Why PlayStation can't hold a candle to Xbox's backward compatibility

It all comes down to decisions made years ago.

By Roger Fingas Nov. 7, 2026 9:00 am EST Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

The latest Xboxes haven't exactly been a raging success. Together, the Series X and S still rank a distant third in global console sales behind the Nintendo Switch 2 and Sony's PlayStation 5 lineup. It's not that Microsoft committed an overwhelming blunder — rather, there just haven't been any compelling exclusives. Microsoft may see an influx of customers with Grand Theft Auto VI, but it's hitting PS5 simultaneously.