The PS5's custom SoC, OS, and software architecture environment was built from the ground up with PS4 backward compatibility in mind. That doesn't include PS1, PS2 or PS3 games, though.

Not every PS4 game that is playable on the PS5 will be optimized with specific features like ray tracing, ultra-fast loading times, and 120FPS. Those games require extra enhancement patches.

While you can play PS1, PS2, and PS3 games on PS5, there are caveats to this. So, if you were hoping it’s as easy as just sliding your disc in, you’re in for some disappointment.

Unlike the Xbox Series X — which plays many Xbox 360 and original Xbox games — the PS5 only plays PS4 games, and of course PS5 games as well. It isn’t backward compatible with PS3, PS2, or ...

It's the first confirmation we have that you won't be able to insert a PS1, PS2, or PS3 disc into a PS5 and expect it to play. Sony used the development time it had to ensure PS4 compatibility ...

Sony's PlayStation Plus subscription service has its ups and downs, but it has been adding some incredible games as of late.

The PS3 offered some downloadable PS2 games but there weren’t a lot and they weren’t enhanced in any way. This changed with an even more concise collection on the PS4. Games like Dark Cloud 2 ...

You currently can’t play PS2 or PS3 games on PS5 the traditional way—popping discs into the disc drive—but, if you subscribe to Sony’s $10-a-month PS Now service, you can stream some PS2 ...

PS3 to PS4 is basically not done unless it was a PS3 exclusive game in the first place. The reason, as DisplayNameTaken alluded to, is the difference in the CPU (not so much the GPU) of the PS3.

Join us as we explore the PS5 launch games and see how they compare to the North American launch lineups for PS4, PS3, PS2, and the original PlayStation.

After the PS3 release, gems like Rogue Galaxy, King of Fighters 2002, and Odin Sphere came out on PS2. Games like Persona 3 also came out and helped tide players over before switching to the PS3.