It was already known that Sony’s new next-gen console PS5 would be backwards compatible with the PS4. But what about games from the PS3, PS2, and PS1? Can you play these on the PlayStation 5 too? Sony has finally clarified this.
This is what many have been waiting for: After Sony recently revealed the price and release date of the PS5, another burning question remained unanswered: What is the situation regarding backwards compatibility?
It has been known for some time that the PlayStation 5 will also support games from the PS4. But what about games from older PlayStation generations? That is, the PS3, PS2, and PS1? After all, there are some gems that many players would like to enjoy on Sony’s next-gen console.
Now, PlayStation chief Jim Ryan has finally brought clarity to this matter.
Where does the information come from? The new information comes from an interview with the Japanese site Famitsu, where they spoke with the head of Sony Interactive Entertainment shortly after the PS5 event. During this, Ryan was asked several questions regarding the PS5, including specific details about backwards compatibility.
By the way, after the event, pre-orders also started, but many might have expected this differently: PS5 sold out – Pre-order started too early and descended into chaos
To which Sony consoles is the PS5 now backwards compatible?
Here’s the situation with backwards compatibility with the PS4: This was already foreseeable with the PS4. Ryan had previously stated that the PS5 would be backwards compatible with 99% of all tested PS4 games at launch, and that all these titles would run smoothly on the PlayStation 5. This applies to games on physical media, as well as your digital treasures from the PS Store.
It is now officially stated that 99% of the entire PS4 library will run on the PS5.
By the way: Owners of the PS5 who have a PS Plus subscription will receive a small bonus at the launch of the PlayStation 5 at no additional cost in the form of 18 PS4 gems: PlayStation Plus for PS5: These 18 games are free at launch
However, after Ryan’s statement at that time, there were also rumors that this would be the only backward compatibility. Even Ubisoft briefly listed information on their support page that the PS5 would only be compatible with PS4 games. However, this information was quickly removed. There has been much discussion about this since then. What’s the truth?
By the way, you can find more important details here: PS5 – The 9 most important answers regarding backwards compatibility
Here’s the situation regarding backwards compatibility with the PS1, PS3, and PS2: Unfortunately, there’s bad news, as the rumors have been confirmed.
As Ryan revealed in the interview, the PS5 is not backwards compatible with the PS1, PS2, and PS3. You will not be able to use games from these console generations on the PlayStation 5. The main reason mentioned by the Sony chief is a lack of time.
The focus during development was on compatibility with the PS4, as it had the largest user base with over 100 million players. Therefore, this was implemented. They also had to consider other aspects such as the features of the new DualSense controller and the new SSD technology. They were quite busy and apparently had no resources left to implement backwards compatibility for older PlayStation generations.
In short: On the PS5, thanks to backwards compatibility, you can play almost all PS4 games. The PS5 is not compatible with older PlayStation generations.
What do you think about this? Is this decisive for you when purchasing a new console? Is the compatibility with PS4 games sufficient for you? Or does it not bother you at all? By the way, if you’re wondering what you can also play directly at the launch of the PS5 besides all the PS5 games: PS5: These are all the currently confirmed launch titles for the PlayStation 5
