Sony hasn’t been exactly forthcoming with details about the PS5, despite the console being just over a month from release. There are still questions about backwards compatibility and the PS5’s ‘Boost Mode’ that Sony hasn’t gone into any great detail about. We’ve had the vague promise of “most PS4 games” running on PS5, but no solid numbers.
Well, now we do. Kind of.
Sony has published an FAQ of sorts over on its official site with some explanations about backwards compatibility, as well as device compatibility. So, if you’re wondering if you can use your PS4 controllers on the PS5, this should clear things up.
Which PS4 games don’t work on PS5?
Sony has published a very small list of games that will not run on PS5. Thankfully, the list is very, very small, populated by just 10 games.
- DWVR
- Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One
- TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2
- Just Deal With It!
- Shadow Complex Remastered
- Robinson: The Journey
- We Sing
- Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
- Shadwen
- Joe’s Diner
It’s a shame that these games won’t run on PS5 – especially Robinson: The Journey for PSVR – but it is only a small selection of games. So, when Sony says that most PS4 games will work fine on PS5, it’s true. Bear in mind, however, that this list could grow, but I really can’t see it getting much bigger than it already is.
What about PS4 discs on PS5?
Sony has said that, if the game is supported on PS5, you can use your PS4 disc to play the game on PS5. You’ll need to keep the disc in the console for the duration of your play session, but that’s been standard since the days of the PS1, so no biggie.
What about digital PS4 games on PS5?
The good news here is that you won’t need to re-download your PS4 library for PS5, providing you still have a PS4. You’ll be able to transfer your PS4 games, as well as their save files, from your PS4 to your PS5 over WiFi. This should be much quicker than downloading everything again.
Which controllers and accessories work on PS5?
Sony says that DualSense controllers, DualShock 4 controllers and officially licensed third-party controllers will work on PS5 with supported PS4 games. So, the majority of your controllers will be fine. However, current-gen controllers will not work with PS5 games – you will need to use a DualSense controller for PS5 games.
Speciality controllers, like racing wheels, flight sticks, and arcade sticks, will work with PS5 and supported PS4 games, as long as they are officially licensed. If you don’t have an officially licensed controller, it may not work.
If you have a PSVR headset and a couple of PS Move controllers, you can keep hold of them for now, as well as your PSVR Aim controller. The PS5 will support these peripherals for supported PSVR games, and, at the moment, that’s looking like almost every PSVR game released to-date, excluding Robinson: The Journey.
What is PS5 Boost Mode? (Game Boost)
Boost Mode, according to Sony, will allow “select PS4 games” to run at higher or more stable framerates on PS5. So, if a game has an unlocked framerate, it should hit the upper limits more often than it does on PS4. Likewise, if a game does not have an unlocked frame rate, but it’s somewhat unstable on PS4, it should hit its target more on PS5. Basically, your PS4 games will play a little smoother on PS5. That being said, it is only “select” PS4 games that will benefit from “Game Boost” and for all we know, it could be 2, or it could be all of them. Again, vague Sony is vague.
Source: PlayStation Support
