It’s hard to believe that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are nearing their 11th birthday, yet they remain staples in the gaming world, seeing daily use by countless enthusiasts. That longevity is likely why “Goat Simulator 3,” a game that debuted in 2022 for the latest consoles, is now making its way to these older systems later this month. And this scenario isn’t unique for the year.
Back in November 2022, “Goat Simulator 3” hit the shelves for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, serving as the continuation of its zany predecessor, “Goat Simulator.” Though there’s a mysterious gap in numbering (no Goat Simulator 2, funnily enough), the sequel further stretched the absurdity and chaotic fun of its 2014 forebear, much to the delight of its fan base. But with many still sticking with their trusty PS4s or Xbox Ones, the amusing escapades of this goat adventure are becoming more accessible, ready to join the roster for these consoles on October 24.
On October 8, developer Coffee Stain dropped the news about this backward leap in compatibility for “Goat Simulator 3,” also reminding fans that a Switch edition already landed in August. The PS4 and Xbox One versions won’t lack any punch either; they come with all the free content updates released since its debut. For those interested in adding a bit more chaos, the Multiverse of Nonsense DLC is going to be available as a separate purchase for last-generation users as well.
A nifty perk for those who already own the game on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S is cross-buy support, letting you dive into goat madness without shelling out extra cash for last-gen versions. Xbox users will find the added bonus of cross-saves, a convenient feature though it might beg the question: How many PS5 owners will opt to caper about on the older PS4?
This whole situation feels reminiscent of what happened with “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,” which premierly launched on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, bypassing the previous generation completely. Yet, come August 2023, EA revealed ports were in the works for PS4 and Xbox One, which rolled out in September and, surprisingly, looked quite polished. However, it does seem these older consoles have more staying power than expected.
It’s intriguing that the PS4, venturing into its twelfth year, continues to receive new ports even as we approach 2024. This continuity certainly benefits players yet to upgrade to a PS5. Nevertheless, it might be a sign that the console industry isn’t progressing as briskly as some would hope, perhaps to avoid the financial downsides of abandoning a large user base too soon. Perhaps the upcoming “GTA 6,” earmarked for release solely on next-gen consoles in 2025, will be the catalyst needed to shift the gaming populace fully into the new era, and eventually free developers from the shackles of accommodating last-gen hardware.
