Hopefully we are reaching the point where PS5s are more readily available so we can focus less on stock scalpers and more on actual games. PS4 dominated the last generation by a significant margin but there has been lack of launch titles to really take advantage of the new hardware. Fortunately this is the perfect opportunity to tackle the never-ending backlog of games you might have missed last gen that will receive a free next-gen upgrade leading to a significantly better experience on PS5.
Your game upgrades won't happen automatically or through a typical game update, so it's easy to accidentally keep playing the PS4 version of a game on your new PS5. You have to go to the game page on the PlayStation Network and choose to upgrade to the PS5 version. That'll download the extra data needed for the next-gen features.
Read more: PS5 restocks: When to expect the console to appear
If you have a PS5, make sure you're playing the best possible version of your games.
Andrew Hoyle/CNETYou can also upgrade to PS5 versions if you have a physical PS4 game, as long as you bought the PS5 with a disc drive. You'll always need to use the PS4 disc to play the PS5 version; upgrading doesn't get you a free digital copy of the game. You'll still download the PS5 update from the PSN, but you won't need a PS5-specific disc -- your PS4 one will become an authenticator.
If you opted for the digital-only PS5 and have a disc, you're out of luck. There are a few more limitations and caveats:
- Some PS5 versions of current PS4 games aren't out yet.
- Next-gen versions will be bigger files, so they'll take up more precious memory on the console's SSD.
- You'll end up with a fresh list of trophies (each version's list is separate).
- A few games' saves won't transfer, and some require you to upload your save manually from the PS4 version before you can access it on PS5.
- Some game upgrades are available only in cross-gen bundles or special editions.
First-party policy change
Sony initially said 2022 exclusive Horizon Forbidden West wouldn't let you upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5 version for free unless you bought the more expensive Digital Deluxe, Collector's or Regalla Edition. It later reversed course, saying anyone who bought the PS4 version would be entitled to a free PS5 upgrade.
However, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan also confirmed that upgrading future first-party games will come at a price.
"Moving forward, PlayStation first-party exclusive cross-gen titles (newly releasing on PS4 & PS5)-both digital and physical*-will offer a $10 digital upgrade option from PS4 to PS5," he wrote a blog post. "This will apply to the next God of War and Gran Turismo 7, and any other exclusive cross-gen PS4 & PS5 title published by Sony Interactive Entertainment."
A new report has claimed that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be coming natively to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X at some point in the future. At this point in time, the latest title from Rockstar Games can be played on both PS5 and Xbox Series X thanks to backward compatibility, but the game itself doesn't fully take advantage of what each platform is capable of. And while Red Dead Redemption 2 does receive some performance upgrades on these consoles as it currently stands, it sounds like a native port of the title should be coming before long.
According to Tez2, who is a frequently cited Rockstar Games insider, Red Dead Redemption 2 should be heading to both PS5 and Xbox Series X "at some point down the road." This report notes that the new version of the game will be doled out via an update, which means that those who already own Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4 and Xbox One likely wouldn't have to pay to get the game upgraded. As for when this update might come about, Tez2 says that they have "no idea" when it could happen, but it seems likely that Rockstar is working on the upgrade at this point in time.
A RDR2 update for PS5 & XSX is planned at some point down the road. No idea when tho.
— Tez2 (@TezFunz2) July 4, 2022
In a general sense, it wouldn't be shocking to see Rockstar Games update RDR2 for PS5 and Xbox Series X for a number of reasons. As it stands, the game has already sold tens of millions of copies, which means that Rockstar surely wants to keep the title alive for as long as possible. Not to mention, Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive has also teased within the past year that it will be releasing a high number of remasters and ports in the near future. While it never committed to Red Dead Redemption 2 being one of these ports, the game's previous success makes it seem like a very likely candidate.
0commentsWould you look to play Red Dead Redemption 2 again for yourself if it did come to PS5 or Xbox Series X? And when do you believe that Rockstar could release this next-gen upgrade? Let me know either down in the comments or message me on Twitter at @MooreMan12.