A PlayStation 5 has been demonstrated running MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, a popular PlayStation 3 title, sparking a significant revelation. This achievement has been made possible through a relatively straightforward process. Users with specific PS5 Fat models running firmware versions 3.xx and 4.xx (such as 3.00, 3.10, 3.20, 3.21, 4.00, 4.02, 4.03, 4.50, and 4.51) can now install Linux. Once Linux is installed, users can then set up RPCS3, a PlayStation 3 emulator, enabling them to play PS3 games on their PS5.
This demonstration, presented in a video by user Retropierdolnik shortly after Andrew Nguyen released a Linux loader for the PS5, highlights the console’s ample processing power to run PS3 games locally. This contrasts sharply with Sony’s official stance, which restricts PS3 game access on the PS5 to cloud streaming via PlayStation Plus Premium, an annual subscription costing approximately 151.99 euros.
The RPCS3 emulator clearly illustrates the PlayStation 5’s capability to run PlayStation 3 games. The demonstration effectively debunks the notion that porting PS3 games to the PS5 is impossible, a long-held belief often attributed to the complexity of emulating the PS3’s Cell CPU architecture. The RPCS3 development team has proven this to be a misconception. Out of the 3,615 registered PS3 games, 2,525 are reportedly playable, representing 69.85% of the total. Many of the non-playable titles are those reliant on now-decommissioned servers, primarily affecting multiplayer functionality.
While Sony officially confirms PS5’s backward compatibility with most PS4 games (over 4,000 titles) and explicitly states that the PS5 does not support PS3 discs, PS3 games in the PlayStation Plus classic catalog are only available via streaming, not local downloads. This practice allows Sony to effectively “resell” these PS3 games through a paid monthly subscription under the guise of emulation.
The crucial question remains: why doesn’t Sony offer an official solution? Sony’s justifications could encompass various challenges, such as validating thousands of games, ensuring stable compatibility, integrating trophies, managing licenses, save data, controls, the store, physical discs, and providing technical support. Alternatively, Sony could follow Nintendo’s approach of directly utilizing old ROMs and even emulators within its own Nintendo Museum. For users possessing a PS5 Fat with an older firmware version, playing PS3 games is straightforward: install Linux and then install the RPCS3 emulator.
It Can Also Run Xbox 360 Games
In a video uploaded recently, Retropierdolnik showcased not only more PS3 games running on the PS5 but also titles from the Xbox 360. This was achieved by installing the Xenia emulator, allowing him to play games such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection. While Forza Horizon 2 also ran, it exhibited visible graphical glitches, as did Perfect Dark Zero. These issues are attributed to the emulator itself. Impressively, games from even earlier generations like PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 were emulated on the PS5 with superior results. Furthermore, the PS5 running Linux can utilize Bluetooth controllers, including the Xbox One controller.
Essentially, the PS5 Fat can be transformed into a Linux PC with access to a vast array of emulators for other consoles. This powerfully demonstrates that the limitations on playing games from past PlayStation consoles on the PS5 are not hardware-related but stem from Sony’s own business interests.
