PlayStation 3 was a wildly ambitious but notoriously awkward machine: its Cell architecture pushed console hardware forward, yet made game development so complex that many PS3 titles are still stuck on that platform. Now, an emulation studio that works directly with Sony says bringing PS3 games to PlayStation 5 – and even to a future PlayStation 6 – is technically within reach, as long as the company is willing to invest the time and resources.
PlayStation 3 was a strange console, loved and hated in almost equal measure by players and developers. It nearly dragged the PlayStation brand out of the hardware race, partly because of its controversial Cell architecture. That design delivered a major technical leap, but it also made game production far more difficult. Years later, that same complexity is still hurting video-game preservation, and it remains one of the main reasons why many PS3 titles are not easily playable today.
PS3 emulation is possible, but Sony has other priorities for now
Since the launch of PS Plus Premium, PS3 titles included in the subscription cannot be played natively. Instead, they are streamed from remote servers. The result is an experience that falls well short of what fans want, with latency, reduced image quality, and complete dependence on a fast, stable internet connection. By contrast, Sony already offers official emulation for PS1 and PS2 games inside the same subscription service.
For players hoping that PS3 games will eventually receive similar treatment, there is finally some room for optimism. A new emulation effort is already underway, although it is clearly a long-term project. Implicit Conversions, the studio behind the PS1 and PS2 emulators used in PS Plus Premium, has confirmed that it is actively exploring how to bring PS3 emulation to modern consoles. Studio director Bill Litshauer discussed the work in an interview with YouTuber Mystic.
According to Litshauer, the initiative is still at an exploratory stage, but he believes that PS3 emulation will be achievable at some point, and he outlined what would be required to make it happen. “We believe it’s viable. I don’t think anyone expects it to work on a Switch or a PS4, but perhaps on the PS5 and certainly on the PS6 when it’s released. We believe it’s technically possible; it’s just a matter of dedicating time, energy, and resources,” he explained, as reported by Push Square.
There is, however, a less encouraging side to the story.
The head of Implicit Conversions notes that this is currently a “backup project” for the team. They are working on it, but the demand for PS2 support is shaping their priorities. “We’re working with a third party to help us with this. So we have a foundation to build on. It’s a background project for us that we’re investigating over time. To be honest, the PS2 is a higher priority for us simply because of the demand. But it’s a fun project for our engineers,” he added.
Reading between the lines, Litshauer seems to suggest that PS3 emulation on PS5 or PS6 is mostly a question of when Sony decides to fully commit and fund the effort. If that green light arrives, full PS3 support on modern PlayStation consoles could become a reality in the coming years. There is more reason for optimism as well: earlier this year, the Implicit Conversions team reportedly began experimenting with PS3 emulation using their in-house Syrup engine and reverse-engineering techniques, even if they still describe it as a long-term experiment.
Franchises like Killzone and inFAMOUS are effectively locked to PlayStation 3 at the moment. Many fans would welcome high-quality emulation that not only restores these classics on PS5 but also enhances them with modern features such as trophies and improved visuals. It is no coincidence that Digital Foundry previously criticized the PS2 emulator Sony uses for its PS Plus Premium classics, calling it a “disappointing effort.”
Emulating PS3 games on PlayStation 5 is not impossible. Experts who are already collaborating with Sony insist that the goal is technically achievable and are willing to say so publicly.
Why PS3 classics like Killzone deserve a proper comeback
The Digital Foundry team took issue with poor image quality in some classic titles, limited filtering options, and persistent bugs that have yet to be addressed. They also extended their criticism to the PSP emulator on PS5, where frame-rate problems were detected, arguing that Sony is simply not dedicating enough time and care to these legacy games. Meanwhile, the wider community has already shown that PS3 emulation works in practice, and the PC-based RPCS3 emulator is the clearest proof.
That project can run many PS3 games with very high compatibility, often delivering better technical results than the original console, with higher resolutions and more stable frame rates. Bringing something similar to a closed console platform is certainly more complicated, but Sony has far greater resources at its disposal than any fan-led initiative. If official PS3 emulation is ever announced, PS Plus Premium would instantly become more attractive by adding a library of high-quality, formerly stranded exclusives.
Source: 3djuegos
