PS5 Backward Compatibility Only Covers Select PS4 Titles

With PlayStation 5 release (supposedly) on the horizon, one feature that the fans keep asking about — how extensive the PS5 backward compatibility library is — seems to have been answered. Not by Sony themselves though, no, but according to Ubisoft’s official support page instead. On it, it’s written that while PS5 and PS4 do have a crossplay feature, PS5’s backward compatibility will only support “select” PS4 games and older consoles are not included:

PlayStation 4 players will be able to join multiplayer games with PlayStation 5 players.

Backwards compatibility will be available for supported PlayStation 4 titles, but will not be possible for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, or PlayStation games.”

Sony has not officially confirmed nor debunked the information. The last time Sony talked about backward compatibility for their next-gen console was in March, where PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny explained that they’re expecting most of the 100 top-played PS4 games are going “to be playable at launch on PS5“.

This move is completely different than Microsoft’s stance on backward compatibility. Even before Xbox Series X was revealed, the Xbox team has always emphasized their backward compatibility capability. Back in 2019, Xbox head Phil Spencer said that they’ve always wanted to make sure that their games, accessories, and Xbox Live service “are compatible across all the generations.”. Culminating with their Smart Delivery system.

It’s really us respecting the purchases our players have made on our platform. Some of these games people bought a decade ago in our digital ecosystem, and you’re going to turn on [Xbox Series X] and the entitlement is going to be there, you can go download the game and play. And as gaming goes from all-physical to a combination of physical and digital, I think us respecting the purchase people have made at no charge allowing them to continue playing their games.”

Ubisoft’s other support page also supported their claim by listing:

• Achievements earned on Xbox One versions of supported games will be transferable to Xbox Series X.
• Xbox One players will be able to join multiplayer games with Xbox Series X players.
• Backward compatibility will be available for supported Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Xbox titles.

Does PS5’s somewhat lackluster backward compatibility feature make or break your decision to buy Sony’s new console? Tell us what you think of this in the comments below.