Why The Xbox Series X/S Has Better Backwards Compatibility Than The PlayStation 5

Backwards compatibility is a key part of modern gaming consoles. Diehard gamers often salivate over the chance to dive back into titles from past generations–especially if they haven't been remade or ported to modern consoles. In the current selection of hardware for sale, the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5 are backwards compatible with a variety of games from consoles past. However, it seems the Xbox has the upper hand in this battle of the console wars, given the denser library of titles it supports across a larger variety of discontinued consoles. And PlayStation's lack of support in this area is just one of many misfires that could give Xbox an edge in the next console generation.

For however long Microsoft intends to support the Xbox Series X and Series S, owners can enjoy games spanning all the way back to 2001. This includes those initially released on the original Xbox in 2001, the Xbox 360 from 2005, and Xbox One from 2013. The catalog of backward-compatible titles listed on the official Xbox website includes almost 4,000 games, from older releases like 2003's "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" and 2007's "Bully: Scholarship Edition" to newer games like 2014's "Sunset Overdrive." The Xbox Series X and S also visually enhance older games and improve frame rates when possible. PlayStation, however, did not make backwards compatibility a major priority with its most recent console, providing limited support for titles released before the PlayStation 4 in 2013.

Xbox treated gamers retro vibes with releases spanning multiple console generations for the Series X and S, and it even brought backwards compatibility to Windows PC. Its primary competition, the PlayStation 5, contains some similar functionality, promising support for 99% of games made for its PlayStation 4. However, it ultimately comes up short compared to its Microsoft-owned foe thanks to its failure to support titles beyond those launched on its immediate predecessor, the PlayStation 4. 

In a September 2020 interview with Famitsu, Sony Interactive Entertainment's then-CEO Jim Ryan explained why the PS5 development team sacrificed backward compatibility for the first three PlayStation consoles. It came down to time constraints, as well as a higher level of focus on PS4 compatibility due to its success. "While implementing that, we also focused our efforts on taking in the high-speed SSD and the new controller DualSense at the same time. So, unfortunately, we couldn't reach the implementation of such compatibilities," he said, per a translation by Siliconera.

Thus, hopes and dreams of playing games like 2002's "SSX," 1999's "Need for Speed: High Stakes," and more on the PS5 were dashed away. Though certain games, like 19996's "PaRappa the Rapper," are still accessible via PS4 rereleases, those wishing to experience them in their original form are out of luck finding a true retro experience on the PS5. Other classics, like "Mr. Moskeeto" from 2001, may be available via the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog, which offers 168 retro games as of October 2026. However, those games unfortunately are not yours to own, and are stuck behind a paywall. PS Plus backwards compatibility does, however, have an edge over its Xbox equivalent Game Pass, which possesses fewer games from previous console generations. 

Unfortunately, if you do have a disc copy of your favorite PS1, PS2, or PS3 games, it still won't be worth trying to put them in your PS5 console. If you tried, you'd likely be greeted with an error that dashes any dreams of playing your pre-owned games on newer systems. So, if retro gaming is your main priority in modern consoles, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is the way to go.