PlayStation 5 Seemingly Won’t Be Backwards Compatible with PS1, PS2, PS3 Titles

It looks like Sony’s upcoming next-generation console, PlayStation 5, is not backwards compatible with the company’s oldest consoles. An Ubisoft Support page has detailed the transition from its upcoming PlayStation 4 titles to its next-generation versions, and it also states that PlayStation 5 backwards compatibility “will not be possible for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation games.”

The page further clarifies that players who own the PlayStation 4 versions of Ubisoft’s upcoming cross-generation titles will be able to join multiplayer games with owners of the PlayStation 5 versions. There is also a link to a separate page regarding how Xbox One upgrades will work on Xbox Series X with its Smart Delivery feature, and it is much lengthier and detailed in comparison.

Microsoft’s philosophy places greater emphasis on backwards compatibility. The company announced earlier this month that Xbox Series X will launch in November with thousands of games available to play across its four generations of platforms, including the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Microsoft has committed to backwards compatibility as a continuing effort, curating titles to receive increased resolutions and frame rates, as well as improved image quality.

While backwards compatible functionality may be off the table for PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, Sony has previously stated it expects over 4,000 PlayStation 4 games will be backwards compatible with PlayStation 5.