PS5 – PS4 backward compatibility, PS4-to-PS5 upgrades detailed [Update]

The PlayStation support website has detailed backwards compatibility for PlayStation 4 games on PlayStation 5, confirming that the “overwhelming majority” of PlayStation 4 games are playable on the new hardware, with only 10 titles confirmed as not playable.

The website also detailed how to upgrade eligible PlayStation 4 games to their PlayStation 5 versions both on-disc and digitally.

Get the information below.

The PlayStation 5 console is backward compatible with the overwhelming majority of PlayStation 4 games. That means an amazing collection of thousands of PlayStation 4 games can be played on your PlayStation 5 console.

■ PlayStation 4 Games Playable on PlayStation 5 Consoles

The overwhelming majority of the 4,000-plus PlayStation 4 games are playable on PlayStation 5 consoles.

• Select PlayStation 4 games will benefit from the PlayStation 5 console’s Game Boost, which may make PlayStation 4 games run with a higher or smoother frame rate.
• Although many PlayStation 4 games are playable on PlayStation 5 consoles, some functionalities that were available on the PlayStation 4 console may not be available on PlayStation 5 consoles. In addition, some PlayStation 4 games may exhibit errors or unexpected behavior when played on PlayStation 5 consoles.
• Before purchasing add-ons to play with your PlayStation 4 games on PlayStation 5 consoles, please try to boot and play your PlayStation 4 games on your PlayStation 5 console to see if you are happy with the play experience.
• Please note, playing PlayStation VR games on a PlayStation 5 console requires a PlayStation VR headset, a PlayStation Camera (sold separately from PlayStation 5 console) and a PlayStation Camera adaptor (no purchase required).
• Always update your PlayStation 5 console to the latest version of the system software.

■ PlayStation 4-Only games

While the majority of PlayStation 4 games are playable on PlayStation 5 consoles, below is a list of PlayStation 4 games that are playable on PlayStation 4 only. On PlayStation Store, PlayStation 4 games that are not playable on the PlayStation 5 console will be marked with “Playable On: PlayStation 4 Only.”

PlayStation 4-only games include:

• Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One (Versus Evil)
• DWVR (Mad Triangles) (PlayStation VR title) – Update: Mad Triangles is working on an update to ensure DWVR will be playable on PlayStation 5 before launch.
• Hitman Go: Definitive Edition (Square Enix)
• Joe’s Diner (United Independent Entertainment)
• Just Deal With It! (Super Punk Creative)
• TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2 (Nacon) – Update: Nacon is working on an update to ensure TT Isle of Man: Ride on th Edge 2 will be playable on PlayStation 5, but it is unclear whether it will arrive before launch.
• Robinson: The Journey (Crytek) (PlayStation VR title)
• Shadow Complex Remastered (Epic Games)
• Shadwen (Frozenbyte) – Update: Frozenbyte will not update Shadwen to be playable on PlayStation 5.
• We Sing (THQ Nordic)

This list is subject to change and excludes demos, media, and non-game applications.

■ Playing PlayStation 4 Game Discs on a PlayStation 5 Console with a Disc Drive

1. Insert the PlayStation 4 game disc. You may need to download an update.
2. Select the game hub from your Games home.
3. You will need to keep the disc inserted each time to play the game.

PlayStation 4 game discs can’t be used with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

■ Transfer Digital Games from a PlayStation 4 Console to a PlayStation 5 Console

• You can transfer digital games and saved data from a PlayStation 4 console to a PlayStation 5 console using Wi-Fi data transfer.
• You can access PlayStation 4 games on a PlayStation 5 console directly from a PlayStation 5 extended storage drive.

■ Install a PlayStation 4 Digital Game on a PlayStation 5 Console

1. Select game library from your Games home.
2. Select the game you want to play.
3. If you haven’t already downloaded the game, select Download.
4. The game will install automatically. Depending on the game, you may have the option to copy and play a portion of the game right away.

■ Upgrade Eligible PlayStation 4 Games to the PlayStation 5 Version

Certain PlayStation 4 games can be upgraded to the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game on a PlayStation 5 console.

When using a PlayStation 5 console, you may have the option to upgrade a disc or digital PlayStation 4 game to the digital PlayStation 5 version. Depending on the game, this upgrade may occur at no additional cost, may require a purchase, and may be available for a limited time. An internet connection is required.

Upgrade an Eligible PlayStation 4 Game on Disc on a PlayStation 5 Console With a Disc Drive

To upgrade an eligible PlayStation 4 game on disc to the digital PlayStation 5 version, you will need a PlayStation 5 console with a disc drive. PlayStation 4 game discs can’t be used with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

1. Sign in to your existing account on your PlayStation 5 console (or create an account).
2. Insert the eligible PlayStation 4 game disc.
3. Go to the game hub for the PlayStation 4 game.
4. Select the upgrade offer on the game hub and review the upgrade offer.
5. Select Download (or purchase with the discount price) to download / purchase content.
6. After the download is complete, you can play the PlayStation 5 digital game by inserting the PlayStation 4 game disc. You will need to keep the disc inserted each time to play the game.

Upgrade an Eligible PlayStation 4 Digital Game on a PlayStation 5 Console with a Disc Drive or PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

To upgrade an eligible digital PlayStation 4 game you already own to the digital PlayStation 5 version:

1. Sign in to your existing account on your PlayStation 5 console.
2. Find the PlayStation 5 game in PlayStation Store, or by Search, and go to the game hub for the PlayStation 5 game.
3. Select the upgrade offer on the game hub and review the upgrade offer.
4. Select Download (or purchase with the discount price) to download / purchase content.
5. After the download is complete, you can play the PlayStation 5 game.

■ Compatible Controllers on PlayStation 5 Consoles

• The DualSense wireless controller, DualShock 4 wireless controller, and PlayStation officially licensed third-party gamepad controllers will work on PlayStation 5 consoles with supported PlayStation 4 games.
• Specialty peripherals, such as officially licensed racing wheels, arcade sticks, and flight sticks, will work with PlayStation 5 games and supported PlayStation 4 games.
• Both the PlayStation Move Motion Controller and the PlayStation VR Aim Controller will work with supported PlayStation VR games on PlayStation 5 consoles.
• For the best experience, use a DualShock 4 wireless controller when playing PlayStation 4 games and PlayStation VR games on a PlayStation 5 console.
• PlayStation 5 games are not compatible with the DualShock 4 wireless controller.
• To adjust the strength of controller vibration on PlayStation 5 consoles, go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers > Vibration Intensity.
• The Platinum and Gold Wireless Headsets, as well as third-party headsets that connect via USB port or audio jack, will work on PlayStation 5 consoles (the headset companion app is not compatible with PlayStation 5 consoles).

■ PlayStation 5 Backwards Compatibility Limitations

The Share menu cannot be displayed during PlayStation 4 gameplay on PlayStation 5 consoles. You can take screenshots and images by pressing the Create button on your DualSense wireless controller to show the create menu. Additionally, you can use the button shortcuts to start / stop video recording or to save screenshots as follows:

• Single press the Create (DualSense) or Share button (DualShock 4) to show the create menu.
• Press and hold the Create (DualSense) or Share button (DualShock 4) to take a screenshot.
• Double press the Create (DualSense) or Share button (DualShock 4) to start and stop video recording manually.
• The HD Camera is not compatible with PlayStation games—please connect a PlayStation Camera via a PlayStation Camera adaptor.
• HDR is automatically switched on for PlayStation 5 consoles. To turn off HDR, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > HDR and select SDR.
• The PlayStation 4 tournaments feature is not supported on PlayStation 5 consoles.
• In-Game Live from PlayStation is not supported on PlayStation 5 consoles.
• PlayStation 5 consoles do not support the PlayStation 4 Second Screen app or game companion apps.

PlayStation 5 will launch on November 12 in the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, and November 19 in the rest of the world including Europe, Middle East, South America, Asia, and South Africa. Read more here.

Update 2:35 p.m.: A PlayStation Blog post has provided a few additional details:

• Select PlayStation 4 titles will see increased loading speeds on the PlayStation 5 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. Additionally, PlayStation 4 games will also take advantage of some of PlayStation 5’s new UX features, but more to come on that later.
• Backward compatible PlayStation 4 games included in PlayStation Plus or PlayStation Now will run on PlayStation 5.
• Remote Play from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation Now streaming are supported. The benefit of streaming is that you can save your storage space on PlayStation 5. Please note that PlayStation 4 games will not leverage PlayStation 5’s Game Boost through streaming.
• The ability to transfer game saves between a PlayStation 4 version and a PlayStation 5 version of the same game is a developer decision, and will vary title by title for cross-generational games.
  • For Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, when players decide to upgrade from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 their game saves will transfer.
  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure also will support game save transfers from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 in an update that will be delivered shortly after the release of the game.