"Nintendo may be new to the concept of Backwards Compatibility, but it’s a feature that has quickly become standard; the PS3 and Xbox 360 both support BC to some extent, and their future iterations will likely follow suit. Nintendo took the concept one step further with their Virtual Console, allowing users access to some of the best classics and even a few previously Japan-only titles, but its next console will be the true test of its dedication."

-http://news.gotgame.com/5-features-we-want-in-wii-2/

I felt like a soldier from metal gear being suprised *exclamation mark*, I would just ignore it but a few people seem to think the PS2 was the first backwards compatible format. (Actually PC is) But as far as consoles go... well here:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2

That is the system we all know and love the PS2, releases in 2000. =)

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_line#Game_Boy_Pocket

This is another great platform line but look at the Game Boy Color. ^_^ 1998 much?

I'm only pointing out the GBC because in my opinion it was the first GB that showed a distinct difference rather than simply a smaller piece of hardware. (It had color, and games made to utilize this function.)

Someone apparently doesn't follow Game Boy development cycles. As far as I know the GBA still supported original Game Boy games.

While it use to be one of Sony's biggest selling points, they're actually abandoning BC completely.

Also, wasn't the GBA out before the PS2?  I wouldn't really count the GBC because I'm pretty sure those games still worked on the original GB (could be wrong there) and they used the same cartidge.  The GBA changed cartridges and made a siginifically more powerful system that could still play all the earlier games.

Aren't you forgetting something called Atari?

What, Nintendo new to BC? That is silly. GB, GBC, and GBA were together as were GBA and DS. Anyway, I thought Atari was BC all the way in the 80s.

About Wii and Wii 2 BC. I think Wii games will work on Wii 2 but I doubt GC games or the Balance Board will work on Wii 2.

About the GB issue:

GBC was kind of a new system, it did have games made for it that could not be played on old GBs... but at the time there were also games being made that supported both.

GameBoy could play Original GameBoy games, as well as some of the GBC games (but only in B&W)

GameBoy Colour could play both the above, as well as many games the GB could not.


And no the GBA came out after the PS2.


All that and i've never even owned a GameBoy

If they have Wii backwards compatability, then why not just allow the Balance Board to connect via Bluetooth?

And yes, bdbdbd is correct. Atari BC pre-dates PC.

Twestern I did give some wikipedia pages leading directly to an answer to your question.

I'm just wondering how guys like him become refference points on N4G, I know they have a community vouching system, but obviously it's got it's flaws... still I could just stop giving that site clicks. (N4G)

Atari had backwards compatibility?

Found my answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_7800

Atari 7800 out in 1984.

"With this system, Atari Inc. addressed all the shortcomings of the Atari 5200: it had simple digital joysticks; it was almost fully backward-compatible with the Atari 2600."

So, unless there is something else, Atari was first.