Backwards compatibility could be coming to PS5 and PS4, patent suggests

We may finally be able to access more previous-gen PlayStation games than ever before.
Image via Sony

Sony has filed a patent that observers take to suggest that backwards compatibility may finally be coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. It’s known that the PS5 already runs PS4 games effortlessly, but the wording of patent implies that both consoles may be able to run PS3, PS2, and PS1.

Recommended Videos

Sony filed the patent, first spotted by GamingBible, on January 6, although it’s credited to Mark Cerny and Patrick Simpson, veteran video game developers and collaborators with the company. In scientific terms, the patent was filed “for backward compatibility through use of spoof clock and fine grain frequency control,” which will determine “whether an application loaded on a current version of a system is for the current version of the system or a less powerful version of the system.”

Put simply, should this method of backwards compatibility be applied to the PS5 and the PS4, both consoles will be able to read whether a game being loaded is for any of those systems or the PS1 through PS3, which weren’t comparatively powerful in the first place. If the games being loaded into the PS5 or PS4 were originally designed for their predecessors, then they’ll run those games “at a second clock frequency when the application is designed for a different version of the system, wherein the different version of the system is characterized by a different standard clock frequency.”

To give an example, the PS5 is natively set to run games at 60 FPS per second, be it games designed for that system or the PS4. As it stands, we can’t pop a PS3 or PS2 disc into any of those consoles because the hardware they were designed for cuts the framerate in half, and the PS5 and PS4 won’t sync them properly, giving rise to errors and glitches that may potentially damage the consoles beyond repair. However, if the method of backwards compatibility described in the patent is implemented into the PS5, then it’ll emulate the entire back catalog of PlayStation games without issues so long as they’re running at a lower speed than the console is used to.

PlayStation Now already has a limited number of PS3 and PS2 games in its library, such as Final Fantasy X and X-2, the Grand Theft Auto trilogy, and Sonic Unleashed. But the streaming service doesn’t emulate them as well as Xbox Game Pass does with games made for Xbox 360 and Xbox due to connection lag. Once this backwards compatibility method rolls out — if it does — the PS4 and PS5 will be able to run those same games and more without problems.


Gamepur is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Stardew Valley 1.6 Update Release Date Announced on Game’s Anniversary
Stardew Valley 1.6 Update Release Date Confirmed
Read Article Pokemon Go Teases New Season and Fans Are Confused
Pokemon GO World of Wonders Season
Read Article Pokemon Go Tour Bonus Gift Leaves Fans Hilariously Underwhelmed
Pokemon Go Tour Bonus Gift Code Redemption
Read Article Fans Make Pokemon Day Bingo Cards To Share Their Outrageous Predictions
Pokemon Day 2024 Predictions Bingo
Read Article Helldivers 2 Fans Debate Unfair Negative Review Situation on Steam
mixed reviews helldivers 2 featured image
Related Content
Read Article Stardew Valley 1.6 Update Release Date Announced on Game’s Anniversary
Stardew Valley 1.6 Update Release Date Confirmed
Read Article Pokemon Go Teases New Season and Fans Are Confused
Pokemon GO World of Wonders Season
Read Article Pokemon Go Tour Bonus Gift Leaves Fans Hilariously Underwhelmed
Pokemon Go Tour Bonus Gift Code Redemption
Read Article Fans Make Pokemon Day Bingo Cards To Share Their Outrageous Predictions
Pokemon Day 2024 Predictions Bingo
Read Article Helldivers 2 Fans Debate Unfair Negative Review Situation on Steam
mixed reviews helldivers 2 featured image
Author
Cristina Alexander
Cristina Alexander has been a gaming/entertainment journalist since 2017, earning a Bachelor's in Multimedia Studies from Florida Atlantic University in 2018. Her work has been seen on Mega Visions, KeenGamer, Twinfinite, TheGamer, and Digital Trends. Her gaming passions lie in Sonic the Hedgehog, Kingdom Hearts, Pokemon, and the Just Dance series. She believes that her penchant for writing and love of video games are a match made in heaven. She lives, writes and plays in South Florida.