PlayStation 2: Backwards Compatibility FAQ
Version 1.2--6 December 2000
By Dave Connoy
connoy@lycos.com


+---------+
| Preface |
+---------+
Welcome to the PlayStation 2 Backwards Compatibility FAQ!  The PlayStation 2
has arrived, and among its features is the ability to play games for the
original PlayStation, as well as use its peripherals.  I frequent the PS2
message board at GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com) and am often seeing questions
about these functions, so to keep the same questions from having to be
answered repeatedly, I'm putting together a FAQ.  I don't have the time to
frequent a lot of other forums, but I imagine they're probably encountering
the same types of questions.  I hope this compilation will help everyone.


+-------------------+
| Table of Contents |
+-------------------+
Version History
Introduction/Notation
How Does It Work?
PSX Emulation: Peripherals
     Controllers
          What's the difference between the Dual Shock and Dual Shock 2?
          Can I use PSX controllers to play PS2 games?
          Can I use PS2 controllers to play PSX games?
          What about the PSX mouse?
          How about using a USB mouse to control PSX games that use the PSX
               mouse?
          What about other third-party controllers?
          What about the neGcon?
     Memory Cards
          Can I save PSX games on a PS2 memory card?
          Can I save PS2 games on a PSX memory card?
          What about peripherals like the DexDrive?
     The MultiTap
          Can I play PSX four-player games with a PS2 MultiTap?
          Can I play PS2 four-player games with a PSX MultiTap?
          Why the heck not???  How different could they be?
          What kind of controllers can be hooked up to the MultiTap?
     Audio/Video Connections
          What are all these different ways to hook up the PS2?
          Can PSX adapters connect a PS2 to a TV?
          Can PS2 adapters connect a PSX to a TV?
     Other Peripherals
          Does the PSX GameShark or Pro Action Replay work with the PS2?
          Is there a modchip that will allow me to play import PSX games on
               the PS2?
          Is there a modchip that will allow me to play backups or CDRs of
               PSX games on the PS2?
PSX Emulation: Games
     Are there any PSX games that don't work on the PS2 *at all*?
     What are the different enhancements the PS2 can make to PSX games?
     How do these enhancements work?
     How well do these enhancements function?
     Games List
Final Comments
Contribution Request & Contribution Guidelines
     Got A Question?
     Got A Comment?
     Got A Contribution?
Credits & Copyright Info


+-----------------+
| Version History |
+-----------------+
Version 1.0: 21 November 2000.
     First version.  Every question that I could think of to answer is in
     here, but there are surely some I haven't yet thought of.  Send them in!
     Games List has the error-prone games I've found in my own collection,
     but with the hundreds of PSX titles out there, reader contributions are
     vital in this department as well.  Read the Contribution Guidelines at
     the end of the FAQ before sending in comments or contributions, please!
Version 1.1: 1 December 2000.
     Chugging right along.  New smidges of modchip, neGcon, and game info.
Version 1.2: 6 December 2000.
     Several fine folks have given me useful info, so here it is.


+-----------------------+
| Introduction/Notation |
+-----------------------+
This will be a FAQ in the traditional sense, as in "Frequently Asked
Questions"; subject headings will be questions themselves.  Everything here
concerns the North American PS2.

I'm going to be using two abbreviations very frequently in this FAQ: "PSX"
(for the original PlayStation) and "PS2" (for the PlayStation 2).  The PSX is
often referred to as the PS1 or the PSOne, but I prefer "PSX" as it
encompasses the entire platform and prevents confusion (as Sony's official
name for the newly-released streamlined version of the PSX is the PSOne).
Likewise, I'll abbreviate the original Dual Shock controller that has become
the standard for the PSX as "DS", and the Dual Shock 2 (packed in with the
PS2) as "DS2".

I won't be covering any PS2-to-PSX compatibilities in this FAQ.  PS2 games
don't work in a PSX (duh), PS2 memory cards don't work in a PSX (duh again),
DVD movies can't be played by a PSX (SUPER duh), and while the Dual Shock 2
can be hooked up to a PSX, it will work like a regular Dual Shock.  For every
question in this FAQ, assume that the PS2 is the console in question.


+-------------------+
| How Does It Work? |
+-------------------+
So how is it that the PS2 can play PSX games when backwards compatibility has
traditionally not been utilized in past console designs?  Well, apparently
Sony has designed the PS2 so that it uses the processor that drove the PSX
for input/output handling.  This makes it a simple matter (relatively) to
reroute the appropriate code and have the PS2 emulate the PSX.  What sort of
hit the PS2 took in processing power for this added feature is unknown, but I
can't imagine it was much of one (otherwise Sony wouldn't have done it).


+----------------------------+
| PSX Emulation: Peripherals |
+----------------------------+
Getting the PS2 to utilize PSX peripherals was probably a much greater
challenge, but Sony was able to get the PS2 to use most PSX devices as well.
The next section will detail the concerns and problems one might have trying
to use this function.

Controllers
===========
Almost all controller types are able to be used in the PS2, though a loss of
functionality will be encountered when using a controller lower on the "tech
tree".

What's the difference between the Dual Shock and Dual Shock 2?
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Dual Shock 2, which comes with the PS2 and is the standard controller for
the platform, adds analog buttons to the analog sticks of the Dual Shock.  It
feels the same as the DS, and works just as well for games that were created
originally for the DS.  While the DS has been released in many different
colors, so far the DS2 is available only in black.  It can be distinguished
from a black DS by the "Dual Shock 2" in blue type near the cable.

Can I use PSX controllers to play PS2 games?
--------------------------------------------
While you can use PSX controllers to play PS2 games, it's best to use a DS2
if possible.  By using a DS, you won't be able to take advantage of analog
button support.  I expect that most PS2 games are not playable with the
original all-digital PSX controller at all.

Can I use PS2 controllers to play PSX games?
--------------------------------------------
Absolutely.  Natrually, no PSX game has been (or ever will be) created that
takes advantage of the DS2's analog buttons, but otherwises the DS2 works
perfectly.

What about the PSX mouse?
-------------------------
I have no idea.  Someone with a PS2 and a PSX mouse, please let me know if
the mouse works alright with the PS2.

How about using a USB mouse to control PSX games that use the PSX mouse?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MusashidenBlast@aol.com confirms that this doesn't work.  Oh well, it was
worth a try. :)

What about other third-party controllers?
-----------------------------------------
As far as I know, any third-party controller that correctly simulates the
Dual Shock or standard PSX controller should work.  If anyone has a
controller that works weird or doesn't work, please let me know.

What about the neGcon?
----------------------
Namco's neGcon has earned a loyal following for the effective control it
allows in racing games.  Likewise, some other controllers (mainly steering
wheels) work the same way that the neGcon does.

Evidence presented so far seems to indicate that not only does the neGcon
work fine for playing PSX games, but it's even supported by some PS2 games,
most notably Namco's own Ridge Racer V.  Is that a "woo-hoo" I hear from the
neGcon fans? :)

The PSX functionality has been confirmed first-hand (thanks Mr.P), but I've
yet to hear from someone who's actually played RRV with a neGcon.  Drop me a
line if you're doing so!


Memory Cards
============
Can I save PSX games on a PS2 memory card?
------------------------------------------
Not directly.  A PS2 memory card cannot work directly with PSX games; a PSX
memory card has to be used for PSX games to load and save data.  However, you
can use a PS2 memory card as backup space to store excess saves; just go to
the Browser and copy your PSX saves over.  A PS2 memory card's 8MB of storage
can hold over 900 PSX "blocks", so go nuts--just remember to put your backed
up saves on to a PSX card to actually use them.

Can I save PS2 games on a PSX memory card?
------------------------------------------
No.  Even if PS2 game saves were small enough (to date I haven't heard of one
that is smaller than a PSX card's 128KB), PS2 saves use a different protocol
that doesn't save by "blocks" but rather pure bytes, which the PSX card
surely cannot understand.

What about peripherals like the DexDrive?
-----------------------------------------
The DexDrive and similar devices were created to read and write to PSX memory
cards; they don't work with PS2 cards.  Even though PS2 memory cards can hold
a ton of PSX game saves, you might want to hang on to that DexDrive, because
your PC hard drive's probably more reliable.


The MultiTap
============
I'm unfamiliar with the MultiTap, so all this information has been gained
second-hand through observation of discussions.  Thanks to all those at the
GameFAQs PS2 forum for hashing out all the MultiTap/controller combinations.

Can I play PSX four-player games with a PS2 MultiTap?
-----------------------------------------------------
No.  The system documentation makes it clear that a particular system's
MultiTap is required for that system's games.

Can I play PS2 four-player games with a PSX MultiTap?
-----------------------------------------------------
No.  In addition to what's in the PS2 documentation, Mr.P confirms that his
PSX MultiTap did not enable 4-player play in Tekken Tag Tournament.

Why the heck not?  How different could they be?
-----------------------------------------------
Got me.  I guess adding the ability to pass the DS2's various button pressure
levels made the PS2 MultiTap fundamentally different from the PSX version.

Mr.P indicates that either MultiTap can at least work as a pass-through for
the first controller and memory card slot in nearly all situations, but any
other controllers connected usually won't work at all.

What kind of controllers can be hooked up to the MultiTap?
----------------------------------------------------------
As long as the correct MultiTap for the game type is hooked up, the
compatibilities I talked about in the "Controllers" section hold.  DS2s can
control PSX games over a PSX MultiTap, and DSs can control a PS2 game over a
PS2 MultiTap, albeit without analog buttons.


Audio/Video Connections
=======================
What are all these different ways to hook up the PS2?
-----------------------------------------------------
Okay, so this is not really a backwards compatibility issue, but I see a lot
of questions on forums about the different ways to hook up a system, so I'll
run them down here.  For more technical information on why certain hookups
work better than others, consult the excellent S-Video FAQ at GameFAQs, in
the PlayStation General/System FAQs section.

RF Adapter: This is the bottom-of-the-barrel way to hook up the system.  The
RF Adapter splices into the TV's coaxial cable input to transmit on a
particular TV channel (usually 3 or 4).  Sound is mono, and picture quality
is awful.  This kind of hookup should only be used if one of the below is not
available (typically on a very old television).  The RF adapter is not
included with the PS2 and has to be bought separately.

Composite Video: This is the set of yellow, red, and white RCA cables that is
included with the PS2.  Yellow transmits the picture, white the left audio,
and red the right audio.  Most TVs have this kind of input in the back;
picture quality is below average, but not as poor as RF.

S-Video: This adapter is sold separately, and the video cable resembles that
of a PC keyboard.  Audio is still carried by red and white RCA cables.
Picture quality is much better than composite.  If you have an S-Video
compatible TV (look on the back for the jack I described), then paying the
~$30 for this adapter is a no-brainer.

Component: Another adapter sold separately (and kind of hard to find; I had
to mail-order mine), component video splits the video up into three RCA
cables.  Again, audio is provided by two RCA cables.  It is the clearest
output the PS2 can provide, but the difference is not that much from S-Video,
so don't feel like you're missing out on much if you have S-Video.

Can PSX adapters connect a PS2 to a TV?
---------------------------------------
Yes.  If you have an RF or S-Video adapter that you used with your PSX, it'll
work with the PS2.

Can PS2 adapters connect a PSX to a TV?
---------------------------------------
Yes, EXCEPT for the component adapter.  Component video can only be output by
the PS2.


Other Peripherals
=================
Does the PSX GameShark or Pro Action Replay work with the PS2?
--------------------------------------------------------------
No.  The GameShark, Pro Action Replay, and other similar cheat devices try to
interface directly with the PSX hardware, which results in problems when used
with a PS2.  Trying to use my GameShark CDX on my PS2 resulted in
catastrophic glitching, and I've yet to hear a report of someone successfully
using one with the PS2.

Is there a modchip that will allow me to play import PSX games on the PS2?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the US PSX, there is no such modchip (or any other modchip) yet.  IMHO,
jeapordizing a $300, ultra-rare (at the time of this writing) machine on such
a modification is an unwise decision anyway.

Is there a modchip that will allow me to play CDRs of PSX games on the PS2?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
...Whatever.


+----------------------+
| PSX Emulation: Games |
+----------------------+
Are there any PSX games that don't work on the PS2 *at all*?
------------------------------------------------------------
There were about a dozen games that didn't work with the Japanese PS2 *at
all*, so it's not unreasonable to figure this might be a problem with the US
PS2.  And it seems like it might be--Sony Computer Entertainment America has
released a list of games that, supposedly, don't work even with fast-loading
and texture smoothing turned OFF.

Unfortunately, SCEA's list doesn't go into any kind of detail about exactly
where or when these games malfunction.  I'll note them in the Games List
below, but we're all curious about exactly what's wrong with the way these
games work, so if you have them, please test these games out and let me know
some exact details!

What are the different enhancements the PS2 can make to PSX games?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Two emulation options can be set in the PS2's main menu (hit triangle at the
Browser/System Configuration screen, then hit triangle again with PlayStation
Driver highlighted).  One enables faster loading of PSX games utilizing the
PS2's 32X-speed CD drive (as opposed to the double-speed of the PSX); the
other filters textures on polygons to make them look "smoother".

Unlike the DVD and System Configuration options, the PSX emulation options
are not saved when the system is turned off, so they'll need to be reset each
time.  This is not as bad as it sounds; since more than a few PSX games
function incorrectly with the options on, you wouldn't want to leave them on
all the time anyway.

How do these enhancements work?
-------------------------------
Fast loading is pretty obvious--the PS2 sends data to the RAM faster,
shortening some load times.  However, some games are highly tuned to the
PSX's characteristic loading time, resulting in errors if this option is
enabled.

The texture smoothing process seems to be bilinear filtering.  It helps
prevent pixellization when textures get up close (though it can still be seen
on particularly low-res textures), as well as correct aliasing in textures
(diagonal lines appear as such, instead of "stair-steps").  However, the
enhanced texture smoothness can sometimes throw the non-filtered actual edges
of the polygons into sharper relief; also, perspective correction is still
not performed, so the texture "warping" seen on the PSX continues to rear its
ugly head.

How well do these enhancements function?
----------------------------------------
For games that work with the fast loading function, load times are typically
reduced by about 25% (e.g. from eight seconds to six), but results vary from
game to game.

Texture smoothing works best on games with a lot of texture-mapping
(obviously), like Vagrant Story or Final Fantasy IX.  Games with software
filtering or heavy gouraud shading (e.g. Final Fantasy VII or any Crash
Bandicoot game) will show less or no improvement.

The smoothing often causes vertical "hairlines" in games that use 2D sprites;
the problem is especially pronounced when the sprites move against a 2D
background.  It's highly recommended that you turn texture smoothing off for
pure 2D games like Castlevania and Silhouette Mirage.  Finally, 2D-on-3D
hybrid games such as Strider 2 and Xenogears gain the most from texture
smoothing, as the characters are filtered as well as the environments, and
hairlines aren't as noticeable on the 3D backgrounds.

All in all, I find these "enhancements" very disappointing.  Fast loading
seems to crash more games than it helps, and texture smoothing often creates
problems too.  There's good news, though: the PlayStation driver is stored in
firmware and could be updated via a driver disc, much like Sony is doing with
the DVD driver.  So, maybe Sony will release an updated PlayStation driver
that enables better enhancements, or a third party will cook a good one up.


Games List
----------
This is not, and won't be, an exhaustive list of every PSX game's
compatibility with the PS2 enhancements; the notes I made in the heading
above summarize what my findings have been and are pretty consistently true
for the 40 or so games I've tested.  This section will only note which games
have glitches or failures with fast loading and/or texture smoothing on.
Hairlines (see above) get pretty bad in some games, but I'm not considering
them to be worthy of this list, just to keep the size down.

If someone wants to make a FAQ with a complete list of PSX game compatibility
information, they're welcome to use this information as a basis (just let me
know first).  I can also provide input on titles that aren't listed here.

Okay, here goes.  I'll try to not have this take up too much space, by
abbreviating fast loading as "FL" and texture smoothing as "TS".

Arcade Party Pak: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no details known.

Arcade's Greatest Hits/Atari Collection 2: SCEA reports unavoidable problems,
but no details known.

Castlevania Symphony of the Night: Crashes immediately with FL turned on.  TS
causes some weird graphical glitches.

Chrono Cross: FL seems to cause a "hiccuping" framerate in FMV sequences.

Crash Bandicoot Warped: Crashes (ha!) immediately with FL turned on.

Dino Crisis: FL causes graphical glitches.

Fighter Maker: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no details known.

Final Fantasy Anthology: SCEA reports problems, but the only ones I've heard
of are occasional slight graphical glitches in FFV's menu.

International Track & Field: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no
details known.

Judge Dredd: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no details known.

Legend of Mana: FL causes the opening movie to play super-fast, but it seems
OK otherwise.

Metal Gear Solid: FL causes graphical glitches.

Monkey Hero: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no details known.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no details
known.

RayStorm: Does FL mess up the music, or am I just hearing things?  I need a
second opinion on this one.

Silent Hill: FL causes characters to talkreallyfast.  Actually kind of funny,
worth trying out once.  TS causes nasty graphical glitches.

Street Fighter Alpha 3: FL makes some characters "mute" (no voice).
Occasionally crashes the game, too.

Suikoden: TS causes weird errors in character portraits & sprites.

Tomba!: SCEA reports unavoidable problems, but no details known.

Vanguard Bandits: TS causes "trails" to appear behind the mechs when they
fight.  Thanks OrochiJin.

Xenogears: Michael Bishop reports that FL can cause a freeze during the very
first battle with Deus early on Disc 2, but the game works fine otherwise.


+----------------+
| Final Comments |
+----------------+
I sincerely hope that this FAQ will become an authoritative resource for
answers to PS2 backwards compatibility questions, but I need help from those
who are reading to achieve this goal.  If you run into anyone that has
questions about playing PSX games on PS2, please point them to this FAQ!  It
can be found from the PlayStation 2 General/System FAQs index page at
www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/26308.html.  Please don't link to the FAQ
itself, for reasons CJayC has outlined in the URL I've provided.


+------------------------------------------------+
| Contribution Request & Contribution Guidelines |
+------------------------------------------------+
Since I don't own every PSX or PS2 peripheral, and can't play every PSX game,
I'm relying on contributions from readers to make this FAQ all it can be.
I forsee a lot of e-mail relating to this FAQ, so, if possible, please follow
the instructions I outline below, as it will make my job of compiling all the
data much easier.  E-mails that don't follow these guidelines risk being
passed over for those that do.

Got A Question?
---------------
Got a question about PS2 compatibility that isn't answered in this FAQ, even
if you know the answer?  Let me know.  I will ignore questions that are
already answered in the FAQ, so make sure you've checked the latest version
of the FAQ (available at www.gamefaqs.com).

Got A Comment?
--------------
If you're unclear on the answer of a question, or just have a general way
that this FAQ could be improved, I'm open to suggestions.  If you have a
different experience with a game or peripheral than what I've indicated here,
I'd like to know that too.  Please use the guidelines below for comments on
PSX game performance.

Got A Contribution?
-------------------
Throughout this FAQ I've indicated questions that I don't know the answers
to, so that information would be most welcome.  Just let me know which
question you're answering and provide anything that might apply to it.

The Games List needs more entries on games that have glitches or failures
with fast-loading and/or texture smoothing, more details on exactly what's
wrong with the games in the SCEA list, and/or any experiences you've had that
differ from what I've already written in the list.  When contributing this
kind of information, the following would be helpful:

--First-hand information.  This way, we can do any follow-up investigation
necessary.
--Isolating the cause of the problem.  Play the game with the options on one
at a time to be certain of which one is casuing the glitch or failure.
--The version number of your PSX driver.  You can get this from the Version
Information screen (press triangle at the Browser/System Configuration menu).


+--------------------------+
| Credits & Copyright Info |
+--------------------------+
Another FAQ, another list of people it wouldn't have been possible without.
My thanks go out to everyone that's helped make this FAQ the best it can be.

Patrick Floyd, for providing some game test data.
Michael Bishop (mbishop@picus.com), for info on modchips and Xenogears.
MusashidenBlast@aol.com, for trying out the USB mouse for PSX games.
OrochiJin (tgarza1@austin.rr.com), for the Vanguard Bandits TS weirdness.
Mr.P of the GameFAQs forums, for beaucoups MultiTap info.
ToastyFrog, for noting that the Dual Shock 2 works on a PSX system.
Kao Megura (kmegura@yahoo.com), whose copyright warning I've utilized below.
CJayC at GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com), and all those who host this FAQ on
     their websites (credited and unmodified, of course).

Finally, the copyright warning, reprinted with the gracious permission of Kao
Megura.  Take it seriously or suffer.

Unpublished Work Copyright 2000 Dave Connoy

This FAQ and everything included within this file cannot be reproduced in any
way, shape or form (physical, electronical, or otherwise) aside from being 
placed on a freely-accessible, non-commercial web page in it's original, 
unedited and unaltered format.  This FAQ cannot be used for profitable 
purposes (even if no money would be made from selling it) or promotional 
purposes.  It cannot be used in any sort of commercial transaction.  It 
cannot be given away as some sort of bonus, gift, etc., with a purchase as 
this creates incentive to buy and is therefore prohibited.  Furthermore, this 
FAQ cannot be used by the publishers, editors, employees or associates, etc. 
of any company, group, business, or association, etc., nor can it be used by 
game sites and the like.  It cannot be used in magazines, guides, books, etc. 
or in any other form of printed or electronic media (including mediums not 
specifically mentioned) in ANY way, shape, or form (including reprinting, 
reference or inclusion), without the express written permission of the 
author, myself.  This FAQ was created and is owned by me, Dave Connoy.  All
copyrights and trademarks are acknowledged and respected that are not 
specifically mentioned in this FAQ.

To continue, this FAQ and everything included herein is protected by the 
Berne Copyright Convention of 1976, not to mention International Copyright 
Law.  Please remember that plagiarism is against the law.  I will take 
appropriate action against transgressors, period (the same goes for people 
who put this up on web pages claiming it's their FAQ).
