Even before Sony decided to withdraw Linux support for the PS3, the console remained fairly impervious to hacking. But it looks like that has now changed, with OzModChips claiming they’ve taken stock of the world’s first PS3 mod chip.
The “chip” isn’t so much as a chip as a USB key that plugs into any PS3 running the 3.41 firmware or below and tricks the console into thinking it’s a dev unit. The chip then allows you to backup your PS3 (but not PS1, PS2 or DVD/Blu-ray movies) discs to the console’s hard drive, including the ability to boot different games without having the disc installed.
Sony will almost definitely break this with the next PS3 firmware update, but the guys from OzModChips reckon that the device itself is firmware upgradable, meaning a never ending battle for functional superiority. It’s available for pre-order now for $170, should you be willing to take up arms against Sony.
Awnshegh
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 3:07 PMIf it was a plug in USB that gave us backwards compatibility it might be worth the purchase as I have an extensive PS2 catalog sitting in various tubs. Unlocking the DVD/Blu-ray region might be nice too.
But I have zero interest in copied games as I like my online persona to stay clean and without the blemish that this sort of thing brings.
Adam
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 3:32 PMIt also enables Homebrew so I would say that soon enough it will enable PS2 playback
philip
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 5:16 PMIf you have an extensive ps2 collection, would be worthwhile using your existing ps2 machine to play them if you’re that keen. Or buying one since they are cheap.
13atman
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 3:21 PMIts still early days, with this little stick, it opens the door for homebrew such as apps to play ps2 games and other little things.
I personally couldn’t care less about playing online since in most cases online is a mess anyway. Laggy servers and what not.
An interesting point to point out is how would it handle game patches, eg bayonetta with its load times that were fixed after the initial patch?
Guess we’ll find out within a week.
Nicholas
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 7:21 PMSee no reason that it would have trouble with this. Looking at the video it seems to copy the disc to hard drive and then make the console think the image is the actual disc. The software would then run as if the disc is in the drive. Installed games are still stored separately by the Playstation.
As discs are never actually altered themselves with updates (duh) the emulation software won’t need to do anything about it.
NacaYoda
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 3:31 PMI dream of playing all my (legit OS purchased) DVD titles on a PS3. All this dongle would need is multiregion DVD playback and I’d consider it… but not at $170 (maybe @ $25)!
If this mod’s only use is to play pirated games, then you aren’t taking up arms against Sony, you’re taking arms up against the companies who make the games you want to play. Cheat them, and ultimately you cheat yourself.
We Love Katamari
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 3:47 PMThe USB wouldn’t be a hardware edition, so its a soft mod right? I might have to try replicating this, as i had my old linux 1TB drive hack it’d mean i wouldn’t have stacks of games piled up beside the TV. Defiantly worth a try.
Chris Guerin
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 4:34 PMNow can something be done on backwards compatability on the Xbox 360 WITHOUT a proprietary drive?!?
veddermandan
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 5:23 PMIf you do the JTag hack for the 360 you can add the modded backwards compatabilty which lets you play any original xbox game. Although some are glitchy, almost all the games i tried worked.
This PS3 mod will also allow other OS/Linux on the slim PS3 which was not previously possible.
Phillip Stevens
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 6:52 PMI will get one, as pay back for killing OtherOS. Oh, and Sony if you’re reading this, I’m never buying your products, ever again.
jeffrey
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 4:56 PMcool
tigeredwards
Monday, September 6, 2010 at 7:50 PMI got an email about this mod chip and also searched for the info. It seems safe n easy to use. http://www.gadget-asia.com/en/home/world-s-first-ps3-modchip-ps-jailbreak-plug-and-play.html
Sneakn
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 8:15 AMCan anyone get these and will it’ still work on my ps3 I
Am from Sydney Australia?
anthony
Monday, May 2, 2011 at 5:29 PMi have a 18month old ps3
120gb
id like to get a modchip installed
wats it worth to supply and install a chip
where n syd are u
0405441765
modchip
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 2:11 PMhas anybody used this chip before – if so, what was your experience with it? and was this really the first ps3 modchip? in the meantime a lot of new things to mod ps3 have come up.