Can you play PS3 games on the PS4? – here’s how!

When you are about to buy a new console, you always have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the respective device. This was and still is the case when comparing the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. On the side of Sony fans, the better exclusive titles for the PlayStation are often brought up as a purchase argument. The operating system is also generally considered more intuitive than Microsoft’s home console. Where the Xbox can score, on the other hand, is on the topic of backwards compatibility. Since Microsoft’s gaming machine has this on board, nostalgia fans can easily get their old gems from the attic and play through them again. But is this really not possible on the PS4? We have investigated for you!

A must for nostalgics

Graphics have long since ceased to be everything when it comes to games. After all, even age-old hams of the gaming industry can still be really fun in the present. This is especially the case if you have already idolized the title in the past. Certainly, the commonly known “rose-colored glasses” play a big role. Thanks to beautiful childhood memories, they turn even ugly games into real eye-catchers. I always use the Christmas season in particular to bring out my old classics again. However, while you can easily play games from the predecessor console, Xbox 360, on the Xbox One, PS4 owners are left out in the cold. This is at least the case when you want to insert the old DVDs of your game collection. Digitally, the whole thing looks different.

Sony aficionados will no doubt be quick to ask why the PlayStation 4 no longer offers backwards compatibility. After all, this was the case with both PS2 and PS3. The reason is quite simply the costs that are associated with it. After all, you have to adapt the hardware accordingly to make sure that the new console can also read old media. Sony itself blames it on the fact that the feature is simply not used enough. A costly adaptation does not seem to be worthwhile. In addition, Sony would then gamble away its opportunities to earn money with the old gems in other ways.

PlayStation Now enables PS3 games on PS4

Before we explain how you can still enjoy PS3 games on the PS4, we unfortunately can’t avoid a small disclaimer. After all, the whole thing is not free of charge. This is true even if you still have the old PS3 games in physical form on your shelf at home. The basic requirement is a valid subscription to the service “PlayStation Now“. The service not only allows you to stream the latest games. On top of that, you’ll find plenty of old classics in the portfolio. The big advantage of PlayStation Now is that you don’t even need a PlayStation 4 to use the service. Alternatively, you can also stream the games on your Windows PC. However, the best feeling is certainly when you stream the classics on your PS4 or PS5.

Sony regularly expands the range of its PS Now service. Accordingly, it’s worth taking a look at the library once a month to see if a new gaming gem has made it into the portfolio. If you want to subscribe to PlayStation Now, you not only have to be of age. To really enjoy the gaming sessions, you should also have a fast and, above all, stable connection to the Internet. After all, the games don’t run directly on your console or computer. Instead, they are streamed to your device. Ideally, you should connect your PlayStation 4 or 5 to the Internet via LAN cable. Then, with enough bandwidth, nothing can go wrong. Sony allows you to try out PS Now in a trial version so that you don’t risk making a wrong purchase.

PS5 offers backwards compatibility

By the way, Sony seems to have reconsidered its opinion on backwards compatibility. After all, you can play games from the previous generation on the PlayStation 5 without any problems. However, this is certainly also due to the fact that there were only a few next-gen games when the new console was released. In addition, new owners of the PS5 can also earn money this way with the sale of PS4 games. However, games for the PS3 are also not playable on Sony’s latest home console in disc form. Thus, you cannot avoid a PS Now subscription here either.