PS3 Backward Compatibility: Which Models Play PS2 Games?

Only the launch "Fat" models (CECHA/B/C/E — 20/60/80 GB) have hardware PlayStation 2 compatibility. Here's the full breakdown.

Model Compatibility Table

Model	PS2 BC	Method
CECHA (20 GB) / CECHB (60 GB)	✅ Full	Hardware: Emotion Engine + Graphics Synthesizer chips on board. ~98% compatibility.
CECHC (60 GB) / CECHE (80 GB)	✅ Partial	Hybrid: EE removed; GS chip remains + software EE emulation. ~90% compat, some glitches.
CECHG (40 GB) / CECHH (40 GB) / CECHK (80 GB) / CECHL (160 GB) / CECHM (80 GB) / CECHP (160 GB) / CECHQ (250 GB)	❌ None	No PS2 chips. Software emulator never released for these.
Slim (CECH-2xxx) / Super Slim (CECH-3xxx/4xxx)	❌ None	No hardware; no software emulator.

Insert PS2 disc → appears on XMB → plays.
Create Virtual Memory Cards (Game → Memory Card Utility) — PS2 saves don't work on PS3 physical cards.
Some games need the disc swap trick (swap sensor) or internal HDD install (via homebrew) for best performance.

PS2 Classics on PS Store: ~50 titles (GTA San Andreas, MGS2/3, Jak, Ratchet, etc.) — run via official software emulator. Delisted 2022 — only accessible if previously purchased.
PC Emulation (PCSX2): Best experience — 4K, widescreen patches, texture packs, save states. Requires decent CPU (single-thread performance).
PS4/PS5 Remasters: Many PS2 classics remastered (Shadow of the Colossus, Jak, Ratchet, Sly, God of War, Kingdom Hearts).

Check your model: Back of console → "CECH-xxxx". First letter after CECH = generation.

PS3 Games