Is the PS3 backwards compatible with the older FF games on the play station or PS2? Sorry for the noobish question!

older "fat" ps3s are backwards compatible with both ps1 and ps2 games.
Newer slim ps3s drop the ps2 compatibility for lower cost of manufacture, but can still play ps1 games because those are emulated.

I have a 160gb fat one and I was told it wasn't backwards compatible (by sony, it was a replacement for a 60gb console) I haven't tried it myself though.

Sounds like when I get a Ps3, it's not gonna be on any diets then!

I actually just asked about this one the other day at the game store. The original "fat" PS3's can play PS1 and PS2 games. The next step up (still with four ports) can play some PS1 games and about 80% of PS2 games. The new PS3's can only play PS3 games. They can play PS1 and PS2 but they are emulators and you have to buy them online from the playstation store. The reasons the newer ones no longer backwards compatable is because to bring down prices and it's too much stuff to put on to the machine for it to last very long, as such the original PS3's are now starting to die and break. But I'm sure they can easily be refurbished. So, if you want a PS3 that is backwards compatable, get one of the first ones, they're fat and have four ports, but beware it may not last very long.

awesome, I have one of the originals :)

Actually in the PSN store there is data for the newer PS3's that allow then to read PS2 games, to a certain extend. At least that what it says it does, I never tried it myself.