PS5 backwards compatibility: can you play your PS4, PS3, PS2 and PS1 games?

The PS5 is backward compatible with the PS4 games, and that's about it.

PS1, PS2, and PS3 discs do not work on the console. A patent filed by Sony had raised hopes that compatibility would extend to PS1 games, but that was never confirmed.

Backward compatibility between PS5 and other games

The The PS5 is backward compatible only with PS4 games, both on CD and digitally. That's the major limitation: the PS1, PS2, and PS3 discs don't work on the console.

Are PS1, PS2, and PS3 games compatible with the PS5?

No. Several players have tested this by inserting discs from previous generations after the release of the PlayStation 5 : The console does not read either the PS1 games, nor the PS2 games, nor the PS3 games in terms of hardware. Backward compatibility ends with the PS4 generation.

There is, however, an exception for securities PS3. Some are still available for streaming with a subscription PlayStation Plus Premium (the highest level, which absorbed the former department PS Now (in 2022).

This online catalog even includes games PS1 and PS2, but everything is handled by the servers at Sony, without a disc or a version downloaded to the console.

The three subscription tiers are Essential, Extra, and Premium : only the level Premium provides access to streaming content from the old library.

Also note: the PS5 Digital Edition has no readers. So it can't read your PS4 games on disc. To enjoy a physical collection, you'll need the version of the console that includes a disc drive.

the PlayStation VR is also compatible with the PS5 for PS4 games VR, thanks to the adapter provided by Sony.

How do I check if a PS4 game is compatible with the PS5?

There are two simple ways to determine whether a PS4 game runs on PS5.

• Consult the official list of PlayStation : Virtually all PS4 games are compatible, and the dedicated page lists the few exceptions.
• Check out the game's page on the PlayStation Store : Compatibility is listed right there, just like on the cover of a boxed game.

In practical terms, only one list of titles is not compatible with the PS5. For everyone else, you can play your PS4 games on PS5 without any special steps.

You'll also find the list of multiplatform games available on your console.

How can I play PS4 games on PS5?

The method depends on your model. With the PS5 Standard Edition (the one with the reader), you insert your PS4 games on disc and they install themselves. For each session, you have to leave the disk in the console. With the PS5 Digital Edition, without a drive, you can only play PS4 games by digital version.

Find Your Digital Games

If you have any PS4 games purchased digitally, head over to your game library from the home screen. There you'll find a list of all the games compatible with your account, ready to download. No need to buy anything else.

Transfer Your PS4 Games and Save Data to the PS5

To avoid having to download everything again, you can create a data transfer from a PS4 or PS4 Pro. There are two ways to transfer data:

• Transferring data from one console to another via the Wi-Fi, when both are on the same network.
• Copying your games to a external USB hard drive, which you then plug into the PS5.

When it comes to backups, it's even simpler. If you have the PlayStation Plus, your progress data is stored online and automatically syncs with the PS5. Otherwise, a USB key That's all it takes to copy your PS4 backup data and import it to the new console.

Upgrade to the PS5 version of a PS4 game

On the PS5, some PS4 games benefit from a upgrade to their PS5 versions. According to the title, this update is free or paid. An upgrade option appears directly on the relevant game's hub from the home screen. The logo displayed next to the game tells you whether it's running in PS4 or PS5 version.

The benefit is tangible. Thanks to the Game Boost, PS4 games are becoming smoother, with higher resolution, and above all, with loading time, much shorter than before.

Does your PS4 controller work?

The joystick DualShock 4 is compatible with the PS5. You can use your controller to play PS4 games on the console.

For a PS5 game, on the other hand, the joystick DualSense is required. Be sure to do the system updates to take advantage of all your controller's features.

Classics such as The Last of Us (developed by Naughty Dog) or God of War can therefore be played with your PS4 controller without any problems.

PS5 Backward Compatibility: Video Games for All Ages and Interests

The PS5's backward compatibility covers more than 4,000 PS4 games. Almost your entire game library remains playable on your new console, whether the game is on disc or digital.

So you can play your PlayStation classics again without having to buy anything new. Here are a few iconic PS4 games that run perfectly—often with improved graphics thanks to the Game Boost :

• God of War and The Last of Us Part II, with a more stable frame rate.
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Odyssey, with some shorter loading times.
• Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA V and FIFA, which is still relevant in multiplayer.
• Bloodborne, Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Zero Dawn, for fans of solo adventures.

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