Many PlayStation 3 owners considering an upgrade to the PlayStation 4 are concerned that their PS3 games won’t work on the new system. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. This article provides a comprehensive guide on playing PS3 games on a PS4, covering every aspect of the process.
PlayStation Now
Using PlayStation Now and a wireless internet connection, you can play PlayStation 3 games on your PlayStation 4 console. You can play any game in the PlayStation Now library if your internet connection is fast enough.
You don’t have to wait for your PS3 games to download and update before you can play them. All PlayStation Now games are kept in the cloud, so the technical details are taken care of automatically. You only need a 5 Mbps or better internet connection and the PlayStation Now app from the PlayStation Store.
Can You Play PS3 Games On PS4:
This is impossible since the PS4 and PS3 use fundamentally different hardware. The PS3 was made with a unique technology called a “cell CPU architecture,” while the PS4 was mostly made to look like a regular computer.
If you were wondering whether or not PS3 games could be played on a PS4 by inserting a PS3 game disc, the answer is no. However, a cloud-based streaming service like Google Stadia will enable compatibility with older systems.
The 2014 release year for PlayStation Now. PlayStation Now is Sony’s cloud gaming streaming service on the PS4. It’s a paid service with a few different plans to pick from.
Fortunately, Sony provides a free seven-day trial that you may try if you are unsure whether or not you want the service before shelling out your hard-earned cash on a PlayStation Now to play a game from an older generation.
How To Play PS3 Games On Your PS4
Although the PlayStation 4 does not officially support PS3 games, there are workarounds for playing them. Playstation Now is a service provided by Playstation that allows users to download a large library of games. Simply said, it’s a game platform hosted on the cloud.
Cloud gaming is essentially a game streaming service. The games are downloaded and played on the server, on a real PS3, with the resulting video transmitted to your PS3. Playstation Now has a monthly subscription cost of $9.99 in the United States and $8.99 in the United Kingdom.
This service has many PlayStation 3 games and a small but high-quality collection of PlayStation 2 games. Nonetheless, like with a streaming service, games could be removed periodically.
To play on your PS4, you may also purchase games from the Playstation Store. Sony has remastered many PS3 games and a large number of PS2 games so that they can be played on the PS4.
Why Can’t PS3 Discs Be Played On PS4?
The Playstation 4 is incompatible with PS3 games since its fundamentally different system architecture. Unfortunately, it lacks the hardware to run these games in their intended form.
As a result, emulation is the only way a PS4 could play PS3 games; that is, the system would need to contain a program that could replicate the PS3’s processing power to play PS3 games. Such a feature, on the other hand, would put a lot of stress on the console and require a lot of extra work.
Sony took the far simpler path of remaking individual PS3 games from the ground up so they could be played on the new console. Skyrim, BioShock, Dark Souls, and many others fell into this category.
The Best PS3 Games To Play On PS4
Now that you know how to play PS3 games in various ways, you may be curious as to what kinds of games are truly accessible. Games that can be streamed or have been remastered on the PS4 are included on this list.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Since its release, Skyrim has amassed a massive fan base, and it’s now nearly impossible to find a system on which it isn’t available. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition was published on PC, Xbox One, and PS4 in 2016.
The graphics in the PlayStation 4 version of the game are completely different from the ones in the PlayStation 3 version, and it comes with all three of the downloadable content packs that came out before. The game can be modified right on the console.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls was first released for the PlayStation 3 in 2014. In 2018, it was made better for the PlayStation 4. This version completely changes the graphics and frame rate of the original. It has 1080p at 60 fps and 4K support on PS4 Pro. The maximum number of online co-op players has increased from 4 to 6.
Even if the PS4 isn’t compatible with PS3 games, you can still enjoy a remastered version of one of the most popular titles from the previous generation.
The Last of Us
This game was a smash hit for the PS3 when it was launched. It’s the kind of game that would sell well on a new platform because of its compelling plot, beautiful graphics, and fun gameplay.
Its PS4 remaster came out that year. It’s been updated visually, runs at a higher frame rate, and supports 4K on PS4 Pro. They also made a conscious decision to make greater use of the PS4 controller’s features. It also includes downloadable content for the base game, such as Left Behind.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
The Uncharted trilogy was also a huge success on the PS3. These games had exciting gameplay and compelling narratives. The good news is that the entire trilogy has been updated for the PS4 so that you can experience all of its next-gen enhancements in one sitting.
The PS4 remaster is a great option whether you’ve played the games before on the PS3 or are curious about them for the first time. The games have been overhauled, so they can now be played in 1080p at 60 frames per second and boast other graphical improvements. The remaster also included certain changes to the game’s gameplay to make the series’ experience more consistent.
FAQs
Can you play PlayStation 3 games on a PlayStation 4?
The PlayStation Now service, which Sony developed and released so that PS4 owners could play PS3 and PS2 games, allows you to play PlayStation 3 and PS2 games on your PS4.
PlayStation Now is a cloud-based gaming service that provides monthly, quarterly, and annual subscriptions.
Can you play PlayStation 3 games on a PlayStation 5?
Sony’s PlayStation Now membership service allows you to play PlayStation 3 games on a PlayStation 5. The program provides access to a vast catalog of games, including PS2 and PS3 titles, that may be played online or downloaded to play offline on a PS4 or PS5.
Can I transfer PS3 games to PS4?
Even if you cancel your PlayStation Now subscription, any progress you’ve made in a game you started before canceling will be saved. PS Now saves your progress so that if you return to a game you previously played, the action will pick up right where you left off before you canceled your membership.
In this instance, if you copy your PS3 game library to the PS4 hard drive and then try to launch a game, nothing will happen since the PS4 will not recognize the PS3 files as game files.
Does PS3 online still work in 2023?
Sony’s internet services for the PS3 are still active, so you can play multiplayer games that rely on them. Even though many gaming servers shut down in 2018 and 2019, there are still servers for some games. Even in 2023, using your PS3’s internet features is as simple as signing in and playing a game.
While exploring the compatibility of PS3 games on PS4, you might also be interested in accessing a wide array of games through different platforms, including those often restricted at work or school. If you’re a fan of world-building and adventure, delving into the realms of popular sandbox games offers a creative and immersive experience. For a different kind of engagement, the world of business strategy and simulation games can test your managerial skills. Sports enthusiasts might enjoy the thrill and technique of virtual boxing titles, while epic quests in beloved RPG series can transport you to fantastical worlds full of lore and legend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no direct way to play real PS3 games on a PS4 system right now. If you’d rather play these games digitally, you may do so via remote streaming via PlayStation Now, aka PS Plus Premium.
You can play remasters of games originally released for the PS3 natively on the PS4, and you can attempt upgrading your older titles to their PS4 editions if the developer allows it.
The PlayStation 5 is trendy now; luckily, it can play PS4 titles. Both consoles run on x86 architectures and use AMD-developed SoCs; therefore, they share a lot of comparable internals.
Video games for the PlayStation 3 can be played on the PlayStation 4. Moreover, the PS4’s enhanced capabilities may improve such games by allowing smoother frame rates.
