Home Gaming The PlayStation 4 will probably never have backwards compatibility

The PlayStation 4 will probably never have backwards compatibility

1 min read
29

NoBC

In just over two weeks, the Xbox One is getting a dash update that introduces backwards compatibility. The library of supported games is decidedly limited, with just over a hundred games getting support at launch. I’ve played a few backwards compatible games thanks to Rare replay, and I’m frankly astounded at how well it works. I’ve dabbled with emulation for years, and this software-driven solution is by far the most impressive I’ve ever seen.

For whatever reason, people are excited about the prospect of playing their old games on their new consoles and I get it, even if I personally have little interest in staying in the past. There are many clinging to the hope that the PlayStation 4 will introduce a similar system, and that we’ll soon be playing PlayStation 3 games on Sony’s newest system.

I’ve said before that it’ll never happen – the architectures are just too different, and when you get right down to it, the SPU-driven Cell CPU that powers the PlayStation 3 is technically superior to the CPU in the PS4. In a Twitter AMA, Sony Worldwide president Shuhei Yoshida has said much the same thing, shooting down hopes of backwards compatibility for good.

Asked whether it would happen, Yoshida didn’t beat around the bush; he answered with a straight and simple “no.”

In the past, he’s been a little more coy.

“PS3 is such a unique architecture, and some games made use of SPUs very well,” Yoshida said in the past. “It’s going to be super challenging to do so. I never say never, but we have no plans.”

Instead, you’ll have to make do with the myriad remakes and remasters that are gracing the new consoles. The cynical might say that’s a profit driven reason, but in truth, I just don’t believe it’s technically possible. Sure, some games might be able to work through some sort of black magic-driven emulation wrapper, but even that would require software engineering by wizards.

Last Updated: October 29, 2015

29 Comments

  1. WitWolfy

    October 29, 2015 at 09:08

    It’s like chasing a dream…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 29, 2015 at 09:15

      Dreams can be nightmares?

      Reply

      • WitWolfy

        October 29, 2015 at 09:16

        What are you, a fortune cookie?!?!?!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 29, 2015 at 09:17

          I’m as sweet as one
          *Waggles eyebrows

          Reply

          • WitWolfy

            October 29, 2015 at 09:18

            Sweet like a lemon?

          • Hammersteyn

            October 29, 2015 at 09:19

            Some people prefer sour over sweet.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            October 29, 2015 at 09:54

            LIES

    • Geoffrey Tim

      October 29, 2015 at 09:18

      Software emulation is night impossible. the cell cpu is more powerful than the one in the PS4.

      Reply

  2. Pieter Kruger

    October 29, 2015 at 09:12

    Sony invested too much in PS Now to ever consider BC. They much rather want you to pay a subscription and rent the games.

    Reply

    • WitWolfy

      October 29, 2015 at 09:13

      But thats the thing, Sony stated some where in Jan this year PSNOW is for people who dont own the consoles.. Looks like they changed their tune…

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 29, 2015 at 09:15

        They had too, when they realized how few people have the internet capabilities to use it.

        Reply

        • WitWolfy

          October 29, 2015 at 09:18

          So true.. I cant even remote play PS4 games to my Vita due to bandwidth infrastructure limitations…

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            October 29, 2015 at 09:19

            O_o I can…

          • WitWolfy

            October 29, 2015 at 09:20

            Really? I cant, mine times out and says my Internet speed is insufficient. (4MB)

          • Hammersteyn

            October 29, 2015 at 09:21

            That’s weird.

          • Nikola

            October 29, 2015 at 09:36

            That’s weird that you can’t…

          • WitWolfy

            October 29, 2015 at 12:05

            I’ll try again tonight and take a photo.

    • Hammersteyn

      October 29, 2015 at 09:17

      You may be right, Sony bought Gaikai for $380 million. Can’t throw that in the water.

      Reply

  3. GooseZA

    October 29, 2015 at 09:14

    Dat header!

    Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    October 29, 2015 at 09:15

    Oh well, I guess we have no option but to play the new exclusives then.

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      October 29, 2015 at 09:18

      XD

      Reply

    • Nikola

      October 29, 2015 at 09:33

      Yeah haha it’s soo tough!

      Reply

  5. Nikola

    October 29, 2015 at 09:35

    Who cares I would rather they invest into new games and spend money there then into BC and it is showing the amount of exclusive coming to PS4 is brilliant not to mention all the third party titles that are coming who has time to replay OLD games???

    Reply

  6. oVg

    October 29, 2015 at 09:42

    It does have backwards compatibility. The new Assassins Creed game is 900p/30fps. If that’s not 7th gen then what is? 😛

    Reply

  7. Lardus-For the Emperor!

    October 29, 2015 at 09:42

    The only games I would play in BC are the original 3 Mass Effect games. Especially when the new one comes out. Every other game I am interested in playing already has a new, “upgraded” version for the current generation (these are sports and fighting games). So BC or not is not going to be such a big issue for me as I can always get those 3 games on PC if it is really that important to me.

    Reply

  8. oVg

    October 29, 2015 at 09:48

    I would play

    RED DEAD REDEMPTION
    HEAVENLY SWORD
    MASS EFFECT
    XCOM
    MAX PAYNE 3
    BIOSHOCK
    GRAND TURISMO 4
    HEAVY RAIN
    BEYOND 2 SOULS
    ODYSSEY TO THE WEST

    the list goes on…

    and as a XBOX 360 owner having 3 DVD9s for one game was a mission.

    Reply

    • WitWolfy

      October 29, 2015 at 11:07

      LOL hear that pirate DVD9 TALK. Only a true pirate would know A DUAL LAYER DVD is called that!!!

      Reply

  9. JacoZAB

    October 29, 2015 at 10:13

    I just want to play the Jak and Daxter HD collection again. Maybe Sony can release it again on the PS4 as the Jak and Daxter HD HD Trilogy Collection?

    Reply

  10. James Anderton

    October 29, 2015 at 10:15

    Or you can get a PC, with backwards compatibility for life xD

    Reply

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