Rumors Sony is working on PS3 emulation for PS5
The PlayStation 5 is still a powerful and capable console, nearly four years after its launch in 2020. Sony’s current-generation console has sold nearly 60 million units, lagging far behind its Microsoft rival, the Xbox Series S/X consoles. The PS5 may boast a strong library of games, but when it comes to offering backwards compatibility, the console lags behind Xbox. Sony appears to be planning to close the gap, however, with a new rumor claiming that the PlayStation parent is still working on backwards compatibility for PS3 games on PS5.
PS3 Backwards Compatibility on PS5
The PS5 has no problem running PS4 titles, in addition to games available natively on the current-gen console. A rich PS4 library of games, many of which have received updates to perform better on the PS5, has helped bolster the catalog of titles available on Sony’s console.
However, the PS5 still doesn’t support PS3 games. The lack of full backwards compatibility is notable, especially since the Xbox Series S/X can run compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games without issue. Sony has long been rumored to be working on PS3 emulation, which would allow users to play PS3-era games on modern consoles. Those rumors gained traction on Monday, when journalist and insider Jeff Grubb claimed that Sony has indeed been working on PS3 emulation for “quite a while.”
Grubb, who commented on the rumor about the Game Mess Mornings podcast for Giant Bomb, said that a PS3 emulator that would run PS3-era games natively on the PS5 has been in the works for a long time. “It’s something that I’ve heard. It’s been in the works for a while. I thought it was going to be revealed earlier this year when I first heard about it. Obviously that didn’t happen,” Grubb said on the podcast.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. Maybe it will,” he added. The journalist also discussed possible ways classic PS3 games could play natively on PS5. “The easiest way is really a backwards compatibility layer on PS5, made by Sony so that it could just work on PS5 if you put a (PS3) disc in, or maybe you can buy it again or something… we’ll see.”
PS Plus Classics Catalog
Sony hasn’t revealed any plans for an official PS3 emulation tool on the PS5. However, the current-gen console does support select PS3 games via the Classics Catalog. PS5 users will need to subscribe to a PS Plus Deluxe/Premium membership in order to access the Classics Catalog. It’s also worth noting that PS3-era games in the catalog will not be playable natively on the PS5, but rather will be streamed over an internet connection.
