Sony Acknowledges Positive Reception of Backwards Compatibility Before Launching PS4

Sony has openly recognized the charm that backwards compatibility once held, especially appreciated during the PlayStation 2 era. However, this beloved feature took a backseat with the launch of the PS4. Initially, the shift in console architecture was believed to be the primary reason behind its exclusion. Yet, it was a controversial comment made by Jim Ryan, a former Sony executive, back in 2015, that seemed to suggest that backwards compatibility wasn’t valued highly by the company.

In a recent online tribute marking PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, Sony highlighted the introduction of backwards compatibility in the PS2 era as quite a notable development at that time, gaining the admiration of many players. They elaborated on this in a section dedicated to the feature, noting, “PlayStation’s consumer-friendly decision was unexpected but welcomed by players with game collections from the previous generation.”

In 2015, Ryan faced questions regarding the absence of backwards compatibility in the PS4. He remarked that while it was a much-requested feature, it didn’t have much practical appeal. Ryan shared his thoughts with TIME, recalling an event he attended for Gran Turismo which showcased games from PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4. He described the older PS1 and PS2 games as looking rather outdated and questioned, “why would anybody play this?” His comments stirred quite a bit of controversy among fans and critics alike.

Despite these remarks, the demand for re-releases of classic PlayStation games remains robust. They continue to be a hit, especially on services like PS Plus Premium. Unfortunately, playing PS3 games is still restricted to streaming and is only accessible in certain regions, limiting fans’ ability to revisit their favorite classics from the past.