Nearly four years since its release in 2020, the PlayStation 5 continues to stand out as a robust and high-performance gaming console. With sales nearing 60 million units, Sony’s flagship device has significantly outperformed its main competitor, the Xbox Series S/X. While the PS5 features a formidable library of games, it currently lacks comprehensive support for backwards compatibility, particularly for PlayStation 3 titles. Recent speculation suggests that Sony may be working to address this issue by developing a means for PS3 games to be played on the PS5.
PS3 Backwards Compatibility on PS5
Users of the PS5 can enjoy a seamless gaming experience with titles from the PS4 library, along with games optimized for the current generation. The extensive collection of PS4 titles, many of which have been enhanced for better performance on the PS5, contributes significantly to the console’s appeal.
However, the PS5 does not support PS3 titles, a notable shortcoming when compared to the Xbox Series S/X capabilities of running Xbox 360 and original Xbox games effortlessly. There have been ongoing rumors surrounding Sony’s efforts to develop PS3 emulation technology to enable users to access their PS3 game library on newer hardware. These rumors gained traction recently when industry insider Jeff Grubb suggested that progress has indeed been made on this front.
During a discussion on the Game Mess Mornings podcast hosted by Giant Bomb, Grubb revealed that a PS3 emulator capable of natively running PS3 games on the PS5 is currently under development. “I’ve heard it’s been in the works for quite some time. I expected it to be revealed earlier this year, but that didn’t happen,” he noted.
Grubb also mentioned that the inference of its eventual release remains possible. He explored potential methods for integrating classic PS3 games on the PS5, suggesting that a backwards compatibility layer developed by Sony could allow users to insert PS3 discs directly or repurchase the titles for access.
PS Plus Classics Catalog
Although Sony has not officially confirmed any plans for a dedicated PS3 emulation system on the PS5, the current-generation console does provide access to select PS3 titles through the Classics Catalog. To utilize this feature, PS5 users must hold a PS Plus Deluxe or Premium subscription. However, it’s important to highlight that these PS3 games aren’t playable natively on the PS5 but are streamed over an Internet connection instead.
