Playstation Now Brings PSX/PS2/PS3 Games to the Playstation4

There’s been plenty of buzz around PlayStation Now since the format was revealed at CES 2014, with the ability to stream games to devices including the Vita and Bravia TV’s. But that’s not all. The ancient games of Crash Bandicoot and Tekken could make a return to our screens with the possibility of PS1, 2, and 3 games being playable on the next gen console.

PlayStation Now is expected rollout in the latter stages of the year with a selection of games from previous consoles available to stream on a per-game or subscription basis.

The news was brought to our attention by tipster Ahsan Rasheed, who has a pretty impeccable record when it comes to leaks and is huge news for not only the legacy of some of PlayStation’s finest titles, but could help resurrect sales of the PS Vita.

Over the past few years sales of the Vita have struggled with other mobile technology stepping to the forefront of gaming. iOS and Android devices have begun to corner the market in ‘on-the-go gaming’ with the likes of Angry Birds and the Royal Vegas game selection being too much of a draw compared to spending £180 on a console and upwards of £20 per game.

Fergal Gara, Managing Director of PlayStation UK told VG247, “The truth is that the number of people that want the core experience [that Vita offers] is not as big as the number that simply want any sort of game available on the move and, because the likes of a tablet and smart phone are so multifunctional in their use, they will always be very appealing.”

But the ability to play favourite games from the past and PS4 titles, even picking play up from where you finished on a different console, things could take a serious upwards turn.

It’s unsure just how PlayStation will incorporate classic games into the PlayStation Network and whether the future will allow PS1 and PS2 game discs could be played on the console.

And it seemed originally like it wasn’t going to happen. The PS3 was backwards compatible by one generation, but the new console alongside the Xbox One ditched it completely. Of course Sony will have had the PS Now firmly in mind when making this decision, and the cloud-based library is arguably a revolutionary step forward in the golden age of gaming.

Classic releases are expected to cost around $4 to rent meaning the arcade-like greatness of the first console is back.

Upon the release of the PS3, there was a mountain of HD remakes of previous generation games. And whilst that will always happen, the chance to play favourites like Mister Mosquito, that will never get remade, is a huge step forward for gaming, and one that will keep consoling at ahead of mobile gaming for many years to come.