Even though you’ll mostly be getting a PS5 to take advantage of the newer-gen features and titles, since the PlayStation family library of games is so vast, you may want to look to past releases.
Thankfully, the PS5 does have a backwards compatibility function but for what systems is likely the burning question you have.
Here, we’ll run you through a full explainer of PS5 backwards compatibility so you’re aware as to if you can slot in those retro PS1 discs or not.
Can you play PS1, PS2, or PS3 games on PS5?
One of the biggest questions for PlayStation fans when the PS5 launched was whether it would support games from earlier generations like the PS1, PS2, and PS3.
Unfortunately, PS5 does not natively support physical or digital games from these older generations, much to the disappointment of you retro gaming lovers.
Sony has chosen to focus on PS4 backwards compatibility instead, which means that you won’t be able to insert a PS1, PS2, or PS3 disc into a PS5 and play it directly.
However, one saving grace is that Sony offers PS3, PS2, and some PS1 titles through the PlayStation Plus Premium tier (formerly PlayStation Now).
This subscription-based service allows you to stream a selection of classic titles on their PS5, including popular franchises and lesser-known gems.
Although this isn’t true backwards compatibility, it gives fans a chance to play classic titles on modern hardware, though only through streaming, and not every game from these consoles is available.
Is the PS5 backwards compatible with PS4 games?
The PS5 is highly compatible with PS4 games, allowing you to play most of your PS4 library directly on the console.
This backward compatibility extends to both physical PS4 discs and digital purchases made through the PlayStation Store.
What’s more, for games installed on an external hard drive or SSD, you can easily plug your storage device into the PS5 and continue where you left off on PS4.
Sony reports that over 99% of PS4 titles are playable on PS5 and in many cases, these games benefit from improved performance, thanks to the PS5’s more powerful hardware.
Many PS4 games load faster on the PS5, and certain titles may run at higher resolutions and frame rates, especially if they received PS5 optimization updates from their developers.
Certain PS4 games, like God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us Part II, have even received free or paid upgrades to enhance performance on PS5.
These upgrades often include higher resolutions, smoother frame rates, and faster load times, taking advantage of the PS5’s advanced SSD and GPU.
So, all in all, the PS5 does offer some true backwards compatibility but only with the PS4 system. This is to be expected somewhat due to the nature of the troublesome PS3 architecture and the growing library of PS2 and PS1 digital games you can acquire through the store.
