Can you play PS5 games on PS4? Technically no

Okay, so the short answer on this topic is, technically no, you can’t play PS5 games on your PS4. Upcoming PS5 games that have been confirmed as PS5 exclusives – including the likes of God War: Ragnarok – will not be playable on PS4 whatsoever. These are titles that have been specifically built to take full advantage of the new PS5 features, including that super speedy SSD, fresh controller upgrade, and tasty graphical enhancements. 

Some PS5 exclusives are also launching on PS4

But, there’s a caveat to that. Some of the PS5 launch games – plus Horizon Forbidden West – have been confirmed for a simultaneous PS4 release. So, that means if you want to play the likes of Sackboy: A Big Adventure or Spider-Man: Miles Morales, you’re in luck. There will be a PS4 version of these big PS5 games available. 

Lots of games are launching across the generation gap

Another element of the whole PS5 games on PS4 conversation is that a lot of games are launching across PS4 and PS5 – including plenty getting free PS5 upgrades such as Fortnite, Marvel’s Avengers, and even Cyberpunk 2077. So if you want to be cheeky, you can say you’re playing a PS5 compatible game on your PS4 until you’re ready to make the upgrade. 

For more info on the PS5, check out the links below:

• PS5 vs Xbox Series X
• PS5 pre-orders
• PS5 price – How much will it set you back?
• Can you play PS4 games on PS5?
• Best PS5 accessories

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As shared by Push Square (opens in new tab), it looks like Sony could be blocking the activation of pre-paid PS Plus and PS Now cards ahead of the PS Plus revamp happening this summer. According to several users online, whenever they’ve tried to redeem pre-paid cards the PS Store just shows an error message that reads: “The pre-paid card could not be redeemed. Please try again later.”

@AskPlayStation @PlayStation could you please look into it? The Seller is saying the problem is with you guys, that the codes are active and working, but I can’t redeem them, what can I do?April 27, 2022

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This could be due to Sony cracking down on those who are attempting to stack subscriptions to get the new PS Plus membership for a cheaper cost. The thinking behind this comes from the fact that PlayStation Now/Plus subscribers will be moved over to PlayStation Plus Premium (the top tier of the PlayStation subscription service) for no additional cost for as long as their current subscription is active. Once it runs out though, you will be charged the new amount.

What some people had planned to do (opens in new tab) is stack up multiple yearly subscriptions in order to get the cheapest price for as long as they could. PlayStation, of course, doesn’t seem to be a fan of this loophole so has apparently temporarily stopped people from redeeming their pre-paid cards with the intention of doing this. 

According to the Push Square story, Sony Support is responding to players who are confused about why their cards don’t work with something along the lines of: “As of now there is a temporarily deactivated function for PS Plus/PS Now subscriptions which does not allow for stacking of either membership on already active memberships.”

The email continues: “This is only temporary and as soon as we have more information about we will let our players know, for more information regarding news for the new launch of our service please check out our blog.”

Still confused about the new PS Plus membership? Take a look at our PS Plus Tiers explained guide.

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Earlier today on January 20, a Sony spokesperson said as much to the Wall Street Journal (opens in new tab). “We expect that Microsoft will abide by contractual agreements and continue to ensure Activision games are multiplatform,” the spokesperson told the outlet.

This is obviously a massive question that was immediately on the mind of players worldwide, when Microsoft announced the forthcoming acquisition of Activision Blizzard earlier this week. It was entirely possible that the company would make games like Call of Duty or Crash Bandicoot exclusive to Xbox platforms, cutting out PlayStation players entirely.

Several pieces of information could contradict this, though, including the new statement from Sony on contractual agreements. Firstly, Xbox boss Phil Spencer stress that the acquisition isn’t meant to “pull communities away” from PlayStation platforms. Secondly, one analyst believes that Call of Duty exclusivity for Xbox would make the acquisition “hard to get past regulators.”

Microsoft has a history of abiding by existing contractual agreements. When the company announced the acquisition of Bethesda parent company Zenimax back in 2020, Microsoft made it clear that they would follow the deals in place for Arkane’s Deathloop and Tango’s Ghostwire: Tokyo on PS5, for example.

However, it’s also reserved other upcoming Bethesda-developed games for Xbox platforms, revealing the upcoming Starfield to be an exclusive for Xbox and PC platforms, stamping out the possibility of a PlayStation launch. It’s still incredibly early days for the new acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, and it even remains to be seen whether the deal will actually receive the approval of regulators, but for now we’ll have to wait and see what Microsoft ultimately does with Activision Blizzard’s extensive catalog of games.

Here’s what the new acquisition by Microsoft could mean for Activision Blizzard games and studios.

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The claim comes from former God of War director David Jaffe. “I’ve said time and again that people who are writing Jim Ryan’s obituary are way premature,” Jaffe said in a video published yesterday to his YouTube channel (via VGC (opens in new tab)). “We had the guy on the show yesterday that had made the petition to fire Jim Ryan and I was like, ‘dude, that’s way premature’ because Jim Ryan doesn’t owe anybody, Sony doesn’t owe anybody, the truth about what’s coming and what their counterpunch to Game Pass is,” he continued. Jaffe went on to claim that he’s spoken to multiple people at Sony familiar with the company’s plans, adding that “there will be a response to Game Pass.”

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of Sony preparing some sort of response to Xbox’s Game Pass initiative. Shortly after the launch of the PS5 in November 2020, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan hinted at some sort of response, saying that “there is actually news to come, but just not today,” when asked whether Sony would react to Microsoft’s subscription service.

It’s hard to not wonder about Sony’s potential response to Xbox Game Pass, given that service’s strong additions over past weeks. People Can Fly’s Outriders launched on Xbox Game Pass for console players, and it’s rumored that EA’s unannounced Battlefield 6 could be headed to Xbox Game Pass as a day one launch title for Xbox consoles later this year. The service has also had a knock-on effect for Xbox’s business elsewhere, as boss Phil Spencer recently revealed that Xbox Game Pass subscribers spend 20% more overall on gaming than those who aren’t subscribed to the service.

Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation Now line up saw two high-profile additions this past week, but with a crucial catch. While subscribers could download and play Marvel’s Avengers and Borderlands 3, they were restricted to playing the PS4 versions of both games, with the free PS5 upgrades for both games being locked off to those who were playing through the subscription service. 

If you’re still trying to pick up Sony’s next-gen console, head over to our PS5 deals guide for an up-to-date list of retailers with current and projected stock.

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As first reported by MP1st (opens in new tab), PS4 software version 8.50 has begun rolling out for beta testers around the world. Apparently, the 8.50 test period is dubbed the “Spring 2021 beta” by the official email invitations from PlayStation, and it would seem that the headline feature of this update is to remove Communities on PS4 consoles, which will be riding off into the sunset once the 8.50 update launches worldwide.

Elsewhere, another feature of the 8.50 update is to turn group notifications on and off. With just a simple toggle you can pause and resume notifications from any group. Other features contained within the new update include the ability to stop other players seeing you playing a game that you’ve previously opted to “hide” within the PS4’s systems menu.

Finally, there’s a slight change to the Request to Join feature. With update 8.50, you can now use the Request to Join button to join the game of the session leader, who will then be able to invite you into the specific match or game.

Over on the PS5 side of things, the latest system update that Sony’s next-gen console received was back in early February. In this last system update, the PS5 notified players when they were going to play a PS4 version of a specific game instead of the native PS5 version by accident. So for example, those who were booting up the PS4 version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War would receive a notification that the PS5 version of the game was available to play instead.

If you’re still trying to get your hands on Sony’s flashy next-gen console, you can head over to our PS5 deals guide for more.

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Earlier today on December 15, a job listing (opens in new tab) for a Director at PlayStation Direct Europe surfaced online. What’s obviously noteworthy about this is that PlayStation doesn’t have a Europe-facing Direct storefront right now, so this strongly indicates that the PlayStation Direct store will soon be expanding into Europe.

Currently, the PlayStation Direct store is only available in the US. This Sony-facing storefront offers consumers the chance to purchase consoles like the PS5 from Sony directly, without having to go through a third-party storefront like Amazon or Walmart. Additionally, the Direct storefront houses accessory items like the Pulse 3D headset, and the PS5 camera for users to purchase directly.

When Sony opened up PS5 pre-orders through their Direct storefront earlier this year in the US, they did it on a ticketing basis. Prior to the consoles going on sale, you had to register through Sony to be in with a chance of purchasing the console directly through the supplier, as purchases through PlayStation Direct were done on an invite-only basis. This caused quite a stir, but it was certainly one alternative to putting pre-orders live and letting consumers fight it out with scalpers to be the first to get their hands on the new console, as many third-party retailers did.

With less than two weeks to go now until Christmas is finally upon us and we can wave 2020 farewell, you can head over to our best gifts for gamers guide for help finding presents for the Holiday season.

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• Astro A50 headset | now just £199.99 at Amazon UK (save £92) (opens in new tab)

This really is one of the best gaming headsets and one of the best Black Friday gaming headset deals out there.

Why spend so much on a headset? Well, GamesRadar+ awarded this particular headset five-stars, and for good reason. Our reviewer raved about the build quality, the powerful sound, and wireless capabilities, lasting 15 hours from one charge from its aesthetically pleasing charging station. Thanks to being Astro, it comes with the Astor Command Centre, which allows for fine-tuning of the sound. There’s no word on whether this supports 3D audio yet, though the Astro A50 will work seamlessly with the PS5 straight out of the box. One of the best, an absolutely belter, and for much less today. 

As with other Black Friday deals, it’s thanks to the sales season for bringing this five-star headset down to it’s lowest ever price in the UK. It’s always been a headset and brand to save up for, and now is the time to strike.

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Astro A50 wireless gaming headset | £292.95 £199.99 on Amazon UK (opens in new tab)
Take your gaming setup to the next level with this exquisite headset from Astro. It’s wireless, got great audio, and fully compatible with PS5, PC, and PS4 so will have you well covered.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

Looking to upgrade your setup in a different way? Perhaps a better screen to enjoy that new console on? Then check out the best Black Friday TV deals right now.

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Though easy to overlook at first, you’ll notice it alongside the name of the game they’re playing. Here, take a peek (thanks, Push Square (opens in new tab)):

Of course, right now everybody sports the same icon as we’re all still patiently awaiting the arrival of our PS5 (opens in new tab) consoles, but after November 12 or 19 – depending upon where you are in the world – pals who were lucky enough to secure a PS5 will presumably sport a different icon to match that of the PS5’s bold new design. 

It’s also thought that PS Vita players get a special icon, too.

It shouldn’t have a massive bearing on your experience either way – friends should be able to join voice chats and lobbies regardless of whether they’re on Sony’s current- or next-gen systems – but it’s a handy visual reminder nonetheless.

We’re now weeks away from the PS5 launch, and we finally have all the details for Sony’s next-gen console, including an amazing look at the PS5 UI (opens in new tab) at last. That joins info on the PS5 price (opens in new tab), the PS5 launch games (opens in new tab), and that all-important release date. For more, check out our guide to everything we know so far about the PS5 (opens in new tab).

ICYMI, new images of an entirely black, and unannounced, PS5 DualSense (opens in new tab) controller have popped up online over the weekend, although most seem to think its from a dev kit rather than an unannounced full-black iteration of the upcoming controller. 

Here are all the PS5 games (opens in new tab) coming to Sony’s next-gen system.

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As of Friday, March 27, PlayStation has expanded its plans to manage downloads to include the United States. Stateside users may see a drop in download speeds in the coming weeks.  

Original story: 

PlayStation is joining a growing number of tech services who are trying to help preserve internet stability in Europe. 

Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, took to the PlayStation Blog (opens in new tab) to announce that Sony is “working with internet service providers in Europe to manage download traffic to help preserve access for the entire internet community.”

This follows Netflix, YouTube (opens in new tab), and Disney+ who are also looking to limit their strain (opens in new tab) on the internet in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Ryan addressed how PlayStation’s move will affect players in the short term, writing “Players may experience somewhat slower or delayed game downloads but will still enjoy robust gameplay.”

Essentially, while your game updates and purchases off the store might take a little longer to come down the pipes, it seems like online gameplay shouldn’t be affected by Sony’s move (the increased demand on most multiplayer servers withstanding, of course). 

Ryan explained why Sony are taking this step, although you probably don’t need reminding of the real world circumstances that have led to it. He notes, “We believe it is important to do our part to address internet stability concerns as an unprecedented number of people are practicing social distancing and are becoming more reliant on internet access.”

It’s not a surprising move, but it is a responsible one, considering the extra demand currently being placed on these services. And if you decide you’d rather spare your PlayStation for a while, then why not try the game that lets you help scientists develop coronavirus medication (opens in new tab)?

And if you’d understandably rather think about something else right now, here’s our latest episode of Challenge Radar (opens in new tab).

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It’s quite a conundrum. Let’s look at the data: last year, a 1TB PS4 with a game (Marvel’s Spider-Man (opens in new tab), which is considered quite good) dropped to $199 on Amazon. Add Horizon Zero Dawn (opens in new tab): Complete Edition (also riding high in the review scores) and you would have paid $250, which at the time was a fine bargain. That same console without the games is currently retailing for $289 on the same site (last year it was $299 in October), so we could see similar prices, or perhaps even $10 lower, this year. It’s perhaps better to buy a second game separately this year, however, as Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition is now part of PlayStation Hits, and goes for $20 or less, making the $50 premium for it look poor value in 2019.

Get ready

Cyber Monday game deals (opens in new tab): what to expect, and when to buy

Other PlayStation Hits games you can pick up for a snip with your new console include Uncharted 4 (and the Nathan Drake Collection too), The Last of Us Remastered, Metal Gear Solid 5 Definitive, Yakuza 0, Destiny 2, and Bloodborne. Just three of those, which all reviewed well, would provide a bonanza of gaming if you’re new to the PlayStation 4.

We don’t recommend getting a PS4 with a 500GB hard drive if you see one still being offered. No doubt it will be reasonably priced, and might do if you’re a light user, but the sheer amount of data that games and system updates like to store on the internal drive means you’ll be fishing around for a PS4 external hard drive (opens in new tab) pretty soon after you start using the console. Having 1TB of storage from the start means you’ll be able to go for longer, and play more games, before you need to make the soul-crushing decision of what to delete to make way for something new. The only real exception here is if you’re just looking to play a couple of games on the console, like FIFA 20 (opens in new tab) and COD: Modern Warfare (opens in new tab), for example – if so, then 500GB will probably be ok for you.

Time to go Pro?

Up until now we’ve concentrated on the PS4 Slim, which is essentially the same PS4 model that launched in 2013, just in a swanky new smaller casing. It took just over three years for the PS4 Pro to appear, an upgraded model with faster and bigger bits inside that allow it to run games at a higher resolution (4K), and slightly more efficiently, than its older brother. It’s worth mentioning that a PS4 Pro is probably only worth getting if you have the TV to make the most of it – while it will work perfectly well with a ten-year-old 1080p LCD, you might as well save money and go with the PS4 Slim. Those whose eyes gaze upon 4K HDR models, however, will definitely benefit from the increased resolution and performance on offer. The Pro also comes with a 1TB HDD as standard.  If you plan on upgrading your screen in the future, with one of those handy Cyber Monday TV deals (opens in new tab),  it might be worth considering the Pro now so you have something to show off when the new screen arrives.

A PS4 Pro 1TB is $379 right now on Amazon. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect that to drop to $299, and perhaps to have a game bundled with it too. We didn’t see significant drops on the Pro last year, but that was because Sony teamed up to offer a Pro+Red Dead 2 bundle, which was popular enough to sell at full price. Rumours persist of a Game of the Year Edition of Marvel’s Spider-Man, which would be worth looking into if you haven’t already played it. FIFA 20 is a persistent bundled game – the number seen on shelves in second hand stores is testament to this – but also look out for God of War (opens in new tab), Borderlands 3 (opens in new tab), Resident Evil 2, and The Witcher 3.

Most PS4 games get some sort of upgrade when slotted into a Pro, but not all are created equal. Look out for GT Sport (another frequent bundle choice), Red Dead Redemption 2 (opens in new tab), Wipeout Omega Collection, Hellblade, Hitman, and Final Fantasy 15 to see what 4K HDR gaming is all about. 

The final thing to consider is PSVR. You could easily pick up a PS4 Slim and a VR headset for the price of a PS4 Pro this Black Friday. If your TV isn’t up to the PS4 Pro’s pixel-pushing prowess, the PSVR is a great way to experience a new facet of gaming, even if you do look a bit of a noodle using it. PSVR is no longer limited to bespoke experiences, with big-name games now coming tailored for the immersive thrills of virtual reality. VR games worth checking out include Doom VFR, Borderlands 2 VR, No Man’s Sky, Tetris Effect, Superhot VR, and Resident Evil 7. You’ll find them heavily featured in Cyber Monday PlayStation VR (opens in new tab) offers.

If you can’t be bothered to trawl through the Cyber Monday sales, here are some of the best PS4 deals around right now.

PS4 Slim deals

PS4 Pro deals

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