Can a PS4 Play PS2 Games?

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Backward compatibility is an often sought-after quality of new consoles. Gamers can justify spending the exorbitant prices for next-generation consoles if they can boot up discs from prior iterations. Though the glitz and glam of new triple-A games provide novel entertainment, sometimes it’s more comforting to reach for an old favorite. Can gamers still rocking the PS4 insert PS2 discs and play classic games?

Is the PS4 Backward Compatible?

The PS4 doesn’t allow players to load their old game discs. It won’t cause any hardware issues, but the PS4 will not read them and show up as an unknown disc. Newer consoles are eliminating this feature for several reasons, and gamers should expect this trend to continue. Despite this, it doesn’t mean PS2 games aren’t available on the PS4. 

New hardware would need retrofitting to support older games, and most of the time, Sony doesn’t justify the financial investment to make the console this versatile. Though this is a reasonable excuse, others believe the motivation behind this is more financially driven. Sony could have eliminated this model to pursue a potentially more profitable avenue in subscription-based premium services.

If PS4 owners want a crossover feature from the PS2, they’ll be happy to know DVDs are still functional, in addition to current streaming services.

How Can You Play PS2 Games on PS4?

Like how Nintendo has created an online catalog of old and remastered games with Nintendo Online, Sony made the PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra and Deluxe memberships featuring games of systems past. It’s vital to know that the only package that includes classic games is the Deluxe package, charging gamers $17.99 per month or $119.99 yearly for nostalgic hits.

Other innovators have attempted to jailbreak their systems to read PS2 discs. However, if you’re not careful, this could jeopardize your system or eliminate warranties. In a worst-case scenario, Sony could ban you or pursue legal action against the name associated with the relevant account. 

Is the price worth it to you when other companies offer similar products at a cheaper value? Is it all dependent on what games they have on offer?

What PS2 Games Can You Play on PS4?

These online offerings frequently change as Sony adds and removes titles from the collection. The reason they do this is to keep people coming back and justifying the purchase. Gamers can keep tabs on Sony news for updates, but here are some of the most prominent PS2 titles from the classic catalog:

• Ratchet & Clank series
• Dark Cloud series
• Jak and Daxter series
• The Sly Collection
• Ico
• God of War series
• Selected Resident Evil games
• Devil May Cry series

Gamers could question the value behind this collection because of a few glaring omissions like some Square Enix favorites, the Persona series, Tony Hawk and Metal Gear Solid. However, as developers bank on profiting from remasters, titles that aren’t in the collection may already have been re-released or have plans to release again soon. Game developers have more money to gain in this quest than they would by putting the old version of the game online as part of a subscription.

Having Access to the PlayStation Catalog

As much as game companies have to pump out exciting, revolutionary gaming experiences for modern audiences with high expectations, they have to prioritize nostalgia equally. The first gaming generations are getting older, and next-generation consoles must continue appealing to audiences who don’t want to change and still want to experience old favorites. You can still play PS2 games on a PS4, but perhaps not in the way you would expect.