PS5 won’t play PS3 games — and that gives Xbox Series X a win

PS5 won't play PS3 games — and that gives Xbox Series 10 a win

(Paradigm credit: Sony)

The PS5'south inability to play games from the PS3 or earlier consoles has been made quite clear by Sony'southward most senior PlayStation executive.

Jim Ryan, president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, told Japanese gaming outlet Famitsu that in that location's a very good reason for this, And it'due south all almost focusing on side by side-generation console ability and features.

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He said the visitor had decided to focus on the PS5's unique functions during development, namely the new custom SSD and DualSense controller rather than backward compatibility. Withal back up for the PS4 library was implemented due to its huge install base,

In response to the question of PS1, PS2 and PS3 compatibility, Ryan was quoted as saying (car translated from Japanese):

"We accept been building devices with a focus on PS5-specific applied science. Among them, PS4 already has 100 million players, so I idea that I would similar to play PS4 titles on PS5 as well, so I introduced PS4 compatibility. While achieving that, we focused on incorporating high-speed SSDs and the new controller 'DualSense' in parallel. Then, unfortunately, compatibility with them has non been achieved."

This unfortunate piece of news had already come to calorie-free from a Ubisoft back up article, which stated conspicuously that "Backwards compatibility will be available for supported PlayStation iv titles, but volition not exist possible for PlayStation three, PlayStation 2, or PlayStation games." However, hearing it from one of Sony'due south own executives means at that place's no room left for denying the facts.

You'll however be able to play some older games via PS At present, Sony's game streaming service. Don't confuse that with PS Plus Drove, which is a new PS Plus benefit that doesn't cost actress on top of the PS Plus subscription, just only offers a small pick of PS4 games to play.

Speaking of PS4 games, Sony claims "99%" of titles from the previous PlayStation will be playable on the PS5. That won't necessarily mean you'll be able to play your entire library of games on the PS5 at launch. Only it should hateful that yous'll somewhen be able to savour your collection of PS4 games on the new console.

The PS5 is currently bachelor for pre-guild, although the process hasn't been running particularly smoothly so far. It'll arrive in customers' homes and on store shelves on November 12 in the U.S., and Nov 19 in the U.K., sporting its super-fast SSD, the DualSense controller and its new haptic technology, as well as a small simply interesting option of launch titles.

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series Southward are pre-orderable from September 22, but will arrive slightly sooner on November 10.

Richard is a Tom's Guide staff writer based in London, roofing news, reviews and how-tos for phones, gaming, audio and whatsoever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the Academy of Sheffield, he'southward besides written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking nigh how to mash the perfect cup of specialty coffee.