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| A developer got a PS5 game running on an Xbox Series X console |
In a surprising twist for console modding, the Xbox Series X has successfully run PlayStation 5 game builds through an experimental emulator. Developer Devran Cosmo Uenal has achieved this feat by porting KytyPS5 to Microsoft’s hardware in a project aptly named PS5X. By utilizing Xbox Developer Mode, Uenal has managed to get Sony’s software running on rival hardware—though the results are currently a mixed bag.
According to reports, only four titles are currently operational: GEX Trilogy, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Quake II. The good news? All four recognize input from an Xbox controller, and audio functionality is already working in at least some of the titles.
Performance Struggles and Technical Hurdles
However, the reality of the performance is far from a polished experience. The only game demonstrated in action so far is Quake II (the original classic), and the results are sub-par. You can check out the footage here, which shows the game hovering between roughly 25 to 45 FPS, with dips below 20 FPS in more intense scenes. Input latency is also noticeable, meaning PS5X is currently nowhere near a viable way to play PS5 software.
Technically, the Xbox Series X faces a significant hurdle: it lacks native Vulkan support. This means PS5X has to translate the emulator’s graphics path to DirectX. As a result, improvements made to the PC version of the renderer don't carry over perfectly to the Xbox.
A Step Forward for Cross-Platform Compatibility
Despite the rough performance, this is a massive step in the right direction for cross-platform compatibility. It is worth noting, however, that none of the games demonstrated so far are PS5 exclusives. It may be a long time before we see heavy hitters running on Xbox, especially since the emulation scene is still figuring out how to handle them on PC.
It is also worth mentioning that there is a good chance this project could get shut down by Sony at some point, given the legal grey area of console emulation.
The State of PS5 Emulation on PC
While the Xbox port is making headlines, PS5 emulation on PC has been advancing rapidly. Recent builds of KytyPS5 have progressed from running simple games to rendering more demanding commercial software, including Grand Theft Auto V. The project has also demonstrated several other 3D PS5 releases running in-game.
KytyPS5 itself remains an early-stage open-source emulator. Its developers describe compatibility as limited, though it can boot 2D titles and a selection of 3D games built using Unreal Engine, Unity, and custom engines. The project prioritizes compatibility and boot reliability over perfect graphics or high frame rates.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Devran Cosmo Uenal describes PS5X as a research project intended for PS5 homebrew and legally obtained game backups. The build does not include Sony firmware or decryption keys. The developer also acknowledges that AI tools were involved in the development work.
For more details on this developing story, check out the original report on VideoCardz.