Are you into games? We all tend to upgrade to the newer versions of everything that comes up in the market. However, if the new version does not come with the ability to be compatible with the previous version, it can look like a total waste of money. Therefore backward compatibility of the console is a must-have in new and upgraded versions. The same question might have popped into your head, too, while thinking of upgrading your PS3 to PS4. So, are you wondering can PS3 games be played on PS4? If yes, read through to find out how to play PS3 games on PS4 for free and how to play PS3 games on PS4 without PS Now.

How to Play PS3 Games on PS4 for Free

Sony’s PlayStation has been releasing several gaming consoles, the latest being the PS5. But if you have a PS4 but want to try playing PlayStation 3 games on the PS4 console, you might want to read through this article. In this article, we bring you the perfect guide to how to play PS3 games on PS4 for free.

Quick Answer

Unfortunately, there is no way to play PS3 games on a PS4 without using PlayStation Now (Plus) or without having access to a PS3 console. You can only play a few remastered and re-released PS3 games for PS4 on your PS4 console with PS Plus subscription.

Can PS3 Games be Played on PS4?

Yes and no. It is only possible to play PlayStation 3 games on the PS4 console which have been remastered or re-released for the PS4, either as part of a collection or as standalone titles. For the other PS3-only games, the PS4 console does not support them, and they can’t be played on the next version.

Sony had decided not to incorporate a software emulator for the PS4 which has made it difficult for gamers to rethink before investing in it. The major reason for this is the difference in the architecture of both models. The hardware of the PS3 is not present in the PS4 consoles, so it is not possible for the discs of the PS3 to work on the PS4.

Also, there are other ways in which you can play PlayStation 3 games on the PS4, without the need for any backward compatibility through the PlayStation Now (currently PS Plus) service on the PS4, but this requires a stable internet connection and a subscription to the service.

Also Read: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Player Count: How Many People Play the Game?

Can You Play PS3 Games on PS4 with PS Now?

Yes, definitely. PS Now is now PlayStation Plus, and using this you can stream a variety of games on the newer console. As long as the games are available or accessible online and not through a game disc, you will be able to play PlayStation 3 games on PS4 with PS Now. It might get a little bit tricky but you can.

Can You Play PS3 Games on PS4 Pro?

No, unfortunately, you cannot play PS3 games on PS4 Pro. It is not possible as there is no backward compatibility on any of the PS4 versions. You either have to play them on PS Plus (only for available games) or get your hands on the PS4 instead.

How to Play PS3 Games on PS4 Without PS Now?

You cannot play PS3 games on a PS4 without using PS Plus (formerly PS Now) or having a PS3 console. The architecture of the PS3 and PS4 is different, so PS3 games are not compatible with the PS4.

Some PS3 games are available on the PS4 through remastering or re-releasing, but not all games. As of recently, there are approximately 350 PS3 games available for you to filter out from on the PS4 under this service. The games can be downloaded and played directly from the servers using a PS3 console. However, it won’t be possible for you to download the game to your own console due to the lack of backward compatibility found in them.

If you want to play a specific PlayStation 3 game, you need to find a used PlayStation 3 console or look for similar games on PS4 or other platforms, like Xbox, Nintendo, etc.

Also Read: How to Access PlayStation Plus 14 Day Trial

Do PS3 Purchases Transfer to PS4?

No. Even though leaving your dearest PS3 or PS2 games can be hard, the reality check is PS4 doesn’t support PS2 or PS3 games, except remastered and re-released ones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is PS4 Pro worth buying now?

Ans. Yes, PS4 is Sony’s most powerful console and was the most powerful before the lunch of the PS5. It has an eye-catching design and has 4K capabilities which work incredibly well. So, to answer your doubt, PS4 Pro a more developed version of PS4 is definitely worth every penny.

Q2. Is PS5 graphics better than PS4?

Ans. Yes, as Sony’s recent addition to the PS family, PS5 clearly has some great aspect that makes it better than the PS4. This includes powerful graphics, superior cooling, faster loading times, and many more

Recommended:

There is no direct form to play PS3 games on PS4 but there are ways for you to try playing PS3 games on a PS4 console. We have listed out the ways that will allow you to try the games on the PS4 console. We hope that you learned how to play PS3 games on PS4 for free. Feel free to reach out to us with your queries and suggestions via the comments section below. Also, let us know what you want to learn about next.