If you’ve been a PlayStation fan for a long time, you’ve likely built a collection of games from previous generations that are extremely important to you. From classic PS2 titles that defined your childhood, to PS3 adventures that kept you glued to the screen for hours, and PS4 masterpieces you just cannot let go of, it is only natural to wonder: Is the PS5 backwards compatible with these PS2, PS3, and PS4 games?
Backwards compatibility is one of those make-or-break characteristics that can impact many decisions, particularly when it comes to upgrading to the newest console. Though the PS5 is an absolute powerhouse with innovative technology, can you still play your favorite PS2, PS3, and PS4 games on it? There are some twists and turns in the answer, so it’s not as simple as a yes or no.
While the PlayStation5 has excellent support for the majority of PS4 titles, playing older PS2 and PS3 games involves a little more work and may even require services like PlayStation Plus or online downloads. We’ll go into great detail in this blog on what the PS5 can and cannot do when it comes to playing your favorite games. So, just keep reading to find out.
Table of Contents
Is The PS5 Backwards Compatible?
Yes, it is compatible! Most PS4 games are compatible with the PS5 backwards. Sony made an effort to go over every game with the publishers and developers to make sure it could all be played on the new console without any issues.
The PS5 is compatible with over 4,000 PS4 titles. As long as the discs and downloaded games are compatible, it works seamlessly with them. In addition to being backwards compatible with them, the PS5 may even enhance PS4 games. On the PlayStation 5, some PS4 games will run at higher and more seamless frame rates.
Meanwhile, Sony says that some add-ons can initially cause problems, so you should always exercise caution and try your games without any add-ons to identify where issues potentially arise.
Read this article: Can You Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS5?
Which PS4 Games Don’t Work on PS5?
Although you can play most PS4 games on the PlayStation 5, some titles are just for PS4 alone. Sony handpicked these titles on its website:
- Robinson: The Journey
- Shadwen
- Just Deal With It!
- Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
- Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One
- We Sing
Interestingly, this PS5 backwards-compatible list has remained the same for several months now. It has even reduced greatly. We hope this indicates that compatibility support will still be available for the rest of Sony’s games.
Is it Compatible With PS2 And PS3 Games?
The PS5 backwards is somewhat compatible with the PS2 and PS3 games. At the same time, the physical disc version of PS2/PS3 isn’t backwards compatible with the PS5. nevertheless, this might change with future announcements from Sony Interactive.
On the other hand, if you have a PlayStation Plus membership, you can use PlayStation’s cloud-based streaming service to select the games you want to play on different PlayStation console generations. Consider it like Netflix but with PlayStation titles instead.
Certain games appear to be on PS Plus indefinitely, while others disappear from the service after just a single year. This is Sony’s official list of all the PlayStation Plus games.
Check Out: How to Connect PS5 Controller to PS5
Will PS5 Games Work on PS4?
The simple answer is NO. PS5 games are designed to work best with the system’s upgraded internal hardware. They will therefore not work with the internal hardware of the PS4. With the PS5’s enhanced SSD speed, ray tracing, and 4K resolution, PS5 games will function flawlessly.
Because of all that technological advancement, PS5 games will look fantastic on the PS5 console but won’t work with PS4 hardware components.
How To Transfer Games And Saved Data To The PS5
Do you have a PS4 and PS5? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy your PS4 games and saved data on your PS5. Luckily, you can do this with a tethered LAN cable connection or your local Wi-Fi network. Here’s how:
- Turn on your PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and connect them to the same network.
- On your PS5, open Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer > Continue.
- Next, choose the PS4 you wish to transfer data from.
- You’ll see a message on the PS5 that says Prepare for data transfer. Then press and hold the PS4 power button until you hear a beep (at least one second).
- On the PS5, choose the data you wish to transfer.
- Choose Start transfer.
- Allow the process to complete.
FAQs
You cannot play your PS3 games on the PS5 if you have physical disc copies of them. Your old PS3 discs cannot be physically played on the PS5.
On the new PS5, you can also play some titles that were released on the original PlayStation, PS2, and PS3. There’s a catch, though: compared to PS4 games, you cannot use the original DVDs or CDs on the PS5.
Yes. Over 99 percent of the 4,000+ PS4 games are compatible and playable on the PS5. You can install PS4 games from disc or download games that you’ve purchased from the PlayStation Store through your game library.
The PlayStation 5 is fully backward compatible with PS4 games, and can even play some PS3, PS2, and PS1 games via PlayStation Plus.
The PS6 is said to include an x86 architecture that supports PS5 and PS4 games since Sony is reportedly trying to make sure that the PS6 is backwards compatible with earlier generations of PlayStation hardware.
Bottom Line
The PS5 is backwards compatible with most PS4 games, which allows you to enjoy your recent favorites without stress. However, playing PS2 and PS3 titles is more restricted, and frequently requires online downloads or subscription services like PlayStation Plus.
Even while the PlayStation 5 does not support all preceding generations, it nevertheless offers options for you to relive some of your best gaming experiences.