{
  "id": 18725855,
  "title": "Why PlayStation can't hold a candle to Xbox's backward compatibility",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/why-playstation-cant-hold-a-candle-to-xboxs-backward-compatibility",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-07T14:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Engadget",
    "slug": "engadget",
    "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2305049/playstation-cant-hold-candle-to-xbox-backwards-compatibility/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft's Xbox has long offered backward compatibility, allowing users to play older games on newer consoles. This includes titles from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Meanwhile, Sony's PlayStation 5, despite being a more recent release, lacks support for games from its predecessors. Sony made a strategic decision to prioritize new technologies such as DualSense controllers and SSD storage, choosing to limit PS5 compatibility to PS4 games only. This has put Sony at a disadvantage compared to Xbox's broader backward compatibility options, which offer access to numerous classic games at lower prices. As both companies prepare for their next-generation consoles, retaining backward compatibility is expected to be a priority. However, the high cost of memory and storage may pose a challenge, potentially making next-gen consoles more expensive than a PC with similar capabilities.",
  "summary": "Sony offers some older titles on the PS5, but nowhere near the amount that Microsoft added to its Xbox catalogs. It came down to one decision, made years ago.",
  "key_points": [
    "Xbox offers backward compatibility for older games.",
    "PlayStation 5 lacks support for its predecessors.",
    "Sony prioritized new tech over backward compatibility."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}