Will PS3 Games Work on PS5? It says “Unsupported Disc,” doesn’t it? I bet it does.
Playstation consoles may have been updated, but that doesn’t mean PlayStation lovers want to toss out the games from previous consoles, especially when they have a favorite.
If you have been unable to play your PS3 games on your PS5 console and you have been asking yourself how can I play PS3 games on PS5, then this article is for you.
It is generally believed that you cannot play a PS3 game on a PS5 console, but this article is here to prove that wrong. We will show you how to eat your cake and have it too. In other words, how to have a PS5 console and still play a PS3 game on it.
What Is The Difference Between PS3 And PS5?
In addition to the fact that they are 2 console generations apart and that the PS5 is generally considered to be 30 times more powerful than the PS3, there are several other differences between the Sony Playstation3 and Playstation5.
- Design. The PS5 features a dramatically simpler and sleeker front as compared to PS3’s front, which is busier but with a premium feel.
- Storage. The PS5 has a storage capacity of 825GB, while the PS3 has a storage capacity of 20GB.
- Pixel Fill Rate. The PS5 has a 142.9 Pixel Fill Rate, while the PS3 has only 4.4.
Can You Play PS3 Games On PS5?
Yes, you can play PS3 games on a PS5 console, but you cannot play with the PS3 game discs on the PS5 console. You need to stream the games via the cloud.
The PS5 is Sony’s newest gaming console, and it provides an amazing gaming experience that could be difficult to top, although some players might still choose to play older titles.
Check out how to stream on PS5 if you have any doubts about what’s it or how to do it.
Why PS3 Games Discs Cannot Work On PS5 Console
There is no official explanation as to why PS3 game discs cannot work on PS5, but it is most likely due to costs and the difficulty of emulating PS3 architecture. The PlayStation5 has limited compatibility with PS3 games.
PlayStation stated on their site that the PS5 would play PS5 games and more than 99% of PS4 games, including PlayStation VR games, only.
Do you know you can actually share games with friends using PS5? Learn how to gameshare on PS5.
How To Play PS3 Games On PS5?
Physical disc versions of PS3 games are not backward compatible with the PS5; therefore, to play PS3 games on a PS5 console, you need to stream via the cloud.
A PS3 game can only be streamed and played on your PS5 console if you subscribe to Playstation Now, which gives you access to the PS3 library.
PlayStation Now: The Only Way to Play PS3 Games on PS5
PlayStation Now was Sony’s subscription service, and it offered members access to a library of over 500 online games.
In June, Playstation updated Playstation Now to create an all-new PlayStation Plus subscription service that provides more choice to customers across three membership tiers globally.
The new version of Playstation subscriptions brought together the previous PlayStation Plus services and the PlayStation Now.
The previous PlayStation Plus service offered access and online play to a few games while PlayStation Now offered cloud streaming to some games.
With the new Playstation Plus, users can access a catalog of games, play online multiplayer games, play games in the cloud, and a standing game library available for download or streaming, including the games previously available through PS Now.
Related article: How to Set PS5 as the primary console
Do You Need A PS Plus Subscription To Play PS3 Games on PS5?
Yes, to play PS3 games you need a PS Plus Premium subscription because PS3 games are only available via streaming.
PS Plus is a subscription-based service that gives gamers access to several benefits which of course, depends on the user’s subscription tier. And to suit user’s gaming needs, PlayStation provided three different tiers:
PlayStation Plus Essential
This is the most basic tier and the benefits include:
- Two monthly downloadable games
- Exclusive discounts
- Cloud storage for saved games
- Online multiplayer access
Subscriptions for the PS Plus Essential plan can be monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
| Region | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
| United States | $14.99 | $39.99 | $99.99 |
| Europe | €13.99 | €39.99 | €99.99 |
| United Kingdom | £10.99 | £31.99 | £83.99 |
| Japan | ¥1,300 | ¥3,600 | ¥8,600 |
PlayStation Plus Extra
This tier includes all the features of PlayStation Plus Essential, with added access to an incredible collection of games.
PS Plus Extra in addition to the above benefits also:
- Adds a catalog of up to 400 of the most enjoyable PS4 and PS5 games.
- Allows games in the Extra tier to be downloadable for play.
Subscriptions for the PS Plus Extra plan can be monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
| Region | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
| United States | $17.99 | $49.99 | $119.99 |
| Europe | €16.99 | €49.99 | €119.99 |
| United Kingdom | £13.49 | £39.99 | £99.99 |
| Japan | ¥1,550 | ¥4,300 | ¥10,250 |
PlayStation Plus Premium
The premium plan, which is the most expensive tier, allows users to enjoy core PlayStation Plus benefits. It is the only one that allows you to Play PS2 and PS3 games.
Related article: Will My External PS4 Hard Drive Work on PS5?
The benefits include:
- Provides all the benefits from Essential and Extra tiers.
- Adds up to 340 additional games.
- Offers cloud streaming access for original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4 games offered in the Extra and Premium tiers.
- Time-limited game trials will also be offered in this tier, so customers can try select games before they buy.
Subscriptions for the PS Plus Extra plan can be monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
| Region | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
| United States | $9.99 | $24.99 | $59.99 |
| Europe | €8.99 | €24.99 | €59.99 |
| United Kingdom | £6.99 | £19.99 | £49.99 |
| Japan | ¥850 | ¥2,150 | ¥5,143 |
How To Cloud Stream PS3 Games On PS5 Console
You can follow the steps below to cloud stream PS3 games on PS5:
1. Put On Your PS5
Put on your PS5 and wait for it to load.
2. Connect To Stable Internet
A stable and consistent internet connection is required to stream the game. For PS5 gamers to play PS3 titles, they must have an active and consistent internet connection.
Slow or inconsistent internet speeds can cause a variety of issues because the internet speed has to be fast as games need high speed for smooth performance. Sony recommends an active broadband connection of at least 5Mbps for a stable internet connection.
3. Connect Yur DualShock Controller
Connect your DualShock controller or pad to your PS5 by pressing the PS button on the controller and switching it on. Once the controller is on, it will connect automatically.
4. Go to PS Plus
You can easily access PlayStation Plus through your PS5 home screen.
5. Create a PS Plus account
You will need to create a PS Plus account if you are a new user. As this is a subscription service, you will need to enter a valid payment method.
However, if you are an existing subscriber, continue to your PS Plus homepage.
6. Go To The PS3 Games Library
When your payment has been confirmed, and your account has been activated, you can access the PS3 games library. In the library, you will find a variety of games that you can play. However, it will not be possible for you to download the title to your PS5 console; you can only stream the games.
7. Select The Game You Want To Play
Select the PS3 game you want to play from the selection once you have opened the library. Press the Stream button to get started.
Issues You May Face While Playing PS3 Games On PS5
Some of the issues gamers may face while playing PS3 games on the PS5 console are:
- Inconsistent internet speed or bad connection.
- Games are not downloadable.
- Backward compatibility.
- Game streaming lag and stutter.
If you have issues using PS Plus, check out why your PS Plus is not working
List Of Popular PS3 Games Available On PS5 Through PS Now
In comparison to older generations and later generations, the PS3 has the best collection of games. Even though you can’t play physical PS3 discs on the PS5, you can still access some of the console’s greatest hits via PS Plus.
If you are not completely sold on the PS Now subscription, here is a list of PS3 games that can be streamed on PS5 that might change your mind:
- God of War 2 HD
- The Last of Us
- Bioshock
- Yakuza 5
- Resident Evil 4
- Devil May Cry
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Resistance 3
- F.E.A.R.
- Uncharted 2
- Demon’s Soul
- Infamous
- Red Dead Redemption
Playing PS3 Games On PS5 Console: Yes, But Only Streaming
All things considered, the answer to the question “can you play PS3 games on PS5” is a conditional yes. The unique cell architecture with which PS3 was developed makes it impossible to play PS3 games natively on the PS5.
The PS5 console will not support PS3 games on its own. Therefore, PlayStation lovers need to get a PlayStation Plus membership. However, despite the PlayStation Plus membership, you cannot purchase or download digital games, and you cannot run PS3 games from game discs on the PS5 console.
