Next-Gen Consoles: Differing Views on Backwards Compatibility

The next-gen consoles are fast-approaching, and with them, many players are wondering what the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 will offer in terms of backwards compatibility. While both companies seem to be working for the function to be available, they are taking very different approaches about it.

Microsoft and Sony have been polar opposites in the build-up to the console releases, with Microsoft showing off their console as early as last December and Sony still yet to give us any glimpse at theirs. Microsoft has been open and transparent, while Sony has been much more secretive.

The same seems to be applying towards their approaches to backwards compatibility.

Microsoft has been doubling down on bringing older games to their new console. They have publicly said that their aim is to bring games from all four Xbox generations and consoles to the Series X. Better yet, their goal is to have the games be the best versions possible, with the graphics being upgraded and frames to be doubled.

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About their extensive library they want to bring to the console, Microsoft said:

“With more than 100,000 hours of play-testing already completed, thousands of games are already playable on Xbox Series X today, from the biggest blockbusters to cult classics and fan favorites.”

As they have been this whole time, Microsoft isn’t hiding anything and is using the publicity to build excitement with the players. Sony is doing it differently.

While backwards compatibility is something that Sony has said they are looking into for the PS5, they haven’t given us any information about how it will be present on the console.

However, a recent leak from a Turkish retailer shows that the console will be able to play every game from the PS2 and PS3, with a majority of the PS4 being available as well. No news has been given about the PSX.

According to a Turkish retailer, PS5 will be able to play every PS2 and PS3 game via the Blu-Ray drive and majority of the PS4 library.

PS1 games are TBA as of right now. pic.twitter.com/YGuQS2OsFH

— Rythian (@RythianPlays) May 30, 2020

But this is just a leak, and Sony has given no confirmation to its legitimacy. While these kinds of leaks have proven to be accurate in the past, we will have to wait for an official statement from Sony before we believe it. Luckily, we have a PS5 event coming soon, even after it was postponed from this week’s original date.

Again, the two companies could not be taking more different paths with the road to the new generation, and while Sony has been mum about the PS5, we are still excited to see just what it can do. Either way, the next-gen consoles are looking to be impressive pieces of hardware.

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