So it seems the PS3 Firmware Update 1.8 has an 'upscaling' option to improve the graphics quality of PS1 and PS2 games. While it certainly removes the horrible jagged edges, it also seems to remove sharpness and depth, and sometimes could even make small text harder to read. While a little blurryness on PS1 may not be a problem, a lot of people who have sold their PS2s to help pay for a PS3 will appreciate the sharpness their PS2 offered on games like Gran Turismo...That said, this is much better than nothing.

Sony PlayStation 3 Firmware 1.80 is already out and that it includes upscaling as one of it's features. For the uninitiated, that upscaling feature is supposedly set to improve the video content of PSOne and PlayStation 2 titles for HD resolutions.

Fortunately some intrepid fellow at IGN decided to take screenshots and make comparative images. There are also comparisons of when smoothing is turned on and off and when the resolution is set to 1080p or the native 480p.

IGN's sentiment so far is that while the 1080p upscaling does make graphics look nicer and smoother (less grain and less "jaggies"), a lot of the sharpness and depth is lost.

Also, the text gets a bit too blurry sometimes when in 1080p. The images are below. Argue about them as you will.

Ville_Valo via ps3.qj.net »