How does PlayStation 5 backward compatibility work?

Sony unveiled a ton of exciting new titles and features coming to the PlayStation 5 yesterday at its reveal event. From breathtaking graphics in exclusive games to lightning-fast hardware, PlayStation fans have a lot to look forward to in the year ahead.

However, there is one feature that every fan of the console has been looking for for years. This feature would be backward compatibility, which has been a staple of Xbox consoles since the Xbox 360. Sony has announced that this feature will be included with the PS5, but in what capacity?

Backward compatibility on the PS5

In a previous interview, Sony confirmed that backward compatibility will arrive with the PlayStation 5. Although the console is only compatible with PS4 titles. Conversely, Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox Series X will offer backward compatibility with all previous Xbox console titles.

Nonetheless, this is a huge milestone for Sony as they are lagging behind on this feature. However, when the PS5 launches, fans will not be able to play any PS4 title they want. Instead, only the top 100 PS4 games (ranked by overall playtime) will be backward compatible.

Image via Sony

While this is a little disheartening, Sony has clarified that it hopes almost all PS4 titles eventually become backward compatible. It's eerily similar to the launch of the Xbox One, which only offered 360 compatible titles. This list, of course, has grown over the console's lifecycle.

A PlayStation Now?

A big question that many PlayStation connoisseurs have been asking themselves about backward compatibility is how will PlayStation Now work? The streaming service featured on the PS4 allows users to play a wide variety of PS3 and PS2 games.

Whether this service will be available for purchase on the PS5 has yet to be determined. However, we should hear a response closer to the console launch during the 2020 holiday season.