Years ago, Sony began making a handful of “PlayStation 2 Classics” available as emulated downloads on the PlayStation 4. Now, there are signs that some PS2 games will also be available as native downloads on the PS5, with new features such as “up-rendering, rewinding, quick saving and custom video filters.”
The clue to Sony’s upcoming PS2 download plans comes via a new PlayStation Network listing for the 2002 version. Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which recently appeared on tracking site PSDeals (as spotted by Gematsu). This site draws on previously unreleased data from PSN servers, like this thumbnail image that recently appeared on playstation.com servers, and lists a June 11 release date for the emulated game. Clone Wars port.
So far, nothing out of the ordinary. But towards the bottom of the boilerplate, the listing states that “this title has been converted from the PlayStation 2 version to the PlayStation 4 version.” and PlayStation 5 consoles and provides newly added features (emphasis added). » This is a marked difference from previous “PS2 on PS4” downloadable versions, which only state that they have been “converted from the original PlayStation 2 version to the PS4 system.”
A new emulator for a new generation
Previous PS2 games released under the name PlayStation Classics could of course be played on the PS5 via the new system’s PS4 backwards compatibility. And these titles already looked relatively decent on modern displays thanks to near-HD upscaling at solid frame rates. But new “bottom-up rendering” designed for the 4K-capable PS5 could make those aging 3D titles look even better on high-end TVs, even if the low-resolution textures originally designed for 2000s CRTs may still look dated. And other new features like “rewind, quick save, and custom video filters” promise nice improvements over the relatively simple PS2 emulation previously available on the PS4.
A look at Implicit Creations’ existing PS1 emulation efforts on the PS5.
These same features (and modern additions like trophies) are also currently offered on some PS1 titles available in native PS5 ports in recent months. That’s thanks to the work of Implicit Conversions, a retro porting company that recently worked with Sony to add PS1 support to its cross-platform Syrup emulation engine.
Implicit Conversions recently included the PS2 on a list of consoles supported by Syrup Engine and said on LinkedIn that it is “working with customers to bring NES, PS1, PSP, and PS2 games to the PS4, PS5Nintendo Switch and Xbox (emphasis added). ” In a March interview with Time Extension, the company said that it “could not deny or confirm anything about PS2 (emulation on PS5)”, but the very familiar wording of this leak was leaked. Clone Wars the listing certainly suggests that the same company is also behind this new PS2 port effort.
Of course, the ability to download some PS2 games to the PS5 falls well short of many gamers’ dreams of simply inserting and playing an existing PS2 disc on their new Sony console. In 2018, however, hackers cracked open the PlayStation Classics emulator and made it run generic PS2 games on PS4 (compatibility is a bit hit or miss, however). This same emulator has also proven useful in helping hackers unlock cool exploits on the PS5. So, who knows, the community will eventually be able to incorporate broader PS5 support for PS2 game discs.
News Source : arstechnica.com
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