With Armored Core 6 on the horizon, many players are hoping to experience the rest of the series before jumping into FromSoftware’s latest mech title. However, when you start looking at whether any Armored Core games are backward compatible, you’ll only find disappointment.
Are any of the Armored Core games backward compatible?
Unfortunately, whether you’re using a PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X|S, you won’t find Armored Core on any backward compatibility lists. Some of the games did see a re-release on PSN on PS3 in some territories, but none of them are available on current-gen consoles.
There are 15 games in the Armored Core series, and the best way to play all of them is to purchase physical copies. Then, you can either play on original hardware. Alternatively, you can emulate everything up to Armored Core 4. Unfortunately, despite Xbox 360 and PS3 emulation coming a long way recently, Armored Core 4, For Answer, 5, and Verdict Day aren’t currently able to be completed on Xenia or RPCS3.
Unfortunately, physical copies of Armored Core are no longer available from first-party sellers. You’ll have to rely on third-party sellers, and prices have skyrocketed since AC6 was announced.
It’s clear that this lack of backward compatibility is a lost chance. The Armored Core series is known for its mech-action gameplay, and the announcement of Armored Core 6 has only made people want to play these old games on newer platforms. Backward compatibility would be a great way for new players to see how the series has changed over time while returning players could rediscover how much they love customizing their mechs and using strategy in battle.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges in preserving and accessing video game history, especially for series with as much legacy and fan love as Armored Core. Let’s keep the hope alive that developers and console manufacturers will address these gaps and help maintain the vibrant tapestry of gaming culture.
