Can You Play PS3 Games on PS Remote Play? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: not directly through the modern PS Remote Play app on devices like smartphones, PCs, or PS5. The PS Remote Play feature as it exists today primarily focuses on streaming games from PS4 and PS5 consoles to other devices. However, the story with PS3 and remote play is a bit more nuanced, involving older hardware and different approaches.
The Legacy of PS3 Remote Play: A Different Era
The PlayStation 3 did, in fact, have a form of remote play functionality. However, it differed significantly from the current system. Instead of connecting to mobile phones or PC via the internet, PS3 Remote Play was primarily designed to connect with a Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) or a PlayStation Vita. This allowed users to access a limited number of PS3 games and features on those handheld consoles within the same local network, or sometimes remotely via the internet.
This older implementation was not a comprehensive solution; it only worked with specific software titles. The PS3’s remote play feature also had limitations on the features accessible during gameplay, with certain XMB (XrossMediaBar) settings hidden during remote play sessions.
The current PS Remote Play app, which facilitates connections to PS4 and PS5 consoles, is built on entirely different technology. Therefore, you cannot use the PS Remote Play app on your phone or PC to directly access PS3 games.
Understanding the Limitations
The primary reason for the disconnect lies in the architectural differences between the PS3 and later PlayStation consoles. The PS3 uses a completely different processor architecture (the Cell processor) compared to the PS4 and PS5. This incompatibility makes direct streaming of PS3 games to modern devices through the current PS Remote Play infrastructure extremely difficult without significant emulation or server-side work.
Furthermore, Sony has since moved away from active support for PS3 systems. This means that features like backwards compatibility are not a priority in modern PlayStation hardware and software development.
Using the PSP or PS Vita for PS3 Remote Play (Legacy)
While the current PS Remote Play is incompatible, if you own a PSP or PS Vita, the legacy remote play functionality is still available.
To set up PS3 Remote Play on a PSP or PS Vita:
- Pair your handheld to your PS3. On your PS3, go to Settings > Remote Play Settings > Register Device and choose the appropriate device.
- Enter the number shown on your PS3 screen into your PSP or PS Vita when prompted.
- On your PS3, go to Network > Remote Play to initiate a session once paired.
Remember, you won’t be able to play all PS3 games via this method as it’s only compatible with titles that were specifically developed with remote play in mind.
What About Emulators?
While official PS Remote Play isn’t an option, there is a possibility to play PS3 games on other platforms (including Android devices and PCs) via emulators. Emulators are software applications that simulate the behavior of other hardware. However, using an emulator for PS3 games can be resource-intensive, and often requires powerful PC or mobile hardware. Additionally, there may be legal and ethical concerns about using emulators with copyrighted games. Therefore, while it is an option for some, it is not an official or seamless solution for mainstream consumers seeking the convenience of remote play.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
To further clarify the complexities surrounding PS3 and remote play, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use the PS Remote Play app on my phone to play PS3 games?
No, the PS Remote Play app is not compatible with the PS3 console. It’s only designed for streaming from PS4 and PS5 systems.
2. Can I play all PS3 games on my PSP using Remote Play?
No, only certain PS3 games were designed to support the older remote play feature, not the entire library.
3. Is PS3 Remote Play available on the PS Vita?
Yes, the PS Vita was a device that supported the original PS3 remote play.
4. Can I connect my phone to my PS3 using USB and play games?
Connecting your phone via USB allows file transfer (photos, music, videos), but not gameplay. It cannot turn your phone into a remote display for PS3 games.
5. Can I play disc-based PS3 games remotely using the older methods?
Yes, if the game is among the titles that supports remote play functionality via PSP or PS Vita, whether it was bought digitally or from a disc doesn’t matter.
6. Can I use a mobile data connection for PS3 Remote Play?
Not the current PlayStation Remote Play, and not for the old method either. Both require a stable Wi-Fi connection. Using mobile data for the current PS Remote Play is not recommended due to possible connection issues and latency.
7. Does the PlayStation Plus subscription grant access to PS3 remote play?
No, PlayStation Plus does not influence the PS3 remote play functionality. It only grants access to PS3 games via cloud streaming on PlayStation 5.
8. Can I play PS3 games on PS5 through remote play?
No, you cannot remote play PS3 games using PS5. The PS5 console itself doesn’t play PS3 game discs. PS5 can stream selected PS3 titles through a PlayStation Plus subscription, but not through its remote play app.
9. Does the PS3 need to be in any specific mode to use remote play?
Yes, the PS3 needs to be in “Remote Play Connection Standby Mode” to allow for remote play functionality. The settings need to be configured on the PS3 for this to work.
10. Can I play PS3 games on a PC using the official Sony Remote Play app?
No, the official Sony Remote Play app only streams PS4 and PS5 games to a PC, not PS3 games.
11. What about using emulators to play PS3 games on other platforms?
Emulators are an option for playing PS3 games on devices like PC and Android but can be unstable and resource-intensive. They also present legal and ethical concerns.
12. What devices can be used for PS3 remote play other than a PSP or PS Vita?
Officially, only the PSP and PS Vita were supported by the older PS3 remote play functionality. There is no official support on phones or tablets.
13. Are there any other methods to stream PS3 games to other devices?
Third-party streaming software or hardware devices may exist, but they are not officially supported by Sony, and are not guaranteed to offer an optimal experience.
14. Do I need to be on the same network for PS3 remote play to work?
While local play was possible via PSP/Vita, remote play over the internet was also a feature but was prone to connectivity issues.
15. What is the official recommended approach to play PS3 games nowadays?
Currently, the only official way to play certain PS3 games is through PlayStation Plus streaming on PS5. There’s no direct PS3 remote play on modern devices, or on PS4 or PS5 consoles themselves.
Conclusion
In summary, while the PS3 had its own remote play feature, it is vastly different from the current PS Remote Play app. It focused on streaming to PSPs and PS Vitas, not to mobile phones or PCs as the current app does. Directly using the PS Remote Play app on your phone or PC to play PS3 games is not possible. For those seeking a way to revisit the PS3 library, emulation or PlayStation Plus cloud streaming on a PS5 remain the only official options, however, neither of these is remote play functionality.