PS3 Updated to Firmware 1.70; Q2 Line-up Confirmed

Thanks to the latest firmware update for the PlayStation 3 owners will be able to download and play PSone titles directly on the console (not just PSP), and rumble support has been added for PS and PS2 accessories. 16 titles have been confirmed for the PS3 in Q2. [Update: Dual Shock rumble not 'officially' supported]

Late last night PS3 owners were greeted with a system update message. The new 1.70 firmware brings with it a few very important features. Primary among those is that PS3 owners should now be able to download and play PSone software on the console itself. Up to this point, original PlayStation titles were only being made available as downloads that you could transfer to the PSP.

At the time of the update the PSP versions of the downloadable games were the only ones available, but it's likely that Sony will be updating the PlayStation Store with the PS3-compatible PSone games soon. Saved data for PlayStation format software can also now be used on the PSP. This could prove useful for gamers on the go who want to continue a game they've started on the PS3.

The third major feature of the update relates to rumble support. The firmware enables the vibration function of accessories that are for use with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format software. We're assuming this means a USB adapter for a Dual Shock PS2 controller would allow vibration to work in backwards compatible games; we've put in an inquiry with SCEA for clarification.
[UPDATE] We got in touch with Dave Karraker, SCEA's Sr. Director, Corporate Communications, who advised us that gamers cannot use a Dual Shock on the PS3 and get force feedback. He said the firmware update is primarily for PS2 peripherals made by third parties, such as Flightstick 2 (Hori), Logitech Driving Force Pro, Logitech Driving Force, and the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel. "This would allow you to play compatible PS2 games on the PS3 with these peripherals and get force feedback. The only PS3 native game that would work with these peripherals and achieve force feedback is Gran Turismo HD," Karraker explained.

[UPDATE 2] User reports on message reports across the Internet, including NeoGAF, have found that third-party USB adapters do indeed enable the Dual Shock with rumble functionality on PS2 games. SCEA's Karraker explained, "None of the USB adapters that are offered on the market today for the Dual Shock controller are licensed by SCEA, so we didn't test their compatibility with 1.7. So, we can't comment on whether or not PS2 games with rumble will function on PS3 utilizing a Dual Shock controller with an unlicensed USB adapter."

SCEA also outlined its "extensive" second quarter line-up today. More than 100 titles are expected to hit store shelves for PS3, PS2 and PSP during the next few months. For the PS3, specifically, 16 titles will soon be released, split evenly between retail and digital download at the PlayStation Store. Here's a Q2 breakdown of key titles for the three PlayStation platforms: