Sony has patented a technology that possibly gives them the ability to emulate PlayStation 2 games on every PlayStation 3.

One of the biggest gripes gamers have with the PlayStation 3, besides the high entry price, is the lack of backwards compatibility. They originally included an actual PlayStation 2 Emotion Engine chip in each console but removed it to help with the cost. Sony then added software emulation to make up for it but it didn't work with every game. If Sony is able to finally add the whole PS2 library to the PS3's arsenal, that might give people a little more incentive to take the price leap.

No official word from Sony but the patent was filed back in December 2008. Rumors are swirling that they could announce the emulation along with the rumored PS3 Slim or if Sony decides to offer full PS2 downloads from the PlayStation Store.