Why PS5's Backwards Compatibility Feature Can Beat Xbox One's Version

Sony PlayStation 4’s lead system architect Mark Cerny has confirmed that the next PlayStation is currently being developed. A backwards compatibility feature, currently found in their rival from Microsoft, Xbox, has also been announced for the upcoming iteration. Here’s what we know about the PS5’s backwards compatibility feature.

According to Cerny’s interview with Wired, the lead system architect confirmed that the PS5 will have a backwards compatibility feature linking it to the previous console, PS4. The full extent of this Sony has yet to confirm as Cerny didn’t discuss the feature further. For now, we’ll have to wait for Sony to reveal more about the PS5 later to see how far this feature goes.

Currently, the Xbox One’s backwards compatibility allows console owners to play games from its predecessor, the Xbox 360. However, the console has its own constraints as it can only play select Xbox 360 games that are compatible with Xbox One. Microsoft puts out a list of Xbox 360 games which players can use to check if their Xbox 360 discs are compatible with the Xbox One.

If the game is confirmed, players can use it like a regular disc and put it in. If not, players would have to petition and vote for the game to be included through an official site by Microsoft.

The backwards compatibility list for the Xbox One gets updated every month for fans to check if their old games can be played again. Xbox’s style is democratic and fits the current online generation of games where its new updates are easily downloadable.

In the past, Sony’s backwards compatibility systems can be seen in the PlayStation 2. The PS2 was designed to be able to play PS1 games, but it can’t play all the PS1 releases. As the newer PS2 units were released, some PS1 games weren’t compatible with the PS2 anymore.

While Sony's feature faltered over time, its implementation was instantaneous and players didn't have to wait for any updates. Due to this, Sony’s experience with this type of feature can allow them to pull it off better with the PS5’s iteration of this feature.

Lastly, the new feature assures that the first few years of the PS5 will see fans immediately buying the system. As for video game consoles, newly released ones often lack new releases coming to the platform so early as developers have yet to design a game for it.

With the backwards compatibility system, fans can immediately rely on the PS5 if Sony plans for the feature to be compatible with the latest games. If so, Sony will be a good competition with Microsoft once more through the reliability of their backwards compatibility systems.