PlayStation 5 News: Backward Compatibility, PS4 Game Resolution, PS VR Confirmed

With a month to go before the PlayStation 5 officially launches, Sony has answered a few burning questions for those who are curious about the next-gen console.

Posting on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony dealt mostly with questions regarding backward compatibility and PlayStation VR, and put a few rumors to rest while addressing some things that may have been leaving those curious about the PS5 anxious.

Regarding backward compatibility that was not in the plans for the PlayStation 4 when that system launched, Sony said that this time around 99% of PS4 titles will work on the PS5, confirming something previously teased by Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan.

There is a huge catalog of games already out in the market that can be immediately played on the new console upon its launch. The blog post pointed out two hits from 2020, namely “The Last of Us Part II” and “Ghost of Tsushima,” as titles that will work on the new console at launch.

Aside from the aforesaid PS4 titles, a few other games including the pre-loaded “Astro’s Playroom,” “Sackboy: A Big Adventure,” “Demon’s Souls,” “Destruction AllStars,” and “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” will be available when the PlayStation 5 arrives in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea on Nov. 12.

For those wary about just how different games on the PlayStation 4 will run on the PlayStation 5, Sony promised an even better experience for the older games on the new gaming machine. “Select PS4 titles will see increased loading speeds on the PS5 console, and will also leverage Game Boost, offering improved or more stable frame rates,” Sony said on its blog.

Resolution, the most important thing for players who value the best graphics for their UHD and OLED TVs, will indeed improve for PS4 titles moving to the PS5, although not for all. Sony was careful to note that some titles with unlocked frame rates or dynamic resolution up to 4K may see higher fidelity.

On the topic of PlayStation VR having backward compatibility, the VR games will indeed be playable on the PlayStation 5 as long as certain peripherals sold separately are involved. The accessories needed are the PS VR headset, DualShock 4 wireless controller or PlayStation Move controller, and PS Camera for PS4.

Sony indicated that the PS5 HD Camera is not compatible with PS VR on PS5, which means players will need the PS Camera for PS4 and a PPS Camera adaptor to enjoy PlayStation VR on the PS5.