The PlayStation 3 has an extensive library of exclusive games that is hard to argue against. Many fans are constantly asking for Sony to re-release PS3 games or offer alternative ways to play the ones they have already purchased.
Sony recently announced a revamp of the PlayStation Plus service with three new tiers, with the Essential tier working the same way as the current version of PS Plus. The Extra tier gives subscribers access to a massive catalog of games, and the Premium category comes with additional benefits on top of it. Most notably, PlayStation Plus Premium allows fans to download and play select PS1, PS2, and PSP games, although PS3 games are only available via cloud streaming. Many fans were disappointed to hear this news, but a new rumor suggests that Sony is working on a solution.
This rumor comes from Jeff Grubb, who talks about PlayStation 3 emulation in a video on his YouTube channel. He states that Sony might be working on a PS3 emulator for PS5, although it may take some before it’s ready. He then wishes that Sony would openly talk about this feature and express disappointment at the current offerings of new PlayStation Plus tiers. All rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, but Jeff Grubb has proven to be correct on several occasions.
PlayStation 3 was notorious for being a complicated console to develop games for, primarily due to the Cell processor. Many consider Cell to be a roadblock in PS3 emulation, and it could be the reason Sony has not communicated any interest in offering such a service. While many of the best PS3 games have been remastered for PS4, some titles, like the Resistance and Killzone franchises, are still stuck on the platform. Users can purchase and play some PS1 and PS2 games on PS4, but Sony probably thought the level of investment needed to make a reliable PS3 emulator was not worth the effort.
Many fans will probably be more interested in subscribing to PlayStation Plus Premium if Sony can convey that it’s working on a PS3 emulator. Microsoft even allows users to play original Xbox games on Xbox Series X, so Sony is often criticized for not offering a similar service. Additionally, PS3 emulation is possible on PC, although the results will vary depending on the user’s specs.
Source: Video Games Chronicle