Sony might be setting the stage for PS3 classics to make a comeback on PS5, sparking excitement and speculation in the gaming community.
The buzz about Sony possibly adding native PS3 support to the PS5 has picked up again, thanks to Nick Baker, a known voice in the gaming industry and co-founder of “Xbox Era.” He's sparked excitement with hints that Sony could be working on making certain PS3 games playable directly on their latest console.
The Issue with Playing Old Games on New Tech
So far, playing PS3 games on the PS5 has been a bit of a hassle. You need a steady internet connection, since it only works through cloud streaming—a method that hasn’t exactly been a hit with gamers. Rumors from two years ago suggested Sony might be thinking about building an emulator or some kind of built-in support for PS3 games.
Baker’s recent comments in the following podcast suggest this support might be “selective,” starting with just a few games. He didn't have much else to say about any cool new features that could improve how these games would run on the PS5, like boosting frame rates or other enhancements.
But take it with a grain of salt—Baker's predictions haven't always hit the mark.
Previous Rumors Suggested An Emulator Was In Development
Two years ago we heard similar rumors on a podcast, stirred by Jeff Grubb, who mentioned a full-blown emulator. Grubb thought Sony might be close to announcing this feature but noted that even if it's delayed, it doesn't mean it won't happen.
Sony never commented on these rumors, and sadly they won't join the Gamescom 2024 to tell us more about this topic. But we think the old rumors connect with the new, and there is something there.
As Sony keeps updating the PS5 — like adding Discord voice chat — fans are hopeful that the next big news will concern playing PS3 classics directly on PS5. Whether it’s a few select games to start with or a more extensive emulator, gamers are eager for a chance to dive back into their old favorites on Sony's latest system.