PS4 Backwards Compatibility Explained

Why doesn't the PS4 have backwards compatibility? This article looks at this topic.

[PhoenixUp]

No reason PS4 shouldn’t be able to play PS1 games. That’s a tradition every PlayStation platform has had up to that point, even the PlayStation Phone.

[darthv72]

Or ps2 seeing as ps2 classics are patched games that run on ps4.

They could do something like the xbo does with downloading the digital version of a game that is supported.

[ThatGuyDart]

PS3 games I understand but you're right. Sony hasn't really answered why PS1 and PS2 games aren't playable on PS4.

[Imalwaysright]

They're selling you the PS2 games. I have no idea why there isn't PS1 BC since they're not monetizing PS1 games.

[rainslacker]

Sure they have. They said it isn't able to. That's the answer....just not the one most of us would like to hear.

[Bahamut]

Money. They don't see it as a priority because they're dominating anyway. So they don't see the point in spending the resources. If their consumers were louder about it though, things could change one day, who knows. Probably not though.

[CurbStompin]

PS1 games they have been selling to us again. FF VII and FF IX. I bought them both : /

[TheRacingX]

They want $$$ so they charge you to buy them again....

[DrumBeat]

True. Rainslacker... come on. You're willing to hold everyone else accountable. Do the same for Sony. PSNow is a pretty poor answer if that's what you're inferring.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Honestly, Sony is dominating this gen and the amount of new, high quality software particularly in the past year and a half has been staggering for PlayStation. I think ppl are responding to what Sony is doing and i believe Sony is focused on delivering new content and new IP. If Sony didn't have such a generous stockpile of exclusives and if they weren't firmly ahead in the race i'm sure you would've seen them fall back on this type of strategy a while ago.

Part of the reason MS implemented BC as such an integral piece of their ecosystem is bc they had to. They really didn't have as much in the oven as Sony and they needed something to help sell the system. It was a great idea particularly when you just don't have a huge pipeline of exclusive software or a robust studio infrastructure. When you are lacking new software, selling the system off old software is an intelligent strategy that helped keep the xbone relevant. Sony doesn't have that problem and between the vast number of great exclusives, the 3rd party deals, PS Now, PSVR, and planning for the PS5 they probably don't have a lot of expendable resources. BC would obviously be nice, but i'm happier to have a company who's focused on new content first.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

The last thing on my wishlist for Sony is BC for PS1/PS2 games, I understand the PS3 is a bit too much of an ask because of the Cell processor's architecture, but PS1 and PS2 is doable (at least I can digitally get the classics I don't have discs for).

[UltraNova]

Personally I don't care about BC, I barely have time to play new games let alone old ones I've most probably played before.

That said I cant deny the fact that Sony should have given the option to people who would like to have it. There's no excuse there, Sony...get your shit together.

However, they are remastering/remaking a lot of their older hits. Look at Crash and the mindbending SotC remakes...those games I would buy and play again in a heartbeat since they put so much effort and heart into refreshing them.

As for PS Now, Sony should have incorporated BC in there. Insert your ps1,2 or 3 disc in your ps4 and you automatically have free access to the same game on PS Now. Common Sony...

[KillBill]

They came out and directly answered the question on the matter. They said gamers really don't want it or play BC games so they aren't going to invest in something that is not widely wanted.

[itsmebryan]

They have. Why give it to you free when they can charge you for it. Simple.

[rainslacker]

@Drum

I never held MS accountable when they didn't have BC at the start, so I'm not really changing my viewpoint here. Despite being someone who would love to have the feature, I'm not that fussed about it.

I do give credit to MS for finding a BC solution for Xbox. I do that often, because I feel it's one of the good things they've done this generation.

I was just stating that Sony hasn't made it available, and that's why we don't have it. A lot of people don't like that answer. Some want to believe that it's much more sinister, and while it's possible there is a money aspect to it, I feel that may be more about the support side that requires resources to keep it up and running, more than them seeking ways to monetize those games elsewhere.

The reason I believe this is that there is likely significantly more revenue available for Sony to make by selling a lot of those older games digitally, than what they'll make on the scant offering of PS2 classics that they've released so far this generation. This selling of games digitally is what I believe is the primary motive that publishers have to actually allow BC emulation on the X1.

I'll also say that PSNow is not a decent BC solution as I can't play a single one of my older games with it. At best, it's an alternative to play older games, but to me, the price of entry isn't really worth it. The sub price is OK I guess, but not really of much value to me. I don't recommend PSNow to anyone, and the only defense I really give it is against those that say it doesn't work well(because it does work fine), and that it isn't, and was never meant to be a BC solution, nor do I feel that having BC available on PS4 would somehow negatively affect PSNow subscriptions...and likely Sony would still make more off PSN revenue through selling the games.

The people that say that Sony isn't doing it because they feel they could charge you again for the same game seem to completely neglect the revenue from the sale of those digital games, which when you look at the huge library that would be available for constant sale, it seems it would greatly dwarf the rather limited sales of a few select titles with trophies and slightly better graphics attached. What did Rogue Galaxy sell....maybe 50-100K through the PS2 classics? But wouldn't it likely sell the same if it didn't have those improvements? Even if it didn't, what about when you add in the thousands of other games that would also sell? The numbers don't seem to work out that it's a matter of repacking games to sell for profit.

[Godmars290]

Aside from not being able to read CDs.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

And what about the PS1 games I downloaded on PS3? Why aren't those even available?

[TheUndertaker85]

@KwietStorm:
1) Many Sony diehards insist backwards compatibility isn't needed or welcome
2) Sony can make more money by charging again
3) Sony doesn't want to admit inferiority in the backwards compatible department by lacking physical options

[ILostMyMind]

@TheUndertaker85
1) Nobody says it isn't needed or welcome. Just isn't the reason someone buys a new console.
2) This.
3) Sony has no BC and doesn't have to admit anything.

"physical option"? MS have this?

[TheUndertaker85]

@ILostMyMind: Yes, Microsoft does allow physical titles to be used via backward compatibility

"The digital titles that you own and are part of the Back Compat game catalog will automatically show up in the “Ready to Install” section on your Xbox One. For disc-based games that are a part of the Back Compat game catalog, insert the disc and the console will begin downloading the game to your hard drive. After the game has downloaded to your hard drive, users will still need to keep the game disc in the drive to play."
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

As Sony didn't include a CD diode for PS4 the option wouldn't be available. So yes, if Sony brought backwards compatibility they would effectively have to admit Xbox can do physical while PS4 can't.

[Godmars290]

@TheUndertaker85:
Yet still the game has to be approved. Any title can't just put into a console as when BC was originally a thing.

[Godmars290]

"We are talking about a service to its customers which is not going to fly on the BC greatness awaits console."

No. We're talking about something Sony didn't do because with the PS3 "customers", or rather the gaming community at large, insisted that BC wasn't needed. So, to save costs in further "its too expensive" complaints, it was taken out. Now, after the competition botches the launch of their system, reintroduces BC in order to make amends, BC is suppose to be popular again.

But yes, Xbox fanboys have tried to use BC as reason to get an XB1 just as they're insisting XBX should be bought because it does COD in 4k were the PRO "only" plays Sony exclusives...and the same multis as XBX.

[Theknightofnights]

@Godmars290

I'm not an Xbox fanboy and I think that BC on PS4 would be fantastic. I wish the Switch had it too.

I've purchased loads of PS1 and PS2 classics on my PS3 only to have to purchase a handful of PS2 classics again on PS4. It would have been great to offer them on the PS4 and an optional "upgrade fee" if you wanted it with HD upressing and trophy support.

[Godmars290]

@Theknightofnights:
Thing is we're talking about two if not three levels of BC. Maybe if such a big stink about it hadn't been raised when it was on the PS3, if instead Sony had received half the praise MS seems to get, it would be on the PS4 like BC should be, with no one having to think about.

If anything Sony should catch flack for not making PSN games transferable between the systems its on, but again there was the stink around BC at the time with few seeing its benefits - until it was gone.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Undertaker

MS uses a form of emulation, it isn't true BC, if it was it would've been built into the hardware at launch. It simply uses the disc for approval. It's not like you can stick any 360 disc in and have it work.

[ClanPsi1]

Can't read CDs? Wat? All Bluray players can read DVDs and CDs.

[Theknightofnights]

@Godsmars

When did anyone raise stink about the PS3 being backwards compatible? I don't think I ever saw anyone complaining about that.

[HomoLuden]

Even the Vita can run ps1 games. No reason why PS4 cant/

[Summons75]

PS2 could run Ps1 games, Ps3 (for a limited time) could run Ps2 and Ps1 games...

No reason why they can't allow backwards compatibility, they just don't want too because they can easily resell select games.

[Godmars290]

Would think by now its more a question can they resell or even allow access to older games in a post Gamestop world. All we are dealing with now comes from used games becoming a thing, GS defacto monopoly and over exploitation of them, with lawyers stepping in for their cut.

[Imalwaysright]

All PS3 skus could run PS1 games from the phat to the slim. PS3 60 GB phat which was my 1st PS3 before it got the YLOD had the PS2 chip and could run all PS2 games and the PS3 80GB phat could run a limited number of them because it was emulating them.

[1Victor]

@imalwaysright you are WRONG the 80gig PS3(phat) can run all PS/PS2 disks because it had the PS2 chip built in. The later systems versions was the one that needed emulating the games

[Imalwaysright]

1Victor

Ah you wish! YOU, not me, YOU are WRONG! 80 GB phat had BC through emulation and couldn't run all PS2 games. It was removed from the 80GB phat through an update because well, Sony wanted you to buy the games again from PSN.

https://www.lifewire.com/ca...

"Other models, most notably the 80GB "Metal Gear Solid PS3" used to be backwards compatible (using emulation software) but now they aren't."

[mozzie]

@ILostMyMind
MS has physical 360 games as license check. just put in a 360 disc and it'll download the back compat version from the online store. basically the same as an xbox one disc, it needs to install anyway and the disc will just be for license checking.

[threefootwang]

Well it's pretty obvious why.

Sony is more interested in revenue then customer satisfaction.

They've been doing it nonstop this gen.

[C-H-E-F]

ps1 and ps2 games should be valid, ps3 is the only complex portion to the equation, but i agree ps1 and ps2 should be BC on ps4. I want to play Syphon Filter for some reason lOl

[spreadlove]

The reason is Sony wants to sell you the games again. Why make it for free?

[sampsonon]

i would rather them do what they've been doing. NEW GAMES all day :)

[OffRoadKing]

With a great library of games for PS4 I dont see why anyone would want or need to play PS1 games. Not saying there isn't a small niche group out there that want this but its not as demanded as people make it out to be.

[tontontam0]

LOL
XBOX fanboys spinning ps4 owners words.

No nobody is saying that we don't want bc

It is just that having no bc is not enough reason to buy an xbox one over ps4.

[DrumBeat]

Nobody is saying what you're saying either. You're twisting the narrative to suit an argument you shouldn't be making. The other side isn't making the argument that you need an Xbox One over a PS4 for backward-compatibility. There's merely the question of 'Where is Sony's implementation?' and if it's PSNow, it's quite inferior to Microsoft's offering. Nobody is telling you to buy an Xbox One to play old games. You accuse others of word-spin and go on to do it yourself.

[-Foxtrot]

Should be able to move the PS1 classics they put on the store to the PS4. I paid for a lot of them and now I can't even access them because they refuse to put them back on the store...don't give me this "licensing" bullshit because they've already done it so they should have known people would want to re download them when making the switch to the PS4.

It's ridiculous. I mean people in the UK waited years for Spyro the Dragon trilogy yet it was released the last year and a bit before the PS4 launched.

The library should have been growing...not every gen starting from scratch. This is why an all digital future just won't work.

[darthv72]

I agree. I too have lots of ps1 games and even psminis that have since been recoded for newer hardware but I cant dl them even though I already bought them on ps3.

Same thing happened on 360. I still have several xb arcade games on my og xb that i paid for but 360 version of those same games are not downloadable for me unless i want to buy them again.

So to play ones like zuma, joust, smash tv that i bought on my og xbox i have to plug that in and pop in an xbla disc in to access them even though there is no more og xbl to connect to.

[T2X]

I agree. The only way it will work is if going forward, Digital or not, the next gen systems play the same games as the previous. That would be fine.

[guywazeldatatt]

I'm Stil beyond pissed I can't get Xenogears back on the store. Ridiculous. I may buy a used PS1 and OOB Xenogears so I can finally finish it.

[Imalwaysright]

Might as well get a PS3 slim because it can read all your PS1 cds and you can download all the games you bought from PSN.

[rainslacker]

That's why I have my phat PS3. Would be great to have it all on the PS4, and would even pay more for it if it was available, but ultimately, I kept my PS3 because I have a rather extensive library of games, many of which are still in my backlog.

[rainslacker]

It'd be pretty cool to be able to play some of them, although I don't have a ton of digital one's and the system apparently can't read the discs so my vast physical collection wouldn't do me any good.

It is a licensing issue though, same as with MS. There is away around it though like MS showed ,by allowing publishers to allow the license on the PS4. It was done in the past through the proper hardware being in the systems, so it circumvented the need for a reapproval of the license.

At this point in the gen I'm not going to hold my breath for it. It'd be a great feature to have though.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

This, I would like the classics I paid for on the PS4, I still have the PS3 but I'd much prefer to boot up the PS4.

[ClanPsi1]

Yep. It's the #1 reason why I still haven't bought a PS4, and never will until they implement such a simple feature.

[_-EDMIX-_]

So you decided not to buy a PlayStation 4 because you can't play Playstation 3 games? I don't understand? Why do you want a PlayStation 4 if you're just wanting to play Playstation 3 games? When it actually just make more sense to actually buy a Playstation 3 or keep the one you already own?

Lol

Trust me buddy I'm not missing out on anything I kept my Playstation 3 and bought a PlayStation 4 launch.

I guess you could keep waiting for that free console 😂😂😂

I'm a gamer I play games first and foremost so at the end of the day when PlayStation 5 comes I'm not selling my PlayStation 4, if you can't afford to keep a previous system how on Earth are you even going to be able to afford to buy games for it?

I don't even see the purpose of getting rid of my PlayStation 4 even if a PlayStation 5 could support PlayStation 4 games it wouldn't even make any sense, so I'm going to fill up my PlayStation 5 hard drive of games that could already played on another system? 😂😂😂
28514;

No buddy

This just sounds like someone being absolutely extremely cheap.

I mean are you just buying one game used per year?

Help me understand your financial set up that basically makes it to where you can't even afford to keep your previous system, a used PlayStation 3 is like less than $100 right now.

Cuz that seems like a pretty dumb reason to miss 4 years of some great content.

I'm not missing Jack when PlayStation 5 comes out because I'm keeping both systems.

I have a job to buy game systems not sell them and give them away. Or are you going to tell me that it's not possible to keep all those game systems cuz they all MUST be hooked up to one television at all times? 😂😂😂

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

No PS1 and 2 backwards compatibility- Playstation Now
No PS3 backwards compatibility- Cell Processor is very hard to emulate

[Sonic_Vs_Mario]

I'm surprised how Microsoft made the original Xbox console backwards compatible on Xbox One since it's using a completely different (complicated) architecture.

[Razzer]

It is using emulation and the architecture is much simpler than PS3.

[Summons75]

And MS stated backward compatibility was "impossible" when it first launched.

[ILostMyMind]

It is not so difficult. And yes, MS is a gigantic software company, Sony is not.

[rainslacker]

360 used a PowerPC architecture. Not overly complex. It's just a RISC to CISC conversion, but the actual GPU is fairly consistent in terms of hardware calls....as in the newer ones can do the older stuff pretty easily.

CELL is a completely different thing though. While it has a PowerPC core, the SPE's in the chip can process certain functions at speeds that modern CPU's and even GPU's, can't handle with any consistency, and there is not always a direct hardware instruction so more emulation is needed, thus slowing things down further.

It's kind of funny though, CELL was supposed to be a multi-generational chip for Sony, to help BC be a thing for the long term. But CELL didn't catch on, and now they said one reason they choose x86 besides it's simplicity, is to allow for easier BC in the future...although apparently you didn't know that.

[Rhythmattic]

As for x86 running power pc code..... People forget even apple incorperated "rosetta" into its os, allowing the intel machines to run power pc code....
As for the cell, its had a ppc cpu, but its the spu's that make it near imposibble to emulate.... Def not enough brute force onthe PS4.

[Professor_K]

Just another 1 up for Microsoft for making the most easiest to develope console 3 gens in a row. Very genius move ,Sony fd up bad with the ps4 and 3. Just the power directx>>>>anythin g else

[Summons75]

Yet PS3 games are on PS Now and run perfectly fine* on PS4. Not to mention many devs doing ports of PS3 games have said the transition was way easier than they expected.

[ILostMyMind]

PS3 games on PS Now does not run on PS4 consoles as the base platform.

[Summons75]

@ILostMyMind

Yes, it does because during my trial that was the first and only game I played on PSNow because I realized that my internet at the time was terrible for it.

[dilbig5]

There’s a difference between streaming something and actually having it.

[CoryHG]

So wtf is the difference of having a digital backup vs streaming? U still dont physically have something

[Liqu1d]

PS Now games don't run on PS4, they run on servers.

Porting a PS3 game to PS4 is not the same as the PS4 emulating a PS3.

[Perjoss]

"Cell Processor is very hard to emulate"

but not impossible, here's Demon's Souls running on a PC pretty damn well:

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[strayanalog]

So, basically, it would be too expensive of an emulator.‎ I'm certain this excuse is so they can continue to promote PS Now. How is this a valid path for long time fans?‎
I would love to be able to put a PS1 disk in and be able to play, but I suppose this will never happen. Guess when I want to play a classic I'll continue to hook up the original Playstation until Raspberry Pi 4 hits and I'll have every previous gen system I need in one convenient spot.

[Sonic_Vs_Mario]

"It would be too expensive of an emulator"

Not really. That's why you pay a subscription to use Sony's service? With Xbox One Microsoft updates their emulators constantly with new features, On Xbox One X I can play old games in 4k with anti-aliasing and forced 16x Anisotropic Filtering. Imaging is crystal clear like I'm playing a Remastered version of the game

[strayanalog]

I'm talking about using an emulator for actual disk play, which Sony (and author) claims isn't a valid path for fans in the article so they put money towards exclusives. I think you simply misread me, Sonic_Vs_Mario.

[strayanalog]

In my opinion, PS Now or not, I don't want to pay to play for a whole extra service that could have been built in or added with PSN.

[ClanPsi1]

Raspberry Pi 3 can play PS1 games. It can actually play up to N64. You have to overclock it a bit and put in a small 40x40x10mm fan [I got mine from AliExpress for a couple dollars] to dissipate heat, but then it runs like a dream.

[Liqu1d]

Claims the PS4 is more than capable of emulating PS3 but it would be too expensive to make an emulator, yet doesn't explain how he knows this.

Claims you can play PS2 games on PS Now which is not true. PS Now has mainly PS3 games and some PS4 games.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/...

Claims PS Now is a backwards compatibility service, it isn't backwards compatibility at all. You cannot play old games you own for free using PS Now.

Finishes of the article by saying "And there you have it; a brekdown of just how the backwards compatibility for PS4 works and how you can use it." PS4 does not have backwards compatibility at all, there is no way to play old games you own on the PS4 for free.

This article sounds more like an advert for PS Now and not a good one.

[T2X]

Yes, this is a bullshit article. I agree. Don't know why they bother, when people can see the facts by using Google!

[Kavorklestein]

I acutally alternate between Altavista and Ask Jeeves hahaha

[Cobra951]

If he claims that about PS3 emulation, he's dead wrong, pure and simple. If it could be done, Sony would have done it by now.

[Imalwaysright]

Its very possible with PS2 and PS1 games and yet they didn't do it. They already have a PS2 emulator. How do you think that you can play PS2 games that you bought on the PSN on your PS3? I mean the PS3 slim doesn't have the ps2 chip like the PS3 60 GB phat and yet you can buy and play them from PSN and play them on a PS3 slim. No, they rather do some "improvements", add trophies and sell you those games again on the PS4. All PS3 skus could play PS1 games and if PS3 can emulate PS1 games so can the PS4.

I wouldn't at all be surprised if the PS5 wasn't BC with the PS4 and why should it when I see the majority around here saying that BC doesn't matter and when they can sell you those games again?

[DarkZane]

@Imalwaysright The PS5 will be BC with the PS4. The PS5 will definitely use the x86 architecture like the PS4, so all consoles from now on will be backward compatible and play PS4 games.

[Kavorklestein]

I'm sure making that expensive emulator is WAY more expensive than their choice to buy Gaikai /s

[ziggurcat]

"Claims you can play PS2 games on PS Now which is not true."

Also, PSNow is a streaming service, it's not natively playing the games on the system...

[Imalwaysright]

DarkZane

I hope you're right but I wouldn't bet on it.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Gamers didn't like the price of the best version of the PS3 that threw everything in and the kitchen sink- Sony took tech out to make it cheaper.
Developers complained The Cell Processor was too hard to Program- Sony created a developer friendly PS4

They could emulate PS1, PS2 and most games on PS3.

But, when you complain, you may not always be able to **have your cake and eat it too.**

[Sonic_Vs_Mario]

"They could emulate PS1, PS2 and most games on PS3."

True, That's why you pay a subscription fee for? For Sony to improve their service

[DarXyde]

Sony's service has been pretty great with Plus. Connection is incredibly stable. It wasn't at first in my experience, but now, I have no qualms.

Here's where you're thinking is strange: you assume that, because PlayStation as a whole is doing great, money from one service should be used in others. That's certainly *possible*, but if you're paying money to maintain servers and Sony uses that money for backwards compatibility, do you think people will be more upset that their servers are down or because they didn't add backwards compatibility? If Live is so profitable, why doesn't Microsoft have more new IPs? Probably because Live's revenue is used more directly to support that service.

Backwards compatibility would be cool, but I wouldn't call it necessary. PS4 has plenty of great games out now and they keep me very occupied. I also still have a PS3 in my bedroom and a PS2 somewhere in my mum's attic. I even still have my PSOne. I still have access to the entire PlayStation library. I'm not going to throw away or sell my hardware just because I upgrade. Maybe I'm just more clairvoyant than the average person, but I wouldn't sell anything until I can confirm that the new hardware can run my old games (and even then, I wouldn't part with it).

Xbox One is the only current hardware that's backwards compatible. It's the exception rather than the rule. It also doesn't offer much you can't get elsewhere, so there's that. It's great to have, but it's also a buffer. I'm pretty content with playing PS4 and Switch games and I think quite a few other PlayStation/Nintendo gamers would agree.

I'm not trying to slight Xbox. I just feel that their implementation of backwards compatibility is their way of compensation for the lack of compelling Xbox One-only software. It's great that it has it, but it also needs it the most. Sony has been pretty shameless with not allowing backwards compatibility while charging for PS Now and PS2 classics, but it doesn't really hurt me in the slightest.

[nitus10]

PS1 and some PS2 games came on what is effectively a CD-Rom. The PS4 reader cannot read a CD-Rom so those games on that media can't be read by the PS4's Bluray reader. Unfortunately, even though the PS4 can read DVD which most PS2 games came on Sony decided to not allow PS2 games to be directly played on the PS4. The same was true for PS3 games.

The original PS3 did have nearly full backward compatibility for PS2 games if you had the NTSC model which basically had the PS2 chipset. The PAL version of the original PS3 had a combination of hardware and software which only allowed about 85% of all PS2 games to be played. That said all PS3s could play all PS1 game media.

It would have been a nice feature if the PS4 could play PS1, PS2 and PS3 games, however, Sony did warn all prospective PS4 purchasers that the PS4 would not be backward compatible so those people who had PS1, PS2 and PS3 game media kept the consoles that played them. Actually, most people don't really care to play older games and this is born out in the sales of the PS4 to date.

BTW. Microsoft also warned all prospective XB1 buyers that it would not support backward compatibility and it wasn't until two years later that limited backward compatibility for XB360 games was implemented which was a nice value-added feature, but it was not a system seller, although it would have been if backward compatibility was implemented at the start of the XB1 generation.

[Thomaticus]

I was hoping you were wrong about the CD ROM thing, but you are 100 percent right... I can't believe that they left that out.

[ClanPsi1]

Why wouldn't it be able to read CD-Roms? Sounds like another lie from Sony to not make the PS4 backwards compatible with PS1&2 games.

[ShottyatLaw]

Blaming those who had legitimate complaints about what proved to be a misstep by Sony is certainly one way of looking at things.

Or, you could just call a spade a spade and recognize what most observers already have: the Cell was a mistake. Nothing against the tech or their ambitious goals, but it didn't work. R&D alone put them severely in the red where they stayed for years. They went to market at a high price point, devs were unable and unwilling to fully embrace it, and the end result is still being felt 10 years later by consumers.

Push blame off as much as you want, but those complaints were valid. Sony didn't like the non-existant margins of that fully-loaded PS3 either. Developer complaints about the Cell were based on the difficulties and added resources they faced working with the tech.

Now we're paying for PS2 classics. Serves us right, huh?

[Imalwaysright]

"They could emulate"

No no no... they did emulate them or how do you think that you could play PS2 games bought on the PSN on a PS3 slim that did not have the PS2 chip? How do you think that PS1 games were playable on every PS3 sku? Don't give us that BS tha it is because of the price of the console. It's all because they rather sell you those games again so don't be surprised if the PS5 isn't bc with PS4 games. I know I won't be.

[Razzer]

Initially the PS3 did not emulate. It actually had PS2 hardware integrated in the PS3 and could play from PS2 disks.

[Imalwaysright]

Not all PS3 skus. The 20 GB and 60 GB skus had the PS2 chip but the PS3 80GB phat had BC trough software emulation. It was not a perfect emulator at the time and couldn't run all PS2 games but did ran a decent amount of them. Sony took it through an update and later started selling PS2 games on PSN. How could you run them on any PS3 sku, including those without the PS2 chip? Most likely through an updated and improved version of that emulator in other words, give us money in exchange for BC. These are the actions that make me say that I wouldn't be surprised if the PS5 wasn't BC with PS4 games. I hope it does have it though.

[DillyDilly]

How does this need explaining ? You gotta pay for the service its that simple

[DialgaMarine]

The reason is architecture. That’s it. For me, this was the wonderful thing about being an avid PS3 gamer: I played all the games I really wanted back when they were still fresh and new. The last game I played on my PS3 was R&C: Into the Nexus, back in 2013. Haven’t even plugged the thing in since because PS4 has been such an amazing console experience. I don’t need backwards compatibility, because I like seeing a future of modern quality games.

[ClanPsi1]

For PS3, maybe. For PS1&2? There is no hardware or architecture issue.

[GNCFLYER]

I ask you for 100% honesty on this question to anyone who replies.

Do you really want to play PS1, PS2 games anymore? I can't even play FF7 anymore or OG Tomb Raider.

I can't get past the extremely low res graphics or limited gameplay mechanics.

I truly, honestly cannot find the joy in this. I can barely replay games this gen. I replayed HZD because I used a different strategy the 2nd time around which I'm still doing.

I just can't go back. I look forward to the new experience I've never had before but it's just the way I do this hobby.

I didn't include XBOX because they do have BC..

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Yes, there are still games that I play yearly from older consoles that I do enjoy and there are more games from those generations that I want to pick up. I like BC mainly because I don't have to worry of buying multiple copies of games I own and being able to save some living room space is nice. I used to look forward to the PSN library mainly due to the ludicrous pricing of physical versions of some older titles but Playstation Now alongside of my purchases not being transferred to Playstation 4 pretty much killed my excitement as well.

Don't let me get started on not being able to import music from CDs anymore..........

[_-EDMIX-_]

I definitely agree with you there are still older games that I still play today but that's actually why I still have my older playstations in the first place.

" I don't have to worry of buying multiple copies of games I own"

you won't actually have to worry about that if you actually just kept your older systems.

I don't worry about having to rebuy onimusha because for god sakes it's a series I recently just beat over again a few weeks ago because I actually own the game system to play that game series.

I have to question how important a game series or game library is to a user that also chooses to not even own the damn game system in the first place , so they're so important to you you decide to not actually own the hardware to play the game that is supposedly important to you? 😂😂😂

You want to know why I didn't sell my Playstation 3? Because I have a game Library that's important to me...

I'm not worried about having to buy anything two or three or four times I simply actually keep the damn system to play those games.

You know, logic.

The only time I want to buy something I already own is if there are great improvements and a higher resolution frame rate or extra features.

ie by choice.

So many of you I don't actually really believe enjoy some of these games that much if you also choose to not even keep those systems in the first place.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

When I said multiple copies I meant transferring games bought on PSN from Playstation 3 to Playstation 4. There's really no excuse to have to buy the same exact digital game twice on a different platform using the same network............

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Kyosuke- I know what you mean about the digital stuff on PSN.

Now I wish that was something that could work system to system, but even that stuff still runs on PS3 set up though, on PS4 it would need to be recoded ie remaster, port transfer job etc If it was just like a light switch, then sure, but its clear its a coding issue that sounds expensive to pull off. If it was like PS1 to PS2, then sure, but PS3's cell was just a whole mess. If anything I feel they could have done more to get that PS1/PS2 content working by default and allow for that to work native. I'm still playing some PS2 games on my PS3 like Persona 4 (via PSN) lol

" different platform using the same network "

Network is based on distribution, not specs. That means a PS3 game is still a PS3 game digital or otherwise, how its put on PS4 is actually irrelevant. So you can still have content on the same network that is completely different in terms of code, consider technically you could have Mario sold on PSN, doesn't mean it will work on PS4. If that makes any sense.

The issue isn't the network, its the code that the PS3 game is made on, cell was just a mess to work with, its why you see teams like Bluepoint games hired to transfer games like Gravity Rush or Uncharted. Its because the process isn't simple. Not like PS1 to PS2 where it was native.

[nitus10]

I do have an original PS3 which can play PS1 (all PS3's can do this) and PS2 games, however, I have hardly played any PS2 games (last played over a year ago) and even less PS1 games (last played was about four years ago).

I actually purchased a PS4 about two years ago and I have so many PS4 games (mostly free via PS+ and over 20 purchased ones) that I really don't have the time to play old games anymore.

It must be noted that except for the first three RPG's ($25 to $40 USD) that I got on the purchase of my PS4 most games I have since purchase were on sale in a store or at PSN that on average I would have spent about $10 USD per game.

[Skankinruby]

You actually hold the popular opinion among gamers on this although xbox loyalists will gloat about this feature til they're blue in the face when they most likely don't even use it themselves.
You don't buy new consoles to play old games...period. At least with the remasters they add trophies as a bait if you're into that (I'm a trophy junkie) but simply having a feature to be able to dust off your old collection of games and replay them on your new console is one of the the stupidest attempts at a selling point

[ClanPsi1]

I disagree. I buy new consoles to not have to keep my older consoles around. I don't want to have to hook whatever PS is required to play a game I want to play, especially if it's a digital copy of a game that could easily run on PS4 hardware. It's why I'll game on PC until Sony gets their sh*t together.

[Skuletor]

The original Crash Bandicoot Trilogy and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are examples of PS1 games I still play. Plus they can be played on my old PS3 or my Vita, except the original Crash Bandicoot isn't on the Vita because of licensing issues I guess. Still pull out the PS2 occasionally too, to play games like Def Jam: Fight for NY, Burnout 3 etc as well.

[GNCFLYER]

Appreciate the responses. I also like the remastered games. I didn't play TLOU last gen so I bought the remaster (remake) this gen. I didn't buy the bioshock collection because I've played them.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Well judging by both of our responses, there is an audience for both avenues and it would have been nice for Sony to try to address the all of our concerns especially when consoles prior did so. It's by no means a deal breaker but removing staples of earlier Playstation models and knowing that if Sony ended up last this generation, these would be reinstated in a heartbeat makes Sony look quite petty.

[_-EDMIX-_]

It was barely a staple only one generation actually had that with PlayStation 2 and Playstation 3 started it but clearly could not continue with the high price point and removed it.

At the end of the day PlayStation 4 moving record units actually goes to show the absolute fast majority of gamers are not spending huge money to buy new Next Generation systems to play Old content.

Because it doesn't even make any sense so what you're telling me is you own a vast library of content but you also don't own the system to play this content?

I liked titles like viewtiful Joe killer 7 onimusha and many more enough to actually keep my PlayStation 2, enough to keep my backwards compatible PlayStation 3....

And clearly I liked my PlayStation 3 games enough to actually keep my Playstation 3 when I bought a PlayStation 4....

Sooooo if you have a huge Library I'm sorry but there just is no excuse to not actually own the system to play those games and then to blame the company for not giving you the systems compatibility perfectly for free lol

Because it starts to sound like you're more of a fan of getting something for free then actually gaming in the first place simply because many of these used systems can be purchased for about the price of a brand new game if not slightly more.

So even if you want to go on the narrative that you're so poor you can't possibly afford to buy the other system or to keep it how exactly are you buying games for the new system? 😂😂😂
28514;😂

Ooooooooook

The Wii U had backwards compatibility to the Wii so how much did that really help out in sales?

What about the Xbox One?

I mean the Nintendo switch based on this narrative should be completely failing correct? It's backwards compatible to zero systems....

[GNCFLYER]

It's true they could easily add PS1 and PS2 BC but choose not to. I don't think the PS4 could emulate a PS3 though.

I personally rarely use CD anymore but I understand it's the highest quality and there's audio loss on downloaded MP3. It would also be simple to implement.

I do hope PS5 runs PS4 games though. Whether or not I play them I guess it's nice to know it's available.

MS did a good job with the X1 but I'm not a fan nor do I have the time for two systems or desire to pay two online fees. And honestly I can't get used to the offsetting thumb sticks, I've tried, my best friend is an Xbox guy.

[Thomaticus]

I'd like to play some old games, that use the power of the PS4 PS4 pro to enhance the games. There are tons of great PS1 and PS2 games that deserve a play. I'd like to play some of the Legacy of Kain games again.

[Imalwaysright]

I still play Megadrive games.

[Cobra951]

This again? PS3 is impossible in practice, as has been explained before. The Cell architecture is too alien to the PS4, and can't be emulated at full speed. PS3 games would need to be ported. Earlier systems are certainly doable, because the PS4 is much more powerful than them. It can brute-force whatever part of the emulation needs it. But that takes work and expense. It's up to Sony to decide whether to do so.

[StormLegend]

It's about to be 2018 and people are still crying over old games? Either keep your old console or download them on PC. It's no reason to still wanna play these games anyway. But would BC be great? sure it would, I would love to have it for PS4 or even PS5. I just don't see it as a big reason.

[Gman32]

people complain because sony gives you backwards compatible via psnow and ps2 but makes you pay

[Liqu1d]

That's not backwards compatibility. The PS4 has no backwards compatibility, you cannot play old games you own on the PS4 for free.

[Gman32]

@ligu1d no sh*t thats why i said via psnow a whackass streaming service

[_-EDMIX-_]

At this point the PlayStation 3 is so cheap used I don't even understand the stupidity of somebody still crying over something they could actually obtain.

I'm still not understanding the point of all the crying especially when a person would have to be so cheap and poor they couldn't even actually afford games for the PlayStation 4 if they also could not afford a used PlayStation 3.

To me that doesn't sound like a real problem that simply sounds like stupidity.

My favorite is when you hear these people crying about how much they love their game library and go on and on and on how important it is to them, only till ironically not want to spend the money on the hardware to play this so-called important software 😂😂😂

I recently beat Killer 7 in onimusha 2, but clearly I care enough about that software to actually own the damn Hardware to play it 😎

I recently even bought a Game Boy Player for my GameCube so I could play some older Gameboy Advance games on my TV.

I'm not going to sit here with a gaming library and then complain to every damn company about something that I could get today. If someone's this stupid in my honest opinion they deserve to continue to miss out on Years of Gaming based on such stupidity.

Back in the day this was not something that you just got not even with any of the previous Nintendo systems for a very very very long time, it was just understood that if you had your Super Nintendo and you got an N64 that you would keep your Super Nintendo to play those older classics..

I don't think there was a single generation in gaming in which backwards compatibility was the norm.

I would say the closest that's ever happened was the previous generation near the beginning with Wii PlayStation 3 Xbox 360

PlayStation 3 remove the feature because of cost and because most people were not even purchasing it for that function, the Wii later on actually removed the feature as well for cost.

I'm keeping my PlayStation 4 no different that I kept my previous PlayStation systems because there is no guarantee for backwards compatibility when PlayStation 5 releases and I also have a gaming Library that's already been downloaded that I actually prefer to play on the native Hardware even when PS5 comes out.

(So yes folks I'm not just going to go around and try to redownload over 100 games on another system 😂😂😂
28514;)

[_-EDMIX-_]

@clan-it's called a closet

I have no clue why you just automatically assumed I had a whole series of game systems lined up on the desk or something lol

I seriously don't understand your desperation of trying to pretend that the only possible way this could work is with all of them connected to a television 😂😂😂
28514;

You could keep on begging for the functionality but I've already beaten the game several times over there's no need for me to beg for something that I already own.

Sure I think it would be great to be able to play onimusha in HD...

But I just beat the third game a week ago so trust me I'm not complaining like some of the idiots on this website or so slow they don't understand they can easily just by the system used play the game and shut up you're basically waiting years for something that may not happen while actually missing the content that they claim to like so much.

I mean you could stop being cheap go on Amazon buy it so you could play the game and when it's not in use simply pocket away somewhere.

It's not expensive and it's not impossible.

I think the functionality would be awesome inside of a game system but until that happens I have no problem keeping my previous game systems cuz I'm actually a gamer I actually keep my game systems to play games go figure.

😎

I mean I have to question how some of the people on here pretend to love gaming so much yet also don't even own the specific systems to play the games they claim to love so much 🤔🤔🤔

You know how much I like killer 7 Crystal Chronicles viewtiful Joe onimusha series etc ? Enough to keep my backwards compatible PlayStation 3 and enough to even keep my PlayStation 2.

You could keep begging for the functionality to play your games...

I'm still able to play my games.

[cfc83]

Sony have a sevice that they want people to pay for. It's as simple as that. They're not going to do anyone any favours if there's money involved.

[maybelovehate]

yep. Greed. Pure and simple. Can they do it? Yes. Will they do it? No. It isn't in the interest of their pocket books.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

For once, I agree with you.

[maybelovehate]

Because they are greedy. They would much rather invest in ways to make consumers spend more money than adding value.

[Skankinruby]

Lol just stop, the entire ps3 era completely contradicts these nonsense claims. They made the best hardware and lost 260 per console to push blu ray as the standard hi def technology and received nothing but disrespect and got labeled as making an 'overpriced media machine', and it killed them financially. Idiots even made attempts to kick them while they're down by making that stupid 'how you killed your brand' song. Now with hilarious irony you silly xbox kids are trying to insult them for doing the exact opposite. No one actually cares about backwards compatibility, at least not enough to buy a console for it. And physical media is dying and investing in 4k blu ray player is about 5 years too late, they were smart not to invest in it. All Microsoft has done since they entered console gaming was try to play catch up with sony, but to this day the entire xbox brand is little more than a playstation clone.

[maybelovehate]

Sony got it very right in the PS3 era.. They are getting it very wrong now. They went from having great services for free or at a great value to locking services behind paywalls at every turn.

[IamTylerDurden1]

They are greedy yet they introduced a more powerful console for $100 less than the competition.

They weren't the ones trying to implement numerous anti-consumer policies at the beginning of this gen including the virtual abolishment of used games.

Sony has invested in things like 1st party, new IP, and VR in order to give ppl actual new content to enjoy so they can actually get use out of their console.

Providing ppl with content year round and taking chances on new IP instead of simply milking the same 3 franchises every holiday and being completely dry the entire rest of the year.

Adding value? If u own a PS4 u also have a system to run VR and u have system with cross buy and remote play as well as the best exclusives.

[quent]

Everyone pretending not to know the answer to the question ?, search you're walle.., heart

[_-EDMIX-_]

Lol I know right

a used game system is so damn cheap nowadays that this should not really be a problem for anyone other than people looking for free handouts.

[ClanPsi1]

Not everyone lives alone like you with space for so many consoles spread out across their living room.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@clan-I have a closet for my older game consoles I mean you probably need to understand that it's not as if I always keep a bunch of game systems all connected to a TV I'm only going to be playing a few games at once lol

I still have lots of older game systems like Super Nintendo N64 Dreamcast game qube PlayStation 1 PlayStation 2 and many more.

They're all not just hooked up to my TV the only thing I actually have hooked up as a PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

I actually bring out game systems to play specific games like recently I played through Crystal Chronicles on GameCube, so for that time being my Playstation 3 was actually not hooked up and on my desk.

I don't really understand why you're so puzzled at the idea of somebody bringing out a system to play a piece of software.

Trust me it's not that difficult and I find it easier than not being able to play the game and then sit there for years and years begging and waiting for a company to give me the functionality for free of a system I can buy today. Lol

Seems pretty stupid to me.

[B1uBurneR]

By the time they do BC on PS5...

[Fist4achin]

Money!

[Fist4achin]

It would be a nice feature to implement and for gamers to consolidate their space instead of keeping console after console around to play older backlogged collected games.

[ClanPsi1]

Couldn't agree more.

[_LarZen_]

"PS4 Backwards Compatibility Explained"

That's easy. There is none. :D

[Zer0Flinch]

Money, why would Sony give you something for free they literally paid MILLIONS to sell you with their steaming service. I think the better question is Why the F#€% can’t I change my PSN name!?

[Drakul]

Sony is just being greedy, no good.

[Thomaticus]

Xbox is making me wish I had bought all my games on the Xbox 360. I'd be able to play a lot of them with enhanced graphics today. On ps4 all I can do is buy remasters. I'd like to play the software I've already purchased. Sony is so behind on this issue it's sad, it's unacceptable.

[CBaoth]

amigo there's like 5 enhanced 360 games. Obviously, we're expecting more titles to be patched, but know this - PS360 era titles look like shit on a 4K set. Gears 2 looks awful compared to an enhanced 3. MS has done a spectacular job with BC (especially those they update) overall. I wasn't sure if last gen emulation was even possible but those software wizards in Redmond proved a lot of us wrong. I just don't want you thinking every BC game is magically enhanced though by the new hardware. A small FPS boost isn't enough to offset the eyesore that is 720p on a UHD set

[Many-hat5]

I think the importance of BC starts with the current gen of consoles. In the past BC has been a nice feature, but due to the longer generations it wasn't so critical.Most people had fully explored their library in the six years or so. Now, however, with potentially much shorter generations there won't always be time to play your games and explore all available games before the next generation starts. I don't want to buy a game in this gen and never get any replay value because we start with new consoles after, say, two or three years between mid gen refreshes. Don't worry, Sony, will have no choice but to include BC in future consoles.

[Valkron1]

Right now N4G has an article on their front page for a PS1 emulator called PhotoEffects for Xbox One. It could be done but Sony won’t let it

[ILostMyMind]

Why should Sony let this?

[WelkinCole]

It is simple. Money. Unfortunately suits knows these PS1 and PS2 classics IPs are worth a lot of money so they do this on purpose.

This is one of the things that Sony really has done wrong and it needs to be corrected.

Sony would do better not just for themselves but more importantly for gamers if they tie old PS1 and PS2 games gamers pay online to PS Plus accounts for gamers to buy and access as long as they have access to PS plus regardless of console. I think this would be a fair compromise.

[Revvin]

Long story short, its so Sony can charge you for PS Now

[OffRoadKing]

Well that backfired then, haven't spent a dime on it.

[blacktiger]

I only play few minutes, after that the graphics are alright but the gameplay mechanism is so lame and boring. It's like playing super mario 1

[SR388]

It sucks ass it can't play CDs or play any PS1,2 and 3 games

[ILostMyMind]

Why doesn't PS4 run PS3 games?
- Because it can't stand it.

Why doesn't PS4 run PS1 and PS2 games?
- Because greed.

PS4 don't play PS1, PS2 or PS3 discs... ok. PS1 and PS2 don't had PSN account...ok too, but PS3 had. Many people bought PS1, PS2 and PS3 on PSN account in PS3 generation and there is no reason do not alowe them to use their games.

Any justification from Sony is a lie.

[OffRoadKing]

"Because it can't stand it." WTF?

[Liqu1d]

I think he means the PS4 isn't powerful enough to run PS3 games. Strange way to word it though.

[2cents]

"Sony wants to do this for fans, but it is quite the investment and takes a lot of work. Thus, Sony would rather develop news titles for fans to enjoy, hence the many exclusive games available."

Honest and blunt, then deflect the topic with 'exclusives'.
So it's because of exclusives we don't get BC? No, simply stick to the honest part, you don't want to spend the time or money on it, even though you could.
Thanks Sony.

[Bronxs15]

The answer is easy. Because the PS4 is a success and the system has great sales. Sony has no incentive. If situation was flipped and Xbox one was a success and PS4 bombed, then Sony would be pulling out all the stops to make the system more appealing, like what Microsoft is doing to try and intice buyers. Sony doesn’t have that problem. They have great games on the system that drives consumers to buy it.

[MadLad]

They do. They're called it's available on the Playstation Store, and through normally lackluster remasters at a premium cost. What's the problem? It's not like Sony has the console market cornered or anything. How else will they make money?

[jacksmith56]

for ps3 games its because of different architecture for ps1 and ps2 the reason is pure greed , nevertheless the real question is will ps4 games be playable in ps5 can i move my digital library with me or not

[Yohshida]

I would love to play the PS1 Classics I have on PS3 or the 600 original PS1 games I still own on my PS4. I just dont want to have 10000 systems hooked up. Beeing able to play all Playstation games on one console with the latest controller would be freaking awesome.

[Deeeeznuuuts]

I dont mind buying the ps2 releases as they usually go on sale very quick for very cheap, I still have my PS3 so that's no an issue, the only issue I have with it is that they don't have ps1 games and just do what there doing with ps2 games, trophy support, better picture and better frame rate

[chaoslh]

Just keep your old console

[solderman]

If they want to trump Microsoft at backwards compatibility do it at a system level like they did on the previous consoles. Not using the disc as a key to download a digital version like Microsoft, That kind of service is no good when the service is no longer being offered.

[bluebenjamin]

The first playstation to not play Ps1 games is Ps4 ,its not a big deal it didnt stop.me from buying the pro but it would still be nice to have some local bc support from at least the ps2 days.

[Gunstar75]

Back compat planning was built into Xbox from conception. Check the latest DF video. Was very interesting

[ILostMyMind]

It is a Windows machine using DirectX. Pretty easy.

[ShwaaMan]

This is more of a PlayStation Now ad than anything.

[Shineon]

Ps3 is just about superior to ps4 in every way.Ps3 was better at media it could download music from an external source,cd,dvd,androidphone,mp3 ,it could do two channel sound where you can have audio playing from two devices nice for surround sound,it also plays ps1,ps2,and ps mini games(lol),plays 3d blu ray,and has DLNA which allows you to stream media from your pc.Ps3 also allows you access to game severs without scamming you with free games every month(onlinenotlocked)The only thing Ps4 beats ps3 in is running the last of us in true 1080p 30 frames vs the ps3 720p wow the diffrence Ps3 was a good piece of tech compared to ps4

[Rachel_Alucard]

Didn't they remove BC from the PS3 to lower the cost of the console? The whole thing seems like a financial reason instead of a development one

[Zjet]

Xbox One has backwards compatibility kind of......

If you own disc based games, it is MANDATORY that you launch the game (not just patch and download) LAUNCH the game online.

This isn't backwards compatible to me.

[ILostMyMind]

It is emulated.

[killswitchmad]

Sony certainly should invest more in developing a good BC system especially going forwards, Microsoft may have done it simply because a small minority would actually use it but that small minority can have a very big voice as evidenced from MS's announcement of BC.

In Sony's tiny defence they would certainly have to invest a larger sum of money into this simply because the software of a PS4 is not based around Windows, for MS it was probably very simple to get early prototypes running on a Windows PC before easily porting the emulator to an XB1, Sony would have to develop a very specific emulator that could probably only run on the PS4.

[Ryuujinjakka]

Not this again...

[ChristopherJack]

It's simple: Because they didn't put the hardware in the PS4 for it. Now they could emulate it if they wanted to, but clearly, they've decided it wasn't worth the effort.

Frankly, if it weren't for the exclusives, I couldn't recommend a PS4 Pro to anybody over an Xbox One X- other than exclusive games(the most important consideration, Microsoft, you morons!), the X1X is hitting all the right notes lately.

[RoseSapphire]

The answer is simple. Emulation costs money and their is no value in adding backwards compatibility. Their concern is selling you product, not letting you play product you already have. Conveniently, they also sell/sold product that will let you play that older product...

[sampsonon]

Once sony starts to focus on backward compatibility we can expect them to do what MS has been doing, being lazy about making new ips and acting like it's the greatest thing to happen to gaming. smoke and mirrors my friends.

If you want to play some old games by an old console. simple

[Sykojoe]

Because they wanted to try and turn a profit out of it. Ps now and all those remakes have no place if ps4 is backwards compatible. It's a business model.

[Jon_Targaryen]

"For the gamers". This is one of the reasons I sold my PS4. Giving BS reasons why BC cant happen but then re-release last gen games as "Remasters" as an excuse to make a quick buck or two. WHAT BS!!!

[CoryHG]

Sony fans dont complain about not being able to play a ten year old game. Again, if you want to, THE SYSTEM HAS A CHEAP SERVICE TO PLAY A BUTTLOAD OF PS3 games.

[3-4-5]

Nintendo is great with BC and even they usually only go one gen back with it.

[lolosgolos]

They messed up on this and should just keep quiet.

[ILostMyMind]

There is nothing to say. They won't do It.

[ASBO-5]

I’m as big of a PlayStation fan boy as they come and even I can tell you it’s straight up greed. They’d rather you repurchase all the old games or charge you for PlayStation Now. That’s the ONE and only thing I can give to the xbone

[NeoGamer232]

There should be no problem emulating for PS1 and PS2... The PS4 is more than powerful enough.

As for PS4 emulating PS3 it would probably be a tough task given the architecture of the PS3. Remember, developers took many years to master the PS3 architecture and it required a lot of iterations before they could make games run as well on PS3 as X360. In doing crazy things to make the PS3 run games just as well as X360 it would even complicate the emulation more.

[Cmoney007]

This is why I kept my PS3. I had a feeling Sony was not going to do BC. Should it happen? Yes. PS Now is not the right way to do BC.

[higgins78]

Wait...Wii plays GC perfectly without "needing to be 10 times more powerful" than the Gamecube. That argument is hogwash. I remember when PS3 launched with full backwards compatibility, only for Sony to remove this option via a software update later down the line. Later PS3 models would simply not allow this via Sony scrimping on hardware. Sony discourages backwards compatibility simply so it can charge consumers through the nose for a limited/flawed model.

[ClanPsi1]

Wow, what an awful ad for PS Now.

Hey Sony: Put PS1&2 backwards compatibility into the PS4. It would take you five minutes. C*nts.

[pingthing]

Headline is deliberately misleading, I immediately thought PS4 had recieved a new feature. It should have read ' Lack of PS4 backwards compatibility explained'

[knifefight]

That is one nice clickbait headline ya got there.

[dreue]

I tell you guys one thing,and this is just me but this all backwards thing im like do people actuall play old games that much? im going to explain me...
SO i got a ps4,and i was like im not going to sell my ps3 and games,so now i have both ps3 and ps4, and man since the release of ps4 i did not play one ps3 game ever....even god of war 3 after finish on ps3 did not went to it,the only game that i replay was the last of us....so for me i dont feel we need it,it is nice but i have ps3 and i just dont feel to go back to ps3 games...and it is already 4 years into ps4...and again did not re-play ps3 games because i want new stuff...so i dont really understand that people really prefer to re-play games...but hey that is me ...

[Ittoittosai]

Cause PsNow cant sell subs to a streaming service that plays Ps1,Ps2 and Ps3 games when the Ps4 does some of it.

[KillBill]

Sony already said everything that needs to be said about it from their view. They simply say gamers don't really want it.

[Enjoigamin]

excuses excuses excuses......the exclusives make up for it but still poor form on Sony's part in my opinion

[BenRC01]

Cos I didn't pay £350 to play old ps1 games. Go buy a ps1 and ruin all your fond memories, cos 99% of those games suck.

[trooper_]

You let me know of people are going to buy brand new consoles for BC instead of new games.

BC is a luxury, not an incentive. When it becomes popular, then you'll see Sony pull the stops to get BC on the PS4.

[RedKnightOH]

I couldn't care less about PS1 and PS2 games. If SONY can't get PS3 games to run on the PS4... to Hell with them. PS4 games are crap with loot boxes and microtransactions. My PS4 is on the shelf collecting dust. I'll wait for the PS5 release... and decide to get one or not.