Sony Acknowledges Backwards Compatibility Was Popular Before PS4

Sony has come forward to admit that backwards compatibility, once a standout and much-appreciated feature, was absent in the PS4 era. Many have speculated that a change in console architecture was behind this decision. However, a rather frank comment from former executive Jim Ryan in 2015 suggested otherwise, hinting that Sony didn’t place much importance on backwards compatibility.

Back in a digital celebration for PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, Sony highlighted how groundbreaking backwards compatibility was when introduced with the PS2. This feature, quite uncommon at the time, earned the applause of players eager to revisit their old favorites.

Sony described this decision as unexpectedly player-friendly, winning over gamers who had amassed substantial collections from previous systems. It resonated with many who found solace in being able to play older games on shiny new hardware.

In 2015, during a discussion about why the PS4 lacked this compatibility, Ryan remarked that despite its popularity, the feature wasn’t used as much as one might think. Reflecting on his experience at a Gran Turismo event showcasing games spanning from PS1 to PS4, he noted how dated the PS1 and PS2 titles seemed, questioning, “why would anybody play this?” His words sparked a wave of criticism from the gaming community.

Even today, there is a strong demand for re-releases of classic PlayStation games. These older titles are welcomed additions to the PS Plus Premium catalog, despite limitations, as PS3 games are streaming-only and available exclusively in select regions.