April 25, 2007 - The new version 1.7 firmware update for the PS3 promised one long-awaited update for the system: the ability to play PlayStation games that you've downloaded from the PlayStation Store's Game Archives section. Unfortunately, there appear to be some lingering issues with PS3 compatibility, as many upcoming Game Archives games are still PSP-only.

Sony Japan at last announced what games PS3 owners will be able to play when PS3-compatible downloads begin on 4/26. The PS3 will have just 11 titles available for play on day one. The list includes:
  • Spectral Force (Idea Factory)
  • R-Types (Irem)
  • A.IV. Evolution Global (Artdink)
  • Resident Evil Directors Edition (Capcom)
  • Bishibashi Special (Konami)
  • Arc the Land (Sony)
  • Ore no Shi wo Koete Yuke (Sony)
  • Gunners Heaven (Sony)
  • Ganbare Morikawa-kun Ni-go (Sony)
  • Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (Nippon Ichi)
  • Tekken 2 (Bandai Namco)
The PSP will be able to play all these games as well. In fact, this list of PS3-compatible games is just a subset of the current Game Archives lineup that's already available for PSP owners. To that growing lineup, Sony will be adding 14 new PSP-only titles, also on 4/26. Here's the full list.
  • Ikasama Mahjong (Idea Factory)
  • CG Mukashi Banashi Jiisan Ni-do Bikkuri (Idea Factory)
  • Yaku Tsu Noroi no Game (Idea Factory)
  • Lunatic Dawn III (Artdink)
  • A5: Take the A-Train 5 (Artdink)
  • Metal Slug X (SNK Playmore)
  • Real Bout Garou Densetsu (aka Real Bout Fatal Fury, SNK Playmore)
  • Kenkaku Ibunroku Yomigaerishi Soukou no Yaiba Samurai Spirits Shinshou (aka Samurai Showdown Warriors Rage, SNK Playmore)
  • Bakumatsu Roman: Gekka no Kenshi (aka The Last Blade, SNK Playmore)
  • Garou Densetsu Wild Ambition (aka Fatal Fury Wild Ambition, SNK Playmore)
  • Fushigi Keiji (Capcom)
  • Philsoma (Sony)
  • Jigsaw World (Nippon Ichi)Wai Wai Tennis Plus (Hamster)
PSP owners can at last celebrate the arrival of SNK Playmore product in the Game Archives. Also notable is the sudden jump in game releases for this update. Previous updates included just a handful of titles.

As for the few games that are playable on both platforms, there's a bit of good news as well. As previously announced by Sony, you'll be able to exchange save data between your PSP and PS3. By transferring your data from the PS3 the PSP, you can continue your PlayStation games on the go. The data can then be transferred back when you want to continue on the big screen.

Sony also revealed today that the Game Archive downloads will be compatible with your old PlayStation save data. If you happen to have save data sitting around on a Memory Card somewhere, you can use a Memory Card Adapter to transfer the data to the PS3. This data can also be copied over to the PSP.

The PS3's slow pace in catching up with PlayStation compatibility is a bit mysterious, but the growing lineup of games in the Japanese Game Archives section, as well as the ability to share data in the home and on the go, has us excited. Stay tuned for further details on Sony's plans for the Game Archives in your part of the world.

Thanks to http://ps3.ign.com/articles/783/783271p1.html for sharing the news with us!