If you had to measure the pros and cons of the trending crop of current-gen console hardware next to each other, you’d spot a few differences easy. Both the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 have ditched the lethality of their design with the new slim versions of those consoles, as the Xbox One is no longer heavy enough to be confused for World War Two artillery whilst the PS4 has blunted the angles of its casing after one too many eyes were lost to its sleek corners.
One other big difference between the consoles? Their approach to backwards compatibility. Whilst the Xbox One has a system where you can insert a disc if it’s on the list of compatible games and simply download a copy of your favourite Xbox 360 experience to its hard drive, the PlayStation 4 uses PlayStation Now instead.
It’s a program that essentially charges you once again for the pleasure of being able to stream a game on that console, if your internet connection is up to speed that is. PlayStation fans have been wanting something a bit more concrete in terms of backwards compatibility, and while PlayStation Europe boss Jim Ryan has acknowledged those calls for the system to start offering some proper legacy support for games, he reckons that even if they came up with a solution it wouldn’t be used all that often.
“When we’ve dabbled with backwards compatibility, I can say it is one of those features that is much requested, but not actually used much,” Ryan explained Time.
That, and I was at a Gran Turismo event recently where they had PS1, PS2, PS3 and PS4 games, and the PS1 and the PS2 games, they looked ancient, like why would anybody play this?
I…kind of agree with Ryan here. Sony has in the past described that backwards compatibility on the PS4 is a feature that isn’t exactly easy to pull off. Even with the feature home to several games on my Xbox One, backwards compatibility is something that I barely ever make use of. It’s nice to have, but not essential. Not for me at least. Would I change my opinion at the drop of a hat if Sony announced that they’d have this feature sorted with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance leading the list of compatible games?
You bet your man-buns I would. Until then, it’s a missing feature that isn’t going to keep me awake at night.
Last Updated: June 6, 2017
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2017 at 08:24
To me some games don’t count for backwards compatibility, like Gran Turismo, as there are new iterations of the games which are pretty much the same game, with a better experience.
But there are games out there that are the beginning of a series of games, that aren’t available to be played, and haven’t been remastered, that some people, like me, would LOVE to play before getting into the newer ones. THAT is when backwards compatibility comes in, THAT is when I (we) want it.
Original Heretic
June 6, 2017 at 08:57
I was pretty much going to express the same thing.
Earlier this year, I played through The Uncharted Collection on the PS4 before hitting Uncharted 4. If that hadn’t been available, I would have missed out big time. U4 was made all the more special by having just played through the first 3. Not only with regards to the story, but you also get to see the huge jump in quality.
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2017 at 09:13
I really need to get the Uncharted Collection, even though I’ve played Uncharted 4. I’m new to the PS4 owners club, and it was the first game I got and loaded up, then I couldn’t stop until I finished it xD
Original Heretic
June 6, 2017 at 09:18
I made a point of first jamming the first 3. My huge focus when I jam a game like that is the story, so hopping into 4 first was a huge no-no for me.
I convinced my one buddy to also first do the first 3 before 4 and he never regretted it at all.
You’ll now have the problem of seeing the dip in quality, going back to the old ones. But the voice acting is still there, the great story is still there.
All in all, it’s a superb series and I cannot wait for the next one they’re planning on.
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2017 at 09:50
I don’t mind the quality drop to be honest, but I just have to make a plan to get the first 3 xD
Original Heretic
June 6, 2017 at 10:01
It’s well worth it. 3 games in one.
RinceThis
June 6, 2017 at 09:31
This^^
miaau
June 6, 2017 at 09:31
Yesh. I think sonys statement is based on market wish and not research
miaau
June 6, 2017 at 09:09
On the Xbox One, Black Ops 2 is still one of the most played games. AND for a while in start of 2016, some other Xbox 360 game was MOST played game. Shadow Warrior, something like that. You played this woman spy who broke into places and stuff. Sort of fun, did not get the massive cult following though.
Also, Tekken 3. Our friendship group used to take out the old PS JUST to play Tekken, dammit.
I think they want to rather make remakes of some of the game they KNOW people will play massively.
Cynical.
Original Heretic
June 6, 2017 at 09:18
Tekken Tag Tournament. 1&2. Those were kickass.
miaau
June 6, 2017 at 09:30
And nothing really like it. The combos between chars were awesome.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 6, 2017 at 09:33
You’re definitely not a woman spy in Shadow Warrior. It’s all about the Wang.
miaau
June 6, 2017 at 09:36
Perfect Dark? I think it was that.
Part of the Rare Replay bundle for Xbox One, all Xbox 360 games
Original Heretic
June 6, 2017 at 10:02
That sounds right. I’m familiar with Perfect Dark.
Kromas Ryder
June 6, 2017 at 10:16
Alternatively a female spy shadow warrior type game sounds a lot like “No One Lives Forever”.
Not sure if that ever appeared on console though.
RinceThis
June 6, 2017 at 09:31
If it was a Gran Turismo event does that mean they were showing the game on all the consoles, old and new? In which case of course no one would play a PS1 version compared to a PS4. However, there are plenty of games people would play, like Shadow of the Colossus for example…
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 6, 2017 at 09:34
But if the PS4 doesn’t have backwards compatibility how will any of its owners be able to use it?
miaau
June 6, 2017 at 09:37
sigh. I get that. I think.
So, a very subtle (or not) PC Master race dig……..
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 6, 2017 at 09:38
What? Me? How dare you, sir! 😀
miaau
June 6, 2017 at 09:40
Um, how dare I what?
I dare nothing…… I do or do not. Their is no dare….. or bare for that matter
So there…. (see what I what I did now? – HAH)
RinceThis
June 6, 2017 at 09:46
Shut it!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 6, 2017 at 10:11
http://i.imgur.com/ftCx0uo.gif