Backwards compatibility is a hot topic whenever a new console launches. Gamers want access to their favorite titles without needing multiple consoles. Sony’s PlayStation 5 currently only natively supports most PlayStation 4 games, leaving PS3 titles out in the cold. However, recent tests show emulating PS3 games on a PS5 is possible, raising hopes for official support.
For a long time, running PS3 games natively on the PS5 was deemed impossible due to the PS3’s unique architecture. However, YouTuber Lowest Logan demonstrated PS3 emulation on PS5 hardware, a significant breakthrough for gamers eager to revisit classic titles without relying on potentially unreliable second-hand consoles.
In his video “I Ran PS3 Games on PS5 Silicon to Prove Sony Wrong,” Logan details his experiment using an AMD BC-250 and PS5 silicon. He demonstrates the process, connecting a PS3 controller and successfully emulating Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Little Big Planet 3.
The video offers insightful commentary on the hardware and Logan’s emulation method for those with technical expertise. For others, the footage of smoothly running PS3 games offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This demonstration challenges Sony’s previous claims about the technical impossibility of PS3 compatibility on the PS5.
This news is particularly relevant given the currently limited access to PS3 games on the PS5. A select few are available via cloud streaming for PS Plus Premium subscribers. While PS2 games are being added to the PS5 store, PS3 titles remain scarce. Remasters exist, but not everyone prefers a modernized version of their favorite classics.
Logan’s experiment adds weight to rumors of Sony actively working to bring more PS3 games to the PS5, a topic of ongoing discussion amongst gamers. A Reddit thread discusses a report about Sony’s potential efforts in this area.
Concerns about the future of PS3 game accessibility are not new. Sony’s previous announcement (later retracted) to close the PS3 store, coupled with discontinued support for older consoles like the Nintendo 3DS and Xbox 360, suggests a similar fate for online PS3 game purchases.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sony sought a solution to balance discontinuing the PS3 store while keeping customers happy. Expanding the PS5 library with PS3 titles would be a logical approach, especially now that emulation has proven feasible.
While widespread native PS3 support on PS5 remains a rumor, this demonstration proves it’s not technically impossible. It opens up exciting possibilities for the future of PlayStation gaming.
