eli5 How can PC games from literally 1998 run from the PCs of today but you can’t play older console games from the current consoles?

Question

why is “backwards incompatibility” a problem on consoles and not on pc when they’re basically just the same electronic parts (cpu, gpu, ram)

In: 7

Answer 1

A pickup truck from 1998 can still carry a large load today, but if you need to transfer a large load on a motorcycle, things will be a great deal more difficult. PC’s were intended to be general duty workhorses, like a pickup truck, whereas consoles were optimized for one thing, like a motorcycle is intended to transport one person at a time.