1. Andy Nguyen has developed PS5-Linux, enabling certain PS5 consoles (firmware 3.xx and 4.xx) to function like PCs capable of running Steam games and emulation smoothly.
2. Modders are exploring PS5 Linux setups to emulate PS3 games via RPCS3, which can run games from dumped files with decryption keys, providing a more native experience.
3. Sony has not officially added PS3 backward compatibility to PS5, but select older PS3 models can natively run PS1 and PS2 games via disc drives.
4. Support for newer firmware versions plans to come, but Linux on these systems would run within the GameOS VM, potentially limiting performance.
Transforming PlayStation 5 into a Custom PC With Linux
Recently, Andy Nguyen has come out with PS5-Linux, which makes it possible for any PS5 running firmware 3.xx and 4.xx to be converted into a full-blown computer. Its hardware specs allow it to run many Steam games smoothly as well as handle emulation without much trouble.
Linux and PS3 Emulation
Modders have begun to experiment more with Linux on PS5, and one notable showcase demonstrated how the setup manages PS3 emulation using RPCS3. If you didn’t know, RPCS3 is an open-source software for emulating PlayStation 3 games that works across different operating systems including Linux. It’s constantly being improved by developers who add new features, such as allowing players to run games from dumped files. When the PS5 is modified with RPCS3, it can emulate PS3 titles directly through the disc drive, creating a more authentic experience than generic emulation setups. But for this to work, users will need to provide decryption keys.
Current Limitations and Compatibility
It’s important to recognize that Sony has yet to support native PS3 game compatibility on PS5. While you can access some last-gen titles via PlayStation Plus Premium, this isn’t quite the same as true backward compatibility. The older PS4 models had better support, especially certain PS3 models like CECHAxx and CECHBxx that could naturally run PS1 and PS2 games through their disc drives.
Future Prospects and Firmware Restrictions
Support for newer firmware updates is being planned, but it presents challenges. When running Linux on newer firmware versions, the system must operate within the GameOS VM environment, which might limit overall performance. Thus, the mod is mainly practical on older PS5 consoles with firmware 3.xx and 4.xx. For a taste of what’s possible, check out the video by @retropierdolnik that shows a PS5 modded to run Motorstorm Pacific Rift via RPCS3, available for download on Amazon.