Got a stack of old PlayStation games and a shiny new PS5? You're probably wondering which ones you can actually play.
The short answer is: a lot of them — but it depends on which generation they're from.
PS4 games are almost fully covered, PS3 is possible with the right subscription, and PS2 and PS1 have their own quirks too.
Here's everything you need to know about PS5 backwards compatibility in 2026.
Can the PS5 play PS3 games?
If you can't let go of your beloved PS3 games, there's good news — you can play them on a PS5, but there's an important catch. Unlike PS4 games, which the PS5 runs natively, PS3 games aren't supported at the hardware level. Instead, they're available through cloud streaming via a PS Plus Premium subscription. That means you're playing them over the internet, not running them directly from the console.
PS Plus Premium costs $19.99/month, $54.99 for three months, or $159.99/year. (You don't need the higher-priced plan just for PS4 games — Premium is specifically what unlocks the PS3 streaming library.) Once you're subscribed, you'll find over 400 PS3 titles in the Classics Catalog, playable directly from the PS Plus hub on your PS5.
One thing to be aware of: PS3 titles are stream-only and can't be downloaded to your console. This is different from PS1, PS2, and PSP classics, which can be downloaded and played offline. So a solid internet connection is a must if you want to revisit PS3 favourites.
Also worth noting: as of early 2026, some users reported issues with PS3 streaming becoming temporarily unavailable. Sony hasn't made an official statement, so it's worth checking the PlayStation status page if you run into any problems.
Can the PS4 play PS3 games?
The PlayStation 4 is not compatible with playing PlayStation 3 games. The hardware of the PS3 and PS4 is quite different, which makes it challenging to run PS3 games on a PS4 directly.
And you can't download digital versions of PS3 games from the PlayStation Store onto your PS4 either. Not yet, anyway. Maybe one day…
Best ported remastered PS3 games for PS4 & PS5
If you don't know, porting is the term used when a video game that's designed to run on one platform is converted to run on a different platform, sometimes with minor differences.
Plenty of PlayStation titles from previous generations are available to play on the PS5. Better still, a majority of them have been remastered with new graphics for optimum performance. Here are our picks for the best PlayStation 2 and PS3 games available for the PS5 (and PS4) on the PlayStation store:
Grand Theft Auto trilogy
Twisted Metal: Black
Kingdom Hearts
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Dark Souls Remastered
Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
Judgement
Diablo 2: Resurrected
Nier Replicant
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Remastered Collection
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Control: Ultimate Edition
Nioh 2 Remastered: The Complete Edition
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered
The Last of Us 2 Remastered
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
The Last of Us Part I Remake
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
Can you play PS4 games on a PS5?
A PS5 can play PS4 games, with almost every single one of the 4,000+ PlayStation 4 games being playable on the PS5.
However, a few PS4 games are considered PS4-only. On the PlayStation Store, non-compatible PS4 games that are not playable on the PS5 console will be marked with 'Playable on: PS4 only'.
PS4 games that can't be played on a PS5:
Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One
Just Deal With It!
Robinson: The Journey
We Sing
Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
Shadwen
Can you play PS2 games on a PS5?
Some PS2 games that were playable on a PS4 are also playable on PS5, but you'll need to buy the PS4 versions via the PlayStation Store to be able to play them digitally on a PS5. The PS5 cannot play PS2 DVD or game discs.
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Can you play PS4 disc games on a PS5?
Yes, you can play PS4 discs on the PS5! Simply insert the PS4 game disc. You may need to download an update, but that's probably it. It's also worth noting that PS4 game discs can't be used with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
To transfer digital games and game data from a PS4 console to a PS5 console, you'll need to do a WiFi data transfer or directly from a compatible USB storage drive that you may already be using with a PS4 console.
One exception worth knowing about: the newer PS5 Slim Digital Edition and the PS5 Pro can have a disc drive attached as an optional accessory — so if you pick one up, you're not locked out of physical games entirely. The disc drive add-on is sold separately from PlayStation Direct.
What PS5 model should you buy in 2026?
There are now a few different PS5 models to choose from, and the one you pick can affect how you play older games:
PS5 — the standard model, plays PS4 discs natively
PS5 Digital Edition — no disc drive built in, but you can attach one as an accessory
PS5 Pro — Sony's premium option with enhanced performance and image quality for PS4 and PS5 games
All three models have the same backwards compatibility — PS4 games play on all of them natively, and PS3 streaming via PS Plus Premium works on all of them too.
One thing to note is that the Pro doesn't add any extra PS3 support. If you're a student on a budget, the Digital Edition is the cheapest entry point, but factor in the cost of a disc drive add-on if you own physical games.
Can you play PS1 games on a PS5?
You can't play PS1 games on PS5. Although there are a few PS4 remasters like PaRappa the Rapper and MediEvil that you'll be able to play on PS5, as well as Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
Does PS VR work on PS5?
Sony released the PlayStation VR2 in February 2023 — and it's a big upgrade from the original headset. PSVR2 is PS5-only, connects via a single USB-C cable, and has its own library of VR-native titles. If you're thinking about getting into PlayStation VR, PSVR2 is the version to go for.
If you already own the original PSVR headset from the PS4 era, it does still work on PS5 — but you'll need the free PS Camera adaptor (not the PS5 HD Camera, which isn't compatible) and either a DualShock 4 or PlayStation Move controllers. Bear in mind that PSVR2 games are not backwards compatible with the original PSVR, and vice versa — the two headsets have completely separate libraries.
PSVR2 also gained PC support via an adapter in 2024 if you want to use it beyond the PS5.
Is the PS5 fully backwards compatible?
The PS5 does have backwards compatibility in certain areas. The PS5 can play PS3 games via a PS Plus Premium membership, which you'll have to pay for to access its library of PS3 games. The PS5 can, however, play almost any PS4 game.
The PS5 is similarly backwards compatible with the PS2 as it is with the PS3. A solid selection of PS2 titles is available via the PS Plus Premium membership. The PS5 cannot read or play any physical PS2 discs or hardware, though.
As for the original PlayStation, a selection of PS1 classics are available to download through PS Plus Premium's Classics Catalog — the old PS Now service was folded into PS Plus back in 2022. Physical PS1 discs aren't supported on PS5, so if you've got a box of originals in the loft, you'll need to track down digital versions to play them.
Can you use a PS4 controller on a PS3?
Yes, a PS4 controller will work on a PS3 console as long as your PlayStation is fully updated. The PlayStation 4 controller works with the PlayStation 3; just connect to the PS3 by using a wired USB cable connection, or you can pair the PS4 controller wirelessly using Bluetooth.
If you're playing games on a PC instead, check out our 5 best quiet gaming keyboards for the ultimate peaceful gaming match.
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When did the PS3 come out?
The PlayStation 3 was first launched on November 11, 2006, in Japan. In North America, it was released on Nov 17, and on March 23, 2007, the PS3 was released in Europe and Australia. The PlayStation 3 competed primarily against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii when it was originally launched.
The PS3 sold around 87.4 million units worldwide across its lifetime — a record that was finally beaten by the PS5 in late 2025, making the PS3 the lowest-selling PlayStation home console to date.
Is The PS3 Backwards Compatible?
PlayStation 3 consoles are backwards compatible with every PS1 game. If you want to play the original Tekken 3, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo II, Final Fantasy VII, or Crash Bandicoot games, you're in luck! However, not every PS3 model is backwards compatible with PS2 games.
The original 60GB and 20GB PS3 models were backwards compatible with PS2 games because they had the PS2 chip inside. But other models, some of which used to be backwards compatible using additional software, no longer support PS2 games.
Can you still get after-sales support for the PS3?
Unfortunately, you cannot get after-sales support for the PS3 anymore. In short, this means the PS3 is, effectively, dead and obsolete.
Sony stated the following with regard to killing their third-generation PlayStation console:
"Due to the depletion of parts inventory, we will no longer be able to provide after-sales service for the PlayStation 3 CECH-4300 series main unit and all PlayStation 3 peripherals on April 30, 2022."
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