Backwards Compatibility

[BurningDoom]

There are a lot of systems out there nowadays that are backwards compatible. It's nothing new, but it's a lot more common now.

My question is about upgrading graphics. What systems, if any, actually make graphics look better than on the originally intended system?

I've heard it said that Atari 7800 makes Atari 2600 games look better, but I've never seen it for myself. And each subsequent BC Gameboy (GBC, GBA, GBA-SP) made backwards compatible games look better.

Any other ones?

[renardqueenston]

the PS2 has an option to filter PS1 textures, which doesn't always work and sometimes just causes glitchy graphics

the PS3 does a little bit of filtering and upscaling to PS1 games, but in the process the video is also delayed a few frames

the GBA and GBC do an okay job of adding color to GB games - some games look better than others

[BlackDS]

I don't think those examples are actually improving the graphics, it just looks more crisp because of an updated video-out setup.

[CRTGAMER]

Agree with renardqueenston, who answered all the OP except the 7800. I'll cover that one, 7800 did not improve the 2600 graphics. If anything 7800 got downgraded internally to maintain 2600 compatibility. The 5200 got a 2600 adaptor later on, which is basically a plug in 2600.

Still waiting on Tempest
Compared to the sounds in the 5200, the 7800 games don't quite have the same crisp sound. In fact the 5200 has the same sound chip as the Tempest Arcade, the reason why some of the classics such as Defender sound perfect. Hopefully the beta 5200 Tempest does get completed. The 7800 does have a unique great feature. There are exclusive only on the 7800 two player modes on some of the classic arcade titles. Two player Asteroids via Space War or Centipede anyone?

A sad reality
As for backwards compatibility down the road? The old reasons to maintain a customer loyalty owning older games no longer applies. Backwards compatibility will only be for older games that can be resold as a download.

[Weekend_Warrior]

I don't think those examples are actually improving the graphics, it just looks more crisp because of an updated video-out setup.

Well if that's the case then I don't think there has ever been such a system. Because I don't think it would be possible to upgrade the graphics of a previously released game without altering the code in some way (like the God of War Collection).

The same goes for audio. You can't just pop in a cd that is written at 44.1 khz, 16-bit into a player that is 48khz, 24-bit and expect it to automatically upgrade it to such. It's still going to be a 44.1khz, 16-bit recording no matter what - you can't change that. All you're getting is the illusion of the music being played back at a higher frequency/bit-rate.

[CFFJR]

Its worth noting that playing gamecube games on the wii (assuming you have the Wii component cables I believe) will allow you to use the progressive scan mode for any GC game that supports it.

[Hobie-wan]

I don't think those examples are actually improving the graphics, it just looks more crisp because of an updated video-out setup.

Well if that's the case then I don't think there has ever been such a system. Because I don't think it would be possible to upgrade the graphics of a previously released game without altering the code in some way (like the God of War Collection).

Not entirely true. Older 3d games could still be played at higher resolution and with better texture filtering. Look at what Bleem and other PS1 emulators can do for those games.

[DAAAAA!!]

the maker of the system always claims it looks better playing it on the newer system but it looks exactly the same to me... besides the color in gamboy games..

[darthmunky]

I find that the 360 makes original Xbox games look a bit better but not a big difference at all. It's probably just because I have it hooked up to 1080p thus making (compatible) Xbox originals be 1080i. But I found some Xbox originals to look better in 480p than in 1080i (Morrowind is an example)

[d123456]

Not entirely true. Older 3d games could still be played at higher resolution and with better texture filtering. Look at what Bleem and other PS1 emulators can do for those games.

ah, you beat me to it. Exactly. ps1/ps2/N64/gc emulators on pc. do can do massive upgrades.
I think the future will be emulation.