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Can You Import PS1 or PS2 Saves to a PS3?

Early models of the PlayStation 3, specifically model numbers CECHA01, CECHB01 and CECHE01 are able to play PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 games. If you played these games previously on either a PS1 or PS2 console, you needed to save the games to a memory card. These saves can be transferred to a PS3 console by using a memory card adapter and creating internal memory cards on the PS3 hard drive.

Memory Cards
- Both the PS1 and PS2 consoles did not have internal hard drives or memory devices to save data during game play. Sony developed the memory card as an external memory device that plugged into a slot on the front of each console. Memory cards were exclusive to each console: PS1 games could only be saved to a PS1 memory card and PS2 games could only be saved to a PS2 memory card.
PlayStation 3 Backward-Compatible Models
- As of 2008, Sony stopped manufacturing PS3 consoles that are capable of backward compatibility with PS1 and PS2 games. The three models that have backward compatibility are #CECHA01, CECHB01 and CECHE01, which correspond to the 20GB, 60GB and 80GB PS3 (number and GB refers to the size in gigabytes of the internal hard drive in each console). Consumers who own these models can transfer their game saves from PS1 and PS2 memory cards to the PS3 through the use of a Memory Card Adapter.
Memory Card Adapter
- A memory card adapter is a device that allows you to insert a PS1 or PS2 memory card into the PS3. After connecting the adapter to the PS3 via the included USB cable, the adapter can then transfer the data on the physical memory cards to internal memory cards that you create on the PS3 console. Several brands of memory card adapters exist, but it is recommended that you use an official Sony memory card adapter.
Internal Memory Cards
- An internal memory card must be created on the PS3 hard drive to save content from the PS1 or PS2 memory card. Just as the physical memory cards were console exclusive, these internal memory cards are as well. If you have a PS1 and PS2 memory card that you want to import, you must create an internal counterpart for both memory cards. After connecting the memory card adapter and inserting the memory card into the slot, go to the "Game" sub-menu on the PS3 main menu and then "Memory Card Utility." An icon for the connected memory card will be visible. Highlight the icon, press the triangle button on the PS3 controller and select "Copy." You will then be given the option to create a new internal memory card.

PlayStation 3