Backwards compatibility means a lot to gamers. Sometimes they want to play older titles without breaking out their old consoles. Microsoft appears to be embracing backwards compatibility with open arms, making the Xbox Series X compatible with the many original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One titles. Day one, Xbox fans will already have a vast library at their fingertips, ready for them to play.
Sony seems to be a bit more reserved with its approach, though. The PlayStation 5 will only be backwards compatible with PlayStation 4 games. The Series X's backwards compatibility gives it a massive advantage over the PlayStation 5 and may even persuade some Sony loyalists to jump ship.
Just because a video game is older doesn't mean it's a bad game. There are tons of excellent older and retro titles that have withstood the test of time, and gamers love revisiting classic titles. Being able to play them on next-gen consoles is a huge selling point for retro fans.
Since the PlayStation 5 will only be backwards compatible with the PS4, it loses a lot of that appeal. Many gamers don't want to buy a digital copy of an older game they already own just to play it on the PlayStation 5, which could translate into lost sales for Sony.
It's common for next-gen systems to launch with only a select number of games. Making next-gen consoles backwards compatible allows them to launch with thousands of games right from the start. This gives players a wider variety of games to choose from on launch day without having to spend a lot of money for next-gen titles. Because of this, the Xbox Series X's launch library dwarfs the PlayStation 5's. This might not be a huge deal to some gamers, but it is still something a few fans will consider when buying next-gen consoles.
Many older games will also receive digital enhancements when they are backwards compatible with current or next-gen consoles. Graphical upgrades breathe new life into classic titles, making them easier to pick up years after their initial release. The original Red Dead Redemption saw a slight resurgence once it became backwards compatible on the Xbox One because it looked exceedingly better than it did on the Xbox 360.
Backwards compatibility can play a huge role in deciding what next-gen console to buy. Many gamers still play classic games and don't want to deal with the hassle of breaking out their older systems to play a specific game. Allowing video game fans to play their favorite older games on a next-gen system can be one of the most significant selling points for a console.
Microsoft's consumer-friendly approach to backwards compatibility might be enough to give it an edge over Sony once next-gen consoles release later this year.