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The PlayStation 5 offers backward compatibility for the existing line of PlayStation 4 games, which means that you will be able to play almost any PS4 game you already have on the new console. Some games will also offer the option to upgrade to a suitable PS5-optimized next-gen title, such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Here’s how to get started:
How to Play Backward Compatible PlayStation 4 Games
The PS5 will be able to play almost all PS4 games that are available thanks to backward compatibility. Sony also promises that some games will be able to take advantage of the additional power of the new console to provide a “Game Boost” for faster or smoother frame rates. With that said, Sony also cautions that some features of PS4 titles may not be available and that there may be “bugs or unexpected behavior” when playing backward compatible titles on the PS5.
Playing PlayStation 4 games from a disc (PlayStation 5 only)
The easiest way to play backward compatible games (assuming you have a PS5 with a disc drive and a hard copy of the game) is to simply put the disc in your PS5. Some games will require an update to be installed, but beyond that, it’s just plug and play.
Play digitally purchased PlayStation 4 games (PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition)
Games purchased digitally are a bit more complex, although they will work similarly to downloading any other digital title. Players’ existing PS4 games will continue to appear in their game libraries on the PS5, just as they currently do on the PS4. To install and play one, the player must select the game from their library and download it.
And unlike PS5 games (which will need to be installed directly to the internal SSD, where they can take advantage of the speed improvements Sony has made here), PS4 games can be installed and played directly from an external drive.
Sony also notes that it will offer an option to transfer digital downloads and save data from a PS4 to a PS5 via Wi-Fi or a LAN cable.
Save
Players will be able to transfer game saves via a USB storage device from a PS4 to a PS5, and PS Plus subscribers will also be able to sync PS4 game saves via cloud storage.
Compatibility
Sony says that the vast majority of the catalog of over 4,000 PS4 games will work on the PS5 thanks to backward compatibility, with the exception of the following titles:
- DWVR
- Afro Samurai 2: Kuma’s Revenge Volume One
- Isle of Man TT – Ride on the Edge 2
- Just deal with it!
- Shadow Complex Remastered
- Robinson: the journey
- we sang
- Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
- Shadwen
- Joe’s Diner
According to Sony, although PS4 games will work with the DualSense controller on the PS5, for the “best experience” it recommends using a DualShock 4 to play PS4 games. (However, players will not be able to use a DualShock 4 for PS5 games.) Other PS4 accessories, including PlayStation VR headsets and special racing wheels, arcade sticks, and flight sticks, will also work with the PS5.
PlayStation 5 updates
Some PS4 games will go one step further. Instead of simply offering the option to play the existing version of PS4 as it already exists, some titles will offer updates to a full version of the next-gen PS5.
Sony notes that it will be up to developers to decide where the update is free, if it requires an additional purchase, or if it will only be available for a limited time. Some titles, like Cyberpunk 2077, have promised that players will be able to get a free update to a suitable next-gen version once it is available. Other titles, such as EA Madden 21 or FIFA 21 – will offer free updates, but only for a limited time. Sony also allows developers to charge for next-gen updates, with the option of offering a discount to players who already own the existing version of PS4.
Whatever the case for your specific game, the update process is the same.
Update a PS4 digital game to your PS5 version (PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition)
To update a digitally owned PS4 game, you will need to make sure that you are logged into the account where you have the title. You will then need to find the corresponding PS5 version of that game on the PlayStation Store, where you will have an offer to upgrade your existing PS4 version to the new PS5 version. (Again, that offer can be free or paid, depending on what the developers decide.)
Then just download (or buy and download) the new version of PS5 just like you would any other game.
Upgrade a disc-based PS4 game to a PS5 version (PlayStation 5 only)
However, upgrading a physical PS4 disc to its PS5 version is a bit more complicated. Once you put the disc in your PS5, you will have a new option in the game center in the main menu of PS5 to update to the version of PS5. Like the digital option, you will be able to download the new version of PS5 (or pay to update and then download, if the game requires it).
There’s a big caveat here though: while you’ll have to keep the new PS5 version of the game downloaded to your hard drive to play, it will only work when the PS4 disc is still in your console.
Transfer saves
Transferring save data from a PS4 version to a PS5 version will be up to the developer, according to Sony. Promises more details on how that process will work (including for your own own titles Spider-Man: Miles Morales Y Sackboy: a great adventure) closer to launch.
Update October 9, 2:30 pm: Added additional details on PS4 save data transfer.
