Modder Devran Cosmo Uenal has developed PS5X, an early-stage emulator that allows certain PlayStation 5 games to run on Xbox Series X hardware.
The Xbox Series X can now technically execute PS5 software, though the experience is far from polished. PS5X works by imitating the PlayStation 5’s hardware, tricking games into running on Microsoft’s console. While the project is in its infancy, it represents a significant bridge between rival ecosystems, using progress made in the PC emulation scene to bring Sony's software to Xbox hardware.
PS5X Game Library and Performance
Currently, the emulator only supports a handful of smaller titles. According to BGR, these games are semi-playable but suffer from minor glitches and performance issues.
- Gex Trilogy
- Hellboy: Web of Wyrd
- Marvel Cosmic Invasion
- Quake 2
Performance varies wildly depending on the title. Gameplay footage recorded by Uenal shows Quake 2
running at an inconsistent framerate that bounces between 20 and 40 FPS. While Mashable notes these smaller games are typically the first to work on new emulators, the current state is far from the steady frame rates expected by players.
Vulkan and DirectX: The Technical Hurdle
The primary obstacle facing PS5X is a fundamental difference in graphics systems. The original PC emulator, KytyPS5, uses Vulkan for rendering. Because the Xbox Series X does not support Vulkan, every instruction must be manually translated to Microsoft’s DirectX system. This translation process negatively impacts both compatibility and overall performance.
Because PS5X is a port, it will likely inherit improvements made to the PC version over time. KytyPS5 has seen rapid growth recently, with the ability to run Astro Bot and Demon’s Souls without crashing, although often at single-digit frame rates. BGR reports that Grand Theft Auto 5 is already fairly playable on high-end PCs via KytyPS5.
Testing Progress and Public Access
While the public cannot yet download PS5X, evidence suggests the library is expanding. A recent user interface update from Uenal shows that Grand Theft Auto 5, Gran Turismo 7, and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time are now in the library, which indicates these larger titles are currently being tested.
Once the emulator is released to the public, Xbox owners will need to switch their consoles into developer mode to install the software. This is a standard Microsoft setting intended for testing homemade software. BGR notes that using this mode is safe and will not brick the console.
“running at an inconsistent framerate, bouncing between 20 and 40 FPS. It’s impressive that the PS5 version of [Quake 2] is running on Xbox hardware at all, but PS5X still needs a lot of work if it’s going to run big PS5 exclusives like Ghost of Yotei.”
Devran Cosmo Uenal, via BGR
The legal status of such projects remains complex. While building an emulator is generally legal in the U.S., Mashable explains that downloading copies of games the user does not own constitutes copyright infringement.
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