Do all pS5 consoles play PS4 games?

One of the most important questions for gamers upgrading from the PlayStation 4 to the PlayStation 5 is:
Can my PS5 play my PS4 games?
The good news is: Yes — most of them can! But let’s break it down clearly so you know exactly what to expect.

✅ The Short Answer

Yes, all PS5 consoles are backward compatible with most PS4 games.
This means you can play the vast majority of your PlayStation 4 game library on your PlayStation 5.

🎮 What Does "Backward Compatibility" Mean?

Backward compatibility refers to a console’s ability to run games designed for a previous generation.
For PS5, this means it can run PS4 games, both physical discs and digital versions, depending on your model.

📦 PS5 Disc vs Digital Edition

Feature PS5 Standard (Disc Version) PS5 Digital Edition
Plays physical PS4 discs ✅ Yes ❌ No
Plays digital PS4 games ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Requires PS4 game downloads or disc Disc or Digital Digital only

If you own physical PS4 discs, make sure to get the PS5 with a disc drive. The Digital Edition cannot read discs.

🕹️ How Many PS4 Games Are Compatible?

Sony has confirmed that over 4,000 PS4 titles are playable on PS5, including popular titles like:

  • The Last of Us Part II

  • God of War

  • Ghost of Tsushima

  • Uncharted 4

  • Spider-Man (Remastered)

You can even experience better performance on some titles, thanks to the PS5's Game Boost feature.

⚠️ Are There Any PS4 Games That Don’t Work?

Only a small number of PS4 games (fewer than 10) are not compatible with the PS5. Sony maintains a list of these titles on their official support site.

Examples of unsupported titles:

  • Shadwen

  • Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One

🎯 How to Play PS4 Games on PS5

1. For Disc Games:

  • Insert your PS4 game disc into the PS5 (standard edition only)

  • The game will install, and you may be prompted to download updates

2. For Digital Games:

  • Log in to your PSN account where your PS4 games were purchased

  • Go to your library and download them directly to the PS5

3. Using External Storage:

  • You can transfer PS4 games from an external USB drive

  • Saves time instead of re-downloading

📌 Save Data Transfer

If you want to continue your progress from PS4:

  • Use cloud saves (if you have PlayStation Plus)

  • Or use a LAN cable or Wi-Fi to transfer data directly

🛒 Where to Buy PS5 Consoles

You can find PS5 consoles and accessories here:

🧠 Conclusion

Yes, all PS5 consoles support PS4 games, whether digitally or via disc (depending on the model).

Backward compatibility helps make the PS5 a fantastic upgrade without sacrificing your PS4 game library. Just remember:

  • Buy the disc version if you want to play physical PS4 discs.

  • Make sure to transfer or download your old favorites.

Ready to keep playing? The PS5 has your past and future covered. 🎮