Well, that’s kind of how I feel to be honest. If you read my previous PS3 posting here then you will appreciate that one of the reasons I opted for the much more expensive Sony PS3 over and above the hugely cheaper Microsoft Xbox 360 was the fact that I have an extensive collection of PS2 games. The ability to be able to play these on the PS3 is something of a critical concern when you have young kids hooked on things like The Simpsons Hit and Run, Barbie Horse Adventure and Pro-Evolution Soccer. And yes, I know I could probably buy a PS3 version of PES but that is missing the point: I already own the latest version and don’t want to spend yet more money on the same thing.

Which is why I am feeling just a little peeved right now, having just heard the news that the European PS3, this is the one that costs an arm, leg and half a torso more than the US or Japanese versions, will play far fewer PS2 games than either of those. Whereas the US and Japanese versions of the PS3, for example, are compatible with 98 percent of PS2 games, the European version won’t be. Sony has not put a percentage on it, but has confirmed that the backwards compatibility is “not going to be as good as the US and Japan models.”

The reason being a bizarre decision to change the design of the console, so that whereas PS2 emulation was previously handled in hardware by dedicated chips it will now be the domain of software. And that means a whole lot less compatibility if my sources in the games business are to be believed. Of course, it also means that the Euro PS3 will cost a bit less to manufacture so there will be more profit (or rather less of a loss) in it for Sony. Despite the fact that Europeans will be paying way over the odds compared to gamers in both America and Japan. Double screwed in fact, less power more cost.

If this wasn’t bad enough, the fact that some market research analysts has been rolled out to proclaim it as a good thing really, really, really bites hard. I don’t need to be told that PS3 games are going to be better, I already know that. I also already know how much they will cost and I already know that I already have hundreds of PS2 games that are perfectly playable and have many years of family playability left in them.

The official statement from Sony is short on comfort as well, admitting that company resources will be focused on developing news games exclusively for the PS3 “rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility.” Fine, great, agreed 101 percent. But why take away an important component of the PS3 package that is already there in other world markets and say ‘screw you’ to the European players?

It’s too late for me to cancel my order, it is paid for in full so as to ensure a launch day delivery and I would lose my money if I were to do so. Oh well, guess I might have to seriously consider selling it on eBay for a healthy profit as soon as it arrives then…