The dos and don’ts…
The previous generation of Sony’s console skipped this feature, but the PS5 embraces backwards compatibility like never before. Playing a game from previous generations has never been easier. It is as simple as downloading the game or inserting the disc.
The added benefit with the PS5’s backwards compatibility is that your catalogue of games can take advantage of the console’s bleeding-edge SSD to load quicker, while a large number of games are enhanced with better frame rates and graphics. Not every PS4 game works on the PS5, though, although the chances of anyone being upset that Afro Samurai 2 didn’t make the cut are probably close to slim at best.
Which PS4 games aren’t backwards compatible with PS5?
As revealed by Sony, the following handful of games won’t work on the PS5:
- DWVR
- Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One
- TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2
- Just Deal With It!
- Robinson: The Journey
- We Sing
- Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
- Shadwen
- Joe’s Diner
With that small list established, here’s how you can play 99% of the PS4’s library on PS5…
PS4 disc:
You’ll obviously need the PS5 console model equipped with a disc drive to gain access to your physical library, but it’s as easy as inserting the Blu-ray disc and installing it on your PS5. You’ll still need to make certain that the game has been updated if a patch is available, and the console will require the disc to be inserted to authenticate ownership of the game installed on it and linked to your account. Like the PS4, though, the PS5 disc option is a quick and easy system for games preservation via classic disc-based options.
PlayStation Library:
Any games that you own digitally (excluding the ones mentioned above) can simply be loaded from your library once logged in to your PSN account on your new console. Simply navigate to the Game Library tile from the main menu, and you’ll have access to everything you’ve ever downloaded from the PlayStation Network. You can organise by the date you acquired the game or alphabetically to make the process easier when you’re searching for a specific title.
External hard drive:
One of the great features of the PS4 era, much to the relief of anyone who had a launch day 500GB model, was the option to store games on an external hard drive. All the games stored on that device can be accessed by your PS5 by simply plugging in, saving all your hefty downloads without the worry of having to reformat the drive.
Wi-Fi transfer or LAN cable:
If you’re unable to use any of the methods above, there’s one last trick up PlayStation’s sleeve in the form of Wi-Fi transfer. With both consoles plugged in, switched on, and connected to Wi-Fi, go to your PS4 system settings, select System Software, and then Data Transfer. Follow the on-screen instructions, and wait for the transfer to complete. Note that you can also do this by connecting both consoles with a LAN cable through the ethernet port at the rear of each machine and that this method only applies to the PS4’s internal storage.
For future news, watch this space.
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