PS5 backwards compatibility: We take a look at which PS4 games can be played on the PS5.

One of the biggest questions many Playstation users have is whether their PS4 games with work on the new console. We investigate the backwards compatibility of Sony's latest consoles. 

The simple answer to this is 'Yes' - however, there are some caveats;

PS5 backwards compatibility: Can you play PS4 games on PS5?

Prior to the launch of the 2 new Playstation Consoles (PS5 Standard & PS5 Digital Edition), Sony announced that PS4 games would indeed be compatible with the new-gen pair. This includes both physical and digital games on the PS5 standard console and digital games on the PS5 Digital Edition - as the digital console doesn't have a disc drive (similar to the Xbox Series S - you can read more about these two all-digital consoles: Digital Edition Consoles: PS5 Digital Edition & Xbox Series S).

Sony also stated that more than 4000 of the PS4 games in the PS store would be compatible with the PS5 consoles. Currently there are only 6 games known to be incompatible with the next-gen consoles (Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One, Hitman Go: Definitive Edition, Just Deal With It!, Robinson: The Journey, Shadwen, We Sing

PS5 Backwards Compatibility: How to get PS4 games on PS5?

Sony has done a pretty good job of documenting how their users can get PS4 games on the new consoles, via their dedicated webpage. In short though, you can simply use physical games via the disc drive - or you can transfer game data from one console to another via a Wifi connection for digital games. Users can also access all of their digital PS4 games via their PSN account and simply re-download these onto the new console.

PS5 Backwards Compatibility: Do PS4 games play better on the PS5?

According to Sony, PS4 games should indeed play better on the PS5 - "PS4 titles get even better on PS5. Select PS4 titles will see increased loading speeds on the PS5 console, and will also leverage Game Boost, offering improved or more stable frame rates. Some titles with unlocked frame rates or dynamic resolution up to 4K may see higher fidelity." 

Again though, this comes with the caveat that not all games have been tested yet, so there may be some PS4 games that have glitches/bugs when playing on PS5, although Sony have addressed this concern, stating "We’re currently evaluating games on a title-by-title basis to spot any issues that need adjustment from the original software developers." Evidently this is something that Sony are aware of and we would hope that over the PS5 lifespan continues to get ironed-out.

Another point to note is that some PS4 titles actually have upgraded versions for use on the PS5 - games such as Ghost of Tsushima & God of War for example both offer users updated versions with increased performance and frame rates for optimal play on the PS5, however depending on the game some of these upgrades are free and some are offered with an additional cost (this is on a game by game basis, so worth noting).

Let us know your thoughts on the PS5 Backwards Compatibility - are you impressed? Have Sony done enough to get you to spend you money on a new console? Leave us a comment below;