Backwards compatibility is the ability of a video game console to play games from older consoles, such as PS3 games on the PS4. Unfortunately, PS4 is not as welcoming of its predecessors as the Xbox or Nintendo.
When the console was launched in 2013, the one feature sorely lacking in the PS4 is backwards compatibility. There’s no way to access your back-catalogue, regardless of how vast it is. So you either play with PS3 for older games, then switch to PS4 for newer, compatible games.
It’s not as much as the hassle, but the huge amount of games wasted, should you decide to ditch one console for another.
Why is it impossible to play a PS3 game on PS4?
This is because the new console is built on completely different architecture, so continuity is a bust.
There is a workaround, however. Through PlayStation Now.
This is nothing like the emulator for the Xbox, but the only option you have to play classic or older games. PlayStation Now is a game rental service that works like most rental services minus the fees.
Through the platform, you can play PS3 games on your PS4 without the need for a disc or to download them from the PlayStation Network. You’re actually playing the game on Sony’s servers. For this reason, you must have a 5Mbps high-speed internet connection, if you are to play with little to no interruption.
Aside from the fact that playing is free, it also doesn’t require you to maintain a queue of games to play. It is important to note that, while playing is free, PlayStation Now is an add-on service where you need to pay for an hourly, daily or monthly rental per game. For $20 a month, you can access a huge library of classic PS games.
Are the cost and effort worth it? Or would you rather switch to Xbox One? After all, backwards compatibility is one of the reasons that Xbox One is better than PS4.
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