PlayStation 5 Backward Compatibility for Select PS3 Games May Be in Development

Sony might be working on bringing proper PlayStation 3 backward compatibility to PlayStation 5, albeit only for select titles, according to rumors circulating online.

During the latest episode of the XboxEra podcast, Shpeshal Nick mentioned that he’s heard Sony is developing backward compatibility for select PlayStation 3 titles on current-generation consoles. The compatible titles are expected to be sold individually, similar to how Microsoft approached Xbox backward compatibility. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear if the PS3 games compatible with PlayStation 5 will receive performance or visual enhancements. It’s also unknown which games will be selected for PlayStation 5 compatibility, though Nick speculates it could mainly be first-party titles, which would make sense.

Proper PlayStation 3 backward compatibility for PlayStation 5 would be significant, as currently, PlayStation 3 titles are only playable on the console via cloud streaming, which doesn’t always provide the best experience. The availability of titles for individual purchase would also be a major advantage, allowing users to enjoy them without needing a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, which is currently required to access PS3 games via cloud streaming. As with all rumors, we must take this information with caution until Sony makes an official announcement.