Best Consoles For Playing Older Games

Whenever you buy a new game console, it’s fantastic to play the new titles made for that specific device, but playing older games matters a lot, too, especially for long-term users of the ecosystem. If you’re investing in a digital library, you want that content to be brought forward.

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Heck, even with a physical library, it’s best not to be stuck on one device. Thankfully, there’s game consoles out there that can play numerous titles from other systems, and it’s a big reason to buy said console in the first place. With the Nintendo Switch 2 having backward compatibility, it’s clear the feature’s important for many.

8

Xbox 360

Play Half The OG Xbox Library With Native HDMI Output

Xbox has really elevated the quality of its backward compatibility in recent years, but even going back to the Xbox 360 proves to be a solid time playing older titles. Around half the OG Xbox library is supported and it’s great to play many of these games through HDMI instead of component cables on the original hardware.

Sadly, there are many issues with the BC program. Most games have added bugs or technical problems, but thankfully, not many game-breaking issues. These problems were fixed in later Xbox consoles, but the BC program here still provides a useful way to play OG Xbox games.

7

PlayStation 5

Packs A Punch For Expected Backward Compatibility

With the success of the PS4, Sony had to make the PlayStation 5 backward compatible. A PlayStation user’s PS4 digital and physical library is the only other thing accounted for on the PS5, minus a few PS1 classics you may have bought on PS3. The amount of content isn’t as large as the Xbox Series X, but the PS5 has several awesome things regarding this feature.

For one, PS4 physical discs can be installed and played entirely offline, which is great for when the internet screws up, and you can’t do this on Xbox. Second, the PS5 Pro allows you to enhance the image quality of PS4 games, and the results look fantastic, though graphical errors can occur sometimes.

6

Nintendo 3DS

Backward Compatibility That Never Left

When the Nintendo 3DS was released in 2011, it was nice to see that the console could play regular DS games. However, due to Nintendo’s track record of removing backward compatibility in newer models, many expected DS game support to be axed eventually.

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Throughout the many models of the 3DS, including the 2DS and New 3DS, DS game support was always included. This was a pleasant surprise and makes the 3DS a standout backward-compatible Nintendo system, as you won’t need a certain model to play older games.

5

Game Boy Advance SP

Play All Generations Of Game Boy Games

There’s only one Nintendo system that can play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. That system is the first two models of the Game Boy Advance: the original and SP. While the original model works great, you need the SP for that backlight screen.

The amount of stellar games present on all three consoles makes the total library here astronomical. It’s important to note that the Game Boy Micro, the smallest GBA model, only plays Game Boy Advance games, so avoid buying it if you want full backward compatibility.

4

Wii

Two Great Libraries On One Console

There’s a reason why no GameCube backward compatibility was a dealbreaker for many consumers when the Wii U was first revealed. It’s because the GameCube debatably has the best library out of any Nintendo console, with only the SNES rivaling it. The Wii gives you full GameCube compatibility, including most of its accessories.

When you combine the stellar GameCube library and the quality titles of the Wii, you have a phenomenal total library of games to play. For most Nintendo fans, there was no reason to keep a GameCube after purchasing the Wii, and you can’t ask for something better than that when buying a newer system.

3

PlayStation 2

The System That Made Backward Compatibility Matter

The first system from the four big console manufacturers to include backward compatibility out of the box was the PlayStation 2. This was a game changer and a major selling point. Many who were just getting into gaming or skipped the PS1 could buy both PS1 and PS2 games for this system.

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This was a big deal that made buying a PS2 even more tempting, and the console wouldn’t have been the highest-selling system of all time without it. The PS2 plays PS1 games via system on a chip, so they’re not really improved, but with almost all PS1 titles supported, you won’t complain.

2

PlayStation 3 Early Models

Unreliable But A Dream When Fully Working

The PlayStation console that allows you to play the most games is the first two models of the PlayStation 3. Playing PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, this is one of the best consoles of all time once it’s refurbished.

Early PS3s are so unreliable, especially nowadays, that they must be taken apart and redone a bit to make them last. If you have a fully working one, the system is greatness on a different level. The key way to spot a fully backward-compatible model is if it has four USB ports on the front. Only those initial models have four total USB ports.

1

Xbox Series X

The Definitive Way To Play The Best Of Original Xbox, Xbox 360, And Xbox One

Without question, the best backward-compatible system is the Xbox Series X. It’s so good that it’s the primary reason to buy the console. The backward compatibility program supports physical and digital Original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One games. These are emulated titles, which is why not all OG Xbox and 360 games are supported, but they’re emulated amazingly.

A huge truckload of games is simply best played on Xbox Series X, especially considering emulators like Xenia haven’t quite caught up to speed with the quality offered here. Many games run at 4K resolution with 60fps, being leagues ahead of what they were on original hardware. Even if you like the PS5 better, you can’t argue that Series X is the only modern system that can play all-time greats like GTA4.

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