The PlayStation 5 has gotten a redesign, but not a hardware upgrade – so can the PS5 Slim play PS4 games? One of the favorite features of the PS5 console was its backward compatibility, so naturally many gamers are left wondering if the ability to play PS4 games will be carried over onto the new PS5 Slim. So, in this article, we’ll explore if backward compatibility of the PS5 Slim and provide all the information you need to know about playing PS4 titles on Sony’s sleek and powerful flagship console.
Are PS4 games playable on the PS5 Slim?
The good news is that, as a redesigned successor of the PlayStation 5, the PS5 Slim is still backward compatible with the overwhelming majority of PlayStation 4 games. This means that you can enjoy your favorite PS4 games on the new console without any issues, on either the disc or digital versions of the PS5. With an amazing collection of thousands of PS4 games available, and an even bigger gaming library opened up through investing in a PlayStation Plus subscription, the PS5 Slim opens up a wealth of possibilities.
Playing PS4 game discs on the PS5 Slim
If you have PS4 game discs, you can easily play them on the PS5 Slim with a disc drive. Simply insert the PS4 game disc into the console and download any necessary updates. Some PS4 games will even benefit from the PS5 console’s Game Boost, which might make the game run with a higher or smoother frame rate. Once the game is installed, you can select the game hub from your Games home and start playing. It’s important to note that you will need to keep the disc inserted each time you want to play the game.
Please be aware that PS4 game discs cannot be used with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, which doesn’t have a disc drive, although you’ll be able to purchase a detachable disc drive separately from PlayStation Direct. Of course, there’s also a short list of PS4-exclusive games, which can be found on the PlayStation website.
What are some of the PS4 exclusive titles?
As per the PlayStation website, the current list of PS4-exclusive titles includes Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One, We Sing, Just Deal With It!, Hitman Go: Definitive Edition, Robinson: The Journey, and Shadwen. However, this list can be subject to change.
Can you transfer digital games from the PS4 to the PS5 Slim?
If you own digital copies of your PS4 games, you have the option to transfer them from your PS4 console to the PS5 Slim. This can be done using the WiFi data transfer feature or by accessing the games and game data directly from a compatible USB storage drive that you may already be using with your PS4 console.
To transfer digital games using WiFi data transfer, follow these steps:
Step 1: make sure both your PS4 and PS5 Slim consoles are turned on.
Step 2: on your PS5 Slim console, go to the home screen and select Settings.
Step 3: in the Settings menu, navigate to System and then to System Software.
Step 4: select Data Transfer and continue with the on-screen instructions to transfer your games and game data.
Alternatively, if you have your games and game data stored on a compatible USB storage drive, simply connect the drive to your PS5 Slim and access the games from the Game Library on your PS5 Slim’s home screen.
Final thoughts
If you’re having concerns about whether you’ll be able to play your PS4 games on a PS5 Slim console, rest assured that the answer is yes for most PS4 titles except the few games exclusive to the console. If your interest is piqued, you can read in more depth about the backward compatibility of the PS5 Slim here, and read through other articles available on PC Guide that tell you all you need to know about the PS5 Slim, as well as its PS5 predecessor and a wealth of other gaming queries and console comparisons.
