Summary
Implicit Conversions, the developer behind some of PS Plus’s ClassicPlayStationports, is said to be looking into adding PS3 emulation at long last. While the PlayStation 5 is only backward compatible with its immediate predecessor, the PS4, Sony has been allowing gamers to play older titles from the PS1, PS2, and PSP eras through its Classics catalog of emulated games. However, while some PlayStation 3 games likeGod of War 3have been made available on the PS4 and beyond, a good many classicPlayStationtitles from the seventh console generation remain locked to their native system to this day.
The most commonly cited reason for the continued lack of PS3 console emulation is the system’s CELL processor, which while technically revolutionary for the time, was notoriously difficult for developers to work around. Despite the inherent complications in emulating the CELL on the PS5’s x86 architecture, some gamers have managed to get PS3 games running on PlayStation 5 hardware through modded chipsets. PC emulators have also managed toget most of the PS3 library playable. However, Sony has yet to develop an official way to emulate PS3 games outside of cloud streaming.
PlayStation Classics port developerImplicit Conversionsrecently released its Syrup Engine roadmap for 2025 and beyond. As noted by Reddit user beeperbeeper5 onr/GamingLeaksandRumors, part of this includes researching and prototyping a possible PS3 emulator for the Syrup engine, which if successful would allow forPS3 titles to be emulated on PlayStation 5after so many years. However, it should be noted that this particular bullet point is classified as something Implicit Conversions is “dreaming about” rather than actively developing, and it might take the studio years to implement if it ever comes to pass.
Implicit Conversions Could be Looking into PS3 Emulation
Still, many Reddit users are excited about the possibility of an official way to revisit PlayStation 3 games likeMetal Gear Solid 4andInfamouson modern Sony hardware through emulation. Some more skeptical observers think that ifthis PS3 emulation is realized, it won’t come until at least the PlayStation 6 generation, which is likely still several years away.
Sony has been making an increased effort to bring its older PlayStation titles to the PS5 through its Classics catalog, which features beloved retro titles likeDino CrisisandSly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. ThePlayStation 3 has no shortage of hit gamesthat players would love to revisit, and there is now a real chance that official PS3 emulation could finally be a reality someday.
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 brought Sony into the online era, launching in 2006. Part of the seventh console generation, it went up against th Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii.
