New update could mean your Xbox plays PS3 games before your PS5 can
It's a great time to emulate older games, as handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally make it easier than ever to boot up classics from yesteryear.
What you may not realise, however, is that the Xbox Series X and the cheaper Series S are pretty capable emulation machines in their own right - and they may have just stolen a march on Sony's PS5.
PS3 emulation could be coming to Xbox
As covered in the video above from Modern Vintage Gamer, Xbox enthusiasts who know how to get into Developer Mode (more on that shortly) have been running classic games from PS1, PS2, PSP, PlayStation Vita and more for a while, as well as Dreamcast and Gamecube games.
Now, though, a new update may have opened up the gates to PS3 emulation. While PlayStation Plus subscribers at the top tier can stream some PS3 games, this could mean Xbox players can enjoy the likes of Infamous, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Wipeout natively.
As Modern Vintage Gamer explains, the port of Mesa 3D to UWP means that new emulators are available on Xbox. It's still early days, but the potential for playing classic PS3 games without streaming them is an exciting prospect.
What is Developer Mode?
As you can probably guess from the name, Developer Mode is really intended for those who know what they're doing.
Microsoft blocked emulators on the Series consoles in retail mode, but homebrew developers have been working in Developer Mode instead. Once you're in Developer Mode, you can't play retail games - you'll need to switch back.
You'll also need to buy the Developer Mode app from the Xbox Store to gain access.
Xbox might be in quite a habit of charging inordinate sums for their best titles, as another jack-up in prices is imminent for Game Pass, but this could be a neat way of enjoying some quality pastimes while PlayStation is left scratching is as-, erm, head.
