Is the PS5 backwards compatible with older PlayStation consoles like the PS4? This might be a question you've considered if you're considering buying a PS5, especially if you're also looking to ditch older consoles like the PS4. After all, you wouldn't need to maintain your old systems anymore if you could play your games on newer hardware, right?
Backward compatibility has been a hot topic among gamers for a few console generations. This is something that many of us probably take for granted, especially since consoles like the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 offer some degree of backwards compatibility with their previous generations. This became less secure in subsequent years, as PS4 and Xbox One lacked backwards compatibility at launch, with only Xbox One implementing much-requested features a few years into its life.
Fortunately, console manufacturers are beginning to realize the importance of backwards compatibility. Xbox has been a particular crusader in this regard, offering a myriad of Xbox 360 and Xbox Original titles that can be purchased from the online store or played from disc. Nintendo Switch is also getting better, with select N64, SNES, NES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis titles playable through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.
So is the PS5 backwards compatible? The answer is actually a bit more complicated than you might think, as Sony's approach to the game's preservation feature has come a long way, but it's not without its caveats. Read on to learn all about the functionality of Sony's latest hardware.
PS5 backwards compatibility with PS4 games
If you're thinking of getting rid of your old PS4 console, you'll be pleased to know that the PS5 is fully backward compatible with PS4 games. The vast majority of games on Sony's latest-gen hardware will work on PS5 and can be purchased from the PlayStation Store or played from disc if you have one.
For cross-gen games like Horizon Forbidden West and Death Stranding, buying the game on PS5 will also get you the PS4 version at no additional cost. On the other hand, if you're buying a cross-gen game on PS4, Sony's own titles usually come with a small upgrade fee to get the PS5 version. It's certainly controversial, but it's an option worth considering if you're making the jump to the PS5.
However, some PS4 games have received free PS5 performance patches, without you having to pay extra to experience those older games with current-gen flourishes. These games include God of War, The Last of Us 2, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon Zero Dawn.
Additionally, many PS4 games have received PS4 Pro patches to improve the game's frame rate and offer 4K resolution. These options also work on PS5 and work better than ever thanks to improved hardware, and load much faster when installed on PS5's super-fast SSD.
There are also extreme cases where the PS4 Pro version of a game will perform better than its PS5 counterpart. This is certainly the case with Final Fantasy 14 Online, which has a much smoother framerate when playing the PS4 Pro version on PS5, as opposed to the actual PS5 version of the game, where framerates can drop considerably on PSXNUMX. the busiest gaming segments.
A pretty wonderful addition to the PS5 is the PlayStation Plus Collection. These are digital versions of some of the best PS4 games, available to download at no additional cost if you're a PS Plus subscriber. Games featured in the collection include God of War, Persona 5, Bloodborne, and The Last of Us Remastered. This will save you from buying the physical versions of these games.
Keep in mind, though, that these are strictly PS4 versions of these games, and barring the PS4 Pro enhancements, they haven't been optimized for PS5 play in most cases. This means that games like Bloodborne and Persona 5 are still locked at 30fps.
Finally, there are only six PS4 games that are not available to play on PS5 through backwards compatibility. These can be viewed on the official PlayStation support page and will also be marked on the PlayStation Store as "Playable on: PS4 only."
Backwards compatibility on PlayStation Now
The PlayStation Now subscription service is another way to access backwards compatible games on PS5. PlayStation Now is a separate subscription to PS Plus and costs €9.99 / €8.99 per month. However, the service has improved considerably since its debut, and if you're a long-time PlayStation fan, it's a worthwhile alternative to Xbox Game Pass.
In fact, in addition to PS4 games, PS Now has a huge selection of PS3 and PS2 titles, the latter of which can be downloaded to your SSD or instantly streamed via a cloud connection. One thing to keep in mind is that cloud download and/or availability varies from game to game, and you'll also need a fairly fast internet connection to be able to accurately stream games through the cloud to avoid game lags. severe entrance or visual problems. PS3 games, for example, can only be played through the cloud.
The downside here is that physical PS3 and PS2 discs aren't compatible with PS5 either, so if you're looking to play some PlayStation classics, you'll be tied to the games featured on the PS Now service. Fortunately, the list of games available on PS Now is regularly updated, so more retro titles may be added in the future.
For gamers?
There's a surprising number of options when it comes to backwards compatibility with PS5, though not every solution is perfect. Of course, we would have liked to see full backwards compatibility with PS3 and PS2 via physical discs, and possibly also PS One, which is currently not playable on PS5 in any form. However, we know that Sony would need a lot of time and resources to implement it.
After all, even the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One consoles don't offer the full libraries of Xbox 360 and Original Xbox. The sad reality is that it is simply not feasible and requires a lot of work to bring games back. For now, we have to use services like PlayStation Now and more immediate backwards compatibility solutions, like making PS4 games playable on PS5.