The European version of Sony's PlayStation 3 console does not play some of the PS2's best-selling games, according to tests carried out by a gaming website.

German site Cynamite tested 12 popular PlayStation 2 games but found that only one started up correctly. All the other games displayed a message asking users to wait for software updates. 

PS2 games tested by Cynamite included Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Final Fantasy XII, God of War, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, MGS 3: Snake Eater, Shadow of the Colossus, Guitar Hero 2, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, Okami, Eragon, Ratchet & Clank 3, and Lumines Plus.

The European version of the PS3, which launches next week, uses software to run PS2 games rather than the embedded chip that was included in the US and Japanese versions.  

However, Phil Harrison, president of Worldwide Studios at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, claimed that the company will provide software updates to ensure that all PS2 and PS1 games are backwards compatible.

Sony announced in February that the European consoles would only play 98 per cent of previous games.