Another Formerly Current-Gen Exclusive Game Receives PS4 Port

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox, approaching their 11th anniversary, have managed to stay unexpectedly popular, with many still relying on them daily. This popularity perhaps explains why “Goat Simulator 3,” initially launched in 2022 for the newer consoles, is set to roll out on these older gaming systems this month. And it’s not the only game experiencing this retro stretch this year.

“Goat Simulator 3,” which debuted on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in November 2022, acts as the successor to the original Goat Simulator. Interestingly, there’s no Goat Simulator 2, but the sequel builds on the chaotic open-world antics of its predecessor from 2014, delighting many fans. But if you haven’t upgraded to a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S and still want a piece of the action, you’re in luck. The charmingly chaotic goat adventures are heading to PS4 and Xbox One on October 24.

On October 8, Coffee Stain officially broke the news about Goat Simulator 3 transitioning to PS4 and Xbox One. Remember, it also made its way to the Nintendo Switch back in August. This upcoming older-gen edition will bundle in all the free updates released since 2022, and you’ll be able to purchase Goat Sim 3’s “Multiverse of Nonsense” DLC separately on these consoles.

For those who already own the game on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, there’s good news: you won’t need to buy it again for the older consoles, thanks to cross-buy support. Moreover, if you’re on Xbox, cross-save functionality means your progress is safe across both generations. It’s a considerate feature, though it’s interesting to consider how many will actually play it on the PS4 if they already have a PS5.

This situation is quite reminiscent of what happened with “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.” Initially skipping over the older consoles, it was released on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. However, come August 2023, EA announced ports to PS4 and Xbox One, which dropped in September and received positive reception. However, it does make one ponder how long these last-gen consoles will hang around.

With the PS4 nearing its 11th year, it’s somewhat surprising to see games still porting over to it in 2024. While it offers convenience for those who haven’t made the switch to PS5, it also hints at challenges for the gaming industry which seems hesitant to leave the older generation behind due to financial considerations. Perhaps when “GTA 6” arrives, exclusive to next-gen systems in 2025, it will finally encourage a more significant shift away from these almost vintage consoles.