports.
–There is no flash card reader on the machine
–Wi-Fi is not supported
–The word ‘PlayStation 3′ should be emblazoned on the top of the chassis.
–The chassis of the PS3 original 20GB variant should be shiny (and not matte like the slim version)
–The model number should ALWAYS begin with ‘CECHB’. To locate the model and serial number of the PS3, look on the back of the system and a barcode sticker containing the ‘CECHB’ string should be present
Where To Buy A PS3 Console That Will Play PS2 Games
Sony Playstation 3 Serial Number Check
Now this is the especially tricky part. Given that the PS3 launched the better part of 14 years ago, getting hold of one of those prized 20 GB PS3 originals won’t be easy.
As a result, your only sensible option is to check out second-hand outlets everywhere such as eBay and others.
At the time of writing, PS3 20GB consoles that can play PS2 games are selling for $280.00 (including shipping) on eBay.
Additionally, local markets and sellers are also worth checking out too – not least because some sellers of the 20 GB PS3 original console might be unaware that the machine plays PS2 games right out of the box, meaning that they’ll likely charge less for it because of that reason.
the purpose of this article is how to identify a backwards compatible playstation 3 (ps3). i will keep it simple and to the point because there is way too much “bad info” on the internet regarding on this topic. by writing this article i hope to clear this up with a definitive article, once and for all.
important note: when i say backwards compatible, this specifically refers to ps3 models that can play ps2 games. ALL PS3 MODELS ARE CAPABLE OF PLAYING PS1 GAMES!
early models only: the earliest variation of the ps3 is the only model type that is potentially backwards compatible. period. this is the “fat” ps3 with the chrome trim. they are big, heavy, and have a shiny gloss black top cover with PLAYSTATION 3 in big chrome letters.
specific models: only three models of the fat ps3 are backwards compatible. there is a lot of silly info out there as to what to look for to determine if your ps3 is backwards compatible. most of this info is unnecessary. it is actually VERY simple. read on to determine which ones have it and what to easily look for.
identification: look for a fat ps3 with 4 usb ports. period. it is that simple. if it has 4 usb ports, then it is backwards compatible!
model numbers: look on the back of the ps3 and the white serial number sticker lists the specific model number of these three backwards compatible models. 20gb ps3 = CECHB01, 60gb ps3 = CECHA01, and 80gb ps3 = CECHE01
additional info: the 20gb and 60gb models are fully “hardware compatible”. they basically have ps2 chips inside of them. it is reported that only a few ps2 games might not be compatible with these models, which makes these models very desirable and in demand. the 80gb model only has partial ps2 hardware and partially “emulates” the software. it is reported that there is a confirmed short list of ps2 games that might not be compatible with the 80gb model, which makes it slightly less desirable but still in demand.
80gb model note: there is a false rumor floating around that this model must have its original firmware or system software to be backwards compatible. THIS IS NOT TRUE. i personally JUST updated my 80gb model to the latest software version and it did not effect its backward compatible ability to play ps2 games.
cheat sheet summary: to positively ID a backwards compatible ps3 either look for a “fat” model with 4 usb ports OR look at the model number: CECHA01, CECHB01, or CECHE01.