Are you missing the startup sound of PS2 games? Or the portability you had with PSP? If you’re a long-time PlayStation fan, chances are most of the games you love playing are just distant memories. But is there a way to play them on your new PS5?
Even though PlayStation’s PS5 ads say backward compatibility is a big thing in PS5, it only applies to PS4 games. But going back a generation from PS4 makes things complicated. So today, we will help you understand how all this works in our PS5 Backwards Compatibility PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita guide.
How do PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, and PS Vita backward compatibility on PS5 work?
The PS5 is backward compatible with over 4000 PS4 games and some remastered games from PS3, PS2, PS1, PSP, and PS Vita. But The PS5 does not have backward compatibility support for all the PS3, PS2, or PS1 consoles and PSP & PS Vita handhelds. It is incompatible with original game discs and store-purchased games from these previous generation platforms before PS4. But to make matters more confusing, Sony allows some PS1/PS2/PS3/PSP/PS Vita games that were ported to the PS4 to be playable on the PS5 if purchased via the PlayStation Store.
To simplify it, the only PS1, PS2, and PS3 games that can be played on PS5 are those on PS Plus. These games are emulated and must be downloaded from PSN. They can’t run off an original disc, and there’s a limited selection. So remember that Physical disc versions of your PS2 and PS3 games are not backward compatible with the PS5.
The PS5 consoles cannot play original PlayStation Portable or PlayStation Vita games except for a few that are remastered for the PS4. Some examples include Patapon Remastered and Gravity Rush Remastered.
Here’s a simplified summary:
- PS4:
- Over 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5, making it the most supported generation. This includes both physical discs and digital downloads.
- Most games run flawlessly, with some even receiving performance enhancements like faster loading times and higher frame rates.
- Some games are playable only on PS4 and will be shown as “Playable on PS4 only” in the PS Store. These games include Hitman Go: Definitive Edition, Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One, Just Deal With It!, Robinson: The Journey, We Sing, Shadwen, and more, depending on your PS region.
- PS3, PS2, PS1, PSP, PS Vita:
- Official backward compatibility for these older generations is not available on the PS5.
- However, there are some workarounds:
- Higher-tier PlayStation Plus Plans (PlayStation Plus Premium & PlayStation Plus Deluxe, region-specific) offer streaming a limited library of PS3, PS2, and PS1 games through cloud technology.
- Some classic PSP and PS Vita games are available for purchase and download on the PlayStation Store. These are the games remastered for PS4. Only these remade/remastered ports to PS4 of PSP and PS Vita games are backward compatible with PS5 consoles.
| Console | Backwards Compatibility Physical Disc | Backwards Compatibility Digital Store | Workarounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS4 | Yes, 4000+ games | Yes, 4000+ games | N/A |
| PS3 | No | No | PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog (limited library) |
| PS2 | No | No | PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog (limited library) |
| PS1 | No | No | PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog (limited library) |
| PSP | No | No | PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog (limited library) |
| PS Vita | No | No | Remote Play from a PS4 or PS5 |
PS5 Backwards Compatibility PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita List
Here are all the PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita games you can play on PS5 Backwards Compatibility using PlayStation Plus Premium & PlayStation Plus Deluxe plans:
| .detuned | DYNASTY WARRIORS 6 | Mamorukun Curse! | Sam & Max BTS: Episode 2 – Moai Better Blues |
| AFRIKA | Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires | Mars: War Logs | Sam & Max BTS: Episode 3 – Night of the Raving Dead |
| Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers (PS4) | Dynasty Warriors 7 | Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond | Sam & Max BTS: Episode 4 – Chariots of the Dogs |
| Air Conflicts: Secret Wars | DYNASTY WARRIORS 7 Empires | MEGA MAN 10 | Sam & Max BTS: Episode 5 – What’s New Beelzebub? |
| Air Conflicts: Vietnam | DYNASTY WARRIORS 7: Xtreme Legends | MEGA MAN 9 | Sam & Max The Devil’s Playhouse Episode 1: The Penal Zone |
| AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead & Undressed | Dynasty Warriors 8 | Meikyu touro Legasista | Sam & Max The Devil’s Playhouse Episode 2 The Tomb of Sammun-Mak |
| Alien Rage | Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends | METAL SLUG 3 | Sam & Max The Devil’s Playhouse Episode 3 They Stole Max’s Brain |
| Alien Spidy | Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce | Metro 2033 Redux | Sam & Max The Devil’s Playhouse Episode 4: Beyond Alley of Dolls |
| All Zombies Must Die! | Earth Defense Force 2025 (SIEJ: Earth Defense Forces 4) | Metro: Last Light Redux | Sam & Max The Devil’s Playhouse Episode 5: The City That Dares Not Sleep |
| Alone in the Dark: Inferno | Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon | Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge | Savage Moon |
| Anarchy: Rush Hour | Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard | MotorStorm Apocalypse | Serious Sam Collection |
| Anna – Extended Edition | Eat Them! | MotorStorm RC Complete Edition | Shatter |
| Anomaly Warzone Earth | Echochrome (PSP/PS4) | Mount & Blade: Warband | Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution |
| Ape Academy 2 | Echochrome (PSP/PS5) | Mr. Driller (PS1/PS4) | Siren |
| Ape Escape (PS1/PS4) | Echochrome: Prelude | Mr. Driller (PS1/PS5) | Siren: Blood Curse |
| Ape Escape (PS1/PS5) | Elefunk | MX vs ATV Reflex | Skullgirls Encore |
| Ape Escape 2 | Enemy Front | MX vs ATV: Alive | Sky Fighter |
| Aqua Panic! | ENSLAVED: Odyssey to the West | MX VS ATV: UNTAMED | Skydive: Proximity Flight |
| Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star | Escape Dead Island | Narco Terror | SkyDrift |
| Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits | Ethan: Meteor Hunter | Ninja Gaiden 3 | Slender: The Arrival |
| Arcana Heart 3 | Eufloria | NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor’s Edge | Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time |
| Arcana Heart 3 LOVE MAX!!!!! | F.E.A.R. FIRST ENCOUNTER ASSAULT RECON | Ninja Gaiden Sigma | Smash Cars |
| Armageddon Riders | Faery: Legends of Avalon | NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 | Snakeball |
| Asura’s Wrath | FALLOUT 3 | NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence | Sniper Elite V2 |
| Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 1 | Fallout: New Vegas | NOT HAREM HEAVEN, IT IS YANNDERE HELL. | Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype |
| Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 2 | FantaVision | Numblast | Soldner-X: Himmelssturmer |
| Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk | Final Exam | Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus | Space Ace |
| Atelier Escha & Logy ~Alchemists of the Dusk Sky~ | Final Fight: Double Impact | Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (PS1/PS4) | Split/Second: Velocity |
| Atelier Meruru – The Alchemist of Arland 3 – | Frogger Returns | Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (PS1/PS5) | Star Wars Demolition |
| Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland | Fuel Overdose | OKABU | Star Wars Racer Revenge |
| Atelier Shallie ~Alchemists of the Dusk Sea~ | GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES | OKAGE: Shadow King | Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II |
| Baja: Edge of Control HD | Genji: Days of the Blade | Outcast – Second Contact | Star Wars: Bounty Hunter |
| Bang Bang Racing | G-Force | Papo & Yo | Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter |
| Batman: Arkham Origins | Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime | Paradox of Gods and Destiny Revolution | Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Ultimate Sith Edition |
| Batman: Return to Arkham – Arkham Asylum | Go! Sports Ski | PATAPON 2 REMASTERED | STARWHAL |
| Batman: Return to Arkham – Arkham City | God of War HD | Patapon Remastered | Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition |
| Battle Fantasia | God of War II HD | Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One | STRIDER |
| BATTLE OF TILES EX | God of War III Remastered | Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two | STRONG BAD’S COOL GAME FOR ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE – EPISODE 1: HOMESTAR RUINER |
| Battle Princess of Arcadias | God of War: Ascension | Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension | STRONG BAD’S COOL GAME FOR ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE – EPISODE 2: STRONG BADIA THE FREE |
| Bellator MMA Onslaught | Gravity Rush Remastered | Pid | STRONG BAD’S COOL GAME FOR ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE – EPISODE 3: BADDEST OF THE BANDS |
| Bentley’s Hackpack | Greg Hastings Paintball 2 | Pinball Heroes | STRONG BAD’S COOL GAME FOR ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE – EPISODE 4: DANGERESQUE 3: THE CRIMINAL PROJECTIVE |
| BEYOND: Two Souls | Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- | Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End | STRONG BAD’S COOL GAME FOR ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE – EPISODE 5: 8-BIT IS ENOUGH |
| Big Sky Infinity | Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi | PixelJunk Eden Encore | Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix |
| BIOHAZARD: The Darkside Chronicles | Hamilton’s Great Adventure | PixelJunk Monsters | Super Star Wars |
| BIONIC COMMANDO REARMED | Hamsterball | PixelJunk Monsters Encore | Syberia |
| Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 | Harvest Moon: Back to Nature | PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap | Syphon Filter |
| BioShock 2 Remastered | Heavenly Sword | Piyotama | Syphon Filter 2 |
| Bioshock Infinite: The Complete Edition | Heavy Fire: Afghanistan | Planet Minigolf | Syphon Filter 3 |
| BioShock Remastered | Heavy Fire: Shattered Spear | Planets Under Attack | Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror |
| BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien | Heavy Rain | Pool Nation | Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow |
| Black Knight Sword | Herc’s Adventures | Port Royale 3 Pirates & Merchants Gold Edition | Tales from Space: About a Blob |
| BLADESTORM: Nightmare | High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition | Primal | Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack |
| Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War | HOARD | Prismatic Solid | Tekken 2 (PS1/PS4) |
| BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger | Hot Shots Golf | Proteus | Tekken 2 (PS1/PS5) |
| BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND | Hot Shots Golf 2 | Puppeteer | The Awakened Fate Ultimatum |
| Blood Knights | Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds | Pure Farming 2018 | The Darkness |
| BloodRayne: Betrayal | Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational | Puzzle Agent | The Darkness II |
| Bolt | Hot Shots Tennis | Q*Bert: Rebooted | THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION |
| Borderlands: The Handsome Collection | Hotline Miami | QUANTUM THEORY | The Guided Fate Paradox Full Game |
| Brink | HUNTED: THE DEMON’S FORGE | Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic | The King of Fighters XIII |
| Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back | Hustle Kings | RAGE | The Last Guy |
| Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition | I.Q: Intelligent Qube (PS1/PS4) | Ragnarok Odyssey ACE | The Last of Us Remastered |
| Burn Zombie Burn! | ibb & obb | Raiden IV: OverKill | The Last of Us: Left Behind |
| CAPCOM ARCADE CABINET : ALL-IN-ONE PACK | ICO Classics HD | Raiden V: Director’s Cut | The Last Tinker: City of Colors |
| Carmageddon: Max Damage | inFAMOUS | rain | The Legend of Dragoon |
| Cars Mater-National Championship | inFAMOUS 2 | Rainbow Moon | The Mark of Kri |
| Cars Race-O-Rama | inFAMOUS Festival of Blood | Ratatouille | The Raven Remastered |
| Castlevania: Harmony of Despair | Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition | Ratchet & Clank | The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition |
| Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate | Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos | Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando | The Sly Collection |
| Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 | Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom | Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction | The UnderGarden |
| Cel Damage HD | Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time | Thunder Wolves |
| Champion Jockey: G1 Jockey & Gallop Racer | Jak 3 | Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One | TOKYO JUNGLE |
| Chime Super Deluxe | Jak II | Ratchet & Clank: Deadlocked | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters |
| Class of Heroes 2G | Jak X: Combat Racing | Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault | Toro to MorMori |
| Comet Crash: Bionic Bundle | Jetpack Joyride Deluxe | Ratchet & Clank: Nexus | Toukiden: Kiwami |
| CRASH COMMANDO | Jimmie Johnson’s Anything With An Engine | Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty | Toy Home |
| Critter Crunch | Joe Danger 2: The Movie | Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal | Toy Story 3 |
| CROSSING THESIS OF GODS AND DESTINY AWAKENING | Judge Dee – The City God Case | Realms Of Ancient War | Trash Panic |
| Crysis Remastered | Jumping Flash! (PS1/PS4) | Record of Agarest War | TRINITY: Souls of Zill O’ll |
| Cuboid | Jumping Flash! (PS1/PS5) | Record of Agarest War 2 | Tron: Evolution |
| Cuboid Ultimate Bundle | JumpJet Rex | Record of Agarest War Zero | Truck Racer |
| Danger Zone | Karateka | Red Dead Redemption | Umbrella Corps |
| Dangerous Golf | Killzone: Liberation | Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare | Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection |
| Dark Cloud | Kinetica | Red Faction | Urban Trial Freestyle |
| Dark Cloud 2 (SIEE: Dark Chronicle) | Kingdom of Paradise | Red Faction II | Velocibox |
| Dark Mist | Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning | Red Faction: Battlegrounds | VelocityUltra |
| Dark Void | Knytt Underground | Red Faction: Guerilla Re-MARS-tered | Vessel |
| Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition | KOEITECMO the Best Majantaikai Ⅳ | Red Johnson’s Chronicles | Voodoo Chronicles: The First Sign |
| Darksiders Warmastered Edition | Kung Fu Rabbit | Red Johnson’s Chronicles – One Against All | Wakeboarding HD |
| Darkstalkers Resurrection | Last Rebellion | Resident Evil 4 | War of the Monsters |
| Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition | Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West | Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition (Alternative Edition) | Warlords |
| Deadlight: Director´s Cut | Legasista | Resident Evil 6 | WARRIORS OROCHI 3 |
| Death Track: Resurrection | LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes | Resident Evil Code: Veronica X | Warriors: Legends of Troy |
| Deception IV: Blood Ties | LEGO Batman: The Videogame | Resident Evil Director’s Cut | Way of the Samurai 3 Plus |
| Deception IV: The Nightmare Princess | LEGO Harry Potter Collection | Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City | WAY OF THE SAMURAI 4 PlUS |
| Destroy all Humans! | LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues | Resident Evil Revelations | When Vikings Attack! |
| Devil May Cry 4 | LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures | Resident Evil Revelations 2 | Whispering Willows |
| Devil May Cry HD Collection | LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game | Resident Evil Revelations 2 – Complete Edition | White Knight Chronicles |
| DISGAEA 3: Absence of Justice | LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars | Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles | White Knight Chronicles II |
| DISGAEA 4: A Promise Unforgotten | LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga | Resistance 3 | Wild Arms |
| Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness | Leo’s Fortune | Retro City Rampage DX | Wild Arms 2 |
| Dishonored | Linger in Shadows | Retro/Grade | Wild Arms 3 |
| Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two | Lock’s Quest | Ricochet HD | WipEout: Omega Collection |
| Disney Universe | LocoRoco 2 Remastered | Ridge Racer 2 | Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls |
| Disney·PIXAR Brave | LocoRoco Cocoreccho! | Ridge Racer Type 4 | Worms |
| Disney·PIXAR Cars 2: The Video Game (PS3) | LocoRoco Remastered | Rise of the Kasai | Worms Armageddon (PS1/PS4) |
| Disney·PIXAR Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue (PS1/PS4) | Lost Planet | Rocket Knight | Worms Armageddon (PS1/PS5) |
| Disney·PIXAR Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue (PS1/PS5) | LOST PLANET 2 | Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken | Worms World Party (PS1/PS4) |
| Disney·PIXAR Toy Story Mania! | Lost Planet 3 | Rogue Galaxy | Worms World Party (PS1/PS5) |
| Doom (1993) | Lumines Remastered | Rogue Warrior | XBLAZE Code: Embryo |
| Doom 3 | Machinarium (PS3) | Rotastic | XCOM: Enemy Within |
| Doom 64 | Mafia II: Definitive Edition | R-Type Dimensions | Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z |
| Doom II | Mafia: Definitive Edition | RUNE FACTORY OCEANS (SIEA: Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny) | Z/X |
| Double Dragon Neon | Magic Orbz | Sacred Citadel | Zack Zero |
| Dragon Fin Soup | Magus | Saints Row 2 | Zen Pinball 2 |
| Duke Nukem Forever | Majo to Hyakkihei | Sam & Max BTS: Episode 1 – Ice Station Santa | Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov’s Revenge |
While the PS5’s backward compatibility may not include every game from previous generations, having the option to play the selection of games in higher PS Plus tiers is better than none. But in short, you are paying extra to play games you already won in previous generations. Compare this to Xbox’s backward compatibility option below.
Xbox Series X/S vs PS5 Backwards Compatibility
Xbox Series X/S lets you play thousands of games from all four Xbox generations. Want to play any of your old favorite games that you already own on any of the previous generations? You got it.
And you don’t need to worry about starting over the game campaign from the beginning. Xbox’s backward compatibility lets you transfer your saves, add-ons, and achievements for supported games via the cloud at no additional cost. Plus, many games get an FPS Boost on Xbox Series X/S with smoother gameplay (framerates), up to 4K resolutions, and even automatic HDR for old SDR games.
Because remember, all Xbox 360 and Original Xbox games that work on Xbox One are also playable on Xbox Series X/S. Check out the complete list here on the official page.
I hope the next generation of PlayStation lets us keep playing the previous PS4 we own at no additional cost.
That’s everything you need to know about in our PS5 Backwards Compatibility PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita guide. And if this guide helped you, kindly check out our dedicated categories for all the latest entertainment news, game news, release dates, and reviews.
