Xbox Series X can now run PS5 games thanks to a new emulator

While Sony has been doing its best to shut down modding projects, most recently pushing Andy Nguyen to abandon his Linux PS5 work, the modding community isn't backing down. A new emulator called PS5X promises to run PlayStation 5 games on an Xbox Series X, potentially bringing an end to the console wars.

YouTuber Devran Cosmo Uenal ported the open-source KytyPS5 emulator to Microsoft's console through Developer Mode. The current compatible library includes GEX Trilogy, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Quake II, with all four accepting Xbox controller input and some producing audio. Uenal posted footage of Quake II running at roughly 25 to 45 FPS.

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PS5X is still in the early stages, though. Compatibility is limited, and the creator says a lot of work remains. The main technical hurdle is graphics. KytyPS5 uses Vulkan for rendering on PC, but Xbox does not support Vulkan natively, so the render path has to be translated to DirectX 12. This means progress made on the PC version of the emulator does not carry over automatically to the Xbox port.

Uenal mentioned using AI tools during development, particularly for converting code between graphics technologies, though he did not specify how central those tools were to the port or exactly what they handled.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Open a question for an answer from TweakTown's coverage of this news, or ask your own below.

Question #1

Which PS5 games are currently compatible with PS5X on Xbox Series X?

The currently compatible PS5 games on PS5X are GEX Trilogy, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Quake II. All four accept Xbox controller input, and some of them also produce audio. Quake II has been shown running at roughly 25 to 45 FPS.

Question #2

What technical challenges does PS5X face when translating Vulkan rendering to DirectX 12?

The main technical hurdle is graphics, because KytyPS5 renders with Vulkan on PC but Xbox Series X does not support Vulkan natively, so the rendering path has to be translated to DirectX 12. That means work done on the PC version does not carry over automatically to the Xbox port, and the creator also said AI tools were used to help convert code between graphics technologies.

Question #3

What did Devran Cosmo Uenal say about using AI tools while building PS5X?

Devran Cosmo Uenal said he used AI tools during development, especially for converting code between graphics technologies. He did not say how important those tools were to the PS5X port or exactly what tasks they handled.

Question #4

Could PS5X eventually run PS5 exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine on Xbox Series X?

Possibly, yes. The story says PS5X is still early and compatibility is limited, but if progress keeps up, it could eventually run PS5 exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine on an Xbox Series X.

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That said, PS5 emulation on PC has been moving faster than most people expected. KytyPS5 took Demon's Souls Remake from completely unplayable to a stable 30 FPS in a matter of days, and more recently got GTA 5 running at up to 60 FPS on high-end hardware. If that pace of progress continues, PS5X on Xbox Series X could get even more capable, possibly running PS exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine on an Xbox.